Summer of Savings: Free Downloads

Take a look at what was on Rochester's Channel 8 news last night. Summer of Savings featured Pat Evans from the Victor Free Library talking about the OWWL2go downloadable books. These audio and ebooks are available for free borrowing through Wood Library and all the other libraries (42 total) in the OWWL - Pioneer Library System. OWWL stands for the counties of Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming and Livingston.

Summer of Savings: Free Downloads

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Top Genealogy Web Sites

For all you genealogy buffs out there, Family Tree Magazine puts out an annual list of the top 101 Genealogy Web Sites for 2009. Some sites are free, some available only by subscription. The sites are organized into ten research categories. Brief descriptions for each site are provided. This is a handy research tool to keep by the computer. Click and go take a look. Or, download and print the PDF list.

Online Videos for Organizations

Videos are everywhere on the web. Many people upload and watch videos on YouTube. It's a way for organizations to reach out to their communities. For example, Wood Library has several easy to use Flip video camcorders and a YouTube Channel. We've been using videos to show our community what we are doing.

Is your organization using video? Would you like to? Adult Services Librarian, Barbara Henry, recommends this video series to get you started.

This 7-part introduction from See3Communications is designed to get you thinking about online video, and to get you started on the path toward using it more to accomplish your organization's goals.

Take a look at the first video in the series. For the entire seven episodes go to Online Video Guide.

1. The World We Live In from See3 Communications on Vimeo.

More audiobook downloads for iPods

Most WMA Audiobooks are now iPod®-compatible – with a quick upgrade to OverDrive Media Console™ v3.2! With OverDrive Media Console v3.2 for Windows®, most audiobooks can now be transferred to the iPhone™ and the iPod®! In just a few clicks, send audiobooks to your Windows-formatted iPod using the built-in Transfer Wizard! The 'Plays on' icons at this site indicate whether titles are compatible with Apple® devices.To install or upgrade OMC for Windows v3.2, click here. For more information on transferring WMA Audiobooks to your iPod, click here. For more information and a list of iPod-friendly audiobooks, go to OWWL2go.

Connect to the Library on Facebook

Now you can connect to Wood Library on Facebook--yet another way to keep up with what is happening. About 30% of adult respondents on the recent Wood Library Survey indicated that they use Facebook or Myspace social media software. If you are not one of the 30% and want to find out what Facebook is all about, watch for a Facebook class this September. Here's the link to Facebook. Join up and be our fan!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canandaigua-NY/Wood-Library/196584835220

Night OWWL Disruptions

As our online services are available 24/7, please be aware of the following alert from Aaron Z., Jr. Systems Administrator at the Pioneer Library System HQ:

For all of you night owls/OWWLS and/or early birds: Time Warner will be working on the PLSHQ internet connection early in the morning of Wednesday April 22nd (between 1 and 5am). Time Warner has warned us that during this time our internet connection may be disrupted for about 15 minutes at a time. Due to this, services hosted here at PLSHQ (such as PLS-NET.org, OWWL.org, iBistro, Workflows, OWWL Wireless, Email, etc) may be unavailable during that time.

So, if you're online at 3am trying to find a book in the OWWL Catalog to put on hold, try us again after 5am on April 22nd.

Library Email Addresses Change

As of February 15 Wood Library has some new email addresses for public use when you would like to contact us. You will be seeing them soon on all our websites and printed literature.

• General Library Contact: woodlibrary@owwl.org (replaces wood@pls-net.org)
• Director Contact: woodlibrarydirector@owwl.org
• Reference Desk: woodlibraryreference@owwl.org (replaces woodref@pls-net.org)

If you have any questions, please call 585-394-1381 or email us at woodlibrary@owwl.org.

Watch Live History at the Library

On Tuesday, January 20 Wood Library will provide live Inauguration Day coverage for public viewing from 10am to 4pm in the 2nd floor Community Room. Watch a live Internet stream on the big screen from several sites including CNNonline and Hulu. You are welcome to bring friends, associates and lunch. Coffee will be provided. Swearing in ceremony and inaugural address starts at 12 Noon with parade following at approximately 2:30.

PowerPoint Class Coming Up

The two-part PowerPoint class still has openings. Call 394-1381 to register for an affordable $10 and show up on February 4 and 11 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Learn the basics of Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software and create a project. Great for businesses and non-profits when you need to get your message across.

While you are waiting for the class take a look at this quick video on creating a great presentation. Slide:ology by Nancy Duarte is provided by Business Book Briefs. The book is being added to the Wood Library collection. Ask about it. You can also purchase a copy from the Wood Library aStore where your purchase earns a commission for the library. If you don't see the video player below, try this link.

Get Computer Skills @ the Library

Need to upgrade your computer skills?

Wood Library is offering a series of computer classes in January and February to help you start off the new year right. Our Microsoft Office series (compatible with version 2002-2003) is very affordable at $10 per four hours of instruction: Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheet), and PowerPoint (presentation). A Windows Vista class will be held February 18 from 6pm to 9pm. Call Wood Library at 585-394-1381 for more information. Register in person at the Main Floor Desk.

Above: Wood Library's computer lab in action.

We are also offering two hands-on computer labs:


Computer Lab for Rochester Virtual Job Fair. Drop by the Small Meeting Room on Monday, January 19 from 6pm to 8:30pm to register, upload your resume, get an email address, and job hunt online. Computer tutors will be available to assist. FREE, no registration required. NOTE: The library closes at 5pm for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day but you will still be able to enter at the Ground Floor Door for this program.

