Visit Your Library for Lifelong Learning – A Lot of People are Doing It!
Libraries are amazing. For me, they have become so much more than the card catalogs and shelves of books that I remember from my youth. They have changed. Today they are support hubs for your lifelong learning.
This begs three questions:
- Do you visit the library?
- Do you know that you can “visit” the library to read books without physically going to the library?
- And best of all, do you know that you can read ebooks from your library for FREE?
The Popularity of the Library
There was a surprising information in a survey taken by the Gallup organization that reports that visiting the library is the most common cultural activity of Americans. In fact, the numbers propose that going to the library is more common than going to the movies and a dozen other recognized activities. This report leads to my question, do you visit the library to help you stay active and engaged as lifelong learners?
Make the Public Library your hub for lifelong learning.
Virtual Visits to the Library
I consider myself an active user of the library. However I probably only physically visit the library once a month. I borrow eBooks, read magazines and take an occasionally class all without actually visiting the library. I don’t know if the Gallup report includes my type of visit. Regardless, I applaud my local library (Hennepin County Library) for adapting and providing the types of resources that allows older adults to “visit” the library with the help of their smartphone, tablets and computers.
Borrow Books for FREE
My favorite library resource allows me to borrow ebooks to read on my table or smartphone. Although my library offers multiple tools for borrowing and reading ebooks, my favorite app is Libby. Using Libby you can browse the library including ebooks and audio books, borrow books, place holds on books you would like to read but are currently borrowed by other readers, read books, listen to audio books, return books. It is a complete tool for “visiting” the library.
In the spirit of helping older adults be lifelong learners, this week’s Nugget features the Libby app. Libby is an app that works with the OverDrive library. Rakuten OverDrive is a global distributor that works with over 43,000 libraries, schools and organization across 75 countries. Libraries contract with OverDrive to provide their communities access to the OverDrive library.
What about my Local Library?
This week’s Nugget includes a link from OverDrive where you can search to determine if you local library uses the Libby app for access to it’s ebook collection. Or you can browse your local library’s website for information about OverDrive and other resources for lifelong learners.
Featured Recipe
This Senior Tech Club Recipe is normally only available to paid members of the club. However in order to share across the community, we have opened it up for everyone’s learning. If you appreciate the learning opportunities we provide, consider a paid membership to support our efforts. This link will give you a 25% discount on an annual subscription with the coupon code “nuggets.”
News & Events
Here are news and events on the Senior Tech calendar for the coming weeks. Reply to this email if you want more information.
Here are the upcoming classes scheduled for the month of March along with links where you can receive more information. Senior Tech Time (iPhone) – St Anthony Community Services March 23 2-4 pm Stay Safe with your iPhone. This class will review the basic security and safety setup for your iPhone and iPad. This includes Touch ID, Face ID, Emergency SOS, Driving with your iPhone, Setting up Medical ID, Blocking TeleMarketers and general recommendations about avoiding phishing and malware. St. Anthony Community Services – 612-706-1166 or website Senior Tech Time (Android) – St Anthony Community Services March 25 2-4 pm How to Make your Android SmartPhone Smarter. This class explores the features of the Android smartphone that are most useful for older adults. This includes bringing widgets to the home screen, managing notifications, using Google assistant and activating do not disturb. St. Anthony Community Services – 612-706-1166 or website iPhone users who are 65+ are invited to join the Johnson & Johnson Heartline Study and receive an Apple Watch for $49. This is not only a great price for an Apple Watch but an opportunity to learn about heart health and participate in medical research. See the eligibility requirements, application and frequently asked question on the Heartline website. A fun and heart-warming story from this past week involved the family of an iPhone 11 user from Montana. They were visiting Disney World with their six-year old girl. It was a dream of her short lifetime. Starting with the iPhone 7, our iPhones have become increasingly waterproof. The iPhone 11 is the most waterproof iPhone Apple has manufactured. But dropping your iPhone into the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney World is not in the specifications. And certainly having it submerged for nearly two months is beyond belief. It survived! You can read the story at the MacRumors web site and then take some comfort in knowing that your iPhone is capable of surviving a dunk in a pool, ocean or lake. But don’t ever submerge your phone to wash it. Are you looking for entertainment in our hunkered down situation? HBO is offering some of its programming for FREE. In fact, all you have to do is install the HBO GO app on your iPhone or iPad and the free programs are available without registering or even creating a login. The available programs include Silicon Valley, The Sopranos, Veep and more. There are even some movies. A full list is found at the HBO website. Get the HBO GO app at the App Store. I also found the programming was available through other outlets that make HBO available. March 2020 Classes
Contribute to Medical Research & Get an Apple Watch for $49
Magical Ending to Disney World Trip
C-19 Entertainment: Watch HBO for FREE