Technology Resources!

Check out these interesting computer skills tutorials. Instruction for all levels from beginner and up. Want to check out a computer?

Find out about our Tech-to-Go program!

Salado Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting

September 23, 2019

4:30 pm

This meeting is open to the public. Citizens wishing to address the Board must sign in at the beginning of the meeting. Speakers will be heard in the order of sign-in and are limited to five minutes each. Specific factual information or recitation of existing policy may be furnished in response to inquiries, but the Board shall not deliberate or decide regarding any subject that is not included on the posted agenda. Agenda available here. 

 Search Salado Public Library Catalog:

Can't find what you are looking for in our catalog?
  Try the Texas Group Catalog to order materials through interlibrary loan.
Items will be sent to the Salado Public Library for pick-up and return.

Salado Public Library would like to thank the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for assisting the library in providing computer and digital services to the community. 

Work and research from the office or from home, anytime:

•  Book News and Reviews  & Bestseller Lists and Award Winning Books:  book reviews, top sellers, author interviews, book news, and More!
• TexShare Databases: books, e-books, tutorials, articles, research databases, and More!
• Click here to see our Library in action

Have a question?

Visit the TexShare Databases to find the answer.

Please see your librarian for a user name and password.

Please see your librarian for a user name and password.

To access e-books and e-audiobooks; just log-in to your library account and you can:

• put them on reserve

• take out up to 5 at a time

• check them out for two weeks (and you won't have to lug them back to the library, they just stop working and you can delete them)

• with some software you can share your your selection between 6 computers or mobile devices

Electronic Library books can work with:

• Sony e-readers

• Nook (Barnes & Noble's reader)

• Kobo (Borders' reader)

• Apple's iPhones and iPads

• Kindle and Kindle Fire

E-BOOK AND DOWNLOADING HELP:

OVERDRIVE:  All titles are listed in the library catalog with the call number "Overdrive".  To download e-books from Overdrive, log into your library account. Next, click on the Overdrive logo at the bottom of the screen. For instructions on downloading e-books to various devices, please see the Overdrive help files. 

 

The EBSCO HOST DATABASE contains more than 2000 e-audiobooks and e-books available for checkout. All audio titles are listed in our library catalog with a "WMA" call number and "Audio Download" before the title listing.  
Click this link for EBSCO's instructions: downloading e-books and e-audiobooks.   
 

PROJECT GUTENBURG also has free e-books available for download to your computer or mobile reader.
All titles are listed in the library catalog with the call number "Gutenberg". To access,  log into your library account and search the library catalog.  Next, click on a Project Gutenberg book title.   Finally, press the download button on the pop-up screen and choose the correct file format for your device to download the file to your computer or e-reader. 
For more help, view Project Gutenburg's wiki page: MobileReader Devices How-To

LIBRIVOX also has free public domain  e-audiobooks available for download to your computer or mobile reader. All titles are listed in the library catalog with the call number "LibriVox". To access, search the library catalog.  Next, click on a LibriVox book title.   Finally, press the download button on the pop-up screen to download the file to your computer or e-reader. 
Click this link for LibriVox's instructions: Listen/Download Help.   

Mailing address :     P.O. Box 1178, Salado, Texas 76571

Physical address :   1151 N. Main St.. Salado, Texas 76571

Phone :  254-947-9191

Fax :       254-947-9146

Email address : spl@mygrande.net

Or you can use the appropriate form below to contact us via e-mail:

• Interlibrary loan request
• Ask a librarian a question
• Make a purchase request
• General comments or suggestions

We look forward to hearing from you!

Troubleshooting for ebooks

Hitting snags while trying to download e-books? Here are a few things to look for:

Software

Have you got these free software packages installed?:

Adobe Digital Editions

This will allow you to read e-books on your computer. We recommend you go ahead and set up an Adobe ID (you'll create your own password and no, the library won't know what it is).  This will allow you to log-in from up to 6 computers and mobile devices so you can read on whichever of these is handy.  Your e-reader must be authorized with the same Adobe ID as your computer- don't forget to make a note of your sign-in email and password!

If you don't want to create the Adobe ID, you can read with "anonymous activation", but only on your computer.  You will not be able to transfer to other e-book readers.

Adobe Flash

This is the one that will get you images and illustrations.

Overdrive Media Console

This is one of our main content providers.  You'll need it for access to our latest e-books.

The Overdrive media console is also available as a free app through the App store.

If you're using Windows, Overdrive will require you to upgrade your security file to Windows Media Player 9 series (or newer).  This should come up as an automatic requirement and the upgrade takes just a few minutes.  Other systems don't require this upgrade so don't be surprised if you're not asked to do this.

E-Reader Registration

Both the Nook and the Sony e-reader must be registered before you will be able to download books (but you probably did this the day you got one!).

Checkout

Select your choice from our catalog and click on Download now.  It's a great way to economically provide a wide range of e-books to you! Don't be surprised if you land on the OverDrive Central Texas Digital Consortium page, you're still logged in through the Salado Library and are fully authorized to check out books.

