Kent County Public Library Newsfeed

In case you weren't already aware, library patrons have online access to Consumer Reports reviews and articles online. The library foots the bill so you don't have to. Use the links provided at www.kentcountylibrary.org to get free access to the consumer information you rely on to make informed purchasing decisions. Categories include new and used cars, appliances, electronics, and more.

Start at www.kentcountylibrary.org, click Search, Articles & Info, Magazines, and finally Consumer Reports. You will be asked to enter your 14 digit library barcode with no spaces or punctuation.

From there, you're free to search or browse the articles and reliability ratings. Soon you'll know the top 10 cars and trucks for 2010, what to look for when considering a new digital camera, and more.

Posted by Karen at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Having trouble finding what you need? Puzzled by the library's computer catalog? Sign up now for an introductory lesson on how to search and find what you want! We'll provide the computers and answer all your questions. Sessions are held at the Chestertown Branch, last approximately an hour and a half, and will take place the following Wednesdays in March. To reserve your spot, register online through the links below, by phone at 410-778-3636, or in person at any of our branches.

Morning Sessions (10-11:30 AM)
Wednesday, March 3
Wednesday, March 17
Wednesday, March 24

Evening Sessions (6-7:30 PM)
Wednesday, March 10
Wednesday, March 24

Posted by Karen at 02:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

(Chestertown, MD, December 2009) - eAudiobooks are now available at Kent County Public Library through OCLC NetLibrary. Library patrons now have anytime, anywhere access to 2,800 different eAudiobook titles.

eAudiobooks can be accessed and downloaded via the library's Web site, www.kentcountylibrary.org. Click Search > Downloadables > NetLibrary Audiobooks. You can log in through the library's site using your library card barcode.

eAudiobooks are books that have been read aloud and recorded. eAudiobooks are available from notable authors, such as Meg Cabot and Alexander McCall Smith.

"Audiobooks, in the form of cassettes and CDs, have been popular in libraries for many years," said Jerry Keiser, Director of Kent County Public Library. "The ability to download eAudiobooks from the Web is being embraced by long-time listeners as well as new listeners who want material for their portable media devices."

A popular format in many libraries, eAudiobooks allow library users to listen to materials on-the-go. eAudiobooks can be checked out from the library or from a personal computer via the library's Web site, 24/7. Users may check out up to 10 eAudiobooks at a time, and they are automatically returned to the library at the end of the checkout period.

eAudiobooks can be downloaded or played on any desktop, laptop or portable device that supports Windows Media Player version 9 and above. Users can also transfer favorite titles to a wide range of portable devices, including portable music players, portable media centers and more.

Call the library at 410-778-3636 with any questions.

Posted by Karen at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Kent County Public Library would like to bring your attention to a great online resource for evidence based information about the flu. There's information for health care providers as well as information for a general audience on treatment and prevention.

So please, take a moment to get the facts on the flu.

Posted by Karen at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For those who like the convenience of live text-based chat, you will be happy to hear that the Kent County Public Library Reference Desk is now chatting. Patrons can type messages that will appear immediately on the reference desk computer thanks to AOL Instant Messenger and Wimzi. As long as there's someone at the desk, you should get an answer quickly and be able to "chat" back and forth. To see this in action visit the "Ask Us" page. We're excited to be able to provide this form of online reference, and hope to be able to answer your many questions. While you're at it, please let us know what you think about this new addition to our reference services. Happy chatting!

Posted by Karen at 04:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Kent County Public Library now has a new and improved online calendar of events. This new calendar allows us to feature upcoming events on our homepage. It also allows you to find events of interest to you by displaying only the types of events you ask to see, according to branch, audience, and event type. It also makes it possible for patrons to subscribe to our calendar of events by email or RSS feed, forward events of interest to friends, and add our events to your own Google/Yahoo/Outlook/Facebook/etc. calendar. Please take a look and let us know what you think! We hope you'll like the new calendar as much as we do and take advantage of its interactive features. And, as always, if you have questions, that's what we're here for.

Posted by Karen at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Swine flu has been in the news a lot lately. If you want to be informed, here's a resource that can get you the information you're looking for. Courtesy of the Kent County Public Library.

Posted by Karen at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Looking for a job? The library can help!

Online Resources

The following resources can be accessed from our web site by clicking Search > Articles & Info > Business & Career.

Career Guidance Center

Visit this resource to learn about the fastest growing, highest paying, and most in-demand jobs, as well as to learn valuable skills including cover letter and resume writing and interviewing skills. And that just scratches the surface of what's offered through the Career Guidance Center.

Business and Company Resource Center and Business Source Elite

These resources provide up to date background information on the businesses for whom you may be applying to work. Don't forget to "do your homework" before filling out those cover letters or attending interviews.

