It's Back to School time and BPL has resources to make homework a little easier for everyone!

August is here, which means that the school year is just around the corner. And, of course, with school comes homework. Bossier Library has several resources to help with research and reports at any age level - from elementary to college!

We've already discussed a few of the databases available from BPL on this blog before, but today we'd like to take a little time to talk about the resources specifically geared towards students. They are divided into two categories: Research Sources and Tutoring and Practice Exercises. The resources in the first category can help students find articles and sources for papers and research projects. The second category offers help for students who need practice or further tutoring in certain subjects.

Literary Articles and Research Sources

The Gale ARTEMIS Literary Sources and Biographies. 

According to Bossier Parish website, this database is offers literary articles covering all genres and disciplines, all time periods, and all parts of the world. If you can think of a literary subject, work or author, there's a good chance that this database has information available. Not just short paragraphs, but entire biographies and articles. This database does focus on literary subjects, so not much help with math or science homework.

Literature Criticism Online 

Literature Criticism Online is similar to Artemis, in that it offers articles focused on literary topics and biographies of authors. You can limit the results by publication date, which can come in handy when teachers require recent articles only.

Databases provided by the State Library

Bossier Library has joined with the State Library of Louisiana to provide several different database at no cost. You can find scholarly articles on almost every subject - including math, the sciences, psychology, business and, of course, literature. 

Tutoring and Practice Exercises 

Learning Express Library

Learning Express Library is a free service offered by Bossier Parish Library that provides tools for students of all ages. This service differs from the ones above, as it's not just a way of finding articles and information, but offers practice quizzes and fully explained answers. 

There are sections for students currently in elementary, middle or high school, for those looking to prepare for college or for senior adults who are looking to learn more about computers and technology. 

This service is different from the others as it offers help in several different subjects, including math, social studies and grammar and writing. As the age level increases, the subjects get more specific. 

This is a free service, but it does require registration with an email. This lets you save your lessons and keep track of progress. 

Homework Louisiana 

This site is a golden resource for students and parents alike. HomeworkLouisiana offers FREE online tutoring and academic resources from Tutor.com for Louisiana residents from kindergarten students through adult learners. Get help in math, science, social studies or English from a live tutor. The services can be accessed from a Louisiana public library, from your home computer or from your mobile device.*

And as always, if you need help with these databases and services or just have a question that is proving difficult, our reference staff is ready to help! You can reach the Reference Desk via phone at (318) 746-1693 or by email at infosvcs@bosseirlibrary.org

Comment and let us know what you think! If you'd like more information on these or any other library services, you can call your local library branch or contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

*Text from the homeworkla.org website

App Recommendations for Readers

Smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of our everyday life; something most of us can't bear to leave the house without, like our keys or wallet. While any smartphone with internet access is useful, it's the apps on the phone that make it both indispensable and fun. Every so often, this blog will feature apps for people who love books, music, sports, art and more. We will also feature apps to help increase productivity and make your life a little easier.

This week we are going to showcase some apps designed for people who love books and reading. Most of these apps are available on several different devices, but a few aren't so we'll be sure to specify.

Overdrive Media Console

It's pretty much required that we start with Overdrive because we're a library, but honestly we'd put it at the top of the list anyway. Overdrive is an app that allows you to read eBooks and listen to audio-books on your phone or tablet. It's part of your library account, so there's never any charge. The books return automatically so you can't even be charged late fees. New books are added to the collection every day. For some of these books, you'll need an Adobe ID. This is a free ID that you create using your email one time only. If you're not comfortable with creating an Adobe ID, don't worry! There are plenty of books you can still access.
Overdrive is available for: Apple (via iTunes) Android (via Google Play), Windows Phone.
Download for other devices including Kindle, Nook and your PC can be found on the Overdrive Website.

Purchase eBooks

There are several options for purchasing books on your tablet or eReader. The apps are handy as they allow you to purchase books while away from your computer and allow you to read the same book across different devices. You can read a book on your tablet on your lunch break and then pick up right where you left off when you're stuck standing in line at the grocery store and need to distract yourself from all those impulse buys and candy bars. (or maybe that's just us.) 

