Showing posts with label apps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apps. Show all posts

Social Media Spotlight: Twitter

7/31/2015 03:22:00 PM maze

It's time for another Social Media Spotlight. This week we'll be talking about Twitter!



What is Twitter?

By now you have probably heard of the social networking site Twitter. Founded in 2006, Twitter is a social media platform that lets you share messages with online 'followers.' Unlike Facebook, Twitter posts are restricted to 140 characters only, meaning that for the most part messages are short and to the point. Twitter has been embraced by businesses and celebrities as a way to interact directly with customers and fans. We even have a library twitter account!

One of the most popular uses for Twitter to keep up with you favorite celebrities or television shows. You can see behind-the-scenes photos, candid shots of the celebrities and even ask them questions. (There's no guarantee that they'll see or respond, of course) One of my personal favorite twitter trends is television actors "live-tweeting" episodes. Which means when an episode airs the stars of show watch it and tweet interesting facts about filming the episode.



You don't have to be into to celebrities to enjoy Twitter. It also allows you to keep up with breaking news - both locally and internationally. You can be get the headlines as they happen on your twitter account. In fact, some people choose not to post at all, instead using Twitter as a way to stay current.


If you do choose to post, you don't have to let everyone one see it. Like Facebook and other social networking sites, Twitter allows you to make your account private. This means you decide who can see your tweets. Another way to keep people from reading your posts is to block them. This means they cannot see your posts or contact you directly.

Twitter can be used on your computer, smartphone or tablet via the web or by downloading an app.

Do you use Twitter? What is your favorite thing about it?

If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can also follow us on Instagram!


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Updated! Hoopla - a new service for borrowing movies, tv shows, audio books and music.

7/17/2015 03:42:00 PM maze
We've talked about Hoopla before on this blog, but we felt it was time to update it since Hoopla has added several new types of material! When we first wrote about this service from Bossier Parish Library back in November, it allowed you to check out movies, television shows, audio books and full albums of music on your computer or smartphone. Hoopla still offers all of those things but now they've added eBooks and Comics to their library! With all these additions there's something for readers of all ages and reading levels.

What does Hoopla offer?

Hoopla offers Audiobooks, eBooks, Comics, Movies, Television and full Music albums! All right at the touch of your fingers. 








How do I use Hoopla?

Step One: Getting to Hoopla

The first step to checking out items on Hoopla is, of course, getting to the Hoopla site. On your computer this means going to http://www.hoopladigital.com. On your tablet or smart phone, you'd download the Hoopla Digital app. 

Step Two: Signing up 

The first time you visit to Hoopla site or app, you'll be asked to sign up for an account. This is free and only takes a few minutes to complete. We'll walk through each step below. The first screen shows you an Overview of the Hoopla service and lets you know what is required to use it. You'll need your library card number and PIN, and a valid email address. 


After the Overview, you'll be taken to a screen that will allow you to choose your library. Most of the time, this will automatically show you all of the libraries in your area that use Hoopla. Choose Bossier Parish Library and click Next. 



After choosing Bossier Parish Library, you'll be asked for your library card number and PIN. Bossier Parish Library does require a PIN, so make sure not to leave this blank. 
(Hint: The PIN is the last 4 digits of your library card number)



The final step in creating an account is entering your email address and creating a Hoopla password. This password is for Hoopla only so Bossier Parish Library staff won't be able to access or reset this password for you. If you do happen to forget this password, you can reset it through the Hoopla website. 


That was the final step! You should now see a Welcome to Hoopla page that gives you basic information on your Hoopla account, including the number of titles you can borrow every month. 


Step Three: Borrowing Materials

Now that you're signed up with an account you're ready to start borrowing titles! You can browse by type or search for a specific title or artist. When browsing you can switch between types at the top. There are several categories including New titles, Top titles and genres. Click on the cover picture to find more info or to borrow the item. 



