Self Paced Online Computer Tutorials

You can find some self-paced online tutorials Word 2007, Excel 2007, Access 2007, and PowerPoint 2007 on the IT Department page on the Intranet https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/depts-it.html Then click on Windows 7 + Office 2007 from the choices on the left.

Sign In Database

If you wish to see when you signed in you can view the database at: http://tiny.cc/0f0os

You will need to sign in as hplnlstaff@gmail.com and the password is the staff password.

Headphones for sale!

We now have headphones for sale. They are $2 each at the Check out desk.

Problems with Tutor.com

Craig Bertuglia sent this via email:
In the past week I had two separate telephone complaints routed to me about tutors not being available on Tutor.com. Here is the response I got from the company, in case you experience similar complaints:

The way our system works is to take the total number of sessions purchased by the library and spread them out (by the hour) across the full year. So, for hours when there is higher demand than session availability, the patrons may receive the “busy message.” This does not mean that all of the sessions for the year are used, but only for that one particular hour. The system then resets every hour, making more sessions available.

I suggest for patrons that have received the message that they search through the SkillsCenter Resource Library to see if they can find a helpful instructional video or information website to use. If they are still in need of assistance from a tutor, logging in at the beginning of each hour may help.


Sincerely,

Craig Bertuglia
Central Teen Room

Printers in the building

The Printers in the building are for work related printing only. Please do not print personal items.

The printer at the reference desk has a very short life for the cartridge and it is difficult to get replacement cartridges so this is very important.

FLIP kits

The new FLIP(Family Literacy Involvement Program)kits have arrived with a brand new kiosk. The kits contain books and a related activity for children and parents to do together. The kits are not to be opened or used in the library as some contain glue/paint.

Important Points:
FLIP kits are like library books and may be checked out for two weeks at a time and may be renewed online
All kits returned by customers go to CMH to be "refurbished" via delivery.
If the book is missing from the kit when it is returned by a customer, then it is put on the patrons record and they must pay for it just like a regular library book.
Kits that come in delivery must have a "refurbished" note on it. This means that all of the other materials in the bag have been replenished.

English Groups and Classes at HPL

We occasionally receive requests for information about the classes and groups HPL offers to people who want to learn English. Here at Collier, we offer an English Conversation Group every other Saturday (3-4:30pm). Our group is mainly an opportunity for customers to practice conversing in English. I facilitate discussion questions, we do some role-playing exercises, and I include a bit of basic English instruction as well.

Central Library also offers a conversational English group which meets every Saturday from 11am to 12pm. It is also mainly a group for customers to practice speaking English.

Freed-Montrose has ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (1-4pm each day). These free intermediate English classes are offered by Houston Community College to customers age 18 to adult. Registration is required and takes place September 7-9 (1-4pm).

And finally, Stanaker library offers beginning basic English instruction to ESOL customers Tuesdays (4-6pm) and Thursdays (5-7pm). Classes are taught by a rotating group of volunteers from the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Apparently, plans are in the works for English instruction classes to be offered at more branches of the Houston Public Library starting in 2011.

-Krista Lewis Abedrabbo