Wilton Library Technology Blog » Software

Blackberry’s New Model May Save the Day!

mamfranco — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:15:30 +0000

Blackberry fans have something to be happy about. The new model (Blackberry 10) appears to be a winner. Read David Pogue’s review and decide for yourself. It would be terrific for the great number of Blackberry fans if this is the turnaround they were hoping for. For their sake, I hope it is and that a viable product line isn’t needlessly destroyed as Palm was.

~mary anne
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More Apps To Help With Lifestyle Changes

mamfranco — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 16:25:06 +0000

We are fast approaching January 1, the day when we will tackle new goals, become more healthy, more fit, and perhaps even better organized. This article from Mashable.com lists five apps to help us successfully achieve our goals. If you are planning to quit smoking, save money, or exercise more, this article is for you! Good luck in your journey. . .

~mary anne
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New Google Maps App for iPhone!

mamfranco — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:15:30 +0000

There is a new Google Maps app available for iPhone which David Pogue reviewed in yesterday’s New York Times. I love shaking the phone to bring up the screen to send feedback/corrections to Google. I will use the app to see how it wants to take me home this evening and I will let you know how well it does!

~mary anne
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Have You Tried Dropbox?

mamfranco — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:55:07 +0000

Have you tried Dropbox yet? This is a free service “that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere.” Any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to any computer or phone on which you install Dropbox, and even on the Dropbox website. You can also invite your friends or family to any folder in your Dropbox and it will be as if you saved that folder straight to their computers. It’s a great way to share photos and files. I’ve installed it on my PC and on my phone and it’s great to be able to read stuff easily and whenever it’s convenient. Caution: before installing Dropbox (or other file sharing programs) on your work computer, check with your IT department about your company’s policy on this type of program.

~mary anne
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Looking for New Titles, Best Sellers?

mamfranco — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 20:02:23 +0000

Our upgraded catalog lets you easily see a carousel of best sellers on the opening (portal) page! Clicking on the title or book jacket allows you to easily place a request for a title. The left side of the page also lists new books, new videos, sound recordings, large print titles, most circ’d titles, and on order items. Place your requests for what you want to enjoy next. . .

~mary anne
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Using Face Time

mamfranco — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:47:36 +0000

I have not generally been a fan of Skype or Face Time. In my world, the beauty of a phone call is the invisibility of it—it doesn’t matter if one wears a ratty old sweatsuit or is without makeup.

Earlier this week, I was invited to my nephew’s swearing in ceremony to the Rhode Island Bar. His parents, brother, and girlfriend were invited to his Massachusetts ceremony the week before. I was texting with his mom before the ceremony and I realized that this could be a great time to use Face Time.

On my iPhone, I have his mom entered in my contact list. I brought up her entry and clicked on “Face Time”. I chose her mobile number and when we were connected, I clicked on the reverse camera so she could see what was going on in the court room (instead of looking at me). The sound was great and our Face Time session was not disruptive to other people in the court room. It was a great surprise to his mom (my sister) to attend the Rhode Island ceremony and she was so pleased. I got the idea from the Apple commercial in which a child is sitting on a stage about to begin a recital and the parent’s chair in the audience is empty. As the child (with a very sad face) is about to begin playing, we see a brightly lit iPad in the chair with the beaming smile of a very proud parent. Child is now happy too!

Now, when one does not have enough tickets to an event such as a recital, graduation, or the like, it might be possible to use tools like Face Time to bring that extra family member along!

~mary anne
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WILS: New Features!

mamfranco — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:29:46 +0000

WILS has come out of Wednesday’s makeover looking better than ever! The catalog homepage opens to the Quick library search feature which is a great keyword search tool. Enter a title, author name, or keyword and click on Go!

When your result list appears, click on Find it on the right side of the page and a shadow box window will open. This window will tell you how many copies of the item we have, the area where it is located in the library, the call number, and whether the item is in or out. It’s a welcome clean and easy to read look.

I’ll be posting more tips and tricks for you. If you have any questions, let me know (mamfranco@wiltonlibrary.org).

~mary anne
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WILS Is Getting A Makeover!

mamfranco — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:59:09 +0000

WILS, Wilton Library’s Integrated Library System (a/k/a The Catalog) will be upgraded on Wednesday, November 28. The result will be a cleaner looking catalog with streamlined and expanded searching options; a more user-friendly patron account and wonderful ways for us to display the terrific new items we purchase for your enjoyment. On Wednesday, November 28, please help us help you by doing the following:

Please bring your library card with you as we will be unable to look up your account information.
We will be unable to check in materials on that day; your account will be resolved the following day.
We cannot process holds on November 28; please pick up your holds on November 27 or November 29.
We will be happy to accept payment for late fees on November 27 and November 29 (just not on November 28).
Our catalog will be unavailable while it gets its makeover. You may check ReQuest, the Statewide catalog to find materials.
Please note that our drive-thru window and our self checks will be unavailable on November 28.

We are looking forward to serving you better with these enhancements. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mary Anne Mendola Franco, Head of Network Services, at 203-762-3950, Ext. 210.

~mary anne
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WILS Is Settling In!

mamfranco — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:07:37 +0000

WILS, our new Wilton Library Integrated Library System (aka the online catalog), is settling in nicely. I thought I would use this blog to let you know about features you may not be aware of. For years, people have been asking us it it is possible to keep their reading history and WILS allows us to do so!

To turn on your reading list, you must log in to your account in the online catalog. Go to www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Catalog on the blue bar. Click on the Patron Account tab. Enter your Library Barcode and your password (usually the last four digits of your phone number–unless you changed it).

When you log in, you will be on the My Record subtab under the Patron Account tab. Click on Contact Information and Preferences. In the Preferences area, click in the box next to Maintain Reading List. Once you do that, WILS will begin keeping track of items you check out. You may edit this list at any time or turn it off if you decide you do not want it.

~mary anne
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Undo Typing on iPhone

mamfranco — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 15:01:24 +0000

The lessons we often remember best are those we learn when we most need them! I was editing a document on my iPhone and accidentally deleted much more than I planned to. The good news was that I had a hard copy of the document and I retyped the deleted paragraph. Then, I did a search and found the following tip at imore.com:

Hold iPhone firmly in one hand
Shake it
Tap the Undo button to confirm

I will not be forgetting this one any time soon!

~mary anne
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