Monthly Archives: October 2019

First, one more plug for #eBooksForAll.
Have you signed the petition?  It only takes a minute and has the potential to improve access to eBooks for all patrons.

Second, are you thinking about your library’s entry in the CONTEST to rebrand this Virtual Lexicon site?    Details:

• Each library director has received an online entry form
• One submission per library/department. We recommend brainstorming ideas for a new site name (and any suggestions for content) as a group
• Deadline for submissions is November 1, 2019

Next, OverDrive wants to make it easier to sign in and get going.  Libby offers the same collection and is still generally much simpler to use.  If you have a patron who hasn’t used either app before, I’d always recommend Libby (if available — sometimes kindles just don’t want patrons to leave the amazon universe).

Below are highlights of OverDrive’s changes, as seen on a desktop computer (followed by my observations in teal).

We’ve made the following updates to the sign-in page at your library’s OverDrive website:

• Updated design: The look of the sign-in page has been updated and more prominently displays your library’s colors.
  • Both ACLA’s OverDrive site and Libby’s site  behave similarly.
• Simplified sign in options: To simplify the login process, we removed the Sign in with Facebook and Sign in with OverDrive options (both options required a valid library card). Users can still sign in with their associated cards to access your digital collection and their current loans and holds.
  • It’s very simple if using the ACLA link. 
  • However, it’s a real nuisance if you go to generic overdrive.com — you have to select your home library at least twice, and it’s unwieldy to check books out.
• New sign-in help links: The sign-in page can display custom URL links to assist users with their login credentials (e.g., for Card/Username and PIN/Password).
  • Our links are not listed by the Sign In button yet. 
  • Clicking on the ‘Need a Library Card?‘ link at the bottom of the page does direct all visitors to CLP’s page — even though people have to select their library first.
• Easier library selection: For libraries in a consortium, in addition to the drop-down in the Select your library field, users can now type the name of your library or branch for easy filtering.

Christy Barowich
Carnegie Library of McKeesport

NoveList Plus has you covered when you know what you are in the mood to read but you don’t have a book in mind! With NoveList’s suggestions for different moods and break downs by genre you’re bound to find a great read.  NoveList will let you filter by age, genre, and even sub-genre. So if you are an adult who really enjoys a good romance but you are only interested in heroes who wear kilts – NoveList has the perfect list of titles for you!

The spookiest time of year is upon us so I would be remiss in not pointing out that NoveList’s mood suggestions are currently highlighting “Creepy and Atmospheric” titles. So if you are looking for something spooky or suspenseful then look no further than the main page of NoveList under the mood suggestions.

P.S. If you are on the hunt for a real scare don’t miss out on the NoveList’s horror resources with the “Feel No FEAR” highlight on the main page for this season.

~Adrianne

Northland Public Library

Starting Monday, October 14, OverDrive users will be able to have up to 20 items on their Holds list. The current maximum number of holds is 15. We hope that this increase in holds will be well-received by our patrons.

With more holds, it’s possible that multiple books will become available to at once. To help manage holds, you can suspend holds on specific books on your holds list. Suspending a hold lets you continue moving up on a title’s wait list without the title becoming available for you. If you reach #1 on the wait list, you’ll be in the first position to get the book once your suspended hold period ends.

For example, you might want to suspend a hold for a popular eBook if you’re on a long wait list for it, but know you’ll be unable to read it because you’re in the middle of another title.

You can suspend your holds using the website or via the Libby app in just a few easy steps!

Suspending Holds in Libby

1. Select my account in the right-hand corner.

2. Select Holds to pull up a complete list of the holds on an account.

3. Find the item from the list that you would like to suspend the hold.

4. Select Suspend Hold.  

5. Users have an option to Suspend Hold for: 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, 90 or 180 days.  This will keep the user’s place in the holds line. Once the designated period is up, users will be placed back in line for the item, while keeping the same place.

6. You can change or remove your suspended hold at any time.

~ Pam Calfo, Bridgeville Public Library & Hilary Lewis, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Do you struggle coming up with attractive and eye-catching flyers for your programs and events? Do you just use Publisher or Word because it’s on your computer? I might have the answer for you – Canva!

Canva is a free graphic design resource with thousands of templates that are easily adaptable to your needs with plenty of photos, graphics and fonts to choose from.

Canva can also help with your social media needs as well by providing templates designed for use on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, You Tube, and more!

And as a library you can apply for a Pro version of Canva for free! https://www.canva.com/en_in/canva-for-nonprofits/

Tracy – Monroeville Public Library