NHDB: eBook Presentations

Here are the presentations I created earlier this year that give step-by-step instructions for using eBooks.

A presentation for PC and Nook users.
http://tech.nhlibrary.org/2010/04/using-a-pc-nook-to-enjoy-ebooks/
A presentation for Mac and Nook users.
http://tech.nhlibrary.org/2010/04/using-a-mac-a-nook-to-enjoy-ebooks/
A presentation for PC and Sony Reader users.
http://tech.nhlibrary.org/2010/03/steps-to-enjoying-ebooks-pc-version/
A presentation for Mac and Sony Reader users.
http://tech.nhlibrary.org/2010/03/enjoying-ebooks-on-your-mac-transferring-an-ebook-to-a-sony-reader/

And here is the information for the Bluefire Reader (developed by the Bluefire people). The Bluefire Reader is an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch app that allows you to read OverDrive EPUB eBooks:

http://www.bluefirereader.com/help/libraryBooks.html

Note: It is possible to email yourself the unlocked EPUB file (.acsm) and open the attachment on your Apple device with the Bluefire app. But sometimes finding the file can be a challenge, depending on the browser and settings used. I've verified that this works, but I needed help finding the .ascm file on my PC. (Thanks to Linda for pointing me to this, and Mat for finding the file on Windows!) See the following instructions from the Library Journal blog:

http://blog.libraryjournal.com/ljinsider/2010/11/12/library-ebooks-on-the-ipadiphone-no-sync-required/

Brief searching outage 11/22 am

Monday, Nov. 22: NHU-PAC searching will be disabled for a few minutes starting at 7:36 a.m. to allow installation of an updated index. Searching service should be restored in about 5 minutes.

Important! Survey of Van Delivery Service

The New Hampshire State Library is conducting a one week survey of our van delivery service to determine the number of items transported by our vans. We are requesting that all libraries using our van delivery service count all items placed on the van during this one week period. Please count all items placed on the State Library vans during the week of November 29 through December 3.

All libraries using the state library's van delivery service will receive a letter and statistics form by van in the next week. If you do not receive your form, please contact Donna Gilbreth or Diana DeCota. Completed forms must be submitted to the state library after December 3rd.

Please count every item you are placing in the van bins to be delivered to other libraries. Please count all books individually (including those in bags or boxes). Also count DVDs, envelopes, equipment, etc. that you are sending to other libraries by the van service.

Smaller libraries that drop their items off at larger libraries for pick up must also complete the form. All libraries will receive the form and are asked to count statistics for their library before delivering them to their "drop off" library for pick up.

The state library's van delivery service is vital to resource sharing among New Hampshire libraries. Because the service is financed with LSTA funding, our annual report to the federal government must explain how these funds are used.

If you have any questions about this one week survey please call Donna Gilbreth at 271-2060 or Diana DeCota at 271-2206. We appreciate your cooperation in providing these important statistics.

Brief searching outage 11/17

Wednesday, Nov. 17: NHU-PAC searching will be disabled for a few minutes starting at 7:36 a.m. to allow installation of an updated index. Searching service should be restored in about 5 minutes.

Holiday Closings Reminder

If your library will be unable to fill ILLs for 3 days or more due to Holidays, vacation or illness, please email NHAIS services at NHU-PAC@dcr.nh.gov (this address can be found at the bottom of the welcome to NHU-PAC page).

Include in your message:
your library name
town
HSA code
beginning date
returning date

Your library will be removed from the lender string for that period of time. You need not contact us again until your next vacation, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: If you need to stop your ILL van delivery, you must contact Diana Decota at 271-2206 diana.decota@DCR.nh.gov.

Thank you,
Michelle

Brief searching outage 11/10 am

Wednesday, Nov. 10: NHU-PAC searching will be disabled for a few minutes starting at 7:39 a.m. to allow installation of an updated index. Searching service should be restored in about 5 minutes.

