Thursday, December 18, 2008

Tracking Your Reading History

Want to be able to look back on what you've read in the past? You can choose to track your library reading history by maintaining a confidential online reading list accessible only by you.

If you are like me, and can't remember that really awesome author you read last year...this would be a great help.

If this sounds like a service you might be interested in, go to http://catalog.lioninc.org/search
Then go to My Account and login. You can then go to the My Reading History choose to Opt In.

If you decide you no longer want to participate in this service you have the option to go into your account and Opt Out.

Happy Reading (and remembering what you read, too!)

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Decorating the Library for the Season


Come by the library and see the holiday decorations...the library is looking very festive. We have put up a winter village, christmas trees, window displays, bright lights and a menorrah.
Downtown Norwich is having a Holiday Window challenge, and this year the Otis Library hopes to win!!!
Wish us luck!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

New Automotive Repair Database Available at Otis Library



We are happy to announce that Otis Library has purchased the Automotive Repair Resource Center (ARRC) database.

During these tough economic times some people might be more apt to try some car repairs, and we have a great resource that you can use from the comfort of your home! The database offers wiring diagrams, recalls, repair schedules and much, much more!



I have noticed there have been quite a few requests at the reference desk for the Chilton's or the Haynes manuals (which we still have). Hopefully, this new database, which is fully accessible from home will help DIY-minded people to diagnose and repair whatever ails their cars.
You will need your Otis Library card to login when you are at home. It will ask for the 14-digit barcode on the back of the card.

As always, if you have any questions on any of the services we offer, feel free to call us at the library @ 889-2365 x 109 or email us ref@otis.lioninc.org.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Local Painter Donates Paintings to Otis Library

The Otis Library has accepted a very graious donation of five large paintings done by the Norwich native, Daniel Topalis.



Daniels says,"I hope that the viewer will question their own sensibilities from personal predjudices in these works". Both staff and patron comments on the added artwork through the library has been very complementary. We truly appreciate the donation from Mr Topalis, and the energy the artwork has lended to the library walls.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Otis Library Open on Saturday and Sunday

Just in case you didn't know, Otis Library has re-opened on Saturdays from 9-5 and on Sundays from 12-4. So far, the library has been very quiet on these day. This is a great time to get some quiet reading done or do research for the projects that are bound to come up.

The Childrens room also has some exciting programs coming up on Saturdays, plus a Pumpkin Decorating Activity scheduled on October 26th form 1-3.

The Friends of Otis Library are also holding a book sale on October 17th, 18th, and 19th from 10-4. There is a wide varieties of materials, ranging from childrens materials through adults. Get there early, things move quickly.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Flickr Pictures

We have added a collection of '38 Hurricane pictures on Flickr. You can find it here.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Hurricane Program at Otis Library


Seventy years ago this September one of the worst hurricanes hit the Northeastern seaboard. They called it the Long Island Express. The Otis Library will be highlighting the anniversary of the '38 Hurricane with a program by Meteorologist Art Horn. He will be presenting the program "Hurricane: The Ultimate Storm". It is guaranteed to be an exciting program.

To reserve your spot for this program, please call 889-2365 x100.

PBS has an excellent website dedicated to the stories of the victims and a Teacher's Guide if anyone was interested in doing that as a lesson plan.

They also have some great pictures on the site of the Connecticut State Library.


If you have any pictures or stories about the Norwich, CT area during or after the '38 Hurricane that you would like to share or give to the library we would be interested in hearing from you.

Fine Free September at Otis Library

Attention Otis Patrons:

If you are too embarrassed to bring back your long overdue items, don't wait any longer!!! Starting September 1st at 9am and ending September 30th at 8pm, Otis Library will wipe those nasty fines away! We don't mind it if you drop them off in the book drop at the library, or the drops at Marcus Plaza, Dime Bank or Meadow Plaza. (Anything due before 2006 must be returned in person to get them cleared off their records.)

If those long overdue items have been staring at you from under the coffee table or have just fallen out of your child's back pack from June---don't worry we will let you get away with it for free!

Well, there is one thing...they must be in good working order. If they are falling apart you will need to pay the piper, or in this case the library. We do have some exciting databases, programs and items that you might like to check out in the future...and it would be so much easier if you just bite the bullet and clean up your library card.

Monday, August 18, 2008

When You're Waiting at the Library

A lot of times people come in to the library to kill time, have a meeting, or just use our public computers. Don't forget while you have some extra time on your hands we have a large magazine and newspaper collection. Newspapers include: The Day, The Norwich Bulletin, The Boston Globe, The Providence Journal, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

We have a list of the magazines here. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Just so you know, the newest issue of a magazine doesn't circulate, but the past issues do.


Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Introductory Computer Classes at Otis Library


I have been asked quite a few times about why the library doesn't offers computer classes. Due to the interest and your suggestions, the Otis Library will be offering an introductory computer class. If the interest continues, we will hopefully be offering more computers classes, such as word processing, spreadsheets, internet, etc.


This two-part class will be offered on September 3 & 10 at 9-9:45 am. If you, or someone you know in Norwich, CT would like to learn more about the basics of computers you can register for the class at, 889-2365 x112. Or send an e-mail to: ref@otis.lioninc.org

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Perseids are in Norwich!


Don't worry it is just a meteor shower! The Perseid's spark a lot of interest in the astronomical world. (Well at least I think the do). They have some really nice pictures at NASA. The picture below is also from NASA.
As long as there is little to no clouds, you should be able to see a good meteor show, but do try to stay away from the city lights. You can always check the Norwich weather here.

In my day Pluto was still a planet... which makes me wonder if all the books at Otis are up to date, and if we have taken out the "Pluto as a planet" references. Hmm, we'll have to see.

Anyway, for all of you Norwich residents who are looking for something to do between 2:00 am and 4:00 am on August 12th, go outside and see a meteor shower! Unfortunately, I can not tell your boss that you are excused from work because you are too tired from becoming astronomically educated.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Wireless at Otis Library

If you have a laptop or PDA and your wireless connection is on the fritz; feel free to come by the library and use our open (and free) wi-fi connection. The connection is available from right out side the front door throughout the whole building. You are more than welcome to eat, drink and chat with your friends and use your laptop over in our Media Center. As you come in the front door the Media Center is on the left.





We also have a couple of study rooms that you can book at the reference desk (@ 889-2365 x108) for two hour time periods. These rooms would be great if you are studying for a big exam, or you have a group project and need to talk freely. The wireless is accesible in these rooms as well.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Norwich's Roses and Gardens


Some of the best flowers are in bloom right now in August. It is the perfect time to pick up your camera and add some art to your walls. If you have forgotten all the camera techniques, (or didn't know them in the first place) the library has an extensive collection of books and magazines geared towards fine tuning your camera knowhow. We have the rose garden at Mohegan Park is in its final throws of summer.




This is also the time to freeze and can your picks from your garden. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers and more should be ready to be taken off the vines and put into some great recipes for dinner or put up for the winter. All recipes can be found in these books here.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Download Your Audiobooks with your Otis Library Card

The Otis Library, in conjunction with our library consortium subscribes to a downloadable audiobook program. So... that means if you have a valid Otis Library card (or a card in the LION consortium) you can download some great audiobooks! They have the new Janet Evanovich, FEARLESS FOURTEEN and you can get put yourself on hold for BREAKING DAWN, the final book in the #1 bestselling Twilight Saga from Stephanie Meyers. Many of the titles can be sampled with chapter excerpts.

To start you will need to download some free software.

After you have installed the free software, you may browse the audiobook collection, check out audiobooks, and put others on hold.

They offer both children's and young adult titles, as well.

The best thing is NO FINES!!! (Well that and you can't lose it, or spill something on it, and the dog can't chew it!!!)

Friday, July 25, 2008

Genealogy and Local History Room at Otis Library


The Reference Department, with much help from our Technical Department is going through our Genealogy collection and updating it. Well, updating in the sense that we are trying to make it more accessible to the people who are interested in Norwich and it's history. We have found some very exciting things, some great maps, interesting old newspaper clippings and some wonderful pictures of the area.

We also found some great items documenting the '38 Hurricane. Hopefully we will be putting together a display for everyone to see the items in our collection dealing with the hurricane.

Feel free to come on down and see what we have in our Genealogy room, it is filled to the brim with Norwich lore, and we would be more than happy to show you around.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

IM Reference Services at Otis

The reference desk is going to experiment with IM reference services. If you used either, Google Talk, Yahoo IM, or Meebo that you can get your reference questions answered online! Our user name at all three services is: otisreference.


We think this would be a great way to communicate and answer questions while you surf the internet. If you need help on you homework, or help finding a kitchen measure conversion, or if you have any other burning questions, write to us!

We can answer children's, teens or adult questions.

*Please don't ask any type of emergency questions (call 911 for that), or ask us to renew your library materials. You may renew your materials, ask for ILL's or ask us to put a book on hold for you at 889-2365 x108*

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

New York Times Best Sellers at Otis

Did you know that we have a majority of the New York Times Bestsellers? Every week we highlight the items that Otis has on the bestseller list. We also have most of Oprah's bestsellers, as well. Come down to the library and see what we have on hand. If you don't see it on the shelf, feel free to ask us to put it on hold for you. If you don't have time to come down, give us a call at 889-2365 ext. 109 and we can put it on hold on your Otis or any other registered Connecticut library card.