Friday Focus
Friday, April 24, 2015 . . . vol. 2, no. 30
Summer Reading on OverDrive Works!
Seven of the ten Shared System schools serving high school students saw the number of unique users go up two to ten individuals last August compared to June and July use. All ten schools had more titles checked out that month, too. One school had an increase of 10 users and 93 titles in August.
Even though the number of users per school is small, the amount of use is promising. Remember, the average cost of a book is $20. Your students read 1938 titles, about $38,760 worth of ebooks, in just three months last summer! Please get those summer reading lists in as soon as you can and save your school and your school families some big money!
Free Audiobooks for Teens.
SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for young adults. Starting again May 7th 2015, SYNC will give away two complete audiobook downloads a week - a current young adult title along with a thematically paired classic or required summer reading title. Sign up for email or text alerts and be first to know when new titles are available to download at www.audiobooksync.com.
These audiobooks will be available for listening via the OverDrive app or website, so be sure your students have that installed. To learn more, download the Introduction to Sync pdf.
NoveList Founder to Speak at IndyPL's LSC
OverDrive Updates
There will also be a similar "enhanced" label to guide users to materials which faithfully display children’s picture books, textbooks using complex layout, and other enhanced titles produced using EPUB3, HTML5, media overlays (synchronized audio).
Quick Program Notes: Rich Program Opportunities for ALL Ages (Students, Families, Staff)
Requests/Pick Up Dates/Final Due Dates Finalized
Read the link above before you do to make sure you understand the Big Picture!
These dates are now set in stone. Your final due date may still be changed if need be.
On Friday, May 29th, IndyPL will remove all Shared System members from the list of pick up locations except for HCL, HCL2 and CHA.
On Friday, May 29th, IndyPL will suspend all open requests that are to be picked up at a Shared System location. The requests will be reactivated on Friday, July 31st. The only exception will be requests that are to be picked up at HCL, HCL2 or CHA.
On Friday, May 29th, IndyPL will suspend requestability for all items owned by Shared System locations. Requestability will be restored on July 31st.. Again, the only exception will be items owned by HCL, HCL2 or CHA.
On Friday, July 31st, IndyPL will put all Shared System members back on the list of pickup locations.
Last Pull List Suggestions
You should stop pulling your pull list 4 weeks before your last day of school. If you want to make sure you get the title back before you leave for the summer, then for the next week or so, put an item level hold on any title you pull for the pull list. (If you don’t mind if they sit here in the LSC till school starts, then you don’t have to worry about all this at all!) An item level hold applies to just that barcode #, so whoever has it can’t renew it – they have to return it to the library when it is due, which should be right before you close. You should use a room card to place the holds. So, step by step:
2. Scan the barcodes of all items you just pulled for the pull list into a Word Document
3. Block and copy the first barcode in the Word Document
4. Go back to Horizon and press F2 to Search.
5. Scroll down almost to the bottom of the list of types of searches and choose Barcode Exact.
6. Paste in the barcode you copied in step 3.
7. The record for the item should come up, but you may have to click on Show Copies.
8. With the item highlighted (just click on it), go to the menu at the top and click on Request, Make Request.
9. In the dialog box that opens, click on This Copy Only (see red arrow above) and click Request.
I will create a report for all of you on 5/1 of all items you own out to borrowers at other locations so you can create item level holds on them and get them back before the end of the year. (Unless you trust us to keep them for you till fall - which is fine!)
The OverDrive App Now Features a Dyslexic Font Option
This new font option will make reading easier for students with dyslexia as well as library patrons who struggle with the condition. Determining letters is now much easier, allowing readers to concentrate on the book’s content instead.
To select the dyslexic font tap the center of your device’s screen when reading a title and choose the font options button. Then simply select which dyslexic font you’d like to use. As always, you can also adjust the spacing, font size and screen color to make your reading experience more enjoyable.
This update is one of many enhancements planned for the app – with more coming later in the year – that will continue to help users get the most out of their digital reading experience.
Adam Sockel is a Social Media Specialist with OverDrive
P.S. Adam noted the screenshot is for IOS; here are directions for Androids.
For PreSchool/PreK Families and Teachers
From Carrie Waterson, Web Content Specialist: To support the Summer Reading Program (Beatz and Bookz) I am adding music content to all of the Read Right Now! pages on Ready to Read – this mostly involves embedded video and links to Freegal.
While I am doing that, I am re-vamping the pages to align with the national Public Library Association/Association for Library Service to Children campaign: Every Child Ready to Read. The pages will now be divided into five sections: Reading, Singing, Playing, Talking, Writing. When everything is done, there will be more than 50 pages set up like this…sort of “DIY Literacy Practice” a parent or caregiver could use to work with kids 0-5 at home.
Editor's Note: I didn't know until this morning that Carrie also offers us a Pinterest page with 40 boards such as Talking Prompts or Free Lullabies with a Library card. Not to be missed for families (or teachers) of younger kids.
She also has a FaceBook page where she sifts through the latest in children's literature and IndyPL children's programming news.
Tune up with books and tune in to the wonderful world of music and sound
From Melanie Wissel, Manager of Program Development: Families are invited to tune up their reading performance and pump up the volume of reading during IndyPL’s 2015 Summer Reading Program “Beatz and Bookz,” an eight-week jam session open to readers of all ages.
Drumroll, please…..Girrrls and boyz, get ready to rock the new millennium by creating your own book beatz program. Mix-master Janet Spaulding has once again orchestrated a playlist of notable Bonus Books for reading fans seeking greater rewards. As participants climb the charts, they will be awarded points which can be exchanged for a selection of star-studded swag, aka prizes, such as Light Up Happy Balls, Back Pack Buddeez, earbuds and as they say in the business, much, much more.
Pitch Perfect – Indianapolis Indians
Since 1992, the Indianapolis Indians have partnered with IndyPL to offer the traditional summer reading finale called Library Night. This year’s event is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 20. But that’s not the only game available. Although participants are encouraged to use their Indians vouchers on Library Night – July 20, vouchers will be redeemable for admission to any Sunday – Thursday game. What’s more? Summer Reading participants will receive a free voucher to admit one person – not a “buy 1 – get 1 free” voucher!
About Us
Email: sbatt@indypl.org
Website: www.indypl.org/about/shared
Location: Library Service Center, North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: (317) 275-4707
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndyPLSharedSystem
Twitter: @SharedSysIndyPL