Kindle

The Kindle App allows you to download books from Amazon to your device. You don't have to be using a Kindle in order to use the Kindle App, but you do have to register on Amazon before you can purchase any books or audiobooks. 

The Kindle app is available on: iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Phone. You can also download it on your PC and other apps at www.amazon.com

Nook

The Nook app allows you download books from Barnes and Noble to your device. Like the Kindle App, it is not necessary to be on a Nook to use the Nook app, but you must register at BarnesandNoble.com in order to download books. 
The Nook app is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Phone

iBooks & Google Play Books

These apps comes installed on your device and allow you to purchase books from iTunes, or Google Play. . It is important to remember that any purchases you make in iBooks can only be read on an Apple product like an iPhone or iPad.  For example, if you buy books in Apple iBooks and then switch to a Samsung Galaxy, you will not be able to transfer those books to your new Samsung. Other apps like Kindle or Nook work on any device so your purchases can be transferred. 

Keep Track of the Books You Read

There are several apps that allow you to keep track of the books that you've read and get recommendations for books to read in the future. We're just going to cover two of these apps

GoodReads
GoodReads is a website and mobile app that allows you to list any books that you've read or want to read in the future. You can also rate the books and receive recommendations for books to read based on those ratings. There are discussion groups and online book clubs as well. Because authors have GoodReads pages as well, you can get updates on upcoming books and works. GoodReads is free but you will have to register with an email address.
This app is available on iTunes and Google Play.

BookCrawler
BookCrawler is similar to GoodReads in that it allows you to keep track of books you've read. BookCrawler lets you scan the barcode of the book itself to add it to your list, letting you skip typing all the book titles manually if you'd like. Of course, you can still search for books by title or author as well. There is a free version that allows you to input up to 25 books, but for more than that you'll have to pay for the full version. Luckily for those who are serious about cataloging their personal library, the full version is usually around $2. Unfortunately BookCrawler is available only on iTunes. Hopefully an Android version will be released soon!

Reading Can Mean More Than Just Books

Reading means more than just eBooks or audiobooks.

Comixology
Comixology allows you to purchase and read comics on your phone or tablet. You can purchase the same day the comics are released in stores. You can find sales, discounts and even free comics! Comixology app is free, though you'll have to purchase the comics.
This app is available on iTunes and Google Play.

Poetry from the Poetry Foundation
This app allows you to read a new poem daily or search for your favorite poets. Feeling romantic? Need something to cheer you up? There are collections based on every mood and occasion. You can even search by memorable lines! This app is free and available on iTunes and Google Play.

What are your favorite reading related apps? Have ideas on topics you'd like us to cover? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook or Twitter. 

Win a new iPad from BPL! Two different ways to win!

Do you want to win a new iPad? Bossier Parish Library will give away a free iPad in November and you could win! There are two different ways to get your name in the drawing for the new iPad and you can even win smaller prizes every week!

Library Love Letters

The first way to participate and get your name in the drawing for an iPad is to show Bossier Parish Library a little love and write us a Love Letter. We want to hear what you like about Bossier Library. Each Bossier Parish Library branch has a special Library Love Letter display where you can fill out a letter telling us what you love about Bossier Library. Or if you prefer, you can fill one out online here on our newly updated website. Each love letter is entered into the drawing for a brand new iPad on November 7th.

Question of the Week

The second way to get in the drawing for the iPad is to answer our Question of the Week. Each Monday a new question will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and this blog. You can also find the question on the Love Letter board at your local branch. The answer to each question can be found on the BPL website or catalog. Some questions will be about the library itself and some will be about our collection. Library employees will not have the answer but they may be able to point you in the direction of our website or catalog. 

Each week a random winner will be chosen from all of the correct answers. This winner will then be put in the drawing for the iPad on November 7th. 

In addition to being entered into the drawing weekly winners win prizes as well! You can win one of these prizes! 

Don't miss out on your chance to win one of these prizes and be entered into the iPad Giveaway.
Friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to see the questions every Monday!

The Fine Print: This contest is only open to Bossier Parish Library patrons with current accounts.
Weekly winners have until 5 pm on the following Sunday to pick up or utilize their chosen prize.
The grand prize winner has 14 days to pick up their prize.
Prizes are not transferable and have no monetary value.
Library staff and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

Mark your calendars! Both programs start Monday, July 21st. (that's this Monday!)