Go ahead and Add to Cart while you're browsing for books.  This reserves your selections for 30 minutes.  If you haven't checked out by then, the chosen titles are automatically returned to the catalog.

Proceed to Checkout when you're finished browsing.

When you're ready to Checkout, click Confirm Checkout, then Download.  Once its finished loading, open and enjoy the book on your computer or transfer to your e-reader.

Transferring to an E-Reader

Using your USB cable, plug your e-reader into your computer.  (By the way, you won't be able to read your book on your e-reader while it's plugged in to your computer.)

Click on the Adobe Digital Edition icon on your computer to open or transfer your book.  Look for the e-reader device icon in the left hand menu.

Drag your e-book title to the device icon.  (The red x will turn to a green when it is ready for you to drop the title in.)

Once the book has loaded, disconnect your e-reader.  Use either the eject icon at the right of the computer screen or click My Computer, select your e-reader, and eject.

Special e-reader procedures

Sony

On the Sony e-reader touch screen, elect Books to select your title and begin reading

Nook

On the Nook touch screen, select My Documents to find the book you transferred.

Apple and the iPhone and iPad

Apple's iProducts will work with Overdrive but they require a slightly different download sequence:

• First make sure you have already downloaded the Adobe Digital Editions onto your PC and created your own Adobe ID.  iProducts won't allow you to download this software but they will accept your Adobe ID (an essential part of the e-book download).
• Install Overdrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad on your device: 

• To download from your iPhone/iPad device…

1. Go to the App store.
2. Tap 'Search' and search for 'OverDrive Media Console'.  'OverDrive Media Console' is displayed in the search results.
3. Tap 'OverDrive Media Console'.  The 'Info' screen is displayed.
4. Tap the 'Free' button.
5. Tap the 'Install' button.  You are prompted to enter your Apple ID Password.
6. Enter your password and tap 'OK'.  OverDrive Media Console is installed.

• To download from your computer...

1. To download OverDrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad from the App Store, click here.
   If prompted, choose to allow the website to open iTunes®. Otherwise, click the 'View in iTunes' button on the 'iTunes Preview' page.
2. iTunes opens and displays the OverDrive Media Console page in the App Store.
3. Click the 'Free App' button.  You are prompted to sign in to the iTunes store.
4. Enter your Apple ID and Password and click the 'Get' button.  iTunes downloads OverDrive Media Console.  When the download is complete the app is displayed in the 'Apps' section of iTunes.
5. Connect your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad to your computer.  iTunes syncs your device and installs OverDrive Media Console.
   

• Authorize your OverDrive Media Console.

• Whenever you use a new computer or device for eBooks from an OverDrive-powered site, you will be prompted to 'Authorize'.  Follow the instructions to complete the steps.

1. A prompt will display the first time you download an eBook to OverDrive Media Console for iPhone®/iPad®.
2. Enter your Adobe ID and password.
3. Select 'Authorize'.
   

• Go directly to our Overdrive consortium site

• Make your book selection
• Click on Add to Cart
• Click on Proceed to Checkout
• Select Salado Public Library and log-in using your Salado Library user name and password (your library card number and phone number)
• Confirm Checkout
• Download.  This will prompt you for your Adobe Digital Edition ID, open in Overdrive.
• Your book should open promptly. If it doesn't turn your e-reader off and on again.

OVERDRIVE FOR KINDLE FIRE 

· Go to http://overdrive.com/software/omc/

· Click on the “Download OverDrive Media Console for Android from OverDrive” link to install the app (it is not available in the Amazon Market for the Kindle Fire).

· This will allow for the ability to download EPUB eBooks for reading to the OverDrive app or Kindle titles to the Kindle app.

To Install the app on your device:

1. From the Home screen, tap the “Quick

Settings” icon and select More.

2.   Tap Device.

3. Turn the switch for “Allow Installation of

Applications” to the on position.

· When navigating to the library in the app, it will take you to the full site.

· You can checkout EPUB or Kindle titles.

· When clicking on “Get for Kindle”, the title can be sent to the tablet as long as there is an active WIFI connection.

• Enjoy!

Returning E-Books

E-books automatically fade away, returning them to the Library, after 2 weeks.  You can delete the title anytime you want from your computer but if you want the credit for returning them early, just:

• Open Adobe Digital Editions
• Click on the book you want to delete
• Click on the triangle to the left of the book to open the Item Options menu
• Select return borrowed item

Still stuck?

Come in, email (spl@vvm.com), or call our Librarians!  The phone is 947-9191. We're here to help every day but Sunday!

Many people along the way have contributed to the success of Plinkit. First and foremost, thanks go to Eva Miller, the original designer and creator of Plinkit and to the Multnomah County Library who originally sponsored the grant that funded the original project.

Special thanks to the Plone community at large who have been supportive of this project in so many ways.

Plinkit owes a big "Thank You" to the Oregon Department of Education who contributed the original content for the "Kid's Corner", "Middle Schoolers", and "High Schoolers" section of the Plinkit template. Content for these sections was derived from Castillo's Corner and is locally maintained by your public library.

Sharon Morris (Colorado State Library) also contributed additional content for the Español section the Homework and Research Sites page.