When you've decided what you'd like to borrow, click on the cover picture. This will take you to a screen that will show you more details, including how long you'll be able to borrow the item. Click the borrow button to add the item to your account. 


Once you've borrowed the item, it can be found under the My Titles. This page also shows you how many more titles you can borrow in the month. 



Using Hoopla on your mobile device or tablet

Using Hoopla on a mobile device is exactly the same as the steps laid out above, though the appearance of the screens may be slightly different. 


Are you excited to start using Hoopla? We are. We're even listening to the album pictured above while typing this! 



If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can also follow us on Instagram!
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Coming Soon to BPL - Flipster!

6/26/2015 04:42:00 PM maze

Soon you'll be able to read magazines on your smartphone, tablet or computer for free with Flipster! 


Available starting July 1st, Flipster is a free service that will allow you read magazines without having to visit the library to check them out. No return dates to remember and no late fees! Stuck in a doctor's waiting room with only outdated magazines? Now you can borrow one on your tablet or phone right there in the waiting room! 


How do I use Flipster?

If you are on your computer, simply visit the Bossier Library homepage: www.bossierlibrary.org/start/ and click on the icon for Flipster on the right hand side under the Digital Media/eContent banner. This will take you to the Flipster homepage where you can begin choosing the magazines you'd like to read. 

If you are reading on a tablet or smartphone, you can download an app. It's available on iTunes and for Android. 



We think you'll love Flipster! There are literally hundreds of magazines available, from the popular and well known like Entertainment Weekly and Food Network Magazine to lesser known magazines devoted to subjects like History, Aromatherapy and Helicopters. There are even academic journals like the School Library Journal (one of our favorites) and Mathematics Enthusiast. 



You can now get step by step instructions on using Flipster on your laptop or tablet here on our next blog post! 




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Apps for Weather Safety

5/29/2015 04:47:00 PM maze
This post was inspired by the increasingly loud rolls of thunder outside my office window this afternoon. Lately our area just can't seem to catch a break!. Safety during inclement weather has been foremost on our minds. Smartphones and tablets have become an increasingly popular way to stay safe during storms. Fully charged devices can provide hours of updates, even when the power has gone out. Below we'll recommend a few apps that may come in handy.

The American  Red Cross Apps

The American Red Cross organization is often the first on the scene in areas where natural disaster has struck. They've also developed several apps to provide specialized information. You can get an app on everything from general first aid to specific types of disaster, like flooding or tornadoes. You can also find a shelter and even get first aid information for your pets! 

Visit the American Red Cross website for more information. 


The Weather Channel App

This app offers alerts and national forecasts. It also offers up to the minute updates during bad weather. You can also get daily information, like humidity, chance of rain and, of course, temperatures. 


Local Area News Stations

Most of the local news stations in this area offer free weather apps. During bad weather, these apps can offer the most up to date information available and have the added bonus of being locally based. They can often break down what is happening by neighborhood and even streets. 

There are weather only apps available from KTBS, and KSLA, 























Do you use your Smartphone to keep up with the weather? What's your favorite app? Tell us in the comments below!

If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can also now follow Bossier Library on Instagram and Pinterest!
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Fire Up the Grill!

5/22/2015 04:27:00 PM maze
With Memorial Day coming up, it's beginning to feel a lot like Summer and for most of us that means enjoying something from the grill! We've found some fun tech toys to make grilling easier.

BBQ Grill Buddy App

This easy to use Timer lets you select your food and how you'd like it cooked, then lets you know when to flip your food along with a countdown clock so you can see time remaining. Never wonder how long food should be on the grill again! 


Looftlighter

This gadget makes starting the BBQ easier than ever! Unless you use a gas grill, lighting the grill can be time consuming and -  depending on how much lighter fluid  - you use a little dangerous! This device allows you to safely start a fire in under 60 seconds and you don't have use any lighter fluid which can change the taste of the meat. 
Not just reserved for summer, this gadget is helpful when starting fires in the fireplace or while camping in cooler seasons! 

iGrill Thermometer


This thermometer works with your iPhone to allow you to check the temperature of your grill from several feet away - keeping you from having to get up out of that comfy lawn chair every few minutes. 


