Posted by eileen on January 18, 2012
Learning a foreign language? Take a look at the library’s Foreign Language site. You’ll find links to helpful library catalog searches, such as Recordings on CD and cassette and Videos and DVDs. You can also use Mango Languages, an online service provided by the Friends of Wheaton Public Library, that teaches practical conversation and cultural awareness for the world’s most popular languages. Create a free account on Mango Languages to keep track of your progress. Choose from a basic lesson or more in-depth language study lessons.
To access Mango Languages from outside the library, you need to log in with your library card number and PIN. If you have any questions, please call the Reference Desk at 630-868-7520.
Posted by eileen on July 15, 2011
Simply put, this database rocks! It’s full of all kinds of practice tests for all kinds of exams and certifications. This includes college prep: GED, ACT, SAT, PSAT, CLEP; graduate prep: GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT; U. S. Citizenship; job certification prep: Civil Service, Cosmetology, Real Estate, and much much more.
There is also great information for job seekers. Just click on Job Search & Workplace Skills and you’ll find courses on writing resumes, ebooks on new careers, etc.
You can find links to Learning Express Library from our College & Financial Aid page and our Jobs & Careers page. Remember, to access any WPL database from home, you will be prompted to log in with your WPL card number and PIN.
Posted by eileen on June 30, 2011
After reading Investopedia’s, “13 Things You Pay for that Your Library has for Free,” I decided to adapt this to exactly what our library offers. So, thank you to Investopedia for giving me a great base for this post.
1. Read for Free
As you already know, WPL has thousands of books to be checked out: fiction, nonfiction, children’s lit., etc. We also have downloadable ebooks through eMediaLibrary. If you’re interested in finding out more about using eMediaLibrary, come to Ebook Q & A on Tuesday, July 12 at 7pm. You can even earn a prize (and be entered in drawings) this summer. Just join our Summer Reading Program and get a coupon for a free bowl at Noodles & Company. Read nine books to be entered in the Grand Prize drawing for an ebook reader! Stop by the Reference Desk to sign up.
2. Magazines and Newspapers for Free
WPL has all local papers and many many magazines to be read in the library or checked out. Have a specific magazine or newspaper in mind? Do a Magazine Search in the catalog and see what we have!
3. Listen for Free
We have pretty much every kind of music you can think of on CD. Plus, there is also a pretty awesome audiobook collection. You can check out audiobooks on CD, MP3, Playaway, or even download them straight to your phone or iPod from eMediaLibrary. Not sure what a playaway is? Take a look at Pierce County Library’s description.
4. Free Periodicals Searches
This is great for students. Need scholarly articles for your research papers? The library offers many subscription databases. WPL cardholders can use our databases from anywhere, but anyone can come use them on one of the library’s computers. Take a look at Magazines A-Z to get an idea of how many journals you can actually search (it’s A LOT).
5. Multiple Ways to Ask a Librarian
We have Reference Librarians just waiting for your questions! Can’t find an address you need? Need help getting started with genealogy research? Just looking for something good to read or watch? Ask Us! You can call: 630-868-7520, send a text message: 630-384-9751, email: askref@wheatonlibrary.org, or even IM a librarian.
6. Internet and WiFi
Stop in with your laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc. and take advantage of our free wireless access. Don’t have one of those things? Use a library computer. There are computers on the first floor with access to all our databases, as well as many useful sites that have no time limit. Need full Internet access for email, Google, etc.? Go to the second floor. If you don’t have a WPL card and are over 18, you can have a guest pass to use for 30 minutes. Have a WPL card? You get two hours of access per day.
7. Rent a Movie for 50 cents
The library has a pretty extensive DVD collection, including TV Series, Feature Films, and How-To DVDs, among other things. Check out Coming Soon on DVD to place a hold on a movie the library is about to get. Non-fiction and Children’s DVDs are free to check out!
8. Learn a Foreign Language for Free
Our Foreign Languages page links to Mango Languages, a database that teaches practical conversation and cultural awareness for the world’s most popular languages. You can also check out CDs, DVDs, and books to help with your language skills.
9. Job Preparation for Free
“Learning Express enables you to study for hundreds of tests including civil service, military entrance exams and preparation tests for SAT/ACT, MSAT, LSAT and dozens of others. You will find practice tests at all levels. You can practice, save your test, see your results and try again all for free.” - Investopedia
10. Find Your Family History for Free
Learn more about our Genealogy Collection from some of my previous posts or go straight to our Genealogy and Local History page. Every Thursday evening from 7-9pm, Genealogical Society volunteers are available in the library to help with your search.
11. Free Resources for Parents
Having trouble with potty training? Looking for free things to do with your kids? Helping them with homework? Let WPL help you!
12. Car Repair and Buying Help
Did you know the library offers free access to Auto Repair Reference Center? This wonderful database provides repair procedures, service bulletins and recalls, wiring diagrams, and more for pretty much any car you can think of (since 1954). WPL recently started subscribing to Consumer Reports – Cars online. You no longer have to wait for the print edition each year, just check it out online for constant updates.