The Oregon Plinkit Project participates in the Plinkit Collaborative -- a group of several states that use localized versions of Plinkit for their public libraries. Oregon libraries using Plinkit benefit greatly through the Oregon State Library's work with a cooperative group of librarians, libraries, and resources for further Plinkit development.

And last but not least, Plinkit would not exist if it were not for the Institute of Museum and Library Services which funds Plinkit (in whole or in part) through the Library Services and Technology Act.

Audiobook Troubleshooting

Hitting some snags as you're trying to download our audiobooks? Here are some things you might consider:

Software

Your listening device will need these software packages:

Overdrive Media Console

This is one of our main content providers.  The application is free and the download and installation should go very smoothly.  If you're an Apple user, it is available as a free app from the App store.

Windows Media Player version 9 (or newer) on your PC

This is the major playing software for audiobooks on computers, it is a Microsoft Windows format.  If you're an Apple user, audiobooks in wma format can be transferred and reformatted through iTunes.

Mobile Devices

Even the newest Salado Library Electronic Library titles should work with these versions of mobile devices:

• Android v1.5 (or newer)
• BlackBerry v4.5 (or newer)
• iPhone OS v.4.0 (or newer)
• Mac OS v.10.4.9 (or newer)
• Windows Mobile 5 and 6

Checkout

Select your choice from our catalog and click on Download now.  We're getting content from the Central Texas Digital Consortium.  It's a great way to economically provide a wide range of e- and audiobooks to you!  Don't be surprised if you land on that page, you're still logged in through the Salado Library and are fully authorized to check out items.

Go ahead and Add to Cart while you're browsing for books.  This reserves your selections for 30 minutes.  If you haven't checked out by then, the chosen titles are automatically returned to the catalog.

Proceed to Checkout when you're finished browsing

When you're ready to Checkout, click Confirm Checkout, then Download.  Once its finished loading, open and enjoy your audiobook on your computer or transfer it to your listening device.

Transferring to Listening Device

Using your USB cable, plug your mobile into your computer.

From OverDrive Media Console, click the Transfer button.

When the window appears asking you to plug in your mobile, click Next.

The files will sync to your mobile.  Long audiobooks are often downloaded in parts.  You'll usually be given a choice of which parts to download.  Since the files are quite large, it may take a few minutes for each part to finish downloading.

Apple and the iPhone and iPod

We anticipate that the Salado Electronic Library will be compatible with Apple and its iProducts in early January. However, the download instructions will be a bit different for Apple devices.  Here is the sequence:

• Download the free Overdrive Media Console from the App store
• Select Get Books, usually in the upper left hand corner
• Click on Add a Website
• Enter Salado Public Library or 76571 (our zip code) to find the Library
• Select title and Add to Cart.  Just like a book, you can place a reserve on the book if it isn't available to checkout
• Proceed to Checkout or browse
• Confirm Checkout
• Choose between download choices: Download all files, Choose files to download, Don't download now
• Click Download and enjoy!

Returning Audiobooks

Audiobooks automatically fade away, returning them to the Library, after 2 weeks.  Although you can delete the files from your computer early, they cannot be returned to the Library in less than 2 weeks.

Still stuck?

Come in, email us at spl@vvm.com or call our Librarians!  The Salado Library phone number is 947-9191.  We're here to help you every day but Sunday!

Looking for WORK?

Conquer your computer-phobia! Find a job online!

If traditional methods of seeking employment are leading you nowhere, the Salado Public library can help!  The Digital Literacy Corps Program is a series of free classes to help YOU get computer literate and hired! Whether you...

        … have never used a mouse

                … don’t know how to attach your resume to an email

                        … are overwhelmed by the hundreds of job-search websites…

We have a class for you!

Computer Basics

February 9, 1:00 pm

Beginners only! Learn the parts of the computer, how to use

a mouse, keyboard, and basic programs.

Internet Basics

February 16, 1:00 pm

We’ll cover how to connect to the internet at the library,

the basics of surfing & searching, and Internet safety.

Email Basics

February 23, 1:00 pm

Explore popular free email service providers and learn the

basics of sending and receiving email.

Searching for a Job Online

March 2, 1:00 pm

Tour the best job search websites, learn about online

networking, and explore web resources for every step

of the job search process!

Applying for a Job Online

March 9, 1:00 pm

Learn about e-resumes and online etiquette when

applying for a job through email.

The classes are free to the public for ages 17+, and all skill levels are welcome.

Limit 6 people per class.

Contact the library (947-9191) for more information or to reserve a place in the classes.

Salado Public Library

https://www.digitallearn.org/

If you are new to computers, haven't used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, we have the tools to help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed.

GCFLearnfree.org

Whether you are new to the computer, returning for review or just want to gain more 21st century skills, our free computer tutorials can help. From computer basics and online safety to social media and using the cloud, we have a wide range of free technology tutorials to choose from.

....a mobile computer center designed to help members of the community meet educational and career goals.  Laptop computers are available for check out to library patrons. 

 The computers are  loaded with programs that will help patrons prepare for important tests, learn a new language, apply to schools or look for a job.  Call the library at 947-9191 for more information.