Building Computer Skills @ the Northfield Public Library

Whether you need to strengthen your computer skills for work or just want to learn how to take advantage of all your computer has to offer, you'll find the tools you need at the Northfield Public Library on Learning Express. Learn at your own pace with interactive tutorial courses on today's most popular software and operating systems including Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Adobe Photoshoop, Illustrator, Publisher and more.  Each course offers detailed, easy-to-follow instructions with audio and captions for the program and skill levels of your choice.  All you need to do is go to www.northfieldmn.info and click on "Electronic Resources".  Scroll down to Learning Express.  Some of the benefits include:

*Online access 24/7 from any computer

*Instructor-led videos from your "own" personal software coach

*Step-by-step lessons with full voice and animation

*Interactive practice labs to test-drive new skills

This resource is brought to you by the Northfield Public Library and is free with your library card.  For more information call the library at 645-6606.

Social Media

The Northfield Public Library has a great collection of instructional materials related to social media programs on the Internet.

 

We also offer over 8 Internet accessible computers available for public use.

 
A Concise Timeline of Social Media (so far)

Source:  Entrepreneur Magazine, May 2011

1.     June 1999 -      Napster is launched by Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker.  This free music file-sharing program is named        after Fanning’s haircut.  Napster shuts down due to a lawsuit for copyright infringement brought by the Recording Institute of America.

2.   January 2000 –  Savage Beast Technologies, a music genome project, is launched by Tim Westergren.  It becomes Pandora Radio in 2005.

3.   March 2002 –   Friendster, a social networking site is founded by Jonathan Abrams.  Abrams is a friend of Sean Parker.

4.   April 2003 –   Apple opens iTunes music stores. 

5.   August  2003 -   Myspace is launched by Chris deWolfe and Tom Anderson.  It gains popularity as unknown musical artists use the site as a free promotional tool.

         6.   February 2004 - Facebook is started by Mark Zuckerberg.

7.   July 2006 – Twitter is launched by Jack Dorsey

8. October 2010 - A new version of MySpace is launched.  The focus of the site is entertainment.

Books in the Northfield Library Catalog on Web 2.0 Social Media

     Content Rules:  How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, eBooks, Webinars, and More That Engage Your Customers and Ignite Your Business by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman.  Hoboken, NJ:  Wiley, c2011. Northfield Employment and Business 658.872 HA

     Facebook Advertising for Dummies by Paul Dunay, Richard Krueger, and Joel Elad.  Hoboken, NJ:  Wiley, c2011 Interlibrary loan

     Facebook for Grown-Ups by Michael Miller. Indianapolis, Ind. : Que Pub., c2011 Interlibrary loan 

         Facebook:  The Missing Manual by E.A. Vander Veer. Sebastopol, Calif: O'Reilly Media, c2008. Northfield 004.69 VE

          Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters 3.0:  How to Stand Out from the Crowd and Tap Into the Hidden Job Market Using Social Media and 999 Other Tactics Today by Jay Conrad Levinson and David E. Perry.  Hoboken, NJ:  Wiley, 2011. Interlibrary loan

          How to Find a Job on Linkedin, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Other Social Networks by Brad and Debra Schepp.  New-York: McGraw-Hill, c2010 Northfield Employment and Business 338.707 SC

             New Rules for Today’s Workplace by Sheryl Lindsell-Roberts.  Boston,   MA:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, c2011 Northfield Employment and Business 650.0285 LI

      Sams Teach Yourself Facebook in Ten Minutes by Sherry Kinkoph Gunter.  Indianapolis, IN:  Sams Pub, c2011 Interlibrary loan

     Social Networking for Genealogists by Drew Smith.  Baltimore:  Genealogical Pub. Co., c2009 Northfield 929.1 SM 

     Twitter for Dummies  by Laura Fitton, Michael E. Gruen, and Leslie Poston ; foreword by Jack Dorsey.  Hoboken, NJ : Wiley Publishing, c2009. Northfield 006.754 FI

      Youtube for Dummies by Doug Sahlin and Chris Botello.  Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Pub., Inc., c2007. Northfield 004.6 SA

     Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks) by Dave Kerpen.New York:McGraw-Hill, c2011 Northfield Employment and Business 6589.8 KE

Public Libraries are Popular Places!

If you didn't see the segment last night on Kare 11 TV (Sept. 6,2011) check out this link about the popularity of public libraries. (The Roseville Library is highlighted.) Libraries offer so many services that the public sometimes isn't aware of - in addition to books there are videos, music cds, programs, job clubs, ebooks, internet computers, online resources that can be used 24/7, homework help and so much more.


http://www.kare11.com/news/money/article/936531/329/Save-money-by-using-your-local-library

Read and Ride day at the Fair on Aug. 31!

