Technology

OverDrive, a supplier of downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks to the Troy Public Library, has released updates to their OverDrive Media Console apps for Android and Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads. The new updates include new background settings, screen overrides for eBooks, improved performance, and more.

If you already have these apps installed on your Android device or iPhone/iPad, be sure to check the app for these new updates. If you do not have them installed already, you can download OverDrive Media Console for Android through the Android Market or download the iPhone/iPad version of OverDrive Media Console through the iTunes App Store.

For more information about these new releases, see this post from the OverDrive Digital Library blog.

If you own a BlackBerry and use OverDrive, you can now download eBooks directly to your device. In addition to MP3 eAudiobooks, OverDrive's new Media Console for BlackBerry v2.1 app now supports direct downloading of EPUB eBooks. After downloading the app to your BlackBerry, use the "Get Books" feature within the app to browse and download eBooks. 

In order to use this app with your BlackBerry, you must have BlackBerry OS 4.5 or newer for non-touchscreen devices or BlackBerry OS 4.7 or newer for touchscreen devices. You can download the app directly here.

Computer class listings offered by the Troy Public Library as shown on page 20 of the Spring 2011 edition of Troy Today are incorrect. The correct dates and times are:

Computer Basics 1

Wednesdays, March 16 and 23, 1 pm
Wednesdays, April 20 and 27, 1 pm

Beginning Word 2007

Wednesdays, March 2 and 9, 1 pm
Thrusdays, April 7 and 14, 10 am

Beginning Excel 2007

Tuesdays, March 15 and 22, 1 pm
Tuesdays, April 12 and 19, 1 pm

Beginning PowerPoint 2007

Tuesdays, March 1 and 8, 1 pm
Wednesdays, April 6 and 13, 1pm

Registration is currently open for March classes. Registration for April classes begins Friday, March 11 at 10 am. For a complete schedule of classes and to register online, please see our calendar here.

If your New Year's resolution was to learn a new language, you now have more languages available to you through the Troy Public Library's language learning eResource, Mango Languages. Mango has added several new languages to its offerings, including Cantonese Chinese, Croatian, Danish,  Finnish, Haitian Creole, Irish, Levantine Arabic, Norwegian, and Urdu; and English as a Second Language for Mandarian Chinese speakers.

If you have never tried Mango Languages, now is a great time. To access this eresource, you will need a Troy Public Library card. Click eResources on the left under Library Links. Click on Language Learning, then Mango Languages.

Try it and let us know what you think.

Registration for the Troy Public Library's February computer classes opens on Tuesday, January 11, at 10 am.

Each month, the Library offers hands-on, public computer classes free-of-charge. These classes are made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Troy Public Library.

For more information about public computer classes at the Library, email the Technology Department, or phone 248.524.3542.

OverDrive, a provider of downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks to the Troy Public Library, has updated its OverDrive Media Console apps for iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, and Android devices. These allow users to download eBooks in the EPUB format directly to their mobile device. Additionally, the apps continue to allow direct downloading of MP3 format eAudiobooks. 

You can download the new apps here or by going to the Apple App Store or the Android Marketplace on your mobile device.

OverDrive will soon be releasing improved apps for other mobile devices, including BlackBerrys and iPads.

For more information, see this post from the Library's Technology Department blog. To access OverDrive, click here.