Visually Impaired Computer

IT has returned the visually impaired computer and the SARA.

I spoke with Heidi Miller who works with the Access Center at Central. She said that she always asks someone who wants to use the assistive equipment what software they are familiar with before she lets them use the computers. If they are familiar with JAWS (the software that reads the screen to them), then she shows them the computer and lets them use it. If they have never used it before, she is not certified to train them on it and they will have a very hard time using it.

There are two places in Houston that train folks to use JAWS and other assistive technologies.

The Lighthouse of Houston is located near Marston at 3602 West Dallas Street Houston, TX 77019-1704 (713) 527-9561

Houston Center for Independent Living is located at 6201 Bonhomme Rd # 150S Houston, TX 77036-4433
(713) 974-4621

Both places offer training on assistive technologies including JAWS.

We also have a laptop with Dragon Naturally Speaking on it but a customer would have to book the meeting room to be able to access the computer and not disturb the entire library.

GED Prep Classes

These are the Spring 2011 Adult Basic Education/GED Prep classes scheduled to launch next Monday, January 10, 2011, as part of WeCAN Works partnership with Houston Community College’s Adult Education Program. The classes are scheduled to run through Thursday, June 16, 2011, at the following HPL locations:

Carnegie Neighborhood Library
Monday – Tuesday, 10 am – 1 pm
Wednesday, 11 am – 2 pm

HPL Express Frank Library
Monday & Thursday, 11 am – 2 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 am – 1 pm

HPL Express Southwest Library
Tuesday – Thursday, 6 pm – 8:30 pm

Smith Neighborhood Library
Monday & Wednesday, 11 am – 3 pm
Tuesday, 10 am – 2 pm

Vinson Neighborhood Library
Monday – Wednesday, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Additionally, a class will be offered at the following WeCAN site:

Burnett Bayland Community Center| 6200 Chimney Rock – Houston, TX 77081
Tuesday – Wednesday, 9 am – 2:30 pm
Thursday, 9 am – 2 pm

Transfering Money from library cards to new print card

As of today, 1/5/11 the Pharos server is gone.

Use this link to look up old balances and take money off of the HPL card
https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/cgi-bin/database/pharos/current_funds.pl

You will need your HPL Intranet password to access this link. Please contact the HPL IT Helpdesk, at 832-393-1570, if you don’t know your password.

There is a word document on the reference desk computer that shows a screen shot of the new way to do it.

I have also bookmarked the site on both reference desk computers as hpl Pharos Balances.

Laurie

Overdrive and supported readers

I just had a customer ask if our e-books on Overdrive would work on a Kindle.

According to the Overdrive page http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/compatibleebookdevices.aspx the Barnes and Noble Nook, Kobo eReader, Pandigital Novel, and Sony Reader will work on the ePub and PDF e-books.

There is also a list of devices that will work for the audiobooks. See the webpage: http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/compatibledevices.aspx

Energy Efficiency Program

Erin Cody at Kendall had a customer report that the news says the library has forms for the city energy efficiency program. Here is the link for the application online:
http://www.houstontx.gov/reep/application-english.pdf

More information is available on the REEP homepage: http://www.houstontx.gov/reep/applications.html

Free Discount Prescription Cards

The cards are on the bookcase behind the reference desk (more are under the desk by the network printer).

On Thursday, the city announced a new prescription drug program that provides discounts to those who need it most.

The program promises to pay up to 40 percent of a prescription drugs cost and it's accepted at most major pharmacies. So how is it possible?

While anyone can use the card, if you have insurance you are probably already getting a better deal for prescription medications.

It's called the Coast to Coast RX card. It offers discounts on prescription drugs to anyone who uses it. The card will soon be made available to residents within the city of Houston to anyone who wants one.

If you present the card at participating pharmacies, we're told you'll receive a discount of about 40 percent. There are about 60,000 drugs covered by the card and it will be accepted at places like CVS, Walgreens and even Walmart pharmacies.

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.