Computer Services

Tech Talk...

Spring Ahead With Library Apps

With Spring here and everybody out and about, it’s a good time to remind you that wherever you go, your library’s services can travel with you on your mobile devices. There are a few free apps that will enhance your use of the East Islip Library. If you need to find out where to get a movie or book when you’re on the go, the Boopsie app can check the catalogs of Suffolk County Libraries right from your phone. You can install this app from livebrary.boopsie.com. The Overdrive Media Console allows you to download e-books and audio books from the library straight to your tablet, phone or other mobile device. This app is available at all major app stores. Need a magazine? The Zinio app allows East Islip cardholders to enjoy current issues of 25 magazines on their computer, tablet or phone. You can find instructions for creating an account and installing the app on our home page. If you’re stopping by, the Pagescope app from Konica Minolta allows you to print pdf documents and photos right to our copy center.

Wireless Printing at the East Islip Library

The East Islip Library now supports wireless printing for Windows laptops. Patrons in the library can download the printer driver from our home page and print directly to our copier/scan station. We hope to have printing available for Macs soon. Also remember that we have a limited number of laptops that we loan to patrons for in-library use. Patrons must have an East Islip Library card in good standing and a New York State driver’s license or non-drivers ID. This is handy when you need to keep an eye on your child in the Children’s Room but also want to get some work done, or if you need to spread out a bunch of documents at a table while you work. Please visit the Circulation Desk to inquire about borrowing a laptop.

Wireless

• You are invited to explore The East Islip Public Library's internet network using your own wireless-enabled mobile device or laptop computer. Free access is provided in the WiFi-enabled areas of the library when we are open. Simply launch your Web browser, follow a few steps and you may begin surfing immediately.

Low Vision Computer

• The library now has a low vision computer workstation. Patrons with low vision can use the large print function or the audio (talking) function.
  If you don’t see the regular computer screen well, ask a librarian for instructions for using the Low Vision Computer. This computer was made possible through a grant from the Lions Club of the Islips.

AirPac Now Available

• Anyone can now access the library catalog from a small wireless device (cell phone, Blackberry, PDAs and laptops), using the AirPac link from the library home page.

Laptop Computers for In-Library Use

• The library has five laptop computers that can be used within the main level of the library. Patrons may check out the laptops at the Circulation Desk for a two-hour session. Patrons must present a valid East Islip Public Library card, a valid NYS driver’s license or NYS non-driver’s photo ID, and sign a Laptop Computer Use Agreement.
• Patrons will find it helpful to use the laptops when their children are working on the computers or are in a program in the Children’s Department. Adults may find them useful if they are working on a project and need to spread their work out on a table.
• The only caveat is that the laptops are not connected to a printer; so documents will have to be e-mailed to oneself, or saved to a flash drive and printed later.

Suffolk e-Resources

Access e-Resources from home here

• Suffolk e-Resources is a collection of databases filled with high quality information, such as, newspaper and magazine articles, encyclopedias, homework help, auto and small engine repair, consumer information, and information on health, business, genealogy, art, music, education and literature. You will need to input the barcode number from the back of your library card in order to access this wealth of information from home.

WebOpac

• The online catalog to the East Islip Public Library's collection.

Word Processing

• The library has one typewriter. The Lab computers have Microsoft Office 2003 software (WORD, EXCEL, and PowerPoint). Patrons may purchase floppy disks, and/or flash drives from the Circulation Desk.

Internet

• The library has Internet workstations that can be accessed with your East Islip Library Card.

View Your Patron Record

• From our East Islip Public Library Online Catalog you may view your own library account.

This function allows you to:

• Modify your PIN [Personal Identification Number]
• View items that are currently checked out and the date each item is due.
• View items that you may have on reserve and your current status on the hold queue.
  

From our home page or from the link below

• Click VIEW YOUR ACCOUNT
• Enter the barcode number located on the back of your library card.
• Then below enter your PIN.  If this is the first time you are using this feature, you will need to type a 6-8 character PIN (letters, numbers or a combination of both),  press the RETURN/ENTER key.
• Your PIN will appear as asterisks, press RETURN/ENTER.
  Remember your pin, it must be typed in the exact same way each time you use it.

