Only the Very Best

The internet is huuuuuuge--everyone knows that. But did you know how huge? According to this infographic, as of December 2010, there are 255 million websites, and 21.4 million from 2010 alone. So, how do you sift through millions of sites to find only the very best of what the web has to offer? You turn to a librarian, of course. Fact: librarians know pretty much everything. As proof, check out what the intrepid staff at the New York Public Library put together for your browsing pleasure. Just plan to spend hours, days maybe, clicking through everything. And remember: we have our own information gurus on standby at the reference desk, if you don't have hours (or days) to find what you're looking for.

http://www.nypl.org/collections/nypl-recommendations/best-of-web

It's a Techno World

A recent study conducted by the University of Washington found that nearly 1/3 of Americans ages 14 and older (about 77 million people) used a public library computer or wireless network to go online in the past year. What are all these people doing? Many are searching for jobs, applying for college or government benefits, learning about their health, and connecting with their community. (see survey results)

This isn't a huge surprise here in Missoula. Every month we field more than 1,000 questions in Web Alley, our public Internet access room. And those are just the people who ask a question. Even more are regularly using the computers, or linking into our free wifi (have you seen the new electric outlets set up by eddie's coffeeshop?).

Feeling left behind the technology wave? Or just interested in honing your skills? We're now offering computer classes each week on Monday evenings and Wednesdays at lunchtime on a variety of topics from the basic like using the mouse to more complicated Excel spreadsheets - or how to get those holiday pictures from your camera to your computer and beyond.

Plus, we're opening our computer classroom on Saturday mornings to anyone interested in taking a practice test (we have online tutorials for the SATs, GREs, citizenship, and more - try the LearningExpress Library) or working on a resume (we also have resources to help you get started in your job search).

So come to the library for a class or just to use the wifi - 1/3 of Americans are doing it!

Internet search tip

Monday night from 6-7 will be our Internet Searching computer class. Remember that the more specific you can be, the better your chances for finding exactly what you want.
For instance, you are looking for a part to repair your refrigerator - a search for refrigerator parts will get you 8,560,000 results, a search for Frigidaire refrigerator parts will get you 361,000 results and a search for the part number 240337901 will narrow it down further to only 7,150 results. It may still sound like lots more than you need but it's lots better than 8 1/2 million, right?
Learn this and more at our free computer classes.
Think... more!