Thermapen

If you're not sure about using a smartphone to check the temperature of your grill, the Thermapen provides a more accurate reading than most meat thermometers. This means you never have to worry about under cooked food. 



GrillBots

We've saved our favorite gadget for last! Grillbots are the world's first automatic grill scrubbers. These devices take the grunt work out of grilling and let you get to the fun part - eating! There's no set up required, just push a button and watch them go to work. 



What do you think of grilling tech? Helpful or unnecessary?

If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can also now follow Bossier Library on Instagram and Pinterest!

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Hoopla is perfect for rainy days!

5/15/2015 04:56:00 PM maze
Rainy days are perfect for staying in and watching movies. But who wants to go out in the bad weather to borrow a movie? That's where Hoopla and Bossier Parish Library come in!

Hoopla is the new service from Bossier Parish Library that allows you to check out movies, television shows, audio books and full albums of music on your computer or smartphone.  It's easier than you think!

Step One: Getting to Hoopla

The first step to checking out items on Hoopla is, of course, getting to the Hoopla site. On your computer this means going to http://www.hoopladigital.com. On your tablet or smart phone, you'd download the Hoopla Digital app. 

Step Two: Signing up 

The first time you visit to Hoopla site or app, you'll be asked to sign up for an account. This is free and only takes a few minutes to complete. We'll walk through each step below. The first screen shows you an Overview of the Hoopla service and lets you know what is required to use it. You'll need your library card number and PIN, and a valid email address. 


After the Overview, you'll be taken to a screen that will allow you to choose your library. Most of the time, this will automatically show you all of the libraries in your area that use Hoopla. Choose Bossier Parish Library and click Next. 



After choosing Bossier Parish Library, you'll be asked for your library card number and PIN. Bossier Parish Library does require a PIN, so make sure not to leave this blank. 
(Hint: The PIN is the last 4 digits of your library card number)



The final step in creating an account is entering your email address and creating a Hoopla password. This password is for Hoopla only so Bossier Parish Library staff won't be able to access or reset this password for you. If you do happen to forget this password, you can reset it through the Hoopla website. 


That was the final step! You should now see a Welcome to Hoopla page that gives you basic information on your Hoopla account, including the number of titles you can borrow every month. 


Step Three: Borrowing Materials

Now that you're signed up with an account you're ready to start borrowing titles! You can browse by type or search for a specific title or artist. When browsing you can switch between types at the top. There are several categories including New titles, Top titles and genres. Click on the cover picture to find more info or to borrow the item. 



When you've decided what you'd like to borrow, click on the cover picture. This will take you to a screen that will show you more details, including how long you'll be able to borrow the item. Click the borrow button to add the item to your account. 


Once you've borrowed the item, it can be found under the My Titles. This page also shows you how many more titles you can borrow in the month. 



Using Hoopla on your mobile device or tablet

Using Hoopla on a mobile device is exactly the same as the steps laid out above, though the appearance of the screens may be slightly different. 


Are you excited to start using Hoopla? We are. We're even listening to the album pictured above while typing this! 



If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can also follow us on Instagram!
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Apps for Mom!

5/08/2015 04:16:00 PM maze
Mother's Day is just around the corner, so this week we're sharing apps that can make Mom's life just a little easier.  


Scheduling

One of the biggest challenges parents face is keeping track of everything that needs to be done in a day. There are several apps available that allow you to coordinate your daily to do lists. 

