Decatur Public Library (AL) Offers Free Automotive Repair Help Online

ChiltonLibrary provides authoritative, money-saving car care guidance

Studies show consumers are keeping their cars longer. With more older cars on the road, repairs are on the rise. People in Decatur interested in taking wrench in hand to save money now have a resource to help.

Decatur residents can access reliable automotive help online 24/7 through ChiltonLibrary, a resource available on the Decatur Public Library website. Trusted by automotive enthusiasts for more than 100 years, ChiltonLibrary supports “do-it-yourselfers” of all skill levels. No other source contains more years, makes, and models.

“ChiltonLibrary helps patrons save money on car repairs by offering expert, step-by-step guidance on how to conduct repairs themselves, or by having greater knowledge about their vehicle when taking it to a professional for service,” said Sherry Sakovich, Director of Decatur Public Library.  “Residents with a library card can tap into this resource through their home computers, iPads or tablets around the clock, in addition to being able to access the information here at the library.”

ChiltonLibrary, from Gale, part of Cengage Learning, provides access to repair, maintenance and service information on the most popular cars, trucks, vans and SUVs on the road today as well as many new vehicles! This continually updated resource provides step-by-step repair procedures as well as troubleshooting guides and diagnostic trouble codes, photos, illustrations, diagrams, and multimedia (videos and animations) to simplify even the most complicated tasks.

In addition to finding repair information, library users are able to:

• Look up recalls and service bulletins
• Find estimated labor time helping users confidently estimate repair costs
• Prepare for ASE mechanic certification with test prep quizzes

ChiltonLibrary supplies a solution for the “do-it-yourselfer” that is easy to use no matter the skill level. With product enhancements such as mobile optimization and ReadSpeaker text-to-speech technology, ChiltonLibrary is a perfect solution for all vehicle needs. Repair, maintenance and specification tables provide critical data on thousands of domestic and imported models of cars and light trucks from 1940 onward. 

Decatur, AL residents can access ChiltonLibrary from library computers or remotely by visiting the library’s website www.decatur.lib.al.us.  

For questions or more information, please contact the Reference Department at Decatur Public Library:  reference@decatur.lib.al.us or (256) 353-2993 ext. 117.

Ancestry® Library Edition @ DPL

Decatur Public Library has a new resource that uses technology to make tracing family trees easier. 

Ancestry® Library Edition, a Web-based reference tool distributed by ProQuest, will allow you to start exploring your roots by searching a surname.  Anyone can come into the library to dig into Ancestry Library Edition’s millions of records – as far back as the 1400s.  All you need is a Decatur Public Library card to access our computers.  Due to licensing restrictions, this resource is only available on the Library computers. 

The library is responding to a growing interest in family history that’s captured not only Decatur and Morgan County, but America as a whole.  A new nationwide survey* shows 73% of Americans want to learn more about their roots, up from 60% in 2000.  Twenty-five percent of those surveyed became interested after searching for a family surname online, pointing to the increasing popularity of Internet-based genealogy. 

Ancestry®  Library Edition is available on the library’s public computers located in the main area of the Library.  To get the most out of the experience, come prepared with a list of ancestors to research.  Make a list of the names of every direct ancestor you can think of.

Once connected to Ancestry®  Library Edition, you’ll find a friendly opening screen that asks for the name of the person to be searched.  Key in the name, click on “Search” and Ancestry®  Library Edition scans its vast selection of U.S. federal and state census data, birth, marriage, and death records, military records, Social Security death records, and immigration lists.  It also includes an extensive collection of information from the U.K., including images census records and civil registrations.  Additionally, probate records dating back to the 1500s are included from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.  The information you find are pieces of a puzzle that you’ll assemble.  These records have “clues” to the past – places where ancestors lived, names of relatives, birth or death dates, etc – that lead to more information.  Names can be added to form the “tree” or searched to find more clues.  

You can also sign in at our Reference Desk for access to our Alabama Room, where we have additional genealogical resources.

CLICK HERE

to access Ancestry Library Edition

(must be on DPL public computer for link to work).

September Gauntlets

There have been a lot of changes at DPL in the last few months with more on the way. We launched our new logo (see below) in August.  There are a few changes in store for September as well.  First, the library will be closed Tuesday, September 20^th through Thursday, September 22^nd for replacement lights to be installed in the 20 ft bays in the main area. While we are closed, the main area walls will also get some needed repairs and a fresh coat of paint. At some point in the near future we will also be installing new carpet. We hope you will be patient as we undergo these much needed improvements to the facility.

The main reason most of you checked this blog is for the September gauntlets for the Adult Reading Challenge, and here they are.

If you are suffering Olympic withdrawal, this one is just for you. Read any author who is a former Olympic athlete or professional athlete. The library has many auto biographies and non-fiction books written by both. There are also some authors in the mystery section who have competed at the top of their chosen sport.

The second gauntlet is a choice between 2 authors: Stephen King or Jackie Collins. Stephen King was born on September 21, 1947. You will find his books in the fiction, non-fiction, mystery, CD fiction, graphic novels, and eBooks sections of the Library. He is one of the best-selling authors of all time. Jackie Collins died on September 19, 2015. She wrote over 30 novels and most all of them made it to the New York Times best seller list. You will find her in the fiction and CD fiction areas of DPL.

Happy Reading!

StephRhonda’s September Schedule*

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
				1.9am-5:30pm RoundTable Book Club	2. 9am-5pm	3. 9am-5pm
4. 2pm-5pm	5. Library CLOSED	6. 9am-5:30pm	7. 9am-5:30pm	8. 12pm-6pm Movie Night	9. Not Available	10. 9am-5pm River Clay Lectures
11. Not Available	12. 9am-5:30pm	13. 9am-5:30pm	14. 9am-5:30pm	15. Not Available	16. 11am-3pm 3rd Friday	17. 9am-5pm River Clay Lectures
18. Not Available	19. 9am-5:30pm	20. Library CLOSED	21. Library CLOSED	22. Library CLOSED	23. Not Available	24. Not Available River Clay
25. Not Available River Clay	26. Not Available	27. 9am-5:30pm Shoe Show	28. 9am-5:30pm	29. 9am-5:30pm	30. 9am-5pm

** This schedule is accurate as of 9/1/2016, but subject to change. If you have questions or wish to make sure we will be available at a certain time, please contact us.

Email: stephrhonda@decatur.lib.al.us

Phone: 256-353-2993 ext. 106