Van Delivery News, November 2010

The NH State Library will be closed on Thursday, November 11, 2010 in observance of Veterans Day. The NH State Library will also be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26, Thanksgiving and the day after.

There will be NO VAN DELIVERY on those dates. You may want to make other arrangements with your van driver for a delivery, if possible.

For a complete list of all of the holidays the State Library is closed, please visit http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/librarians/van_delivery/instructions.html (the van delivery instructions) and scroll down to "NO Van Service".

If for any other reason (e.g. bad weather) van service on a particular route(s) does not operate, libraries will be notified via an e-mail message. If your library does not receive van service on a particular day, please check your e-mail before calling the State Library.

Please remember to properly label each item which you are sending via the Van Delivery Service. This will help ensure these items make it to the correct destination in a timely manner.

If you need a refresher on how items should be marked for the van, please refer to the Van Delivery Service - Instructions, http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/librarians/van_delivery/instructions.html, and scroll down to number 3 of the guidelines, "Addressing material to be sent on the van".

To print a current van directory list arranged in alphabetical order by library, please use the PDF version which is available at http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/librarians/van_delivery/documents/vandirectory.pdf

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print this pdf file. If you do not have it installed on your machine, you may down load it for free from http://www.adobe.co.uk/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Due to the ever increasing load of materials transported by the New Hampshire State Library van delivery system, our vans can reach maximum capacity before the end of a van route, especially following long weekends and holidays. Our drivers can decline to accept materials if they feel they cannot fit them safely on their van. We are also asking libraries to please be aware of volume during times when there is likely to be a problem. You should prioritize your materials to be picked up, in case some items must be left until the next van pick up. That will allow us to immediately transport the most important items as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions you may contact Donna Gilbreth at 271-2060 or Diana DeCota at 271-2206.

Holdings Maintenance 11/2

Tuesday, November 2, 1:25 p.m.: Holdings Maintenance appears to be working correctly now. In the past hour, we were sometimes unable to get to the Export/Add/Delete page after logging in and we had unconfirmed reports of unsuccessful efforts to add holdings. If you were working in Holdings Maintenance this afternoon, you might want to check the NHU-PAC to see if your holding is on the titles you thought you were adding holdings to.

Brief Holdings Maintenance outage 11/2 pm

Tuesday, November 2, 1:07 p.m.: NHU-PAC's Holdings Maintenance program is behaving erratically this afternoon so we'll be restarting the server in a few minutes. You should be able to use Holdings Maintenance again around 1:15 p.m.

Online EBSCO Workshops

There are three more live online workshops being offered by EBSCO this fall:

Homework Help and EBSCO Student Interfaces, Friday, Nov 5 at 11:30 AM
EBSCO student interfaces for kindergarten through grade 12 are helpful resources for use in the library and from home! This workshop will demonstrate the features of the Searchasaurus, Kids Search, and Student Research interfaces with curriculum integration. Each session includes free resources from the EBSCO Customer Support Site including scavenger hunts, best practices and tutorials. Questions will be welcomed throughout the session

To register: Click Here
Or go to: https://ebsco.webex.com and enter Session # 969 658 633 —scroll down and register

Health-Related Databases, Tuesday, Nov 9 at 10 AM

Explore the Health Source databases from EBSCO: Health Source: Consumer Edition on EBSCOhost. We will also explore Consumer Health Complete, a comprehensive database that your patrons will love to use!

To register: Click Here
Or go to: https://ebsco.webex.com and enter Session # 967 127 416 —scroll down and register

Best of MasterFile and EBSCOhost, Monday Dec 6 at 1 PM

This workshop emphasizes MasterFile, a database designed for public library reference. Along with a discussion of the content will be a demonstration of the features and functionality of EBSCOhost, including how to set up personal folders and custom folders, journal and subject alerts, notetaking and citation features.

To register: Click Here
Or go to: https://ebsco.webex.com and enter Session # 963 321 747 —scroll down and register

If you have any trouble joining or registering for a session, please contact Webex at (866) 569-3239