Giveaways on Facebook

Please check out our Facebook page at Otis Library Facebook and see the books we will be giving away all through this summer. Each week we will give away a new book and all you will need to do is add a comment or answer a short question.

This weeks giveaway is an Advanced Reader's copy of Elin Hilderbrand's Summerland

Plus, you have to pick up the book here at Otis, but it's okay we have some fabulous air-conditioning!

If you mention to me (Amanda) that you read this blog post, I will also give you a book bag of your choice!

The Otis Library Online Catalog

Many people may have used the library’s OPAC to conduct a basic single field search for an item using a keyword, subject, author or title. However, the online catalog offers other search features worth exploring while you are using the OPAC in the library or when your searching from your home computer. The advanced search found under the Search options tab on the catalog home page allows you to search multiple fields simultaneously (author, title etc.) while choosing to limit your search to a specific library, material type (book, audio book, DVD), language and publication date. It also gives you the ability to sort the results you receive by date, title, or relevance.

The online catalog also allows you the opportunity to widen your search to all of the collections in the LION consortium using the drop-down menu on the catalog’s home page. Likewise you can limit you search to a specific library using the same drop-down menu. Using this same menu also gives you the power to exclusively search specific types of collections (Children’s, Teen, Adult, Music, downloadable E-books and audio books). Once you locate a specific item record, a book for instance, you can continue to refine your search for other books by using three other OPAC features, subject headings, tags and the other readers liked links. The Library of Congress subject headings included in the item record are clickable links to other topics that are directly related to the item’s subject. This is important search function for persons who are looking for multiple books within a specific subject area. Collecting books as research for a term paper might be an example of a good use of searching subject heading links. Tags are very similar in nature to subject headings and serve the same function of finding other items related to the subject area of your search. Tags are subject-based links that are based on the consensus choice of people who have read specific books and taken the time to classify them. Clicking on a specific tag will bring you to a larger list of titles within the same topic area of your search. The final search function appears at the bottom of every item record. It’s called “Other Readers Liked”, and is a group of books pertaining to the same or related subject material which can be used to extend your search if you choose. Selecting each of the title links takes you to the book’s OPAC record. Reference Staff

Black Friday Technology

Black Friday Technology

Join us on Wednesday, November 9th at 6:30pm in the Community Room. Come in and learn about different technologies you might see during a Black Friday sale...like the iPad, Kindle, Nook, digital cameras, scanners, a few cell phones too. 

Find out some of the terms that you can throw at the salesman to show them that you are a more knowledgeable consumer!

We will also show you what all of those little codes you see in flyer are good for!

QR Codes

Hope to see you there! Call 860-889-2365x109 (ask for Amanda) for questions.

O'Tis a Festival at Otis Library

We are having a craft and book sale at Otis:


Saturday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Handcrafted items
• Books from Bank Square Books in Mystic
• Musical performances
• Author Pearl Dexter - 11am
• Author Wally Lamb - 1pm
• Children's Crafts
• Face Painting

The crafters will be spaced out all over the library and you will be able to wonder through at your leisure. There will be ample parking and a festive spirit! Think of our festival when you are planning to get some holiday shopping done with a homemade flavor!

Free E-Books (for your Kindle too!)

With your Otis Library card you can check out e-books to your Nook, Kindle, iPad, tablet, smart phone or desktop! Here is a list of supported devices. Let me give you a relatively short rundown on the service...

1. You need a current, valid Otis Library card or one from the LION consortium Listed Here
2. To browse the current e-book offerings, which are constantly being updated, to see if they are of interest to you Click Here
3. There are a variety of help pages in the left hand column of the page.
4. There are a limited number of titles of each book, you may have to put it on hold because someone else may be reading it currently. You can limit your search to only ones that are available for checkout immediately.
5. Kindle has just been added to the service in the past couple of weeks. It appears that you do need to set up an Amazon account. It was very quick for us though.

 Just a reminder...some of the items are audio books. Make sure you are downloading the proper format for your E-Reader. We have found through trial and error, that if you download a Kindle book to your Nook...it doesn't work!
If you need us to walk you through any steps have your Otis or LION Library card number handy. Call us at 860-889-2365 and press #2 for the Reference Department.

Enjoy!

Drop-In Computer Lab

We will be having a Drop-In Computer Lab in the upstairs Meeting room at Otis Library for the next 6 Thursdays, except July 16th. If you need some help formating a paper, getting set up with an email account or any other hardware or software issue....come and see us.

We will do our very best to try to help you with your computer issue. You can drop-in anytime between 2 and 4. Hope to see you soon. If you have any questions give us a call at 889-2365 x109 or email us ref@otis.lioninc.org.

One Book, One Region 2009: Eastern Connecticut

The One Book, One Region Eastern Connecticut selection for 2009 is David Benioff's City of Thieves.


The author will be kicking off the event on April 30th, at 7pm at the Mystic Art Center. Map here.

Below is a review from Booklist:

Booklist Review: In 1941, the Germans circled Leningrad, starving its remaining citizens. His mother and sister evacuated, 17-year-old Lev Beniov remained, heeding the call for every able-bodied man to come to the defense of his country. After being caught out after curfew, Lev is thrown in the Crosses, the notorious prison, and while waiting for what he assumes will be an inglorious end, a summary execution at dawn, he is joined by the gregarious, indefatigable, and literature-spouting soldier, Kolya, imprisoned for desertion. When their lives are spared, they are assigned the impossible task of acquiring a dozen eggs for the wedding of a colonel's daughter, a task that takes them into the company of cannibals and Einsatzgruppen, dreaded Nazi death squads. A high-spirited adventure, Benioff's second novel (following the 2001 debut, The 25th Hour), ostensibly an account of the author's grandfather—a quiet immigrant who sold his real-estate business and retired to Florida with his wife—takes more than a little poetic license. When Benioff tells his grandfather that a few things don't make sense in the narrative, his reply: "You're a writer. Make it up." -- Segedin, Ben (Reviewed 04-15-2008) (Booklist, vol 104, number 16, p31)

It is the hope of the One Book, One Region Committee that everyone in the region can read the book and hopefully join us for the book discussions and programs that will be held by local libraries and schools.

Check out the One Book, One Region website for more information.

Library Calendar for Otis Library

If you are looking for something to do around town in Norwich, don't forget to check the library calendar here

Every month there are new offering for children, teens and adults and most of the programs are free of charge.

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!

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.

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.

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

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!!!)

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.

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.