A map to online treasures

As you may know, Halifax Public Libraries is working on a new website. I know, let there be cheers all around. One of the associated tasks is conducting a content inventory, a record of all the web pages on the site. I am one of two people doing it, and while I knew that the effort would be extremely useful, I did not expect to become excited (not just impressed) about the content that is there already. However much my marketing instincts are repelled by the dated look of these gems, let it be said, there is gold in them hills.

Help in a pdf

These three handy surprises come in the form of pdf documents that you can print or save. It’s easy to see how we can use them for ourselves or when helping others.

Large Print Books Catalogue (January-June 2015) created for Home Delivery clients but handy for anyone. Map: Services, Home Delivery, “large bring books” link in the second paragraph).

Books by Mail Update (May/June 2015) created for Books by Mail clients is report on recent additions to the library collections that anyone can find useful. Map: Services, Books by Mail, “update” link in the last bullet under ways to select material.

Computer classes handouts that cover some really basic stuff such as email, office software (Microsoft Word and Excel), social media, and web tools. Map: Computers, right side navigation bar, look under the label “Computer Classes.”

Fillable forms

These four tasks can be completed from home: Get a library card (map: services, borrowing, get a library card), ask a librarian (map: home page, left side navigation, ask a librarian graphic), suggestion for purchase (map: readers, right side navigation, suggest a book), and web payments (map: home page, right side navigation, how do I… drop box, make a web payment)

Chunks of good info

This tool will satisfy you in those times when you think back to grade school and wonder how much you have forgotten (or when you are helping your children with their homework).

Homework Survivor is organized by subject with options to go deeper into them. There is one for teens and kids. I like the kids one best. Map: Home page, left side buttons, Kids @ the Library graphic, top navigation bar in red.

If you scoff at these quick and easy bits of information, then try ProQuest database. It offers credible secondary sources. Map: Research, business and careers, searchable databases.

Titanic, the Halifax Connection

If you were not caught up in the Titanic frenzy, you may not have heard some interesting factoids about our local history. This online library tour, which can also be a self-guided walking one, gives you snippets of information that will make you say, “Oh, I see. Interesting.” (Map: Research, Roots to the Past, tours, Titanic).

Next rainy day or late night wind down, give some of these a try.

Events at the library

All programs are free.

Thundermaker: A Multimedia Art Exhibit, Central, Tue., Jun. 9, 7 p.m.

LEGO for Adults, Cole Harbour, Tue., Jun. 9, 7 p.m.

How Does Your Garden Grow?, Keshen Goodman, Tue., Jun. 9, 7 p.m.

Seniors’ Spring Social, Sackville, Tue., Jun. 9, 10 a.m.

Crochet Club, Dartmouth North, Tue., Jun. 9, 7 p.m.

Heart Healthy Living, Woodlawn, Tue, Jun. 9, 6:30 p.m.

Breastfeeding Support, Tantallon, Tue., Jun. 9, 1:30 p.m.

Sun Safety & Bug Spray for Infants, Tantallon, Tue., Jun. 9, 2:30 p.m.

Open Heart Farming, Central, Wed., Jun. 10, 7 p.m.

PLAY AGAIN film screening, Woodlawn, Wed., Jun. 10, 6:30 p.m.

Family Caregiver Education Series, Woodlawn, Wed, Jun. 10, 6:30 p.m.

Understand & Get a Handle on Pain, Central, Wed., Jun. 10, 12-2 p.m.

Windows 8, Bedford, Wed., Jun. 10, 2:30 p.m.

Bicycle Infrastructure in Halifax, Alderney Gate, Thur., Jun. 11, 7 p.m.

Talking With Your Doctors, Central, Thur., Jun. 11, 1 p.m.

Meet Historic Schmidtville, Central, Fri., Jun. 12, 12 p.m.

Skype, Alderney Gate, Fri., Jun. 12, 10 a.m.

Basic Bicycle Repair, Cole Harbour, Sat., Jun. 13, 2 p.m.

Basic Bicycle Repair, Tantallon, Sat., Jun. 13, 10:30 a.m.

National Knit in Public Day, Dartmouth North, Sat., Jun. 13, open hours

Kejimkujik: A Cultural Landscape, Central, Sat., Jun. 13, 2 p.m.

Laughter Yoga, Alderney Gate, Sat, Jun. 13, 10:30 a.m.

Laughter Yoga, Keshen Goodman, Sat., Jun. 13, 2 p.m.

MaKey MaKey Workshops, Central, Sat., Jun. 13, 2:30 p.m.

Basic Bicycle Repair, Central, Sun., Jun. 14, 2 p.m.

Kasia Morrison is the communications officer for Halifax Public Libraries. Her close, but not too close, perspective leaves plenty of room for insights into the character of today’s public library. Follow her on Twitter at @kazakazam.