Technology

Troy residents who own Kindles, nooks, smartphones, and iPads are flocking to the Troy Library to learn about their new devices, and to check out ebooks and audiobooks. As a result, the Library is adding more and more titles to our growing collection of downloadable material. We are also excited to show our users how to use these collections.

Whether you are a brand new user or an expert on ebooks, join us for Troy Library's eReaders User Group. Bring your device, your questions and your ideas. You will have a chance to ask questions to the Library staff, and to discuss with other ereader users, what works, best practices, and tips and tricks when using your device.

Register online for our next two meetings: Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30 pm, and Thursday, April 12 at 6:30 pm. If you have questions about the eReaders User Group, call the Library's Technology Center at 248.524.3542 or email techroom@troymi.gov.

Need to improve your skills in Microsoft Word or Excel? Maybe you are ready to dive into social network sites? Perhaps you have purchased a new Kindle or nook ereader? If the answer is YES, then the Troy Public Library has a computer class for you.

Registration is now open for the Library's March classes in Beginning Word, Intermediate Word, Beginning Excel, Intermediate Excel, All About eBooks, and Finding Friends on Facebook.

Each month, the Library offers free, hands-on, public computer classes taught by Library staff. For information, email the Technology Department, or phone 248.524.3542.

Need to improve your skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint? Register for computer classes at the Troy Public Library.

The Library has classes in Beginning and Intermediate Word, Beginning and Intermediate Excel, and Beginning PowerPoint. Registration for December classes opens on Monday, November 14, at 10 am.

Each month, the Library offers free, hands-on, public computer classes taught by Library staff. For more information, email the Technology Department, or phone 248.524.3542.

Finally Kindle users can enjoy Troy Public Library's eBook collection through Overdrive.

Go the the Download eBooks, Audiobooks link on the left side of the Library's home page (under Library Links), click on OverDrive, and then on Library Books for Kindle. This will bring you to a list of titles available for Kindle. Check out the book using your Troy Library card, click on the Get for Kindle button, log onto your Amazon account, and the book will be wirelessly downloaded to your Kindle. If you see a title that you like, but it is not immediately available, click Place Hold to be notified when that title becomes available.

Don't have a Kindle? Overdrive is also compatible with the nook, Sony Reader and many other eBook readers, mp3 players, Android phones, Apple iPads, Macs and PCs. Check the list to see if your device will work with Overdrive.

The Troy Public Library's NetLibrary eBook collection has switched to a new platform called EBSCOhost. All of our eBooks that were available through NetLibrary are still available on the new platform. The NetLibrary name has been retired, replace by eBooks on EBSCOhost.

eBooks from EBSCOhost will function just like NetLibrary did. The titles will not be downloadable. Instead, you will be able to view them directly from within your browser. They are non-holdable and cannot be used on eReaders, but are always available for viewing.

If you are a regular user of NetLibrary eBooks, your account is no longer available. Any information that is associated with your account (such as notes you have taken in specific eBooks) has been deleted with your account. To use our new eBooks, simply log in with your Troy library card number.

For more information about this change, please see our blog post.

Are you interested in downloading FREE eAudibooks this summer? Now you can, thanks to Audiobook Community's SYNC campaign.

The SYNC campaign is designed to get more young adults listening to audiobooks. From June 23 through August 17, two audiobooks will be available each week for download: one current young adult title and one classic title. Each week, both books will share a common theme. All audiobooks used in the SYNC campaign are in the MP3 format and will work with both PCs and Macs. They can be transferred to a wide array of mobile devices.

Additionally, OverDrive, the vendor which provides downloadable book and audiobooks to the Troy Public Library, is distributing all of the SYNC titles. To download titles, you will need to install the OverDrive Media Console. After you have downloaded your titles from SYNC, be sure to check out other free OverDrive downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks that are available from the Library.

For more on SYNC, including the release schedule for free eAudiobooks, go here. To download this week's selections, go here. To get text reminders of upcoming titles, text syncya to 25827.