Published: August 10, 2017 3:00 AM

The Portage Library Consortium (PLC) has announced the upcoming arrival of its new online catalog and circulation system on Aug. 31.

The PLC partners, Kent Free Library, Portage County District Library and Reed Memorial Library, are now in the final stages of preparation before deploying the new system at the end of the month.

Checkout and catalog data will be moved to the new Symphony software, by SirsiDynix, between Aug. 28 and 30. During that transition time, library users and staff will not have access to library accounts.

Library patrons will need to have a library card when checking out materials during the transition as the old circulation system is taken offline and library information is moved to the new one.

The new online catalog will debut on Aug. 31 as well. Links to the new catalog page will be on each library's website.

Library patrons accessing their accounts should note that personal identification numbers (PINs) will have changed to the last four digits of their phone number.

After logging in, patrons will be able to change the PIN.

"We are very excited about this change," said PCDL director Cecilia Swanson. "We are going to have a more modern online catalog for library users, with better searching capabilities and our libraries will be saving money on the cost of the software. It is a win-win situation for all of us."

Online users will see more search options in the catalog, will be able to opt in to save their borrowing history, and will be able to email or text titles to themselves. Patrons will still be able to pay fines and fees online as they can now.

"One of the best new online catalog features is integration of our eMedia materials," said Reed Memorial director Brian Hare. "Patrons will be able to see everything we offer, whether it is physical or digital, all in one place."

The Portage Library Consortium partners have been preparing the move since the beginning of the year after a lengthy process of examining circulation system options. The final selection was based on improving the library experience for patrons and on cost-saving factors.

"The current library software is 14 years old. I'm very happy that the consortium is able to purchase new software, at a lower cost, that offers improvements that will benefit both library staff and library users" said Stacey Richardson, Kent Free Library director.

The change in circulation software has required a temporary halt to the SearchOhio and OhioLINK services, but the consortium expects to resume these services before the end of the year.

For more information about library services and programs, visit http://www.kentfreelibrary.org, http://www.portagelibrary.org or http://www.reedlibrary.org.

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Portage libraries to launch new online catalog system - The-review

If Netflix and Hulu are boring you with crass, lowbrow content, if you gravitate to arthouse and indie movies, if you're less into Song of Ice and Fire and more into India Song, it might be worth checking out your local library. But no need to get up from the couch and potentially spill your can of Pabst over your perfectly manicured beard you can now stream these movies directly to your device.

Public libraries might be fighting with Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu for your eyeballs in the online content wars.

Last Friday the New York Public Library let patrons stream videos and movies for the first time. The service, which is run by online video-streaming service Kanopy, includes a collection of arthouse, independent and classical films on demand. Users can browse content on the Kanopy website after logging into the NYPL online. "This content offering is so unique and worth presenting and logical to us that it makes absolute sense to do so," said Christopher Platt, chief branch library officer of the NYPL.

Platt says offering movies for streaming is part of the library's perpetual goal to offer formats patrons need.

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It's also hard to argue with a service that's free. Derek O'Donnell, senior analyst at Gartner, said the library's service might hit smaller players in the streaming space, like Amazon Prime, which has a thinner selection of streaming movies compared to larger competitors, like Hulu and Netflix. The library's offering may also find a niche with audiences seeking content inaccessible anywhere else, O'Donnell said.

The launch also reflects changing trends: mobile, connected and oftentimes younger users. A Fall 2016 Pew Research Center survey found 53 percent of millennials used a public library or bookmobile in the last 12 months, compared to 45 percent of Gen Xers and only 43 percent of baby boomers.

San Francisco-based Kanopy sees itself as an alternative and not a competitor to more mainstream services, like Netflix. "Many users come to watch films that aren't available on other platforms," said Kanopy CEO Olivia Humphrey. The emphasis, she says, is on "thoughtful entertainment" and focuses on independent films that touch on topics like immigration, diversity and LGBT rights. "It's really a different reason for coming to watch Kanopy," said Humphrey.

Kanopy founded in 2008 in Western Australia previously partnered with universities such as Yale and the University of Cambridge to make Kanopy's collection of films available to students for study. The company most recently launched their service to patrons of the Los Angeles Public Library and other regional libraries, in Illinois, Connecticut, California and other states, before the NYPL rollout. The company has partnered with local libraries across the country in the past and says other, smaller libraries are to be added soon.

The NYPL, which serves more than 17 million patrons across Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, launched the service with Kanopy collection last Friday to offer "quality, literate" movies to its patrons. The service is available now to all NYPL patrons with a valid library card.

