Tips & Tricks for ACLA Databases and Downloadables

Time to Check Our Links!

With the official (yes, really this time!) sunsetting of the classic Overdrive app at the end of January, the word “Overdrive” is slowly slipping away from our library vocabulary. We anticipate the classic Overdrive website also (eventually) going away, replaced by the already existing Libby website. And since the Overdrive website no longer has MP3 download capability either…well there’s no real advantage to keeping it around. So now’s the perfect time to check our links!

If any of our websites still link out to acla.overdrive.com, go ahead and update to libbyapp.com/library/acla. The Libby website still gives a preview of what’s available including recent curated collections, but it definitely more easily prompts users to log in. It also has the much simpler, “plain English” sign in process which reminds me of TurboTax vs. tax form lingo (“Did you earn money this year?” instead of “Form 1040 box 3, less withholding blah blah…”). Plus the simplicity of the website and similarity to the Libby app itself should help with the transition for those who haven’t yet downloaded Libby on their mobile device. The more things “look” like each other, the more easy it is to take the next step!

– Heather Auman, Western Allegheny Community Library

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PA Online Learning

Would you love to be able to offer a class on how to use social media, Google Maps or just computer basics but don’t have the staff or the time? PA Online Learning may be able to help.

PA Online Learning is a FREE growing collection of tutorials from Power Library on how to use software, social media, and library resources, such as POWER Library.

There is also a Lunch and Learn collection featuring topics such as Solar Eclipses, Women in Punk, Goth Music and much more.

It’s a great learning tool for us as well as our patrons so be sure to check it out!

Tracy – Monroeville Public Library

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Libby: Advanced Skills

Level up your Libby game and impress your patrons with these cool features.

Do you (or your readers) have a tall TBR pile? If so, you can tag a book to come back to later with the tag icon found below the Read Sample/Play Sample option. A menu will appear, and you can select which list you would like the book to be added to. You can also create a new tag by scrolling to the bottom and clicking Create Tag. Patrons can navigate back to these lists by tapping the Tag icon on the bottom dock of the app.

Maybe your patrons need a little extra time to savor their check out. Did you know that renewals are a possibility in Libby? Like physical books, if no one is waiting on the title, the option to renew will appear a few days before the item’s due date. However, the item will not be auto renewed. Patrons must navigate to their shelves, click Loans, Manage Loans, and Renew Loan. If it is possible to renew the item, they will be able to click and do so. If there is a hold, they will be prompted with a hold button instead. The app will also let them know if it is too early to renew the item.

One last feature to highlight is the Timeline feature. Many readers like to keep track of the titles that they’ve read. Libby offers a version of this through the Timeline. Found by clicking on the Shelf on the bottom dock, the Timeline keeps track of books that are borrowed by year. Patrons have the option of removing titles by swiping left, which could be handy in the case of DNF reads.

So that’s it! Dazzle your patrons and fellow staff with your Libby skills and have an amazing day!

-Erin, Bridgeville Public Library

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Snow = Car Trouble = Auto Repair Source

Read more about the article Snow = Car Trouble = Auto Repair Source

Let’s be honest the weather lately has left much to be desired – in the Pittsburgh area when it snows you will inevitably need to repair your car. It is the law of the cosmos or something. Fear not though because we have a great resource to help you and your car get through this wintery season – Auto Repair Source! Simply log into Auto Repair Source with your library card number, and the world of car repair and maintenance is right at your fingertips. You will need to enter the appropriate year, make, model, and engine information to get to the pages you need but I believe in you! You can make this repair happen (I hope)!

Ugh.. winter why?

Okay I get it – you looked at the specs and it is all another language to you. No judgement and no worries! Auto Repair Source also offers parts and labor estimates. And don’t worry if the mechanic is speaking another language too you can pull up diagrams and image that you can zoom in on and also print if you need. Winter won’t win this one – the library has you and your car’s back!

~Winter Has Come, But Not Won~

-Adrianne, Northland Public Library

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