Awesome Note
Awesome Note, made by Bridworks, is an app that the company claims is the "most All-in-One organizer. It allows you to create To Do lists, calendars and notes - even allowing you to create folders to keep everything organized.
Cost: $3.99


Evernote

Like Awesome Note, Evernote allows you to create To-Do lists, make folders, and take notes. It also allows you to collaborate on projects with other user and it syncs across devices. What does that mean for you? You and your spouse or partner can share information with this app. Update one app and all other associated phones or tablets will update as well! Evernote also allows you to update from the website.
Cost: Basic level use is free, it includes everything list above. There are also Plus and Premium options available if you find you need more features.



Grocery Lists/Coupons

The apps above offer basic list making, which can work for groceries. However, apps that are specifically created for grocery shopping offer some advanced features. 

Grocery IQ allows you to make grocery lists for multiple stores, and even allows you to organize the list by aisle keeping you from having to backtrack because you've forgotten the milk. Like Evernote above, you can update your lists from the computer if you wish. You can also add print or email coupons from the app or website. Want to share your list? You can email right from the app. 
Cost: Free. 

Shop Savvy
ShopSavvy app is less about making lists, and more about finding the best price available for your item. This app will search online and in stores to find the very best price available. You can search manually or by scanning the bar code. It also allows you to browse similar products and see local sales.
Cost: Free

For the Family

This app allows you to create accounts for each child and assign them chores. For each chore completed, points are earned. Those points can be spent on rewards of your choosing. Like a chore wheel for the digital age. 
Cost: Free


We'll let the website for Mom Maps explain their service: 
Mom Maps helps you find family fun places, kid friendly locations on the go! Search our extensive list of kid's parks, kid's playgrounds, kid's restaurants, kid's museums and kid's indoor play areas. Search by category or zip code, and you're good to go! In addition to a comprehensive kids play guide, you'll find contact information, reviews by parents, for parents and directions.
This app comes in handy whether you're looking for something close to home or while traveling.
Cost: Free


And of course...

We always recommend the Overdrive and Hoopla Apps. These services are free with your Bossier Parish Library card and allow you to borrow eBooks, Audiobooks, Music and Movies! 
Take some time for yourself to enjoy your favorite book or band. Visit our website for the links! 
Cost: Free. 

    

















If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can also now follow Bossier Library on Instagram and Pinterest!

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Digital Spring Cleaning

4/24/2015 04:08:00 PM maze
It's spring (even though it sometimes feels like summer around here) and that means Spring Cleaning! While you're cleaning out closets and scrubbing all those hard to reach places - don't forget to do some Digital Spring Cleaning!

Just like your house, your digital devices can become cluttered and need yearly maintenance. This maintenance can be done any time, but there's something about spring that makes us want to get things in order.

Image source.

Reset Your Passwords

It can be tempting to just set a password and forget it, but not changing password over time can lead to compromised security on your accounts. It's a good idea to reset your passwords at least once a year. This includes email, online shopping and online banking. If you'd like tips on creating secure password checkout our blog post on the subject here: Staying Safe Online ... With Passwords

Update Your Computer

It can also be pretty tempting to just ignore all those alerts for updates to the software on your computer, but skipping those updates can sometimes mean security risks. Often software is updated to protect itself against malicious attacks. 


Make Sure Your Computer is Secure

Another way to make sure your computer is protected is to ensure that your antivirus and firewall are up to date. Don't have an antivirus and firewall? Get one! This is the simplest way to ensure that your information is protected. 


Delete Unnecessary Files and Apps

Files, programs and apps can use up the memory on your computer or device, so make sure you only have the ones you need! Take time this Spring to go through the documents, photos and apps on your smartphone and you might notice everything moves a little faster! And as an added bonus: the battery on your phone will last longer without all those apps running! 



Clear your Web Browser

Have you noticed your web browser, like Internet Explorer or Google Chrome, is moving a little slow these days? Believe it or not, browsers can get slowed down with files too. You can delete these unnecessary files and still not lose your data. You can find instructions for this on the TrendMicro website: Digital Cleaning Checklist.  You'll also find some other helpful times on that checklist. 



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