Continued here:
Public libraries offering free streaming to rival Netflix, Hulu - CNBC

The Farmington History Museum Committee is taking the Farmington Public Library to a new dimension with a Moon Shadow Party in honor of the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse.

The event is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 20 the day before the big event and is for students in grades 3 through 8. The cost is $2 per youth. Sign-up is required at the library, located at 101 North A. St. and space is limited.

The library and committee want to give young people their own space for the solar event.

There are many activities going on in the area for research and education on the solar eclipse, Committee Chair Jessie Williams said. We felt it was important to include children in some activities related to learning and having fun with the solar eclipse.

We really wanted to transform the library conference area into a space for youth, Committee member Nancy Cozean said. The Moon Shadow event will be fun, beginning with a short discussion on the Solar Eclipse. We'll also introduce our own Space Commander, Steve Slinkard, who will discuss another extraterrestrial event that occurred during the Civil War when a large meteor careened from space into the Ste. Genevieve area."

The incident was described in a book by local author Robert Schmidt.

To the sounds of Cat Stevens' Moonshadow and other sonic tunes, the event will feature galaxy events including a costume contest of an outer space being. Contestants are also encouraged to create a poster of "my favorite alien and bring it to the event. Plus, the classic modern movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still will be presented by Jon Cozean.

Prizes will be awarded for the best space costume and best space creature poster. All contestants will receive a certified Space Cadet certificate and solar eclipse watching survival bag.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Farmington History Museum, scheduled for a future opening. Sponsors for Moon Shadow include Plummers Ace Hardware, Prairie Farms, Save-A-Lot and Cozean Funeral Home.

For more information, contact the library at 573-756-5779.

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Museum, library 'lift off' on solar eclipse special - Daily Journal Online

SAFFORD - The city of Safford, and the entire Gila Valley, suffered a tremendous loss this week with the unexpected passing of Safford City-Graham County Library Director Leanne McElroy.

Sunday evening, McElroy was flown from Mount Graham Regional Medical Center to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson after suffering a massive heart attack at home. After what her brother-in-law, Paul David, called a valiant effort by hospital staff, she was taken off life support on Wednesday and died that afternoon.

It is with a heavy heart that the library announces the passing of our leader, our inspiration and our dear friend, the LIbrary said in a Thursday morning press release.

She leaves behind the legacy of a library for everyone, the release continued, nurturing of knowledge and growth for all ages. Bringing her experience from Habitat for Humanity and her travels across the world, she set the library on a path toward becoming a centerpiece of learning and compassion in the community. We will dearly miss her smile, her guidance and her loving kindness.

McElroy, who earned a Masters degree in Russian Studies from Georgetown University, started as Library Director in November 2012. Her legacy includes a rich variety of educational and community activities including ScienceCity, Star Wars Day, the Library Coding Club, Library-Con and the Local Author BookFest, which debuted this February. Under her direction, the library also made its childrens book section easier for young readers to use and planned to expand its large print collection.

She was an amazing woman and an amazing director, said Senior Library Technician Brandon Nite. It was a pleasure to work with her.

Services for McElroy are tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 at the Safford Stake Center, 515 Catalina Dr. The library will close that day in her memory.

Her interment is tentatively planned for Tuesday the 15th, at a family ranch near Douglas. She is survived by her husband Philip McElroy and daughter Lydia.

David Sowders is a member of the Safford City-Graham County Library Advisory Board.

More here:
Library director McElroy passes - Eastern Arizona Courier

Having a device that allows you to capture the perfect selfie or moment at home or on vacation is common. Some people are so good at taking these pictures it can even make other people jealous of how good they turned out.

So how can you sell photos online?

You will first need to find your photography niche and stick with it to build an impressive portfolio. After you have done that, it will be quite easy to sell your photographs online.

What do I need?

You will first need a device that is capable of taking high-quality photographs. This could be anything from a DSLR camera to a phone. You will need a website or some form of online portfolio to showcase your work. You can always hire someone to build you an easy and simple web portfolio on WordPress. You will then have to implement a form of e-commerce system into your website or portfolio. But none of those things matter if you don't first find what makes you as an artist stand out. You have to find your niche and then build your brand around it to form a following for your work. The more followers you have of your work the more exposure you have. This exposure is what will lead to your photographs being sold and you turning your hobby into a paying profession.

How can you find your niche?

