Computer and Library Learning

You are here, so why not take a tour?

Since you already are at the Toronto Public Library's home page, why not take a tour? There is so much more there than meets the eye. Here is a video to help you get started:

 

The library web site is organized in sections. At the top you will see access to your account, and, importantly a SEARCH box, which you should use to find library materials and other information. Unlike Google and other search engines, this search box will pull up content from the library web site ONLY.

Immediately below, on the banner, are ways of specifying the kind of search you need to make: "Books, Video, Research & More," "Programs, Classes & Exhibits," and more.

Just under the banner is a suite of portals. Use these to "Find your way to Downloads & eBooks," or "Find your way to History & Genealogy." There are several more.

The centre of the page is dominated by featured content and services, such as "Blogs by Librarians," "What's New," and so forth.

If you keep scrolling you'll come to a blue section detailing services of the library, including access to the library's social networks, policies, and much more.

 

 

What were Canadians’ Top Google Searches in 2012?

Google released its snapshot of the year 2012 by listing the top searches in terms of fastest rising (or trending), by categories, by “What is…?” and so on. Without getting too personal, what were Canadians looking for as showcased on Google Zeitgeist 2012? The top 10 trending searches in 2012 for Canadians using Google were as follows: 1. Pinterest; 2. Hurricane Sandy; 3. Olympics; 4. Diablo 3; 5. Gangnam Style; 6. Hunger Games; 7. SOPA; 8. Star Académie; 9. KONY; and, 10. Zerg Rush.

Justin Bieber, Drake, Carly Rae Jepsen, Hedley, and deadmau5 were the top 5 out of 10 on the most searched Canadian Musicians list. On the top 10 most searched Canadian Politicians list, Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau, Vic Toews, Thomas Mulcair, and Peter MacKay rounded out the top five with Elizabeth May in tenth position (and the only female politician on the top 10 list). For the top 10 most searched Canadian Olympians, Milos Raonic, Alexandre Despatie, Christine Sinclair, Clara Hughes, and Ryder Hesjedal finished in the top five spots.

In the “What is…?” top 10 search list, Canadians were most interested in “Love”, followed by “SOPA”, “Gluten, “Yolo”, and “Instagram” in the second, third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.

The ranking of the top 10 most searched for Canadians in the Retail category proved to be interesting as follows:

1. eBay
2. craigslist
3. Canadian Tire
4. Walmart
5. Future Shop
6. Home Depot
7. LesPAC
8. Costco
9. Ikea
10. Sears

 

However, what happened to Kijiji? Kijiji has been left off the top 10 retail list in Canada even though Kijiji has used Google’s own Trends analytics tools to demonstrate its leading position as the most searched retail website in Canada by 2.7 times over its next closest competitor, according to a December 13, 2012 news release from Canada Newswire. Here are the results:

 

(Credit: Image with caption: "Kijiji vs. Rest According to Google Trends (Jan 2012-Nov 2012) (CNW Group/Kijiji Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121213_C8944_PHOTO_EN_21967.jpg )

 

Go to Google Zeitgeist 2012 for full details on the top global Google searches and top searches by other countries.

Toronto Public Library offers a series of free Web Basics workshops in various library branch locations to teach people how to search the Internet. Consult the Computer & Library Training list to find a suitable workshop at a convenient location and time. Both basic keyboarding and computer mouse experience are recommended to enroll in the Web Basics workshops.

(See also: What were Canadians’ Top Google Searches in 2011?)

Google's Inside Search

The Toronto Public Library's Web Basics classes are a great way to learn the fundamental skills for searching the web.  Participants learn to search using Google, Yahoo and other search engines as well as through search directories such as the library's Recommended Websites.

Once you are comfortable with these basic skills, you may want to learn more tips and tricks for finding information on the web.  This is where Google's Inside Search comes in handy. 

Inside Search is a part of Google's website and great place to find out about its search features.  You can find out how to searching websites that are in different languages, search using photos or your voice instead of text, and how to find related webpages.  There are also tricks to finding movie times, sport scores, the weather and currency conversion with just a few keywords.  Once you've mastered all these techniques, keep up to date by reading Google's Inside Search Blog.

To start working on these search skills right now, consider registering for the Power Searching with Google course which is starting July 10, 2012.  It's a free,  community-based course consisting of six 50-minute classes.  You can take the classes according to your own schedule during the two-week period the course is offered. Registrations will be accepted until July 16th and the course activities end on July 23rd.  You will need to have a free Google Account to sign up.