Online Tutoring

Not just for students, Tutor.com also offers resume help through one on one sessions. Just log into Tutor.com from our website as an adult learner and select writing for your subject.

Testing & Education Reference Center

For some jobs, applicants must pass a test for employment . This resource can help you prepare.

Additional Resources

Check out the additional resources available through the State Library Resource Center.

Browsing the Shelves

If you just want to browse, here are some Dewey Decimal numbers to get you started:

Job Seeking: 331.702
Resumes, cover letters and interview tips: 650.14 and 658

Catalog Search Suggestions

Here are some catalog searches you may want to try for quick and easy results:

• Employment
• Resume
• Job Hunting
• Or try searching for a specific job.

Online Job Sites

These websites post job advertisements.

www.monster.com
www.careerbuilder.com
www.usajobs.gov

Still have questions or need help? Don't hesitate to speak with a reference librarian or contact us online or by phone.

Posted by Karen at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Since swine flu is a hot topic in the news lately, the Kent County Public Library is happy to point you to some reliable sources of information.

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Provides the Citizen's Common Sense Flu Checklist to help you stay healthy. They also provide updates on the swine flu situation locally, and a statewide toll-free line to answer your questions. 1-877-MDFLU4U or 1-877-633-5848.

Medline Plus

Provides links to the information you need to get up to speed on the basics of swine flu, as well as gather more in depth information if desired.

WebMD

Answers to frequently asked questions.

CDC and WHO

Good sources of information for health topics like the swine flu.

Better Business Bureau

Helps you protect yourself against e-mail and other scams taking advantage of the swine flu scare.

ProQuest

Compilation of current news articles on the topic.

Posted by Karen at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Want to see for yourself how the library's renovation project is going? We have photos - quite a few of them actually. We've decided to post them on Flickr for all to view. Click to view our photostream. Not familiar with Flickr or photostreams? No worries. Flickr is a very popular online photo sharing tool, and a photostream displays the photos that have been shared. Just think, you too could have your own photostream on Flickr for free. Meanwhile, stay tuned for more library photos both related and unrelated to the renovation.

Posted by Karen at 01:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's tax time. Here's what we have to offer at the library that could make your life a little simpler.

We have copies of the following tax forms and associated instruction books ready and waiting in all three branches: IRS 1040, Schedules A & B, 1040A, 1040EZ, and Maryland State Booklets

Other tax forms can be downloaded and printed from the IRS Website, Maryland's Tax Site, or Delaware's Tax Site. If you don't have Internet access, printer access, or you need help navigating the sites to find a specific form, we would be more than happy to help you print your forms at the reference desk.

Please note, our library employees are NOT tax professionals and may not provide any tax advice, including recommending which tax forms you may need. If you do not know which forms you will need, please seek the advice of a tax professional before coming to the library to print your forms, or be prepared to do some independent research; we'd be happy to point you to some resources. To get you started, here's the IRS's explanation of when to use form 1040 vs. 1040A vs. 1040EZ.

For tax help, you may want to contact a local tax preparer or learn more about AARP's Tax Aide Program.

If you'll be doing your own taxes, you may find "J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax 2009" to be an invaluable resource. We recommend checking it out or placing a hold early, as there are only three copies currently available, one per branch.

A few other tax related titles you may find interesting include:
"Tax Deductions for Professionals"
"Working for yourself law & taxes for independent contractors, freelancers & consultants"
"Jk Lasser's New Rules For Estate And Tax Planning"
"Lower taxes in 7 easy steps"
"Stand up to the IRS"
"The FairTax book : saying goodbye to the income tax and the IRS"

Posted by Karen at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

To use our online resources, start at our home page (www.kentcountylibrary.org), click on Search, then click on Articles & Info.

Can't view this video clip? You may need to download Adobe Flash Player for free. Click here to view the larger version or click the "Refresh" button in your browser to replay from the beginning. Be sure to tell your friends!

Posted by Karen at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Are you part of a local book group? Would you like to form one? The Kent County Public Library has a wide variety of titles available as book discussion kits to loan out to book groups. To learn more, see our "Services" page under book discussion kits. The list of available titles has just been updated.

Posted by Karen at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Did you know that many print newspapers, including the Kent News, Star Democrat, and Baltimore Sun are also available online? Did you know there are at least two ways to access those papers online, and that Google-ing the name of the paper or going directly to the paper's Web site may not always be the best way?

On their Web sites, many online newspapers will provide access to current articles free of charge, but older archived articles require a subscription or purchase to view. Some newspapers provide only teasers of current stories free of charge and require a subscription to finish reading those stories.