Computer Lab for Business Writing. Learn how to create business writing formats such as memos, reports, business letters and e-mails, fax covers, agendas, proposals and more. You will use a laptop computer and eCourse at LearningExpress to practice using these standard business formats. Each student will receive a free digital copy of the text book Getting Down to Business: Successful Writing at Work. You will need typing, basic computer skills, and how to use files and folders. Please reigster at the Main Floor Desk. There is a $5 registration fee. The lab convenes on Saturday, February 28 from 10am to 2pm.

Residents in Wayne, Ontario, Seneca and Yates counties age 18 or over may be eligible for help with the course fee from Finger Lakes Works. Call Finger Lakes Works Geneva at 315-789-1771 or Finger Lakes Lyons 315-946-7270.

Click here for a printable schedule and description of classes.

Digital Camera--want to know!

What was number 1 in the top 10 tech searches on Yahoo in 2008? Digital Camera wins! Yahoo.com reports: "Never mind your iPods, your iPhones, and your gaggle of video game consoles, it's the humble, generic digital camera that was the top tech search term this year to date. Why? There's a lot of confusion over largely-undifferentiated camera brands, so consumers need a lot of help in figuring out which one to buy, so they search search search. Plus, cameras are relatively inexpensive now, making them good gifts and affordable for personal splurges, too."

For those of you who already have a digital camera, Wood Library offers frequent digital photography/camera classes led by local photographer Peter Blackwood. Our December 13 class is already full, but you can call the Main Floor Desk at 394-1381 to be put on the waiting list for the next class in 2009.

If you are in the market for a digital camera, ask for the Reference Librarian. We will help you track down consumer reviews and ratings so you can make an informed decision about which camera is right for you.

Free Movies for the Holidays

Get free movies from the Hulu Holiday Movie Widget in the left hand menu. Recent feature is Jack London's "Call of the Wild" starring Charleton Heston. The classic book of the same title will be the Canandaigua Big Read in February 2009. Hulu movies may be watched on your computer or laptop. You can also connect your laptop to a large flat screen TV using HDMI cables and ports.

Hulu.com offers a selection of feature films from major studios and TV series reruns. Just register and read the privacy policy. Besides high speed Internet you will need Flash 9 to enjoy the films. Hulu is free and legal through an advertising supported model--there will be brief sponsor interruptions. PCWorld named Hulu the No. 1 Product for 2008.

Adult Services Librarian Barbara Henry recommends this Hulu feature film: "The Madness of King George" starring Nigel Hawthorne as King George III and Helen Mirren as Queen Charlotte. It's the late 18th century... England's King George III suddenly takes ill, and shows signs of mental instability -- opening the door to court intrigue, and the usurping of the throne by his worthless son, the Prince of Wales. MGM|1994|1:50:25|PG-13.

How to Keep Kids Safe Online

How can you make sure your kids are safe on the internet when you don't know much about computers?

How to Keep Your Children Safe Online, by Michael Gorzka is "a free computer help eBook (in PDF format), for 'computer shy' parents who are concerned about online dangers that children are especially vulnerable to. This easy-to-read manual also provides a brief introduction to computer and web technologies."

Author Michael Gorzka is a former Adult Services Librarian and visiting professor at the University at Buffalo. His company "Help for the Computer Shy" creates DVDs to teach adults how to use computers.

Download the book now or vist Help for the Computer Shy website.

Free Investment Classes Online

Gas prices got you down? Worried about the economy? Stay home and get informed. Take a free financial class online. On Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, you are invited to take a free online class "Smart Investing @ Your Library: Planning Decade by Decade." A second online class, "Smart Investing @ Your Library: Risks and Rewards (Asset Allocation)" will be held Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The classes are free at OPAL (Online Programming for All Libaries). Click the OPAL link above, scroll to the program, and click "OPAL Online Auditorium." First time users will need to install the tcConference plug-in.

Paul Santos, the Director of Finance, Facilities, and Human Resources at the Alliance Library System will make the presentations and lead an informal discussion. The discussions are part of Smart Investing @ Your Library, a series of events and resources (in person, on the web, and in Second Life) to help inform individual investors.

Host: Alliance Library System, with support from the American Library Association and FINRA Investor Education Foundation. All OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries) public events are free of charge and open to everyone worldwide. Most OPAL online programs last about an hour.

Computers don't have to be scary...

But sometimes they are! Ease your fears and take a class at Wood Library or make an appointment with a Computer Tutor this fall. Class registration starts Monday, August 18 at 10am. Download the course catalog now. Classes include: Windows Vista Fundamentals, Genealogy Online, Make a Movie with Windows MovieMaker, and two 12-hour courses, Never-Too-Late (must be age 60 or over and live in Ontario County) and JumpStart immersion course geared toward adults of any age who want basic skills for the work place. If you need some temporary computer help to solve a problem or learn how to do something, make an appointment with a Computer Tutor for a one-on-one 60 minute session. Call the Main Floor Desk at 394-1381.

What do you mean--subscribe to this page?

The easiest way to keep up with what is being posted on Wood Library's new opening page is to subscribe by RSS. It's just like subscribing to a magazine or an email list. When new content is published it will automatically be delivered to you. When you click the subscribe button in the upper right corner of this page, a box will pop up. Choose how you want to have your subscription delivered. The easiest way is to get it in your email. Or, you can have it sent to a reader. This is especially good if you subscribe to other pages. Then all your news is organized in one reader. Google and Yahoo Readers are very popular--and free. Wood Library recommends this video RSS in Plain English provide free by the CommonCraft Show.