 

Of course, the Toronto Public Library has books available to help you become a power seacher.  Here are a some titles to get you started:

Books:

• How to find out anything: From extreme Google searches to Scouring Government Documents, a guide to uncovering anything about everyone and everything by Don MacLeod
• Google secrets: do what you never thought possible with Google by Yvette Davis

eBooks (a valid Toronto Public Library card is required to access):

• Using Google Advanced Search by Michael Miller
• Google Power Search by Stephan M. Spencer

 

 

I've taken all the classes. Now what?

At the end of Computer Training classes, people often ask me for suggestions on ways that they can continue to learn more about computers and the Internet.    When it comes to computers, the only things that never changes is that there is always something more to learn!

Here are some suggested resources to keep you learning:

Books

Print Books

I'm sure you are not surprised to find books as the first suggestion.  Books are a great source for learning about computers - and anything else for that matter.  Here are a few of the many computer-related print books that may interest you:

eBooks

The best resource for technology-related eBooks in the library is Safari Tech Books Online. This collection contains technology-related eBooks for the novice through to the expert user.  For more information on this resource, please read the Safari Tech Books Online blog post on the Career and Job Search Help Blog.  Here is a small sample of the eBooks available:

 

 

Online Tutorial Videos

Safari Tech Books Online

Safari Tech Books Online also offers training videos that can be streamed to your computer.  Here is a selection:

LearnOntario

Online software video tutorials are available to all Ontario residents through the LearnOntario portal of Knowlege Ontario.   This is a great collection of video tutorials and includes software such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, Camtasia Studio, Flash CS4, Flickr, LinkedIn,  Microsoft Access 2007, Picasa, Skype and many more. 

 

Magazines

Toronto Public Library subscribes to many magazines (both in print and 'e'versions) on behalf of library users.  The electronic version of magazines are found in our collection of databases.  Below is a selection of the technology-related magazines that are available.  The electronic versions can be accessed from home with a valid library card.

• PC World (both print and e)
• MacWorld (both print and e)
• Smart Computing in Plain English (print format only)

 

@Your Fingertips  

Each @ Your Fingertips class focuses on a specific topic about the Internet.   The subjects range from using the library website and catalogue to uploading photos, Facebook, and Job Searching. 

 

Finally, keep checking back to this Computer and Library Learning blog for more information on the world of computers and the Internet.

What were Canadians’ Top Google Searches in 2011?

Google released its snapshot of the year 2011 by listing the top searches in terms of fastest rising, by images, by news, by “What is…?” and so on. Without getting too personal, what were Canadians looking for? The top 10 fastest rising searches for Canadians using Google had the 2011 Census in first place. Other notable searches included Rebecca Black in fourth spot, Japan Earthquake in sixth position, Jack Layton in eighth place, and Royal Wedding in ninth spot.

The top 10 images searches for Canadians had Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Kim Kardashian in the top three positions respectively. The top 10 Google News searches by Canadians had Japan, Vancouver Canucks, and Libya in first, second, and third place. Fifth spot fell to the Blue Jays; while Stephen Harper was number ten in Google News searches.

In the “What is…?” top 10 search list, Canadians were most interested in “Love”, followed by “Wikipedia”, “Android” and “Tumblr” in the second, third, and fourth positions respectively.

Go to Google Zeitgeist 2011 for full details on the top global Google searches and top searches by other countries (subdivided by continents).

Toronto Public Library offers a series of free Web Basics workshops in various library branch locations to teach people how to search the Internet. Consult the Computer & Library Training list to find a suitable workshop at a convenient location and time. Both basic keyboarding and computer mouse experience are recommended to enroll in the Web Basics workshops.

Librarians in Toronto High Schools

The Library’s High School Outreach Program (HSO for short) takes librarians right into Toronto's high schools. Usually, the media centre or the school library provide the place for HSO librarians to demonstrate how library programs work, how students can register for library cards. Additionally, students find out how they can earn community service hours by volunteering at the library.

The High School Outreach librarians teach students how to hone the research skills they were introduced to by the school’s teacher-librarian. Accessing the library’s online journal and magazine articles, as well as discussion on topics such as academic integrity and finding information in reliable sources, beyond Google and Wikipedia, are covered by the librarians. These are skills that will serve students well when they go on to college and university. Furthermore, HSO librarians customize their instruction to suit both course work and grade level.

