A technology issue I often see is when patrons are using the public computers and they are having  problems  with email accounts or printing.  Setting up emails and printer issues are usually simple fixes and something I feel comfortable dealing with on a day to day basis.

If I am helping someone new to email use it I  try to make them feel it will be ok and WE will get it figured out.  If they have forgotten  their password I help them through the steps of retrieving that info of setting up a new password.  Sometime we have to set up a second email account  to assist with the password retrieval process.  I make sure they write down the information for later use. 

Printing is often the process of finding the print icon or button, they are just not aware of it's location.  Sometimes to get a copy of something with out the ads I will help them copy and paste the information into a word document.  I try to help but not take away their power or pride in the process.

I will tell them if they get stumped and there isn't anyone to help they can try searching
for the answer to how to try to solve the problem.





The questions that give me more of a challenge are usually the ebook devices.  Why you ask.......   well there are several types and they each have varying degrees of function.  Are they WiFi ready, do you need a cord to connect to their laptop.  Do they have a laptop?  Is the device an android, a windows 8 or a apple based product.  Is it a common one or a cheap generic type?   Have they downloaded the appropriate apps for what they need, am I going to be able to explain the use of the app well enough for them to feel comfortable using it, or will I make them even more leery of the use of technology.  So my nervousness is that I will somehow turn them off using technology and that would be sad.

pig's as city pets?

While looking through Discover Sirs I came across a magazine article about pigs as pets are they better than dogs?  That made me remember a adventure I once had......A pig as a pet in the city seemed like a cool idea.  We had them on the farm when I was growing up and I so enjoyed my caretaker role that I thought that it would be fun to have a pet pig, instead of a dog, they don't shed, bark or need long walks!   I was given a small potbelly pig by my sister for my birthday after college graduation.  Shadow, was so cute, until I had to load her in the car for the 5 hour trip back to my apartment in the Minneapolis.  she was so freaked out that she charged around the car, no matter where I put her, she and her sharp hooves would end up on my lap oinking and squealing in fear. When she had a small accident of the poo kind I put her and a blanket in the trunk, she settled down and went to sleep finally.  I stopped and checked on her more times than I can remember.  My magical thinking .....If we can just get to my apartment she will settle down and adjust to city pet life............  getting her into the 2nd floor apartment was easy compared to the drive!  but it was quiet late and dark by the time we rolled in that night.  Shadow did what pigs do, root, eat, chew on anything and everything as well as poo a lot.  It did not take long before my downstairs neighbors began to complain about the thundering noise of shadow running from 1 end of my apartment to another.  It took some searching but I found nice home for her where she could trot and root and oink till her hearts content.  During my search I discovered that it was indeed illegal to have a "farm" animal in the city limits of Minneapolis.  Another adventure survived.

learning express

I knew we had this database but never really investigated it.  I will gladly show patrons this, I  have helped more than 1 person with their resumes.  It is true as soon as we get SAT or ACT testing books in they finds new homes soon after we catalog them.  the tests were not easy, I would say that they are challenging  in a good way.  It is true you do learn something new every day! which is great. never stop learning.

Platypus : What a funny creature, they must have serious identity issues, the nose of a duck and the body of a beaver that burrows like a mole but lay's eggs!!! Lots of fun information, but clearly more in the adult vs the kids. Since I was "down under" checking out the platypus, thought I read up on one of my all time favorite countries, that with any luck I will someday get to visit. I enjoyed my research with worldbook, in the near future I can see my daughter using in for school reports. I will share it with also.

Well it has been awhile since I posted. I wonder about all the things that I will learn in the next few weeks.

wrap it up

Great, wish I had had more time to enjoy it and process all the info. I found it very informative and will continue to explore and learn how to better use these tools. Thank You.

wikis

This would have been so helpful personally when I was planning our church's annual fall supper and fundraisers..... the many emails exchanged in various ways stages of ideas and thoughts and plans. Not so sure on it's use in the library setting.... will have to give it more thought......hmmm