How to ... Comics Plus (Library edition)

Lockdown again?! That's okay because whilst you can't pick up a physical copy of a comic; you can read an eComic through Comics Plus!

The how-to guide in the video focusses on the web version; however, logging in to the app is the same and the features inside are the same as the web version too, just in different places on your screen. Easily transferrable skills!

So have a go at another of our Library's great eResources ... there's a plethora of different kinds of reads for different kinds of people. 

Oh, and if you do want a couple of tps for the app on your devices: 

The menu bar for searching 'Featured', 'Popular' etc. is in the top left corner of the screen; searching via keywords is the top right; and 'My shelf' is down the bottom in a menu bar. 

Get away with an action-packed or character-driven comic today 😊

 

How to ... LOTE for kids

Access the resource here. 

Want your child to read books in their own language? Or see the English equivalent?

LOTE Online for Kids is for you! 

So, what really is this wonderful new resource for our library?

It is a resource that holds digital books for children in over 20 languages with English translations.

All you have to do is click on the link on our children's eResources page here. Then, log in with your library card number! Don' forget the 'C' and 'D' at the beginning and end of the number. 

Once you do, the page will look like this:

Once you have found a language, click on it, and it will come up with titles to choose in that language, as well as the English translation. And don't worry; you will also get to hear the translation and not just read it; enabling children (and possibly adults) to learn new or develop current reading and listening skills. 

It's so easy! Find children's books in your own language; or, I guess you could even give a shot at hearing stories in other languages and learn something along the way. 

So don't just be introduced to LOTE, start using it today!

How to ... Trove!

What is Trove, I hear you ask?

Trove is an online resource that was created by the National Library of Australia. It collects information on Australian resources and allows people to have access to read and view these items, or shows you which libraries have them for you to view in person.

These collections come from all across Australia to represent communities, cultures and research. For example; you can look for items about and created by First Australians or you can look for newspapers from the 1800s. There are even digital versions of maps, images, journals and sheet music that can be viewed and explored by you!

If you were feeling incredibly interested in these newspapers also, for example, you could also spend time trying to transcribe what was written down for future generations to read.

Not only does it sound fun; Trove has also relaunched itself today!

So ... tips?

• For starters, if you want to get the most out of your site visit, you could use their "How to use Trove" video.

• No matter whether you choose to "Explore", "Categories", Community", "Research" or "First Australians" when looking for information, you can narrow your search by clicking on "all categories" beside the search bar to choose book and libraries; newspapers and gazettes; or websites, to name a few.

• If you are on the homepage and scroll to the bottom, there is a pink highlighted bar that shows more you can do on Trove. This includes investigating your family history through state and territory and overseas links to archives and resources. If you had spare time and wanted to take up a new hobby you could edit and read news articles from the past. You could spend time discovering more about Australian culture. Or last, but certainly not least, by clicking on the final option, find new, interesting or quirky information that Trove has uncovered to share.

There is a lot to discover on Trove that relates to Australian and First Australian history and culture. Take your time exploring this site and stay in the know about events and news they have coming up in the future. 

Whatever the reason for looking at Trove ... you won't be disappointed with the opportunities and information available to you. So go ahead, visit today!

How to ... Hobbies! Wait, hobbies?

Interested in starting a new hobby? Want to increase your skills of a current one? Just want to grab that pattern or find out just "how to" ... do whatever it is you want to do?

Introducing Hobbies and Craft Reference Centre. This is an online resource that offers information, how-tos, patterns, videos and articles on a range of topics that people know a lot about, know nothing about or would like to know more about for educating and entertaining themselves.

Sounds like a lot of fun!

To access this resource, it can be found down near the bottom of our eResearch page on our website.

Clicking on the link to Hobbies Centre will open up a log in page. Add your library card number on the back of your card (don't forget the C and D) and you are in.

This front page then separates hobbies and crafts into different subjects to help you break down your search: Arts and crafts; Collecting; Home and garden; Indoor recreation; Kids' craft; Model building; Needlecraft and textiles; Outdoor recreation; Performing arts; Science and technology; and Scrapbooking and papercrafts.

By clicking the topic of your choice, it will take you to a page where it is broken down into smaller subjects. 

So give it a try. And, of course, if you need help in any way, don't forget to contact a library staff member who will be happy to help you.

What hobby can you start today that could impact you or others tomorrow?

How to ... cloudLibrary!

Just a quick post for all you out there who might want a little help with cloudLibrary.

• The first tip is to make sure that if you use cloudLibrary on multiple devices (laptop, tablet, phone, etc.) that you always log in the same way. What this means is that if the first time you created your account you typed in C111111D, then you always need to remember to add the C and D when logging in the next time. 

• We also have a lot of videos on the website here that might help you if you get stuck with anything technically. Try them out!

• You are able to borrow, put items on hold (or reserve) and renew items just like if you were with us in person! The limit for borrowing is generally three (3) items at a time and the length of borrowing is three (3) weeks.

• Items can automatically return themselves ... there are no overdue fines! However, that means if it has disappeared from your account that you will need to re-borrow it if you haven't finished that lengthy tome.