Enter your local library. We have purchased online access to articles from many local and national newspapers and magazines for your use. In many cases, we can offer full text of current articles AND older articles going back months, years, even decades. All free of charge to you for browsing, searching, and reading.

The only catch? In order to get this access, you have to get to the paper through our Web site, and if you're not in the library, you'll need to enter your library card number. That's it. And it's just so you can show you're one of our patrons, and therefore entitled to this additional access we've purchased.

So, please enjoy browsing, searching, and reading the following, on us:

Kent News
Star Democrat
Baltimore Sun
USA Today
New York Times
Washington Post
Wall Street Journal
and many more

Simply click here, or from our home page click the links to follow the following path: Home > Search > Articles & Info > Newspapers. And please, let us know if you like this service.

Enjoy!

Posted by Karen at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Our newly designed and updated Web site is now live online at www.kentcountylibrary.org. Changes include bringing newsletter features to the front page and reorganizing the information throughout the site so it should be easier to find. We hope you'll take a moment to explore our new and improved site. If you need any help or have any feedback to offer, please let us know.

Posted by Karen at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tax forms and publications are now set up on tables at your local library branch. If the form you're looking for isn't there, ask at the Reference Desk and we can print a copy for you from online. Or print your own from the Federal and Maryland tax pages linked from our online tax guide. Please note, we are not tax professionals and cannot offer you any advice on which forms to use or how to fill them out. However, there are services available to help you. Information can be found at the link above.

Posted by Karen at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What's the difference between the Subscription Options?

Subscribing through a feed reader (software or a Web site for reading feeds) is like subscribing by email in that you go to your feed reader's web page to view articles from your subscription like you would go to your email inbox to view articles sent to you. In both cases, you can have subscriptions from multiple sources like the New York Times and the Kent County Public Library collected in the same place and read them in the same way.

Here are the differences. With email you have to wade through spam and unrelated emails to find your articles. With feed readers, you control what articles come and what articles don't within the Feed Reader and you can organize them by their source. This means you will not receive spam within your feed reader and you will never continue to receive articles after you have unsubscribed, like you could (theoretically) with an email subscription. The feed reader gives you control over what comes instead of giving it to the people sending the content. Of course, no matter which option you choose, the library will honor any unsubscription request.

Feed Readers are becoming more and more popular for subscriptions because of these similarities and differences from email. Yet email still has a place that feed readers cannot fill: individual correspondence.

Just like not all Web sites offer email newsletters, not all Web sites offer news feeds for your feed reader. Look for an orange rectangle or square with RSS, XML, Atom, News Feed, etc to see if a Web site of interest offers a news feed. If you click this button or link, it will likely take you to a page with lots of text that may not make much sense to you. It's not supposed to. Ignore the text on the page and copy the Web Address of this page from the address bar into the appropriate place in your chosen feed reader. Congratulations, you have subscribed to the news feed.

Some popular feed readers include Alesti and Bloglines among others. If this option sounds interesting to you, go to their sites and read about them and if one sounds good, sign up. Then come back here for our feed's address and add it to your new feed reader.

For people not interested in using a feed reader, who want their subscriptions going to the same place as their individual correspondence, we offer the option of getting updates by email. Just enter your email address in the subscription box and follow the instructions provided. Each email you receive will have a link to unsubscribe.

Thank you for your interest in subscribing. Happy reading.

Posted by Karen at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We've just added detailed information to our Web site about searching our catalog. Ever wondered why you didn't get the results you wanted, or why you couldn't find something you knew was there? Ever wanted to find a movie or an audiobook and it's buried in a list of books? Curious about more advanced techniques like boolean searching and limiting? Check out the search tips. You may learn something helpful for your future searches. The information is online at http://www.kent.lib.md.us/GoodBooks/searchtips.htm.

Check back later for future tips on finding books on the shelf and what to do when you can't find something in the catalog or on the shelf.

Posted by Karen at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Kent County Public Library has just added a new option for searching the databases we offer. Rather than searching only one database at a time, you can now search all our databases and our catalog at once. From the main databases page click on "Search All" to go to our new search interface from WebFeat.

Please bear in mind that it can still be worthwhile to search a particular database if it focuses on a relevant topic because you will be able to more specifically target the information you want. This new feature will be most useful for general interest searches and for searches where you're not sure which database is best.

Happy Searching. :)

Posted by Karen at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We've been working lately on making searching the catalog more user-friendly. You'll note some new tabs, more options, and changes to the look of the search screens and search result displays. Hopefully you'll find the new look to the catalog easier to get around and more useful for finding what you're looking for. We'd love to hear your comments on the changes, as well as any suggestions for future changes. Also, check back here later for some "How to..." information on making the best use of the catalog.

Posted by Karen at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)