Cheers for Coding @ the Library

You’re never too old – or too young – to learn the mysteries of coding.  For those of us of a certain age, “coding” is the newer terminology for “computer programming,” and it is fast becoming a ubiquitous job skill, even for fields outside the tech world. In recognition of that fact, educators around the globe have launched a project called the Hour of Code, which seeks to introduce people of all ages and computer experience levels to the basics of coding during Computer Science Education Week (December 7-13 this year). In the few years Hour of Code has been going on, over 146,151,391 people have participated so far.

In Ridgefield the K-8^th grades in the public schools, plus many students at local private schools, are participating in Hour of Code this week.  At the Library, we have scheduled numerous activities to bring others into the coding fold.  We have open lab times available, along with structured hands-on workshops for preschoolers, parents, seniors and more. Check our website for the schedule, come in for help, or go straight to ridgefieldcodes.org to get started on your own.  It’s simple and fun!  The entire Library staff will be participating this year, and we invite you to join us.

Online Learning with Lynda.com

Do you want to keep up to date on the software you use?  The Ridgefield Library’s newest online resource lynda.com is for you.  This powerful learning tool offers over 3,400 video courses for professional and personal development.

These instructional videos, taught by experts in their fields, can be accessed anywhere an Internet connection is available.  Topics offered include business and management skills, software training, design and web development, 3D and animation, and computer programming.   You’ll also find a wealth of instruction on photography and multimedia editing. Videos are searchable by topic and can be viewed in short segments. 

Seeking a job or professional advancement?   Lynda.com is a powerful tool for information on job search strategies, designing a resume, preparing for an interview, and managing your career.  Once you’ve finished a course, upload a Certificate of Completion to your LinkedIn profile.

All you need to get started is a Ridgefield Library card.  We will be offering training sessions on using lynda.com on June 17th, June 18th, and June 19th in the Library’s Donofrio Family Technology Center.   To register for one of these sessions or to start learning, visit our website at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.  

Contributed by Dorothy Pawlowski, Head of Adult Services

Genealogy Research Using Ancestry Library Edition

Ever wonder about your family tree? Are you the family historian trying to sort through great aunts and uncles, cousins, neighborhoods, and World War II service tales?

Ancestry Library Edition delivers billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos, etc. It includes records from North America, United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, with more countries added on a regular basis. With the addition of the 1940 census records, World War II draft registration cards, naturalization records, passports, and passenger lists you don’t need a huge amount of information to begin a fascinating journey tracing your family’s roots.  Ancestry is the world’s largest genealogy research tool and it is available on the public computers in the Ridgefield Library.

We are offering two programs this month on using Ancestry: one for students in grades 8-12 on Wednesday, March 18 from 3:30-5:00 PM led by Gayle Pulley, Head of Children’s Services, and the other for adults on Thursday, March 24 from 1:00-2:30 PM led by Adult Services Librarian Mary Lee. Both groups will meet in the Library’s Donofrio Technology Center. Please register on our website’s Events Calendar. Get started researching your family history!

Contributed by Adult Services Librarian Mary Lee

Keeping your New Year’s Resolutions

Whatever your resolutions for the New Year, the Ridgefield Library is here to help you fulfill them. 

Improve your computer skills.  Our Atomic Training web-based instructional programs offer video training on hundreds of the most commonly used applications from Microsoft, Apple, Google, Adobe and more.  All you need is your Ridgefield Library card number to sign on and improve your job or personal productivity skills. 

Take care of yourself so you can take better care of your family.  The Noreen L. Papa “Mothers Life your Live” Fund brings to the Library programs and resources promoting women’s health and wellness.  Check our event calendar for upcoming activities.

Read more.  With 5 monthly book discussion groups focusing on genres from mysteries to poetry, the Library can give you the incentive needed to pick up those books you have been meaning to read. New readers are always welcome!  Or check out Books & Breakfast, the monthly gathering where Library staff and patrons share what they have been reading recently. 

Get more out of reading with your children.  Our new Conversational Reading initiative offers hands-on workshops and take-home kits to help you get the most out of time spent reading together with the youngsters in your life.

What’s New for the New Year @ Your Library

We are always on the lookout for fresh ideas to keep your library experience exciting and relevant.  Here are just a few of the new things you can look forward to at the Ridgefield Library in 2015.

• ·         Acceptance of passport applications, starting later in the winter – don’t forget to pick up a travel guide while you are here doing the paperwork!
• ·         The Library will serve as a meet-up site for a new MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) on art history – a follow-up to our very successful experiment with the Fiction of Relationship course last year.
• ·         New classes on CAD programming and 3D printing, plus availability for patrons to bring their own designs and projects to the Library for 3D printing.
• ·         A three-part series called Law through Film that uses award-winning films and expert moderators to stimulate conversation about important social and legal issues
• ·         Wireless printing capability from laptops and other devices
• ·         More drop-in programs for youngsters.  Look for Nature Explorers for ages 3-5 and Music & Movement for ages 2-5 on Wednesdays starting in January.
• ·         New reading lists for many of our monthly book discussion groups.

Have a Happy New Year, and stay tuned for details of these projects as the seasons unfold.