Read & Ride Day
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Celebrate Summer Reading with Your Public Library
in Carousel Park @ the Minnesota State Fair
Show your public library card for discounted admission
when you purchase a ticket at the gate. (One discount per card.)

On Stage
10:00 – Super Why & Princess Presto*
Meet favorite characters from favorite PBSKids show Super Why!
11:00 – Radio Disney Dancers
Young dancers from tiny to teen delight audience with their musical moves.
12:00 – Clementown
It’s poetry put to music when Clementown performs songs from their CD, Polkabats and Octopus Slacks – the Music.
1:00 – The Okee Dokee Brothers
Share music and fun with the Okee Dokee Brothers. Enjoy their bluegrass sound for the younger set.
2:00 – Dazzling Dave – National Yo-Yo Master
A tornado of whirling tricks and tips designed to dazzle audiences of all ages.
3:00 – Magician Matt Dunn
An action-packed comedy magic show for the whole family.
4:00 - Douglas Wood & the Wild Spirit Band
The Wild Spirit Band draws you in with American standards, bluegrass, jazz, folk songs, commercial hits, and original compositions.
*Super Why and Princess Presto will be back for 20 minutes at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 near the stage.

Under the Tent

• Get Carded! There’s no limit to the rewards of your library. Show your card at the tent and get your I Got Carded button.
• Libraries of Minnesota
  • Scavenger Hunt: Find the 10 photos from Libraries of Minnesota (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2011) around Carousel Park. Then find them in the book and get an I’d Rather Be at the Library key chain or mood pencil.
  • Book Giveaway and Signing: Copies of Libraries of Minnesota will be given away starting at 1:00. Photographer Doug Ohman will be on hand to sign copies. One copy per person, while supplies last.
• Maintain Your Brain
  • Brain games to try out. You public library can help keep your brain healthy and active!
• Spin & Win
  • Test your knowledge and win a library card holder.
• Story-On-A-Stick
  • Save your State Fair memories on a fan custom designed by you.
• Minitex
  • Celebrating 40 years this information and resource Sharing Program of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota Libraries assists all libraries in Minnesota. Find out how they make your library better.
• Minnesota Parent
  • Pick up the latest issue of Minnesota’s premier parenting magazine!
• Twin Cities Public Television (tpt)
  • Join your friends from Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) for fun take-away activities. Learn about kids shows that promote reading. Don’t forget to tell them “thanks!” for bringing Super Why and Princess Presto to the Fair.

10 Reasons to Visit the Northfield Public Library in August

1. Find a great book to lounge with at the lake, beach or in your backyard!
2. You are about to take that grand road trip with the family and you need books or music to listen to.
3. It's too HOT to do anything else but watch movies!! We have LOTS of movies for kids and adults.
4. Use one of our 11 public computers to search the web (Don't forget your library card!)
5. Genealogy - do you finally have a few weeks to work on your genealogy? Use Ancestry.com in the library or HeritageQuest from home to research those family genes.
6. School is still a month away and the summer reading program is over but your kids still need books to read. Stock up!
7. Your gardens are full of produce - come in and take a look at our great cookbook collection to get ideas for meals or canning or freezing.
8. Planning a trip in August or this fall? We have lots of travel books from trusted publishers like Frommers, National Geographic and Fodors.
9. We have over 150 magazines and newspapers. Come spend an afternoon catching up!
10. Last but not least - it's a great place to hang out or meet friends... AND IT'S AIR CONDITIONED!
Hope to see you soon!

Going on a trip?

Check out these library resources and websites.

The library has all kinds of travel guides from trusted publishers like: Rick Steves, Fodors, Frommers, Moon, Lonely Planet, Time Out, DK Eyewitness, National Geographic, Rough Guides, etc. Check them out and take them anywhere in the world! For free!!! Check our catalog at http://www.northfieldmn.info/ to see if we have what you are looking for. If we don’t have what you want and it isn’t available in SELCO, LET US KNOW!

We also subscribe to two great travel magazines: National Geographic Traveler and Frommer’s Budget Travel – check for those in the magazine room upstairs at the library

Travel Blogs:

http://www.elliott.org/ – blog by travel writer Christopher Elliott – he writes for National Geographic Traveler and the Washington Post

http://intelligentravel.nationalgeographic.com/ – blog from National Geographic that “showcases the essence of place, what’s unique and original and what locals cherish most about where they live.”

http://paulinefrommerbriefing.blogspot.com/ – travel writer and published author of Pauline Frommer guidebooks

http://www.caroundtheworld.com/ – written by Chris Faust, former travel editor at USA Today – lots of reviews, tips and photos from around the world

These publishers also have good websites.

http://www.fodors.com/

http://www.timeout.com/

http://www.traveldk.com/

http://www.roughguides.com/

http://www.ricksteves.com/

Other Great Travel Websites:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ – compilation of millions of reviews and opinions on hotels, vacations & more

http://www.kayak.com/ – a travel search engine that aggregates information from 100s of travel sites and helps users book flights, hotels, cruises and car rentals.