13. Other Services
The library offers tax forms during tax season, voter registration on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm, bus schedules, Rules of the Road, test proctoring, free introductory Microsoft Office classes. WPL is much more than just a place to read! Although, it’s still a great place to read too. 
Posted by eileen on June 24, 2011
Each Friday, I will be showcasing one of the subscription databases provided by WPL. If you’re not sure what a database is or why you would want to use one instead of just Googling, take a look at our Databases vs. Websites page. Almost all of our databases can be used from anywhere with an Internet connection by logging in with your WPL card number and PIN. If you don’t have a WPL card, you can use the databases on any of the library’s computers. A great place to do some online database searching is on the computers near the Reference Desk on the first floor of the library. These computers do not require a WPL card, do not have a time limit, and have access to all the library’s databases.
Today, let’s take a look at Facts on File – World News Digest. ”World News Digest brings together and enhances nearly seven decades of news from the renowned Facts On File World News Digest in print. This archival record of domestic and international news is updated weekly and contains more than 1 million internal hyperlinks and convenient new features such as tabbed search results. It covers all major political, social, and economic events since November 1940. This publication of record is unrivaled for its depth, breadth, and accuracy.” – About this Database
If you click on Curriculum Tools at the top of the page, you’ll find Tools for Students and Tools for Educators. Tools for students includes great information like suggestions for research topics and a link to the Country Profiles page. Country Profiles lists the countries of the world alphabetically and is a fabulous resource for writing any sort of country research paper or if you are interested in knowing more about a country to which you are traveling. By skimming the Canada profile, I learned Canada is the second largest country in the world (in total area). Only Russia is bigger.
Take the time to take a look at Facts on File – World New Digest. You’ll find a ton of information from a guide to the 2012 Presidential Race to the top news stories in the 1940s. Whether you’re looking for current events or historical analysis, it’s a reliable source.
Posted by eileen on June 9, 2011
Lifehacker is one of my personal favorite sites. Not only are the posts often witty (sometimes downright hilarious), but also full of great information. You can learn anything from how to “Brew an Emergency Cup of Coffee with Two Paper Cups and a Filter” to how to “Fill in Floor Holes and Cracks with a Melted Crayon” by looking through their recent articles. However, I have also seen many useful articles about job searching, interviewing, and writing resumes on this site. For instance, today I found out an executive summary is better than an objective statement. I had no idea.
As I’m sure you know, there are about a zillion articles out there about the best practices for finding a job and all things that go along with finding and getting a job. Just knowing where to start looking is a problem in itself. Monster? Careerbuilder? LinkedIn? Craigslist? What’s best? It’s hard to say. A quick Google search for best job search sites will show you plenty of opinions.
The library has many resources to aid you in your search. A good place to start is our Jobs and Careers site, where you’ll find links to many of the popular career sites, as well as links to our subscription databases. The library recently gained access to Learning Express Library, which has practice tests for licensing exams, ebooks about careers, and a lot of other useful information. If books are more your thing, check out Tony Beshara’s popular, Unbeatable Resumes: America’s Top Recruiter Reveals What Really Gets You Hired. Click Place Hold at the top of the catalog page to add your name to the waiting list.
Is there an online or print source that has helped you with your job search? Let us know and we’ll take a look!
Posted by eileen on April 19, 2011
I just checked out the updated search interface of Ancestry Library Edition and I must say I find it is now easier to use and it’s easier to create a more detailed search.
The new Ancestry Library Edition features include:
Search forms with an improved look and feel for a more intuitive user experience
Location filters that allow searching across adjacent counties
Map filters
Name filters with Soundex
Type ahead features
Improved country and state pages
The new Ancestry Library Edition requires Internet Explorer version 7 or higher. Firefox version 3.x will also be fully supported.
Watch a short video about Ancestry Library Edition.
Ancestry is one of a few databases that are not available from home. However, anyone can come use this database in the library on any of the Database or Internet computers. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk or call 630-868-7520.
Posted by eileen on January 31, 2011
We’ve had some questions about reading eBooks from eMediaLibrary on iPads recently. We’ve heard complaints that the eBooks are kinda blurry when viewed on the iPad and the OverDrive Media Console app isn’t super easy to use. Also, we’ve been wondering, why is the app only listed under iPhone/iPod Touch and not iPad? I emailed OverDrive to see what’s going on with the app and here is their response:
The current OverDrive Media Console v2.0 app for iPhone combines the ability to browse, checkout, download and read eBooks and listen to Audiobooks on the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad (on iOS v4.0 or newer) all in a single app. An enhanced iPhone app optimized for the iPad is also coming very soon. For right now, the iPhone app being enlarged at 2x is the best we can provide. The enhanced iPhone app for iPad is being worked on and will be released in early 2011 which will improve readability on the iPad. We realize that the current iPhone app is not ideal for the iPad; however, it does provide a solution until the enhanced app becomes available.