Online Computer Tutorials

Learning your way around the Internet and programs like Microsoft Word or Excel can be pretty intimidating when you're just starting out. At Bossier Library we offer classes on things like Internet and Email, and programs like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. However, these classes have been on hiatus; first while we installed brand new computers at every branch and now to make way for the Summer Reading Programs. Classes will start again in September, but if you have a computer and an Internet connection you don't have to wait to start learning about computers! There are many online tutorials available that can help you master the basics. This week we are going to list the top three free online tutorial sites that we found just by searching on Google. Not all free tutorial sites are created equal, so we're going to rank our favorite results.

3. HomeandLearn.co.uk

Home and Learn is a site based in the United Kingdom, which is why it's address may look a little different than the ones you're used to seeing. However, all of the information is the same for programs in the United States. They offer tutorials on Beginners Computer, Word, and Excel. There are even a few classes on Web Design for those who are looking for something more advanced. Each Tutorial is divided into shorter lessons to make it easy to take it slow and cover all the information. Each lesson has screenshots so users can see exactly what they are describing. The only problem with this site is the many ads on the tutorials. There are banner ads at the top and bottom of each step in most tutorials. Because they are related to computers, sometimes users may find them misleading or confusing. Unfortunately ads are a necessary evil for most websites. Luckily, the ads do not take away from the usefulness of the website.
Overall: The tutorials on this website are easy to find and to follow. There are no video tutorials available.

2. Free-Computer-Tutorials.net

This site offers tutorials on Windows XP, Vista and 7, as well as on programs like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It's fairly easy to navigate with links on the left hand side to each lesson. There are pictures for every lesson that explain step by step the basics of the operating system or program.
The only downside to this website, in our opinion, is the number of ads. Though ads are a necessary evil on most websites, they can be distracting or even misleading.

This site also provides free video tutorials on YouTube or you can purchase individual lessons on CD/DVD through the website, if you prefer.

Overall: Easy to understand lessons and easy to navigate website make this a great site however the abundance of ads may be off-putting for some users. The free video tutorials make this a great resource for beginning computer users.

1. GCF Learn Free

This website offers tutorials on Basic Computer Concepts, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and even Access. You can also find tutorials on email and Internet basics. This site isn't just limited to computer topics, either. You can find tutorials on topics from the Workplace, like filling out tax information to basic math and grammar lessons. And they're all free!  Many of the classes are video based, making it even easier for beginning users.
 Registration is not required, but is available for users who want to return to lessons or track their progress. Registration requires a valid email address. Don't worry if you'd rather not register, all the lessons are available without registration. There are even classes with instructors available for users looking for Continuing Education Credits. Registration is required for those classes
GCF Learn Free also has free mobile apps so you can learn on your smartphone or tablet. This means you can take a lesson about iPads on the iPad itself! No other free tutorial site we found offered free mobile apps..
Overall: The variety of classes, clean layout of the website, engaging lessons and free mobile apps make this the best free computer tutorial site we found. We highly recommend it for anyone looking to expand their knowledge on computers and many other topics.

Stay tuned for more information about our Patron Computer Classes coming in September!
Have ideas on topics you'd like us to cover? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook or Twitter.

Please note: These are the opinions of the blog writer only, and not necessarily of Bossier Parish Library staff or patrons. No compensation was received from any of the above websites. (in fact, we'd be a little surprised if these websites even knew we were writing about them!) 

Tech Tuesday: Spotlight on new technology

It's New Tech Tuesday! On the first Tuesday of every month we will be spotlighting a new and exciting technology available to the public.
This week we're talking about Wearable Technology!
Wearables have been a popular topic lately, especially among those who love technology and are always on the lookout for the next shiny new toy.
The most popular version of wearable computer is the Smart Watch. A smart watch is a wearable computer small enough to pass for a wristwatch. They connect to your phone, usually using Bluetooth. Though smart watches don't have all the functions of your smartphone or tablet, they do let you view email, text messages and notifications. You can also control music playing on your phone.
Most of the major phone manufacturers, like Samsung, Sony, Motorola and Apple have released a smart phone or have plans to do so soon. There are also options available from smaller companies, like Pebble which used a Kickstarter campaign to bring their device to the public.