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/- offers free online airfare alerts by email

www.tripit.com/ - create a master travel itinerary

www.seatguru.com/ - the ultimate source for airplane seating, in-flight amenities & airline information

http://www.hotels.com/ – leading provider of hotel accommodations worldwide

http://www.priceline.com/ – discount rates for airline tickets, hotel rooms, cruises and more

http://www.vrbo.com/ – vacation rentals by owner – search over 150,000 properties worldwide

http://www.youtube.com/user/TravelerVideos- travel videos on You Tube

http://virtourist.com/- take a tour of places worldwide before you travel!

www.literarytraveler.com/ - plan a literary travel tour using this site

www.hihostels.com/ - look for inexpensive hostel accommodations worldwide on this site

www.onebag.com/ - an interesting site on how to pack light

http://www.igougo.com/ – social networking is a big component of this travel site


Interested in good food when you travel?

http://www.chowhound.com/

http://www.zagat.com/

http://www.urbanspoon.com/

http://www.opentable.com/

New garden plants to consider this season

Last month, John Daniels, Northfielder and plant expert from Bachmans Cedar Acres, spoke at the library on plants that would be hardy for Northfield gardeners. He covered annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. Here's a partial list of the plants he mentioned. The library has lots of new gardening books, thanks in part to the Northfield Garden Club. Scroll to the end of this post to see some of the titles.



Annuals
Phantom Petunia - black and yellow
Impatiens - Sangria Mix
Geranium Calliope - dark red, new

Perennials
Achillea - 'Saucy Seduction' - rose pink flower
Achillea - 'Strawberry Seduction ' - sturdy, compact plant with red velvet flowers
Echinacea - 'Pow Wow' - 2010 All-America Selection
Echinacea - 'Little Annie' - miniature coneflower - 6-9 in.
Gaillardia - 'Mesa Yellow' - upright habit, 16-18 in.
Sedum - 'Mr. Goodbud' - needs full sun, 17 in.
Hosta - 'Designer Genes' - yellow hosta with red petioles (very unusual looking!)
Hosta - 'Mighty Mouse' - 7-8 in, blue green leaves edged in a broad band of yellow
Hosta - ' Rainforest Sunrise' - leaves are a solid light green but turn to a dark green border with a gold center
Salvia 'Eveline' - 18-30 in, pink flower
Peony - Intersectional Peonies (also known as Itoh Peonies)- a cross between a herebaceous peony and a tree peony - available in colors that traditional peonies can't produce like yellow, peach and coral. Very new so can be very expensive right now.

Shrubs
Hydrangea - 'Bella Anna' - pink - part of the Endless Summer collection
Hydrangea - 'Limelight' - bright green blooms which turn deep pink in fall
Cabernet Barberry - 2 ft, deep burgandy, full sun
Red Twig Dogwood - 'Allemans compact'; 'Arctic Fire'
Gray Dogwood - 'Huron Gray'; 'Garden Glow' (developed at the U of M)
Technito Arborvitae - Dwarf Arborvitae - 6 ft - dense, compact
Acrocona Pusch Spruce - 2 ft dwarf spruce

Roses
Knockout roses - best selling in the U.S. - hardy shrub rose
Northern Accents - Ole, Lena, Sven and Sigrid
Easy Elegance - Pinktopia; All the Rage
Rugosa - one of the hardiest shrub roses

Trees
Japanese Tree Lilac - 'Snowdance'

Gardening Books at the Northfield Library

Continuous Container Gardens: Swap in the plants of the season to create fresh designs year-round

635.9 TO

Designing with Grasses      716 LU

Edible Front Yard: the mow-less, grow-more plan for a beautiful, bountiful garden     635 SO

Gardener's Color Palette: paint your garden with 100 extraordinary flower choices     635.9 FI

Homegrown Harvest: a season-by-season guide to a sustainable kitchen garden    635 HO

The Nonstop Garden: a step-by-step guide to smart plant choices and four-season designs     712 CO

Prairie Style Gardens: capturing the essence of the American prairie wherever you live 635.9 ST

Resilient Gardener: food production and self-reliance in uncertain times     635 DE

Small-plot, High-yield Gardening: grow like a pro, save money, and eat well by turning your back (or front or side) yard into an organic produce garden      635 GI

Starter Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs: 24 No-fail plans for organic gardens      OS 635 WI

Sugar Snaps and Strawberries: simple solutions for creating your own small-space edible garden    635 BE

Tips for Container Gardening: 300 great ideas for growing flowers, vegetables, and herbs    635.9 TI

Artful Garden: creative inspiration for landscape design     712 VA