Fancy new features in our Catalog!

Recently, the database containing our “card” catalog was updated and there are a couple of really neat features we’d like to point out.  Our catalog now offers the ability to search by Reading Level AND allows you to browse a virtual shelf. 

The Reading Level search is perfect for parents and teachers who are looking for books targeted to a particular audience.  It is also something that many parents have requested and now we are happy to offer it!

Browsing the Virtual Shelf essentially shows you similar titles.  It is true that you can simply go to the shelf and see what’s near the book, but the virtual shelf allows you to browse our Library collection at 2am (or whenever) from your home computer!  From there you can put items on hold, save them to a list, or just plan to stop by later.  

Reading Levels

You will see a Reading Levels link in addition to the Advanced Search link next to the Search box.  The Reading Levels tab provides a specialized search form for Lexile® and/or Accelerated Reader.  Click the Reading Levels link next to the search button to get started.   You can type in a Lexile Measure and/or AR Reading Level!   You can also search for any book in our catalog and if the AR/Lexile Measure information is available it will show in any search result.  You can also use AR/Lexile Measure to narrow your findings when you search (the column on the left in our catalog).

Browse Virtual Shelf

The Browse Virtual Shelf button provides a way to see items before and after your displayed title selection.  Located under Title Details the Virtual Shelf will also include eResources if available.

The Virtual Shelf displays the book jacket of the item currently opened in Details in the middle of the display, and also displays book jackets of items 'on the shelf' before and after the selected title.  The format of the item (Book, Large Print, Book on CD, etc.) is displayed under the five book jackets.  Additional titles on either side are represented with book spines displaying the associated title. 

Detailed instructions for these functions – and many more – are available through our catalog when you scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click on “Help.”   You can also check with the Reference Department and they will be happy to walk you through it.  Our catalog has lots of options cardholders can make use of…even from home!

Back-to-school resources at DPL

Most kids have been back in school for some time now and are starting to get into the swing of a new year.  Returning to school, of course, brings plenty of homework, papers and projects.  Fortunately, you have resources to help you…and they are all FREE through your Decatur Public Library!  These services are available through our website and most are available 24/7.   Pardon the wordiness and length of this post, but we have some really fantastic resources and we want to tell you about them!

                                                    

Alabama Virtual Library (AVL)

The Alabama Virtual Library provides all students, teachers, and citizens of the State of Alabama with online access to essential library and information resources.  Through AVL, Alabama students of all ages can access Magazines, Newspapers, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Almanacs, Academic Journals, Literature, Health, Law, Science, Medical Information, Biographies, and eBooks that are acceptable as electronic sources for academic papers…no Wikipedia here!   AVL offers a world of information available anytime day or night, and AVL’s mobile technology allows users to access premium resources on demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any mobile device. Whether traveling for business, researching on the go or simply accessing information from the comfort of home, Alabama residents can take AVL with them wherever they are.  Whether you need to do extensive research or just look up something quickly in an encyclopedia, AVL provides an entire digital library. 

Homework Alabama

Whether you need help with Math Homework, an English Paper, Finding a Job or Preparing for a Test, Homework Alabama can help!  It offers FREE online tutoring and academic resources from Tutor.com for Alabama residents from kindergarten students through college, plus adult learners. Get help in math, science, English, social studies or writing from a live tutor. Tutors are available 3 p.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. The Tutor.com SkillsCenter Resource Library is available 24/7. The services can be accessed from an Alabama public library, from your home computer or from your mobile device.

Receive one-to-one, real-time assistance with your job search. Online tutors are available to help navigate job sites, complete applications, write/review resumes and cover letters and even practice for an interview. You can take a career assessment, search job openings and download resume samples and templates on the 24/7 SkillsCenter Resource Library.

Learning Express

LearningExpress Library provides free basic skills improvement in reading, writing, math, and basic sciences and test preparation for academic and career testing.  Centers—a collection of related materials organized around a theme or classification of user including School (grades 4–12), College, GED® Test Prep, College Preparation, Career, Adult Learning, and Recursos para Hispanhoblantes (Spanish) – help students and adults prepare for success in school and in life.

LearningExpress tutorials allow you to improve basic skills with answer feedback and recommended learning paths, including unit and lesson reviews, pre- and post-tutorial assessment tests and quizzes, and study plans with links to content for additional learning.  Start at DPL’s website, scroll to the bottom and click on Learning Express, and you can have online access to these extremely beneficial learning resources for work and school—anytime, anywhere.

Books on CD and Kits

For those who struggle with reading or want to improve their reading, we offer different formats.  For the audio learner we offer over 2600 books on CD for the Children’s Department, YA and in the adult collections combined.  We also have over 260 kits, which contain both the printed book and the audio book to allow you to read along. 

eBooks & eAudioBooks

We have best-selling and classic eBooks and eAudioBooks available 24/7 from the library’s digital collection via CamelliaNet.  You can browse the collection, borrow with your library card, and enjoy on your computer, tablet, smartphone or eReader device. Most borrowed eBooks can be enjoyed immediately in your web browser with OverDrive Read. Or, you can download eBooks into free software, Adobe® Digital Editions, or send to your Kindle® device or OverDrive app.  Downloaded eBooks can be transferred to eReader devices such as NOOK®, Sony® Reader™ and many more.  This service, powered by OverDrive, is free with your library card. 

You can also access eBooks of a more scholarly, textbook-like variety through EBSCOhost.  EBSCO offers thousands of high-quality eBook titles from leading academic publishers, trade publishers, and university presses all with a user-friendly search and browse experience and a simple download process, ensuring you have access to the relevant materials you need for your research or pleasure reading.

All of these resources are absolutely free through Decatur Public Library and we want to make sure as many people as possible take advantage.  If you have any questions feel free to contact our Reference Department via email (reference@decatur.lib.al.us) or via phone (256-353-2993 ext. 117).  DPL wants you to have an outstanding academic year!

September’s Adult Reading Challenge “Clues”

It is hard to believe there are only 3 months left for this year’s challenge.  There are only 6 more clues to be released.  If you have just joined us, welcome and if you are a regular to our Reading Challenge, thank you for playing our game. Don’t forget to join us, if you can for the Portals Reading Group in the Community Room on Thursday, September 3, 2015 from 12:00 till 2:00 pm. We’d love for you to join us because the more the merrier when discussing books.

The clues for this month are:

Banned Book Banned Book week is September 27^th-October 3^rd. Help us celebrate the freedom to read by choosing any book that has been banned for any reason.

Pirates On September 18^th the library will celebrate all things piratical during our all day Piratical Pursuits Family Day. There will be programs for all ages, games, photo ops, and snacks. Get in the mood by reading a book that features a pirate and then come party with us on the 18^th.

Big Apple Read any book set in New York City.

September Author Read any book by an author who celebrates their birthday this month. Some suggestions to get you started are Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Fannie Flagg, or F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The released clues for this month are:

Non-Fiction Read any non-fiction book. Must be catalogued with a Dewey Decimal number to qualify.

Classic Read any book considered to be a “classic”. One definition of classic is a book that expresses some artistic quality and stands the test of time. Most of us have at least one on our personal TBR List. For some suggestions check out:  http://pigfish.hubpages.com/hub/List-of-Classic-Books-to-Read-Before-You-Die  or http://www.listchallenges.com/100-classic-books-challenge. If you just don’t know if the book you want to read will count, ask us. We love to talk books.

Happy Reading!