Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Investing in ebooks: buying the right ebook reader this holiday season

Electronic book readers are nothing new this holiday season, and are still a top notch gift choice. The prices have decreased, the features have increased. More and more ebooks are available for free from public and academic libraries, as well (see a list of local collections available below). The tech blog Mashable recently featured this guide to making an informed and educated choice when buying a electronic book reader. The article covers the basic features of ereaders, describes the variety of models available, and recommends the best picks.
Link: http://mashable.com/2011/12/13/ereader-guide/

Ebook and digital audio library resources in the Houston area, free to system account-holders or current students.

Montgomery County Memorial Library System Houston Area Digital Media Catalog (includes ebooks and downloadable audio files)
Link: http://www.countylibrary.org/ebooks.htm

The Harris County Public Library Digital Media Collection (includes ebooks and downloadable audio files).
Link: http://hcpl.lib.overdrive.com/09D2987A-A39E-487D-9E1E-BF94247C91D9/10/445/en/Default.htm

The Lone Star College Libraries' ebook collection (*limited to current Lone Star College Students only, login required).
Link: http://lonestar.edu/library/15176.htm

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Local Library Programs for December 2011

Map of library locations
Lone Star College Libraries (LSC)
Harris County Public Library (HCPL)
Montgomery County Memorial Library System (MCMLS)
Houston Public Library (HPL)

Featured program:

Friday, December 30, 2011, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Can the President Rest in Peace? The Long, Strange History of Abraham Lincoln's Body

Lecture in LRNC 131 by Alex Smith, Professor of History at LSC-CyFair, followed by a discussion (Q&A). Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War examines the crises of secession, slavery and civil liberties encountered by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and his use of the Constitution to transform the meaning of freedom in America.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214


Book Clubs

Book Clubs
Monday, December 12, 2011, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Paranormal Book Club
Newcomers are welcome! Light refreshments will be served. Please join us on December 12th in the second floor conference room for a holiday party.
LSC-Tomball College Community Library
(a joint-use public/academic facility)
30555 Tomball Parkway
Tomball, TX 77375
832-559-4200

Book Clubs
Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Evening Book/Movie Club
December's selection: "Half-Broke Horses" by Jeannette Walls
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Book Clubs
Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Book Club for Adults
or call 936-442-7705.
Join us for coffe and discussion of Helen Simonson's "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand."
MCMLS - R. B. Tullis
21569 US Hwy. 59
New Caney TX 77357
(936)-442-7705

Book Clubs
Monday, December 19, 2011, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Library Book Group
Our Book Group selection TBA.
HCPL - Kingwood Branch
4102 Rustic Woods Drive
Kingwood, TX 77345
281-360-6804

 

Computer Classes

Computer Classes
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Clase de Computadora - Introducción a Microsoft PowerPoint (en español)
Introducción a Microsoft PowerPoint (en español)
Aprenda a crear, formatear, imprimir, y guardar documentos. Habrá tiempo para preguntas.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214

Computer Classes
Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Excel: Beyond the Essentials
Excel: Beyond the Essentials
Learn advanced formatting, layout and application specific skills. Time for questions & answers is included.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214

Computer Classes
Saturday, December 17, 2011, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Adult Computer Class - Microsoft POWERPOINT - B
A presentation graphics slide program. Create attention-grabbing slides quickly. Show family photos, vacations, etc.
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Computer Classes
Saturday, December 17, 2011, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Adult Computer Class - Microsoft POWERPOINT - B
A presentation graphics slide program. Create attention-grabbing slides quickly. Exciting slides with animations AND MUSIC
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Computer Classes
Tuesday, December 20, 2011, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Adult Computer Class - COMPUTER BASICS - B
File Management, Computer Security, Virus Issues
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Computer Classes
Tuesday, December 27, 2011, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Adult Computer Class - Microsoft WORD - B
Inputting images from your camera and Word Art, internet images
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610


Special Programs

Special Programs
Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Author Chris Barton
Mitchell Branch Tuesday, Dec. 6, 7 PM The George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library presents author Chris Barton Tuesday, December 6th at 7 pm in the Community Room. My Books Go Into Libraries (But They Come From There, Too) Without these critical institutions -- too often underappreciated by policymakers, constituents and taxpayers -- my books would not be what they are. In fact, they might not even be at all.
MCMLS - George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library
8125 Ashlane Way
The Woodlands, TX77382
936-442-7728

Special Programs
Monday, December 12, 2011, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
How to Pay For College Without Going Broke
Jeremy Farmer, of College Financial Advisors, will be present to offer parents and teens plenty of information on how take care of those high college education costs. This program is free and open to anyone who wants to attend. Visit or call the library at 281-360-6804 for more information.
HCPL - Kingwood Branch
4102 Rustic Woods Drive
Kingwood, TX 77345
281-360-6804

Special Programs
Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Holiday Open House
Holiday Open House Mitchell Branch
Tuesday, Dec. 13,4:00 to 6:00 PM - Photo Opportunity for the kids with Santa - bring your camera!! 6:00 pm - WindSync in Wonderland - Get into the holiday spirit with WindSync - complete with music and choreography from Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' Suite, introductions and demonstrations of the instruments, and sing-along holiday favourites! WindSync's seasonal assembly program gives students an interactive look into a variety of holiday traditions inspired by storytelling, music, and ballet. Demonstrate your knowledge and recognition of American holiday music with plenty of group sing-alongs and energetic holiday fun!
MCMLS - George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library
8125 Ashlane Way
The Woodlands, TX77382
936-442-7728


Special Programs
Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Holiday Open House
Holiday Open House Tullis Branch
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 11:00am-4:00pm
Join us as we usher in the holiday season! Children's Storytime and photos with Santa 10:15-11:15. Performances by New Caney ISD chorale groups and holiday refreshments served throughout the day.
MCMLS - R. B. Tullis
21569 US Hwy. 59
New Caney TX 77357
(936)-442-7705