CADL Blog » Tech Corner

Taxes, The Dreaded Word

palmofthehand — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:30:51 +0000

The dreaded word that everyone fears: taxes. The late nights with a calculator and caffeine. The scattered piles of paper on the ground. The frustration! All of that work and you have no idea where all the tax money goes.

Interestingly, the Federal Government created a tax receipt estimator that gives you a basic breakdown of where your tax monies go. Go to the White House website and click on Federal Taxpayer Receipt.

White House

This is a great tool to estimate where your tax dollars are spent. You can enter your tax information on the form or choose an estimated number from a list.

Your Information

Give it a try and see what you come up with.

- Matt P., CADL Downtown Lansing’s Technology Librarian

Filed under: Tech Corner

Building a website

palmofthehand — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:30:58 +0000

Do you have a small business and need help building a website? There is a great partnership in Michigan of agencies and companies that can help you build that website called: Michigan Get Your Business Online. We all can’t be great web developers, so why not get some professional help to get your business going?

What is it? It’s a Google led program to help Michigan businesses get online. Without an online presence, you’re missing out on a whole lot of customers. There are many Michigan partners and several national ones too.

What are they doing? They are providing a free and easy-to-build professional website. Free hosting for one year and help advertising on Google Places.

- Matt P., CADL Downtown Lansing’s Technology Librarian

Filed under: Tech Corner

Have I read this one already?

antayaje — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:30:37 +0000

It’s March and that means it’s Reading Month. Reading Month isn’t just for kids, adults can join in on the fun too. CADL’s Online Catalog can help you do just that. Not only does our catalog have the tools to help you find the books you want to read, but it can also help you keep track of the books you check out from CADL. This feature of our catalog is called “Reading History.” Reading History is just one of the many catalog tools that help make reading fun for adults. It eliminates one of the most common questions many adult readers ask, “Have I read this one already?”

To access this feature, all you need to do is visit the CADL online catalog at opac.cadl.org, or you can click on the link Catalog at our homepage, www.cadl.org. Once you’re at the catalog, the first step is accessing your account.

Click on the Sign In To Your Accout button in the upper right hand corner of the webpage.
Type in your last name, library card number and password.
Click send

If it’s your first time accessing your online account please visit https://opac.cadl.org/screens/help_login.html for more information on how to make a password.

Turning on Your Reading History

Click View Your Previous Check Outs
Click Enable Reading History
The catalog will then start keeping track from that point forward.

This is what your reading history should look like after you check out an item:

To Turn Off Your Reading History

All items must be deleted first. Click on Delete All on your Reading History Page.
Click Disable Reading History

For more information on Reading History, please visit our Reading History Help page.

- Jeff A., CADL Public Services Librarian

Filed under: Tech Corner

Hot Off the Press: Computer Class Guide

palmofthehand — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:30:22 +0000

Stop by any CADL branch and pick up our computer class schedule to learn about the classes we offer, including dates, times and locations. There are numerous options ranging from the basics to more advanced computer skills. The following is a list of what you can find in the event guide and on our online event calendar.

COMPUTER BASICS

Computer Basics: Learn the parts of a computer, plus how to use a mouse and keyboard.
Computer Basics for Seniors: Learn the parts of a computer and how to use basic features.
E-mail Basics: Set up your own e-mail account, plus learn to send and receive messages.
Internet Basics: Learn the basic components of the Internet and how to do a simple search.
Google Basics: Learn to do a basic Internet search

MICROSOFT WORD

Microsoft Word Basics: Learn to modify, cut and paste text; open, close and save documents.
Intermediate Microsoft Word: Learn how to format pages, create tables and more.
Microsoft Excel Basics: Learn to use a spreasheet for tasks like balancing a checkbook.
Microsoft PowerPoint Basics: Learn to create a simple slide presentation.
Microsoft Publisher Basics: Learn to create newsletters, flyers and brochures.

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

eBook Basics: Library Digital Downloads: Learn how to search for and download eBooks to our compatible device.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Basics: Learn how to sign up for a Facebook account to communicate with family and friends, plus how to change your privacy settings.
LinkedIn Basics: Learn to use this social media site to network professionally and search for jobs.
Twitter Basics: This overview explains how to use Twitter as a networking tool and souce for job leads.

RESEARCH BASICS

Genealogy Basics: Get tips on how to find information on your ancestors using special databases Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest.
ELLIS Bascis: Introducing the return of ELLIS Academic, a computer software program that teaches English to high school-age students and adults.

To see the full schedule for our computer classes, visit cadl.org/events and click on Tech Corner at the bottom of the screen.

- Matt P., CADL Downtown Lansing’s Technology Librarian

Filed under: Tech Corner

Your eBook Experience

antayaje — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:30:32 +0000

The holidays are over. Santa delivered toys to the kids as they were tucked in their beds and you were gifted a gleaming new tablet or eReader. Or maybe you were waiting to splurge on an eReader with your gift card money. Whatever the case, you may have read all the eBook articles on the CADL blog and have checked out the CADL Digital Downloads page to find out how to get CADL eBooks. So what’s next?

Santa brought you the eReader, let CADL help you learn how to download eBooks at no charge. CADL has several upcoming eBook Basics classes. If a class is not your style, try a more informal setting at the new eBook Experience coming to CADL South Lansing. At this monthly group, you’ll get all the latest updates, plus you can share your own tips and recommendations. We welcome all, from the potential user to the advanced user.

eBook Experience
Jan. 18, 6 pm
CADL South Lansing
Registration Required. Call 517-272-9840.
No matter how you want to learn about your eReader, CADL has you covered.

