How to Choose a Movie

Step 1: Pick the title of a movie you feel like watching in your head. For example my favorite movie of all time is Frida (the cinematography is gorgeous and I am sucker for biography type stuff). Or pick a favorite actor or director. (Director is my favorite way to search!)

Step 2: Go to http://www.imdb.com/, that is the Internet Movie Database. (Don't worry your going to love it!).

Step 3: Once you are at IMDB type the name of your movie into the search bar and click the "Go" button.

Step 4: IMDB will have a list of movies, actors, directors, or other items you are looking for. Click on the correct one.

Step 5: Every imaginable detail about this movie will be presented to you, including cast, trailers, quotes and more. If you scroll to the bottom of that page it will list recommendations. For example they recommend if you like Frida, you will enjoy:

Step 6: Go to the Mukwonago Community Library catalog and start requesting your movies.

Step 7 is Optional: Get some popcorn for your movie night!

Technology Tip #7: Find Cheap Textbooks

If you are a college student or help a college student out...you know the agony of shelling out hundreds of dollars for books this semester. Just like any product you can use websites to find lower it. Just be wary for shipping costs and figure that into your final total. Cheapism.com offered three websites as their top choices and after trying them I have to agree!

Here are Cheapism’s top picks for college textbooks sites.

Textbook rental site Chegg.com offers 2.4 million titles and gives students the option to send books back for free or buy them at the end of the term. Students can also buy and sell books. The site holds renters accountable for the books’ condition upon return, so it may not be the best choice for copious highlighters, but it earns positive reviews for providing books that look like new. Users also praise the site’s customer service. (Where to buy)

Textbooks.com boasts a selection of 7 million books to buy or rent and offers free shipping on orders of $25 or more. User reviews often cite Textbooks.com as the cheapest option, and the site itself promises up to 90 percent off. Customers also applaud a redesign that makes it easy to find the best deal. (Where to buy)

ECampus.com offers not just textbooks but regular books, DVDs, Blue-ray discs, and college apparel. The site’s textbook inventory comes from a network of third-party sellers, making it susceptible to complaints about delinquent deliveries. Shipping is free for rental returns and orders over $59. (Where to buy)

Computer Classes Have Returned!!

For all those that have been asking, our much-loved free computer classes return beginning Tuesday, September 6 and continue through the end of November. Whether you have never touched a computer before or are an Internet dynamo, let the Mukwonago Community Library’s computer guru Kristen, show you something new. Classes include topics like Computer Basics, Creating Family Newsletters, Internet Basics, Word Processing with Microsoft Word, Using Graphics, and E-Mail Basics, just to name a few. No experience is needed for our Computer Basics course, and all others only require that you feel comfortable using a mouse. We’ll even provide a laptop for use during the class. Class size is limited so register today. To register or for more information, stop by the front desk or call us at (262) 363-6411. You can also see our computer class schedules on our website’s Adult Services page at http://library.booksite.com/6648/nl/?list=CNL14

Construction Photos: Thirteen

We are fully roofed! While the windows aren't in yet, having a roof on the entire structure will allow the inside work crews to get even busier than they have been. A major milestone reached! Here are the most recent pictures, including some great shots of the tower "cap" being put in place:

The "skeletal" walls of the local history/ conference room (left side) and one of the new study rooms (right side). Sheetrock will start to go up once the windows are received and installed-- hopefully within the next few weeks.

The Director's cage. They assure me it will look very nice, and much less like a jail cell, when everything is complete. We'll see....

The West wall, fully bricked and shingled. Only the windows remain to be installed. Cool!

The tower cap on its way to its final home.

Getting closer!

Almost there. The crane operator was surprised at how smoothly this went. He expected the cap to sway a bit, but it was rock solid the whole way.

A safe landing!

Technology Tip #6: How to Get the Software You Need At Home For Free

A lot of people come to the library to access the software we have on the computers. They need Microsoft Word to update their resume, Microsoft Publisher to make a poster for an event, Microsoft Excel to make a budget, etc. This software can be expensive depending on where and when you buy it. Microsoft Office Student Edition can range anywhere from $88 to $290.

