Smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of our everyday life; something most of us can't bear to leave the house without, like our keys or wallet. While any smartphone with internet access is useful, it's the apps on the phone that make it both indispensable and fun. Every so often, this blog will feature apps for people who love books, music, sports, art and more. We will also feature apps to help increase productivity and make your life a little easier.

This week we are going to showcase some apps designed for people who love books and reading. Most of these apps are available on several different devices, but a few aren't so we'll be sure to specify.

Overdrive Media Console

It's pretty much required that we start with Overdrive because we're a library, but honestly we'd put it at the top of the list anyway. Overdrive is an app that allows you to read eBooks and listen to audio-books on your phone or tablet. It's part of your library account, so there's never any charge. The books return automatically so you can't even be charged late fees. New books are added to the collection every day. For some of these books, you'll need an Adobe ID. This is a free ID that you create using your email one time only. If you're not comfortable with creating an Adobe ID, don't worry! There are plenty of books you can still access.
Overdrive is available for: Apple (via iTunes) Android (via Google Play), Windows Phone.
Download for other devices including Kindle, Nook and your PC can be found on the Overdrive Website.

Purchase eBooks

Kindle

The Kindle App allows you to download books from Amazon to your device. You don't have to be using a Kindle in order to use the Kindle App, but you do have to register on Amazon before you can purchase any books or audiobooks. 

The Kindle app is available on: iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Phone. You can also download it on your PC and other apps at www.amazon.com

Nook

The Nook app allows you download books from Barnes and Noble to your device. Like the Kindle App, it is not necessary to be on a Nook to use the Nook app, but you must register at BarnesandNoble.com in order to download books. 
The Nook app is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Phone

iBooks & Google Play Books

These apps comes installed on your device and allow you to purchase books from iTunes, or Google Play. . It is important to remember that any purchases you make in iBooks can only be read on an Apple product like an iPhone or iPad.  For example, if you buy books in Apple iBooks and then switch to a Samsung Galaxy, you will not be able to transfer those books to your new Samsung. Other apps like Kindle or Nook work on any device so your purchases can be transferred. 

Keep Track of the Books You Read

There are several apps that allow you to keep track of the books that you've read and get recommendations for books to read in the future. We're just going to cover two of these apps

GoodReads
GoodReads is a website and mobile app that allows you to list any books that you've read or want to read in the future. You can also rate the books and receive recommendations for books to read based on those ratings. There are discussion groups and online book clubs as well. Because authors have GoodReads pages as well, you can get updates on upcoming books and works. GoodReads is free but you will have to register with an email address.
This app is available on iTunes and Google Play.


BookCrawler
BookCrawler is similar to GoodReads in that it allows you to keep track of books you've read. BookCrawler lets you scan the barcode of the book itself to add it to your list, letting you skip typing all the book titles manually if you'd like. Of course, you can still search for books by title or author as well. There is a free version that allows you to input up to 25 books, but for more than that you'll have to pay for the full version. Luckily for those who are serious about cataloging their personal library, the full version is usually around $2. Unfortunately BookCrawler is available only on iTunes. Hopefully an Android version will be released soon!

Reading Can Mean More Than Just Books

Reading means more than just eBooks or audiobooks.

Comixology
Comixology allows you to purchase and read comics on your phone or tablet. You can purchase the same day the comics are released in stores. You can find sales, discounts and even free comics! Comixology app is free, though you'll have to purchase the comics.
This app is available on iTunes and Google Play.


Poetry from the Poetry Foundation
This app allows you to read a new poem daily or search for your favorite poets. Feeling romantic? Need something to cheer you up? There are collections based on every mood and occasion. You can even search by memorable lines! This app is free and available on iTunes and Google Play.





What are your favorite reading related apps? Have ideas on topics you'd like us to cover? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook or Twitter. 

Do you want to win a new iPad? Bossier Parish Library will give away a free iPad in November and you could win! There are two different ways to get your name in the drawing for the new iPad and you can even win smaller prizes every week!

Library Love Letters

The first way to participate and get your name in the drawing for an iPad is to show Bossier Parish Library a little love and write us a Love Letter. We want to hear what you like about Bossier Library. Each Bossier Parish Library branch has a special Library Love Letter display where you can fill out a letter telling us what you love about Bossier Library. Or if you prefer, you can fill one out online here on our newly updated website. Each love letter is entered into the drawing for a brand new iPad on November 7th.