If you have any questions regarding eMediaLibrary eBooks or audiobooks, feel free to email us at ereads@wheatonlibrary.org.
WPL’s eMediaLibrary Help Page
Posted by dawn on January 17, 2011
Seems like every ebook on eMediaLibrary that you want to read is already checked out, doesn’t it? It may be easier to look through a list of what’s available for checkout rather than search for every author and title you can think of. Here’s how you can do that.
- First, click on My Digital Account and log in. There are ebooks available only to WPL cardholders and you want to let eMediaLibrary know you have a Wheaton card.
- Click on Advanced Search. You’ll find the link under the search box on the left side.
- Select the Format: Adobe EPUB Book
- Check the box toward the bottom of the screen that says only show titles with copies available
- Click the Search button
You’ll see a list of eBook titles available for checkout. You can do the same search for any material type, subject, author, etc.
About Holds – please place your hold on an ebook that you would like to read even if it looks like you might have to wait months to get it. The library purchases ebooks for WPL cardholders and purchasing decisions are based on holds. If we purchase the title with your hold you move to the top of the list! Books that the library purchases are for WPL cardholders only. They are not considered part of the consortium and cannot be checked out by someone from another library.
Posted by eileen on December 9, 2010
Wheaton Public Library recently became a member of eMediaLibrary. This means WPL cardholders can now download free eBooks that can be transferred to an eBook Reader. You need your WPL card number and PIN to checkout an eBook.
Not all readers are compatible with OverDrive (which powers eMediaLibrary). This is because OverDrive uses DRM-protected Adobe EPUB and PDF eBooks. To see a list of compatible eReaders, go to OverDrive’s Compatible eBook Devices list. This list only includes devices OverDrive has tested, so some compatible models may not be listed yet.
In order to use eMediaLibrary for eBooks, you need to set up an Adobe ID. See eMediaLibrary’s Adobe Digital Editions page for instructions. Even if you are going to download eBooks straight from your phone, it will still prompt you to enter an Adobe ID.
More information (than you ever wanted…):
WPL’s eMediaLibrary Help Page
Comparison of eBook Readers
Comparison of eBook Formats
The Digital Reader – blog about all things eBook related
eBooks, Filetype, and DRM – a partial explanation of why not all Readers work with OverDrive
Posted by eileen on November 3, 2010
WPL is now part of eMediaLibrary, which allows WPL cardholders to download eBooks and audiobooks. Here are directions for downloading audiobooks to your smart phone. For more information about eMediaLibrary’s offerings, go to http://wheatonlibrary.org/ereads.html.
Note: These directions were created using an iPhone. However, other smart phones use a very similar process, so the directions should be helpful, even if you have a different smart phone.
The first step is to download the OverDrive Media Console app, by going to the App Store on your phone. Search for OverDrive Media Console and install the app.
Exit the app and open Safari (or your phone’s browser). Go to emedialibrary.lib.overdrive.com (it automatically takes you to the mobile site) and click Search at the top.
You can search for a specific title or scroll down to view all audiobooks. Note: If using Android, Blackberry, or iPhone, you can only download MP3 audiobooks, so it would make sense to limit to OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks. Windows Mobile devices can download MP3 AND WMA audiobooks. Update (12/7/10): With the OverDrive Media Console app 2.0, you can now download many eBooks to your Android device/phone or your iPhone.
Once you get your search results, books available for download will say Add to Digital Basket on the right. Books that are already checked out will say Place a Hold. If you place a hold, you will be notified via email when the book is available. Therefore, you must enter a valid email address to place a hold. It prompts you to do so.
After clicking Add to Digital Basket, you have the options to Continue Browsing or Proceed to Checkout. Assuming you Proceed to Checkout, you must choose your library; in this case, Wheaton Public Library. Then enter your WPL card number and PIN. If you need to create a PIN, follow the instructions on the right side of this page.
Agree to the Terms of Service by clicking Yes and then click Confirm Checkout. This takes you to the audiobook you’ve checked out and you can click Download.
The OverDrive Media Console app opens and you’ll see your audiobook. After clicking on the book, it prompts you to download the “parts” of the book. Click Yes and then choose if you’d like to download all parts immediately or just some.
Aaaaaaannnnnnddddddddd… you’re finished! Enjoy your audiobook.
More information: WPL’s info site about eMediaLibrary
WMA vs. MP3
Troubleshooting for MP3 downloads from OverDrive
Questions about eMediaLibrary? Email ereads@wheatonlibrary.org or post your question on our Facebook page!
Learning a foreign language? Take a look at the library’s Foreign Language site. You’ll find links to helpful library catalog searches, such as Recordings on CD and cassette and Videos and DVDs. You can also use Mango Languages, an online service provided by the Friends of Wheaton Public Library, that teaches practical conversation and cultural awareness for the world’s most popular languages. Create a free account on Mango Languages to keep track of your progress. Choose from a basic lesson or more in-depth language study lessons.