 The program is tailored for all grade 9-12 classes.

To book a High School Outreach Librarian:

For schools east of Yonge Street, email cmayne@torontopubliclibrary.ca, or call 416-886-9686

For schools west of Yonge Street, email fhersom@torontopublicibrary.ca, or call 647-393-8098

Facebook @ Your Fingertips

Of all the social networks, Facebook is the most popular. The library offers classes for you to learn about Facebook, as well as the basics for you to set up your own Facebook page. Classes are free.

It's easy to find out what branches offer Facebook classes:

From your screen go to the library's home page by clicking on the TPL logo at top left. Towards the middle of the home page, just above the banner of pictures, you will see the heading Programs, classes & exhibits. Click on it.

Next, and to the right,  you will see a box titled "Search programs". Type "facebook" and click "go"

A list of classes that either include instruction on Facebook as part of a program, or classes specifically on Facebook will appear.

To register for the Toronto Reference Library's class on September 29, 10 AM to noon, call 416-393-7209.

Genealogy on the Web

Toronto Public Library is offering Genealogy on the Web program workshops at different branches, including:

Albert Campbell Branch, 496 Birchmount Road – Thursday, June 16, 2011, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. This hands-on workshop shows some key genealogy web sites to search. Participants must be familiar with searching the web. Call 416-396-8890 to register as space is limited.

Morningside Branch, 4279 Lawrence Avenue East – Thursday, June 23, 2011, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. This hands-on workshop shows some key genealogy web sites to search. Participants must be familiar with searching the web. Call 416-396-8881 to register as space is limited.

Riverdale Branch, 370 Broadview Avenue – Ongoing: April to June and July to August 2011. Discover genealogical resources on the Virtual Reference Library. Explore censuses and vital records on Ancestry Library Edition. Search for obituaries electronically in the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail newspapers using the Pages of the Past and Canada’s Heritage Since 1844 databases. Call the branch at 416-393-7720 for further information.

Cedarbrae Branch, 545 Markham Road, is offering a similar workshop entitled Introduction to Genealogy Resources on Thursday, September 29, 2011, 2:00 to 3:30 pm. This hands-on workshop shows you how to use some key genealogy resources available to library patrons both in print and on the web. Participants must be familiar with searching the web. Call the branch at 416-396-8850 to register.

The Canadiana Department at the North York Central Library (5120 Yonge Street) has created a 6-page Research Guide to Genealogy on the Web. Contact the Canadiana Reference Desk at 416-395-5623 for further information on the research guide, genealogy programs and resources at North York Central Library.

Practice your online search skills with 'A Google A Day'

As we've previously posted on this blog, the library offers a wide range of library and computer learning workshops.  Our Web Basics II class focuses on web searching techniques and now there's a fun way to practice what you've learned with 'A Google A Day', launched in April of this year.

This online trivia game is fully explained on The Official Google Blog but in a nut-shell, a new clue is posted every day then you set out to find the answer by searching the Web using appropriate keywords and search techniques - using Google, of course.  The questions increase in difficulty throughout the week, much like the New York Times crossword puzzle.  In fact, you can find every 'A Google A Day' question printed above the daily Times crossword.

Give it a try and if you find you need a little more help, here's a list of Web Basics II classes currently being offered at Toronto Public Library branches across the city.

Memoir Writing

Different branches of the Toronto Public Library are offering programs on memoir writing, including Cliffcrest (3017 Kingston Road), Danforth/Coxwell (1675 Danforth Avenue), Deer Park (40 St. Clair Avenue East), Eatonville (430 Burnhamthorpe Road), and North York Central Library (5120 Yonge Street). Contact the specific branches for more information or to register.

Toronto Public Library has a tip sheet called Memoirs - @YourFingertips that recommends books, blog articles and websites on memoir writing.

Here are some book titles that can be borrowed from Toronto Public Library:

Abercrombie, Barbara. Courage and craft: writing your life into story. Novato, California: New World Library, 2007.

Gawthorpe, Ann. How to write your life story. Blacklick, Ohio: McGraw Hill, c2009.

Ulrich, Karen. How to write your life story: the complete guide to creating a personal memoir.  New York: Reader’s Digest Association, 2006.

Zousmer, Steve. You don’t have to be famous: how to write your life story. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books, 2007.