Question of the Week

The Fine Print: This contest is only open to Bossier Parish Library patrons with current accounts.
Weekly winners have until 5 pm on the following Sunday to pick up or utilize their chosen prize.
The grand prize winner has 14 days to pick up their prize.
Prizes are not transferable and have no monetary value.
Library staff and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

Mark your calendars! Both programs start Monday, July 21st. (that's this Monday!)

Learning your way around the Internet and programs like Microsoft Word or Excel can be pretty intimidating when you're just starting out. At Bossier Library we offer classes on things like Internet and Email, and programs like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. However, these classes have been on hiatus; first while we installed brand new computers at every branch and now to make way for the Summer Reading Programs. Classes will start again in September, but if you have a computer and an Internet connection you don't have to wait to start learning about computers! There are many online tutorials available that can help you master the basics. This week we are going to list the top three free online tutorial sites that we found just by searching on Google. Not all free tutorial sites are created equal, so we're going to rank our favorite results.

3. HomeandLearn.co.uk

Home and Learn is a site based in the United Kingdom, which is why it's address may look a little different than the ones you're used to seeing. However, all of the information is the same for programs in the United States. They offer tutorials on Beginners Computer, Word, and Excel. There are even a few classes on Web Design for those who are looking for something more advanced. Each Tutorial is divided into shorter lessons to make it easy to take it slow and cover all the information. Each lesson has screenshots so users can see exactly what they are describing. The only problem with this site is the many ads on the tutorials. There are banner ads at the top and bottom of each step in most tutorials. Because they are related to computers, sometimes users may find them misleading or confusing. Unfortunately ads are a necessary evil for most websites. Luckily, the ads do not take away from the usefulness of the website.
Overall: The tutorials on this website are easy to find and to follow. There are no video tutorials available.

2. Free-Computer-Tutorials.net

This site offers tutorials on Windows XP, Vista and 7, as well as on programs like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It's fairly easy to navigate with links on the left hand side to each lesson. There are pictures for every lesson that explain step by step the basics of the operating system or program.
The only downside to this website, in our opinion, is the number of ads. Though ads are a necessary evil on most websites, they can be distracting or even misleading.
This site also provides free video tutorials on YouTube or you can purchase individual lessons on CD/DVD through the website, if you prefer.

Overall: Easy to understand lessons and easy to navigate website make this a great site however the abundance of ads may be off-putting for some users. The free video tutorials make this a great resource for beginning computer users.

1. GCF Learn Free

This website offers tutorials on Basic Computer Concepts, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and even Access. You can also find tutorials on email and Internet basics. This site isn't just limited to computer topics, either. You can find tutorials on topics from the Workplace, like filling out tax information to basic math and grammar lessons. And they're all free!  Many of the classes are video based, making it even easier for beginning users.
 Registration is not required, but is available for users who want to return to lessons or track their progress. Registration requires a valid email address. Don't worry if you'd rather not register, all the lessons are available without registration. There are even classes with instructors available for users looking for Continuing Education Credits. Registration is required for those classes
GCF Learn Free also has free mobile apps so you can learn on your smartphone or tablet. This means you can take a lesson about iPads on the iPad itself! No other free tutorial site we found offered free mobile apps..
Overall: The variety of classes, clean layout of the website, engaging lessons and free mobile apps make this the best free computer tutorial site we found. We highly recommend it for anyone looking to expand their knowledge on computers and many other topics.

It's New Tech Tuesday! On the first Tuesday of every month we will be spotlighting a new and exciting technology available to the public.
This week we're talking about Wearable Technology!
Wearables have been a popular topic lately, especially among those who love technology and are always on the lookout for the next shiny new toy.
The most popular version of wearable computer is the Smart Watch. A smart watch is a wearable computer small enough to pass for a wristwatch. They connect to your phone, usually using Bluetooth. Though smart watches don't have all the functions of your smartphone or tablet, they do let you view email, text messages and notifications. You can also control music playing on your phone.
Most of the major phone manufacturers, like Samsung, Sony, Motorola and Apple have released a smart phone or have plans to do so soon. There are also options available from smaller companies, like Pebble which used a Kickstarter campaign to bring their device to the public.

Smartwatch by Sony