Safe Searching

We have a lot of children come to the library to use our internet. We always have a parent sign a consent form, and make them aware that we don’t have search restrictions. It’s up to them to monitor what they’re children are doing on the internet, just like it would be at home.

I came across this wonderful search engine just for kids that I might start recommending. It’s called KidRex and features colourful graphics and safe search options. What makes this so different?  The site is powered by Google’s SafeSearch and Google Custom Search technology that screens sites for unacceptable content. The site’s researchers plug in keywords everyday to make sure that no sexually explicit sites pop up, and so it is nice know it is monitored on a regular basis since sites often find ways to prey on unsuspecting youngsters.

Not sure how to get your kids to use it?  Why not set it as your homepage?  It’ll pop up right away and they won’t have to go searching for it!

Be creative!

After a long weekend, it’s hard to get back into the swing of things. It would be nice to sit in a cozy coffee shop, chatting with a friend without a care in the world.  But what if you have to go back to work? Can you keep that relaxed feeling and still get things done?  I have a great solution for you!

This weekend, I came across a website called Coffitivity.  It plays ambient coffee house sounds on your computer, and you can even add your own music to the mix.  It’s relaxing and yet stimulating enough to make your silent office or home less, well, lonely. Just visit the site and then get to work. What a great idea!

Is it Correct?

        

Do you use our online catalog at home?  Did you know the website address changed recently?  While many of you have dropped in and picked up a slip with our new address on it, we’re sure that a lot of you are still using the old link (and the old website).  While the old link re-directs you to an offshoot of our current site, it is somewhat complicated and makes searching for books a little daunting. (No one needs to search through 1800 links to one book just to see if Carleton Place owns it!)

So please, if you’re still using the old link (http://carletonplace.canlib.ca), please go to the new website address (http://olc.canlib.ca) and change your bookmark/favourite to the new web address.  It will make your life a lot easier, we promise!

 

 

You can say that again!

Just a bit of fun to end your year. Recite This is such a fun way to create a typographic poster of your favourite quote (or use of of theirs).  It’s simple…just type in your quote and it will generate a template that you can download to your computer, upload right to Facebook or Twitter, add a PIN to Pinterest or post on Tumblr or StumbleUpon.  Here’s our quote for today:

Happy New Year’s Eve from the staff at the Carleton Place Public Library. And of course we’ll renew your books for you! (Just call us and leave a message.)

I need a Computer!

Our computers are always so busy. We have “regulars” who drop in almost every day to check email, use Facebook or play games. And then we have people who come by only when their home computers are acting up, or we might see people on vacation who need to catch up. We also have free Wi-Fi access for people who bring in their devices, or computers.  Whatever the reason, we’re happy to provide this service to our community.

We have three public computer stations that you can book for a 1/2 hour or an hour each day.  We also have two express computers that you can use for 15 minutes at a time. Each computer has a printer installed, so if you need to print something, it only costs 25 cents per page. Plus, we have Microsoft Word on all three of our regular computer stations to help out with those school projects or resumes. And if we don’t have it installed, feel free to download a program to use while you’re here.

If you know you’re going to need some time, please call us (613-257-2702) and book a computer. That way, you’ll be sure to get the time you need. However, you can always take a chance and drop in. There might be one available.

Need a computer?  Chances are, we’ve got one!

No Sock Puppets!

 

There’s a nasty trend happening called “sock puppet reviewing”…and no, it has nothing to do with the cute little friends you wear on your hands. It’s the sneaky practice of people who write book reviews on major sites such as Amazon, using fake names.  What’s really starting to be a problem is that there are several published authors who have recently been accused and one of them even caught writing bogus reviews.  These writers are giving themselves five star reviews, which is bad enough, but then they use other names and post one star reviews for other authors’ works.

Why is this so disturbing?  Despite the fact it is lying, people often rely on online reviews now when purchasing books. Our income is not so disposable now that all of us can purchase books whenever we like,  so hearing/reading about a book prior to purchasing can really help. But what if some of those reviews are skewed? I know that I’ll stop reading a review if there are a lot of spelling or grammar mistakes, so a well-written review will often get my attention.  I presume most of these authors writing their own reviews would stand out.

And maybe that’s what caused one such author to be caught. Prize-winning mystery writer R. J. Ellory was recently declared to be writing bogus reviews, caught by another author, Jeremy Duns, who had suspected him for quite some time.  Did he recognize a similar writing style to Ellory?  Were the reviews so similar, even when posted under different names, that he couldn’t mistake them.  I suppose  these fakers assume no one will read widely enough to make a connection.

Since then, hundreds of popular authors have shared their support for the idea that reviews should be truthful.  You can see the authors and post your own comment in support of people using the web for good and not evil, so to speak, right here. You can also read an article about the sock puppet reviews.

What do you think about authors posting fake reviews? On the same line, do you think it’s okay for “regular” people not involved in the publishing world to post fake reviews?