It’s time to revisit one of my tried and true apps that I unfortunately need to begin using again–Lose It! Lose It is a great tool to “set goals for weight loss and exercise”.  It allows you to keep track of food eaten (calories added) and also of exercise accomplished (calories removed).  Tell it how much you would like to lose each week and answer a few questions and it will tell you how many calories you may consume each day and when you will reach your target weight.  Entering all food eaten can be a real eye opener and help you avoid those tempting holiday desserts.  If you like working with others, you may share your progress with friends.  It helps motivate me to “be good”!  The basic app is free and is available on iOS, Android, Nook, Kindle, and the Web.  You can also sign up for Premium Service ($39.99 per year) if you want to keep track of nutrients, sleep, steps, and other fun stuff.  Be healthy!

~mary anne
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Our neighbors in Newtown have suffered a tragic loss.  Our thoughts, sympathies, and prayers are with them.  Our children may have questions about what happened; here are some resources that may help during this difficult time.

• American Psychological Association: Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting
• National Institute of Mental Health: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do
• United Way of Connecticut 211: Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (Accessed by Calling 211)

~mary anne

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 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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We are pleased to bring you access to America’s News (from NewsBank): Unmatched U.S. news content from local, regional, and national sources.  You may search the entire database for specific topics or browse specific issues.  America’s News is available to Wilton residents with a valid Wilton Library Card.  To access America’s News, go to our homepage (www.wiltonlibrary.org), click on Research on the blue bar, and then scroll down and click on Magazines/Newspapers in the center of the page.  Click on America’s News (Newsbank) in the center of the page and you will be prompted for your library card barcode if you are at home or if you are using your laptop within the Library.  It’s a great way to get a local take on news from other areas of the country!

~mary anne
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We are pleased to once again bring you the Wilton Bulletin Online through NewsBank.  Wilton residents with a valid Wilton Library Card may access this wonderful resource by going to our website (www.wiltonlibrary.org), clicking on Wilton in the upper right corner of the page and then clicking on Wilton Bulletin Online (4/24/2003-Current) in the center of the page.  You may search for desired articles or click on a date under Recent Issues to browse a particular issue.  It’s a great way to keep up with what’s happening in town!

~mary anne
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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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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 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, 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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