 Smartwatch by Sony

Smartwatch By Samsung

Smartwatch By Pebble

Most of these smart watches have the same features, though there's no word yet on whether they're able to call your car to pick you up when you're in trouble. 

What are your thoughts on smart watches? Fun or frivolous?  Have ideas on topics you'd like us to cover? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook or Twitter. 

Online Services at your local library (And they're free!)

This week we'd like to spotlight some of the free services offered by Bossier Parish Library. The best part? All of them are available online from your home computer! You don't even need to leave the house! Last week we covered Mango Languages, which allows you to learn a new language for free. This week we're going to cover a few of the lesser known online services.

Auto Repair Reference Center (ARRC)
The ARRC is a free database with information on the repair and maintenance of cars and trucks. It gives basic information on various model cars all the way back to 1953. It provides step by step instructions, complete with diagrams. It even has estimates on time and cost of repair, for those of us who would rather leave the repair up to professionals. Now you can arm yourself with knowledge before taking your car to the mechanic.

Cypress Resume

Writing a resume can be tricky - it's fine line between too much and too little information and between being memorable while still remaining professional. Many programs like Microsoft Word have templates available, but those can lack personality. Cypress Resume is a free service available through Bossier Library that makes writing a memorable resume quick and easy! You choose phrases that describe you and your work experience and Cypress Resume assembles them into a professional resume. You can even create an account, which allows you to save your resume and come back any time to add experience without starting all over. 

Legal Forms Library

The Legal Forms Library is just as described - it's a database of legal forms available to the public. Though neither the site or the library can offer legal advice, we can offer free legal forms. There are forms available for everything from Last Will and Testament to Name Changes. These can be completed and printed from any computer with internet access. 

These are just a few of the online services available from your local library. Access to these and many more is available through the Bossier Parish Library website: www.bossierlibrary.org

Comment and let us know what you think! If you'd like more information on these or any other library services, you can call your local library branch or contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

Learning a New Language with Technology

Have you ever wanted to learn a new language? I personally love the idea of knowing at least enough to get around in several languages, but I don’t always the extra money to spend on classes or on services like Rosetta Stone. I also love to travel and think it’s important to at least make an effort to speak the local language instead of just walking around and hoping someone in the vicinity speaks English. For that I want something practical that I can use in conversation. The last time I tried this I was going to France and wanted to learn the basics. Instead, the CD I bought wanted to teach me to count. I just needed to know where the train station was, not show off my ability to count to ten!  That’s why I was really excited to learn about Mango Languages. Mango is a fast and effective way to learn to hold practical conversations in a new language. It’s got both audio and visual elements which helps me follow along. And the best part? It’s free with my library account!

Mango Languages has lessons available in 63 different languages, including languages you’d expect to find like Spanish, French or Italian. But Mango doesn’t stop at the expected languages. They have also have languages like Arabic, Yiddish or even Hawaiian. There are special languages as well like Biblical Hebrew, Latin, or Ancient Greek. You can even take a course on speaking Pirate! (I have to admit: I've added that one to my own personal list.)

Mango also has English lessons available for anyone who speaks English as a second language and wants to learn more. There are English lessons available in 17 different languages! 

To access Mango for free, go to our website at www.bossierlibrary.org and find the Mango Languages link on the right hand side. There are links to access from within the library or from home, so you don’t even have to be sitting at a library computer to use Mango.

Once you’re on the site, it will ask you to enter your library card number and PIN. Your library PIN is the last four numbers on your card. Once you've entered that, Mango will ask you to create an account with an email. This lets you keep track of your lessons so that you can pick up where you left off.

Mango even has apps available for iPhone/iPad and for Android devices. You can learn on the go or on your lunch break. You can even use it to entertain yourself and your family on those long boring car rides.

We want to know what you think! Will you be trying Mango? Do you have an idea for a topic or a question you'd like us to address? Leave us a comment here or tell us on Facebook or Twitter. Links to those accounts can be found on the right hand side of this page.