Request to Reserve an Item

• From our Online Book Catalog Click Title
• Type the Title you want, than press <ENTER> or click SUBMIT SEARCH.
• Under Titles, click on the title you want to reserve.
• A split screen will display Author, Title, Publisher, description & subject as well as the
  East Islip Public Library's list of holdings.
• Click REQUEST
• You will be asked to enter the following information: YOUR NAME, BARCODE, PIN [Personal Identification Number].
• Click Submit above information. You will be asked to choose one item from the list displayed.
• Click Request Selected Item. The final screen will indicate that Your Request has been sent to the library.

*Each morning patron requests are read and holds are placed.

Patron Self-Renew

• From our Online Book Catalog, click View Your Patron Record.
• Enter your barcode located on the back of your library card.
• Tab once again to enter your PIN.
• Click Items Currently Checked Out.
• You may renew individual items by checking boxes in the RENEW column next to the particular item.
• When selections are completed click either Renew all or Renew selected items.
  (Please note that if the item you choose to renew is overdue with fines or is reserved (ON HOLD) for another patron, renewals are not allowed).

*When you have completed the renewal option, you will notice that the system renews all items that can be renewed and displays the new dates) along with a message indicating the new status of the item (Renewed, now due 00-00-00) or renew not allowed). 

Have You Forgotten Your Pin?

Present your library card to the staff at the Circulation desk. Your old PIN can be deleted. A new PIN can then be re-entered to access your record.

Computer Programs

Beginning Internet Searching( EIA169)
Tuesday, May 21 at 6 p.m., Friday, June 14 at 2 p.m.

• This free lecture and demonstration covers the basics of Internet browsing as well as using popular search engines to find information on the web. No computer experience necessary!

Beginning Windows - EIA115
Tuesday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 3 at 9:30 a.m.

• This free one-session, beginner’s workshop reviews computer parts and basic Windows functions. Patrons will learn common terminology, mouse functions, opening and closing programs, exploring the drives, and the importance of anti-virus software.

eBooks for Free

Monday, June 3
Kindle (EIA224) 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Nook, Apple and Other Readers (EIA 225) 7:30-8:15 p.m.

• Tired of buying books for your reader? Are you expecting a Kindle or Nook for a holiday present? This introductory course will demonstrate how to download e-books from the Suffolk Library System’s downloadable book service. This will be a demonstration of the e-book service followed by a short technical assistance segment. Feel free to bring your reader and computer.

Beginning E-Mail - EIA147
Monday, May 13 at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 11 at 8:00 p.m.

• This free one-session, beginner’s workshop, is for patrons who have never used or just started using e-mail. Learn how to send and receive e-mail and the important aspects of a mail message. Discussions also include e-mail etiquette and the use of free mail accounts. Patrons need not have an e-mail account to take the class since a temporary account will be used.

Intermediate Internet - EIA113

• This free one-session class will cover the advanced features of search engines, the Virtual Reference Collection, the EIPL web page, and the Invisible Web. You will get the most out of this class if you are familiar with using search engines.

Intermediate Windows - EIA116
Tuesday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m.

• This free one-session workshop covers creating and saving word-processing files to disk. Patrons will learn about floppy disks, finding lost or misplaced files and renaming and deleting files from the computer. Must have completed Beginning Windows or have a knowledge of the Windows operating system.

Intermediate E-Mail - EIA148
Monday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 18 at 8:00 p.m.

• This free one-session workshop expands upon Beginning E-mail. Patrons use a temporary e-mail account and learn how to send, receive and download attachments, create an e-mail address, contact list, create folders and organize mail messages. Must have completed Beginning E-mail or have a knowledge of basic e-mail functions.
  
  For all computer courses please register in person at the Reference Desk or by telephone at 581-9200 Ext. 5. District patrons only.

Internet Users Group - EIA151
Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m.

• Join us on Tuesdays for the Internet Users’ Group (EIPLUG), hosted by
  computer expert, John Catrona.