Monthly Archives: May 2022

Catch the Creativebug this Summer

There are only a few more days of school left for most students and the sun is shining bright (mostly) in Pittsburgh! That means that summer is finally approaching and there’s more time for crafty projects with Creativebug.

Sure could use a new plant hanger? Go ahead and make one! Ready to don a new summer tunic? Follow a tutorial and craft your own with love (and recycled cloth)! Planning your Summer Reading activities? Look. No. Further!

Creativebug: the best resource for crafty library program planning.

Whether you’re looking for creative inspiration, family projects, or a way to stoke your DIY spirit, Creativebug offers a plethora of awesome video tutorials and handout templates.

Creativebug has over 1,000 tutorials created by professionals that cover topics for everyone — children, teens, adults, amateurs, and experts! The only thing needed to start finding your creative bliss is your library card.

Derek Nuzum, South Park Township Library

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Delving Deep with JSTOR

Anyone who has staffed a reference, adult services, or information desk can tell you the public has no shortage of interesting questions. Since my December 2021 start at Cooper-Siegel Community Library, patrons have requested information from the use of jaguar in the symbolism and mythology of South American countries to scholarly sources on the benefits of breast milk versus baby formula.

I have not searched for academic articles in a few years, though some of my old tricks still work! One of my favorite haunts for humanities-related articles is JSTOR. A child company of Ithaka Harbors, Inc., a nonprofit whose stated mission is to “help the academic community use digital technologies to preserve the scholarly record and to advance research and teaching in sustainable ways,” JSTOR is a major database of academic research materials containing books, journals, and primary sources. Limited access is available to all ACLA card holders through the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh!

For access, just head to https://www.jstor.org and click the “Log in through your library” link up top.

Then, type in “Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.” Click on the top search result to be directed to a login page.

Now, you simply log in with your library card number and PIN, and JSTOR is yours to explore! I have mostly used JSTOR for humanities- and history-related research, but many, many records and genres of academic research live here. You can also search by what articles you can access instead of being teased by those inaccessible.

Because of the times we live in, patrons may also be interested in medical research. For help with those inquiries, take a look at our 2020 post about the stellar NIH-affiliated database MedlinePlus.

Happy (academic) reading!

Cameron R.S. Smith, Cooper-Siegel Community Library

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Big and Small Engines

Don’t let engine troubles get in the way of your summer plans! Maybe you want the best lawn on the block and need to repair your lawn mower. Or maybe you want to spend your days on the rivers, relaxing on your boat and riding your jet skis. Or maybe you need to keep your generator in tip-top shape for the next summer thunderstorm.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center is a great start to find guides on maintenance and repairs on all your small engines.

Summer also means road trips for many. Keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance and repairs with Auto Repair Source. They make it easy to find the information for your car without any guesswork. When your mechanic says you need repairs or when it’s time for your 100,000 mile scheduled maintenance, you’ll sound as cool as the Fonz because you did your research with Auto Repair Source.

Happy (Summer) Days!

Leigha Lamont @ Wilkinsburg Public Library & Eastridge Branch

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Use Libby without the App

Did you know that library users can access the ease of Libby without downloading the app?

Any device with a web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge) can access LibbyApp.com which provides the functionality of the Libby App without having to download the app to your device. This can be really useful for patrons with older devices (running iOS 9 or earlier/Android 4 and earlier); patrons using a Windows computer, Mac computer, or a Chromebook; or – most probably – patrons using Amazon Kindle devices that do not support the Libby App who can no longer download the OverDrive app.

You can also use the website version to introduce patrons to the functionality of Libby in the instance that they forgot the password that lets them download apps on their device. (We’ve all been there, am I right?)

One of the only differences with libbyapp.com is that you cannot download titles for use offline. The user must be connected to the internet to access the titles.

Try it out! Visit libbyapp.com to get started.

Happy Reading!
Richelle @ Sewickley Public Library

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