Have you found your library on Facebook?

Are you an avid fan of Facebook like millions of others around the globe?  Would you like to know more about what’s happening in our libraries online?

If you enjoy surfing the Internet, check out our new user-friendly weblink address where people can see what’s happening in Leicestershire libraries on the popular social networking site, Facebook. Visit www.facebook.com/yourlibrary to find all sorts of information about your libraries.  You can add your own thoughts and keep up to date with news and events being planned.  So far we have 100 fans who have signed up with more adding to the list every day.

Social Networking Sites

Ernie White, Cabinet Leader for Better Places, said, “This is a great opportunity for anyone tech-savvy to join in the social networking phenomenon and mingle with others who have a common interest.”

Other social networking sites include our library blog, where customers can leave their comments, get involved in a debate and put their views across or just find out information.

You can also follow us on Twitter – just visit http://twitter.com/leicslibraries and you can join in with 276 followers to keep up to date with what’s happening in Libraries.

Our useful internet links can also be found on Delicious – see http://delicious.com/leicslibraries to search our helpful link resources for homework, research, and various subject areas like finance and health.

Librarians are being trained in internal social media focusing on Web 2.0.  This enables library staff to:

• Understand Web 2.0 which can help communicate with our (younger and more technical savvy) customers
• Better understand the future of digital library services
• Web 2.0 helps us to learn and think in new and creative ways

For further details, pop into a Leicestershire library, email libraries@leics.gov.uk or visit www.leics.gov.uk/libraries.

Find us on Delicious.com

Now you can find all of our internet links on Delicious.com.

Visit http://delicious.com/leicslibraries

Computer Support for Job Seekers

Looking for work?  Libraries have a number of useful resources to help with your job hunt.

Visit your Local Library to read the newspaper classifieds or use the computer suites to look for job opportunities on the internet.

If you use the Library computers to write or update your CV/resume, you will be entitled to print the CV off free of charge.

Contact your Local Library for more details.

Oadby Library Silver Surfers

Friday 15 May is Silver Surfers’ Day and there will be free sessions in libraries across Leicestershire where older people (50 – 100+) can find out what the internet can do for them.  This could include keeping in touch with friends and family across the globe to booking a holiday, doing the shopping, sharing photographs, catching up with missed TV programmes and much, much more. The internet has something for everyone.  The library, with its informal, relaxed atmosphere and friendly, supportive staff to help is an ideal place to take that first step to getting online.

Oadby Library will be offering free one hour Internet taster sessions. To book your free place Tel: 0116 305 8763 or visit www.leics.gov.uk/oadby_library

Loughborough Library helps the internet-shy

Friday 15 May is Silver Surfers’ Day and there will be free sessions in libraries across Leicestershire where older people (50 – 100+) can find out what they can do on the internet.

This could include keeping in touch with friends and family across the globe,   booking a holiday, doing the shopping, sharing photographs, catching up with missed TV programmes and much, much more.

There is something for everyone on the internet. The library, with its informal, relaxed atmosphere and friendly, supportive staff to help is an ideal place to take that first step to getting online.  Find out more at Loughborough Library:

• Ebay for beginners Friday 15th May 10.00am
• Family History for beginners Friday 15th May 1.30 – 3.00pm

Places are limited.  To book your free place 01509 212985/266436.   Visit www.leics.gov.uk/loughborough_library

Library are Social 2.0!

Get social with Leicestershire Libraries on social networking websites Facebook and Twitter:

Follow Libraries on Twitter  – http://twitter.com/leicslibraries

Become a fan of Libraries on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leicester/Leicestershire-Libraries/44867162917

Love Libraries all the time via our Website – www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Family tree help for complete beginners

Television is increasing the popularity of researching family history, but for those who find it harder than the programmes make out, help is at hand.  Libraries are running a series of sessions for family history novices to learn how to get started on the research.  The free events will be held across the county during April and May.  Whether people have local family roots or not, these sessions will give basic information, show useful websites and direct people to relevant library resources.  Places on the sessions are limited, and booking is necessary.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for Community Services, said: “These events, which we hold twice a year, are extremely popular and are often over-subscribed.  “People who have taken part have said how pleased they are with all the interesting and helpful information and advice given and say the event has given them the confidence, motivation and encouragement to start studying their family history.”
Sessions will be held on:

22nd April. Glenfield Library (0116 305 3591)
23rd April. Glenhills Library (0116 305 3530
1st May. Kirby Muxloe Library (0116 305 3715)
12th May. Blaby Library (0116 305 3516)

For people who are unable to get to an event, libraries can still help. There are many books and websites giving information on how to research family history.  www.leics.gov.uk/focus_on_family_history

New IT opportunities at your local library

New opportunities to brush up on IT skills are now available in Glenfield and Blaby.

Computing in the Library

Customers have long had the opportunity to have an introduction to the internet or email for free at their local library. Now they will have the chance to learn how to use Microsoft Word, download digital photos, shop online and use the libraries fabulous Online Reference Service, which contains a wealth of information for study and leisure, including free access to ancestory.com.
These new sessions will give customers the chance to build on their IT skills with the library and learn how to use some of the most popular and useful tools available.
Sessions are free and held at:

Glenfield Library (0116 305 3591)
Blaby Library (0116 305 3516)
Kirby Muxloe Library (0116 305 3714)
Glenhills Library (0116 305 3530)

Contact your local library to book a session.

Step up your finances

Libraries are great places to save money – free books, free computer use, free events – and now they are even helping everyone to manage their money better and make it go further and learn new skills.  During April and May, libraries are inviting everyone to step up their finances with a Focus on Money promotion giving lots of information and the chance to win a £20 shopping voucher.

Local libraries will be promoting a wide range of books to suit everybody on money related topics and money saving help such as growing vegetables, home cooking, buying and selling online and DIY.  Focus on Money also highlights websites that have money saving ideas and information and advice to help people get in control of their money. Library staff will be on hand to help customers find the information they need.
For those who need a bit more help libraries can provide information on organisations that provide free, confidential and independent advice.

More details can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/libraries/focus_on_money

Glenfield Library helps Mums and Dads get online

Glenfield Library has organised an Information Open Day with plenty of activities for all the family to join in with on Monday 30 March 2009 from 10.00am – 8.00pm.

Computing in the Library

Children, parents, carers, family and friends are all invited to pop into the library and use the computers to find out what the internet is all about and explore free online information resources available.

A recent study conducted by the London School of Economics has found that the internet is the most common tool available to young people to search for information, engage in online discussions and participate in web-based activities.  On the other hand parents are often unaware of the risks that young people face while they are on the internet and need help in understanding how to deal with good and bad internet experiences.

Glenfield library will be offering people an opportunity to surf the internet safely, try interesting websites to do with homework, look for consumer information before shopping online and play games. Staff will be on hand to help with these activities and all the other exciting interactive online journeys available on the Information Open day.  For further information, visit www.leics.gov.uk/glenfield_library