Your niche is what defines you as a photographer. Finding this is probably one of the hardest parts of creating a brand and selling it online. It can be a very long and tiring process to settle into it. However, for some it can come naturally, it just depends on the person and what they are interested in. If you are having a hard time finding your niche you may want to branch out and try things you have never tried before. In order to grow as an artist you must identify what inspires and defines you. This sometimes requires that you take a leap of faith.

What about the technical aspect of taking good photographs?

Just like with most things in life, you will start at the bottom and work your way up the ladder of success. Having the basics with a good understanding of how a picture should be composed is a necessity. Just keep in mind that whatever is the standard now may be obsolete in three years' time. This is one of the many reasons you will want to make sure you have found and you are sticking to your niche.

In conclusion, it is very important to be patient when trying to sell your photographs online. Achieving success can be a lengthy task but the key is to keep taking those photographs you love and building your niche until you make it.

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How to turn your photographs into money online - Bizcommunity.com

Anchor Bay area libraries are offering programs and events for all ages, including a solar eclipse viewing, a used book sale, family story time sessions and more. Here's a look at what's coming up this month in the city of New Baltimore and Chesterfield, Ira and Lenox townships.

To register for a program, visit the library, located at 50560 Patricia St., call 586-598-4900 or go to chelibrary.org.

For more information, visit the library, located at 36480 Main St. in New Baltimore, call 586- 725-0273 or go to macdonaldlibrary.org.

For more information, visit the library, located at 7013 Meldrum Road in Fair Haven, call 586-725-9081 or go to stclaircountylibrary.org.

Lenox Township Library is located at 58976 Main St. in New Haven. For more information, call 586-749-3430 or go to lenoxlibrary.org.

Emily Pauling, The Voice

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AT THE LIBRARY: Anchor Bay area libraries gear up for solar eclipse, book sale, more - New Baltimore Voice Newspapers

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The 2015 Back to School Bash at the Bonne Terre Memorial Library was well attended and has only grown since.

The 2015 Back to School Bash at the Bonne Terre Memorial Library was well attended and has only grown since.

With summer coming to an end, many kids are dreading the thought of going back to school next month. To help soften the blow, the Bonne Terre Memorial Library is offering a back to school bash for kids in the community to come out and have a good time.

The Back to School Bash will be held Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. The bash is put on by the Friends of the Library, according to Childrens Librarian Rachel Howard.

Its the Friends of the Librarys way of doing something with the community, she said. The Friends and some of our staff did some brainstorming and came up with it.

The library has held the Back to School Bash for several years now, with each year being more successful than the last. Howard said last years event brought close to 100 kids. The event will take place outside, weather permitting and will feature games, prizes, food and a magic show.

Howard said the event has been so well attended because of the librarys involvement with local children.

The kids really enjoy our library, Howard said. We try to let them have fun all year round.

If anybody wants to have some fun, come and see us, Howard said.

Jacob Scott is a reporter with the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616 or at jscott@dailyjournalonline.com.

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Library to hold Back to School Bash - Daily Journal Online

Pennsylvanias medical marijuana program appears to be right on schedule for an early 2018 launch.

The state gave out the first round of dispensary and grower/processor permits, and physicians are now able to register to become certified to recommend (not prescribe) cannabis to their patients.

The question is will any actually want to?

The Department of Health didnt returnThe Inclines request for information on how many physicians have registered since late July.But according to the CEO of one of the companies that will teach Pennsylvanias doctors the ABCs of medical cannabis,the phone is ringing off the hook.

Doctors, nurses and pharmacists are hungry for this education, said Cheryl McDaniel, owner ofExtra Step Assurance. Her companys Cannabis Expertise is one of just two training courses the state has approved, per a July 26 email. The other is fromThe Answer Page, which has also designed online certification courses for New York state, Ohio and Florida.

Physicians who want to participate in Pennsylvanias medical marijuana program are required to register online, at which point DOH checks to make sure theyre licensed to practice. Before these professionals can get final approval, they have to go through a four-hour course.

The Answer Pages course is completely online with quizzes, while Cannabis Expertise offers live webinars and in-person seminars. Both will cover how marijuana can be used to treat various illnesses, how cannabis interacts with the body and the current state of regulations in Pennsylvania.

And they have just four hours to do that.

McDaniel and Dr. Stephen B.Corn of The Answer Page both said its challenging to do that.Corns company approached the task by offering 12-month access to a medical cannabis reference library along with online training that can be printed or saved.