- Jeff A., Pubic Services Librarian at CADL South Lansing

Filed under: Tech Corner

Code Year

palmofthehand — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:30:39 +0000

Time for the New Year’s Resolutions! If you are like me, you want to start of the new year and make a resolution to learn something new. Something that is challenging yet rewarding. Well, I made a resolution to learn how to code. Why not learn to code through Codeacademy?

codeacademy

Check out their website and sign up.

- Matt P., Technology Librarian at CADL Downtown Lansing

Filed under: Tech Corner

Tips and Tricks for Borrowing eBooks

palmofthehand — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:52:27 +0000

Shopping madness will be coming to an end. Plan to purchase an eReader? If so, then your library is the place to go for eBooks! The Capital Area District Library offers many ebooks for your device through OverDrive, a full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital content. Here are some useful tips to help you get started:

Log into your account before searching for eBooks. This ensures you are able to see all eBooks in our collection.
If you have a Barnes & Noble Nook, make sure you download Adobe Digital Editions
Here are directions on how to transfer eBooks to a Kindle
Browse our downloadable collection

If you want some help, try taking one of our classes! Our event calendar is the best place to search. If you’re not sure what your options are for eReaders, check out the following links.

- Matt P., Technology Librarian at CADL Downtown Lansing

Filed under: Tech Corner

Yes, We Have Wi-Fi

antayaje — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:30:40 +0000

The following is a question we receive quite frequently at the library’s information desk:
Do you have Wi-Fi and how do I get on it?

Yes, we are pleased to have Wi-Fi at all of our branches. CADL Wi-FI provides convenient access to the internet from your own computer for doing homework, browsing Facebook, online banking, genealogy and much more. The best part is you can hop on for free without feeling guilty about not purchasing a $4 dollar coffee drink or something off the dollar menu.

So how do you get on the CADL Wi-Fi? There are three easy steps.

Enable your Wi-Fi software to connect to “CADL Wireless”. Most systems will automatically detect our signal and may connect automatically. Others may detect it, but require that you click a
button or choose it from a menu to connect.
Open your web browser. A sign-in page will appear.
Read the Terms of Use, then click “I agree to these terms of use” at the bottom of the page.

More complete instructions, CADL wireless terms of use and a
wireless troubleshooting guide can be found on our website.

Happy Surfing!

- Jeff A., Public Services Librarian, CADL South Lansing

Filed under: Tech Corner

Hi-tech Holiday Gifts & How the Library Can Help

palmofthehand — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:30:56 +0000

Thinking about buying a hi-tech gift this holiday season? Or, hoping that someone will buy one for you? The library can help!

Through our online branch and digital downloads page, Audiobooks and eBooks are now available 24/7 with your Internet connection and a Capital Area District Library card. From any computer you can select, check out and download materials to a compatible device. They are automatically deleted after 2 weeks.

We’re holding several classes this season that will help you use our digital collection on devices such as the Kindle, iPad, iPod, Nook or Android Tablet. Here are some of the classes:

Hi-tech Holiday Gifts
Nov. 1, 2011 • 6 p.m.
CADL Williamston
Are you thinking of purchasing an eReader for yourself or someone on your gift
list? This informative overview focuses on several different devices: The Sony
Reader,® The Noble Nook® and the Amazon Kindle.® Then come back in January for a class in how to download digital books.

Choosing an eBook Reader
Nov. 3, 2011 • 6:30 p.m.
CADL Holt
If you’ve been wanting to purchase an eBook Reader or smartphone but don’t know where to start, we can help! We’ll explain the differences between the available devices and which ones work with the library’s free Digital Downloads
collection.

Digital Downloads
Nov. 8, 2011 • 6:15 p.m.
CADL Leslie
Do you have an eBook Reader, or are you thinking of buying one? With a CADL
card, you can download books directly to any eReader that’s compatible with our
Digital Downloads collection, such as Nook, iPad and many smartphones (find a
list at cadl.org/download). Come to this workshop with CADL’s Training
Specialist and get started.

eBook Basics: Library Digital Downloads
Tuesday, Dec. 6 • 6 pm at CADL South Lansing
Learn how to download the library’s collection of free eBooks to your eReader, tablet, smart phone or other compatible device (visit cadl.org/download for a list). Be sure to bring your device with you.

eBook Basics: Choosing and Using a Digital Device
Nov. 16, 2011 • 5 p.m. at CADL Foster
Dec. 12, 2011 • 6:30 p.m. at CADL Mason
Dec. 13, 2011 • 6:30 p.m. at CADL Webberville
Thinking of buying an eReader for yourself or as a gift? Wondering what smart
phones or tablets work with the library’s free eBooks? Explore our electronic
“petting zoo” to try out different kinds of eReaders and other digital devices.
We’ll also show you how to get started downloading from our collection—if you
already have a device, bring it with you (visit cadl.org/downloads for a list of
compatible devices).

To see more Tech Corner classes, visit our website at www.cadl.org/events.

- Matt P., Technology Librarian @ Downtown Lansing

Filed under: Downtown Lansing, Tech Corner

It’s Here…the Kindle can be used at your Library!

palmofthehand — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:30:14 +0000

What you all have been waiting for is finally here. You can now use your Kindle, or other eReader, to check out eBooks from our digital media collection!

Kindle

Amazon made it super simple to check out books and transfer them to your Kindle, or other device, with the Kindle app. All you need to do is…

Go to our website, www.cadl.org
Click on digital downloads
Click the browse ebooks button and sign into your account.
You can search by author or title. Or, limit your search to books for the Kindle by selecting Advanced Search and choosing Format – Kindle Books.

For easy downloading instructions, visit our Kindle Instructions page. More titles are added monthly so please check back! Happy digital reading!

- Matt P., Technology Librarian @ Downtown Lansing

Filed under: Downtown Lansing, Tech Corner