We want to make sure all the clinicians would have a library of all this information, Corn said.

Extra Step Assurances Cannabis Expertise also offers an 18-hour seminar. After a recent event in Columbus, McDaniel said she was told by participants that the course was as though I went back to med school also theyd like some additional breaks.

We had an attitude that, my goodness, we want the doctors to know everything possible, McDaniel said. She described entering her 18-hour event like a freshman and leaving with a graduate degree.

But because Pennsylvania requires just four hours, McDaniel said her company tried to distill what doctors absolutely need to know: some history, basic science, dosing information.

I understand how to handle drugs and educate doctors, said McDaniel, who worked in pharmaceutical support services for 30 years. But as she became more involved in medical cannabis, she became alarmed that there was no good place where [doctors, nurses and pharmacists] could go to get info.

McDaniels company was well-versed in how to put on continuing medical education and training events, but didnt have the medical expertise to design something around medical cannabis. So she took the next several months to listen to speakers and enlist professionals like Dr. Dustin Sulak to take part in the trainings.

The curriculum is constantly being updated as new information on medical cannabis becomes available, McDaniel said. She finds it scary to think of the bad sources of information available.

You wouldnt say to a doctor, we want you to start diagnosing patients who have cancer. Could you read this pamphlet and good luck? McDaniel said. You wouldnt do that.

The Answer Pages online course can be accessed now and costs $299 with the promo code PADOH.

Cannabis Expertise will hold two live webinarsAug. 10 and Aug. 17(both are $298) and its first live seminar Aug. 25, in Allentown ($398 to attend in person). Future seminars are planned for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, State College, Scranton, Erie, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Williamsport and Altoona.

You cant get extra credit, but Pa. doctors who want to meet the requirement plus get a more in-depth education can attend Cannabis Expertises next 18-hour seminar, in Orlando.

More here:
'The phone is ringing off the hook': What Pa. doctors will learn about medical cannabis - The Incline

Beginning today, anyone with a Brooklyn or New York Public Library card can stream the Criterion Collection online for free. As Gothamist points out, the perk is the result of a new partnership with Kanopy, a streaming service available to public and university libraries.

The NYPL already has a bunch of movies available to stream online, but the Kanopy partnership adds 30,000 films to their database. This includes more than 400 movies in the Criterion Collection, like Eraserhead and The Blob.

New York is not the first public library to offer the Criterion Collection online. Kanopy says its already working with more than 4,000 public libraries globally. This includes the LA Public Library, Boulder Public Library, plus universities like McGill, Dartmouth, and Princeton.

Anyone with a NYPL card will be able to watch up to 10 movies per month, according to Gothamist. Each movie will be available for three days after you start watching.

There are only a few places to stream the Criterion Collection online. The collection was available on Hulu Plus for a few years, but the company abandoned ship in 2016, after it launched the art house streaming service FilmStruck with Turner Classic Movies.

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New York Public Library now offers free Criterion Collection ... - The Verge

THOMASVILLE LIBRARY:

Celebration 365 is back! On Friday, at noon, learn about the diversity in your community from Elijah Miranda with Vashti Center.

Join us for the event of a lifetime. On Friday, Aug. 18, at 4 p.m., learn about solar eclipses from NASAs Richard Johanboeke through Skype. Then, beginning Monday, Aug. 21 around 1 p.m., see the solar eclipse with our complimentary glasses. Peak eclipse time should be around 2:30 p.m. Glasses are first-come, first-served.

Local author alert. On Friday, Aug. 25 at noon, meet Cassie Dandridge Selleck as she discusses "The Pecan Man" and her newer work, "What Matters in Mayhew!"

Were Bookin It will meet at the library on Monday, Aug. 14, at 5 p.m. in the Conference Room. Visitors and new members are always welcome. The meeting will involve a Skype session with Julia Claiborne Johnson, author of "Be Frank with Me."

Come visit our Book Sale Room on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your donations benefit your library.

Adult literacy at the library. Do you or someone you know want to improve your reading skills? Are you preparing for the GED test? Would you like to volunteer to help with Adult Literacy? Contact Kathryn Sawyer at (229) 225-5252 for more information.

Become a member of the Friends of the Library today. We have forms for 2017 membership available at our front desk. Your participation helps the library with programming, books and other materials added to the library.

Do you have an E-Reader? The library offers an online database full of free audiobooks and E-books you can download directly to your device. All you need is your library card and online password. Go to http://www.tcpls.org and click on the GADD link to begin downloading today.

Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ThomasCountyPublicLibrarySystem

Follow us on Instagram @tcpls

Check out our website for more information and answers to your questions at http://www.tcpls.org

REFERENCE

Check out our computer classes for August.

Every Monday in August at 10 a.m. Stop in for Computer Basics.

Monday at 6 p.m., Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. Learn how to create business spreadsheets in Excel.

Monday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m; Wednesday, Aug. 16 and Friday Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. How to Build Your Resume.

Monday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Aug. 23 and Friday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. Learn how to write papers in Word using APA.

Georgia Public Libraries launched Niche Academy service to enhance patron training with access to electronic resources. Ask the reference desk for more information.

Do you want to learn a second language? GALILEO offers Mango Languages free through Georgia Public Libraries. Contact the library so we can help you get started today.

TEENS

Check out our Teen Events.

Starting back in August, join us every Friday at 3:30 p.m. for Gamers Club.

Every Monday in August, join us in the Makerspace at 4 p.m. for painting, coding, crafts and much more.

Manga Readers Club! Join us on Wednesday at 4 p.m. to learn about Inuyasha.

Wednesday, Aug. 23, After School Scavenger Hunt. Charlie the Gnome lost his Pokmon. Help him find all eight by following the clues. Do you have what it takes to find them all?

Teen volunteers needed. You can help, participate, and even use the hours you gain for your school requirements. For more information, see the Reference staff.

CHILDREN

Toddler Time will be back in August. Children ages 2-4 years old can enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Our next get-together will be on Thursday.

Cuddle Time will be back every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Cuddle Time is for infants from birth to 24 months of age and their caregivers. Enjoy nursery rhymes, fingerplays, board books, bounces, and activity songs with your baby! We will meet again on Aug. 11.

Get ready for LEGO Club. Join us every Thursday beginning Aug. 10 at 4 p.m. in the Storyroom and build something awesome with your friends.

Back to School Craft. Make something fun Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 4 p.m.

BRANCHES:

All branch libraries will be hosting a solar eclipse viewing on Monday, Aug. 21, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Solar eclipse glasses will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boston:

Thursday at 2 p.m. Join the Boston Readers Club and enjoy some smores as we discuss book choices for future meetings.

Thursday, Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. For National Love My Feet Day, enter for a drawing for a free pedicure and enjoy some feet treats.

Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. Watch a movie about the Tooth Fairy and receive some gifts for your teeth.

Thursday, Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. Enjoy trail mix and check out our hiking trail information.

Coolidge:

Monday at 3 p.m. Adult Word Search. Win a prize.

Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Kids/Teens Back-to-School word search. Win a prize.

Thursday at 5 p.m. Essential Oils Workshop. Learn how to kick toxic chemicals out of your home with simple and affordable steps.

Monday, Aug. 14 at 4:30 p.m. Join us for a Mosaic Craft using colored gemstones.

Thursday, Aug. 17 at 4:30 p.m. Learn about the significance of the solar eclipse with our Eclipse Talk.

Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 3:30 p.m. BINGO for Adults.

Monday, Aug. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Movie Monday. Watch a brand new movie and enjoy some popcorn.

Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m. Lego Club.

Meigs:

Monday Submit your drawing/design for the new Meigs cookbook. If your design is chosen, you receive a prize.

Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Celebrate Book Lovers Day by making a bookmark.

Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 4:30 p.m. Create a mysterious Message in a Bottle.

Thursday, Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. Check out Adult Coloring Club.

Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 4:30 p.m. Create Binoculars.

Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Make your own Model Art.

Ochlocknee:

Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 4 p.m. Join us for Playdoh fun.

Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 4:30 p.m. Enter our Word Search Contest for Teens and Children.

Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m. Kids can make their own potato cow.

Pavo:

Wednesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. After School Cartoons and Snack. Take a short break from homework and hang out at the library.

Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 4:30 p.m. Wee Wednesday. Story and Snack for preschool age and up.

GOOD READS

"Gone Gull" by Donna Andrews

"On Her Majestys Frightfully Secret Service" by Rhys Bowen

"Crime Scene" by Jonathan Kellerman

"Dragonsworn" by Sherrilyn Kenyon

"The One Ive Waited For" by Mary B. Morrison

"Nothing Stays Buried" by P.J. Tracy

With every book, you go back to school. You become a student. You become an investigative reporter. You spend a little time learning what its like to live in someone elses shoes. John Irving

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Thomas County Public Library - Times-Enterprise