If you aren't in a position to afford that type of software, don't worry there are alternate options for you to consider, for free. This type of free software is known as "open source" software. The concept behind it is that instead of one company being behind the creation, a team of volunteers help create it. When open source software first came on the scene in the late 90s it wasn't very popular because the software wasn't as "slick" as the kind you could pay for. Slowly but surely open software has grown in popularity and in product stability.

There is an open source software version for almost any software you can conceive of. Be well aware before you start downloading things willy-nilly. Unless you can find a reputable source the recommends the software, do not download it! Here are a few trust worthy open source software that I recommend: (click on the link to get to the page you can download these programs from).

If you need Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, download Open Office.

If you need Adobe Photoshop download Gimp.

If you want Windows download Ubuntu (it has Open Office & Gimp included)

If you need something to help you with formatting your e books to share try Calibre.

If you don't have the internet on your home computer but still want these computer have no fear! Spend a few bucks and get yourself a memory stick. When you come to the library we can help you download the software to the memory stick. Then you can move the software from your memory stick to your home computer.

If you have any questions come see us at the reference desk. If you can get enough people together that want to learn the ins and outs of one of these programs we may be able to make a computer class.

Let me Cell you on a idea...

I heard some cool news from our Library Automation Coordinator today. "With 2011 LSTA funds a service called LibraryAnywhere was purchased to give libraries a mobile website as well as apps for the public to access information about the libraries as well as search the catalog, place holds and renew materials." Which means coming next month if you download the "Library Anywhere" application to your phone, you will have access to some information and services through the Mukwonago Community Library!

That means the next time you are in a long line at the supermarket...instead of buying that magazine in line...put it on hold from your cell phone.

Beanbags and Books: hanging out at the Library.

Construction Photos: Twelve

We've got bricks! Always a good sign on a building that features brick from top to bottom. It's not all installed yet-- that'll take a little while-- but we're on our way. Plus, the building is very nearly completely enclosed and the workers have started to install shingles. Soon weather won't be much of a factor for the remainder of the project-- yay! Here are the latest pics:

The masonry crew installing the lower bricks on the northern wall.

Looking east down the "main thoroughfare" from the large bay window on the west side.

The community room, looking north from the lobby entrance. The room will be divisible into several different configurations using a partition system that will be installed later.

The foundation for our garbage enclosure and storage shed. Not the most exciting aspect of the project, but it is important to have somewhere to put your garbage and recycling and to store your garden tools and implements.

A wide shot of the eastern exposure, with the entry tower "cap" on the ground to the far left and the tower itself, waiting for its cap, on the far right.

A close-up of the tower cap. It is awaiting the arrival of the large crane that will hoist it into position on the entry tower.

Technology Tip #5: Master Popular Software with Learning Express

I have mentioned Learning Express multiple times in blog posts. I do this because it is a great learning tool, especially for beginners. These free video tutorials can help you learn the popular software listed below.

I cannot stress how important knowing some of this software is for the workplace. If you are nervous about jumping in head first, try Microsoft Word. It is a easier word processing software that you can find on most computers. Just go to our Subscription Database Page, click on Learning Express, and then select "Popular Software Tutorials" in the right hand side. If it is your first time you will have to register so they can track your progress. Good luck!

Adobe Dreamweaver Courses

Adobe Flash Courses

Adobe Illustrator Courses

Adobe Photoshop Courses

Corel WordPerfect Courses

Microsoft Access Courses

Microsoft Excel Courses

Microsoft Outlook Courses

Microsoft PowerPoint Courses

Microsoft Project Courses

Microsoft Publisher Courses

Microsoft SharePoint Designer Courses

Microsoft Visio Courses

Microsoft Word Courses

Windows and Mac Operating Systems Courses

Worth a Look: LibraryThing

In case you haven’t heard of the website LibraryThing, let me introduce you to a fantastic resource for all of us book lovers. LibraryThing is essentially a place to catalog all your books online, discuss them if you’d like, and share reading suggestions. If you are like me, you have 100’s of beloved books scattered across your home, not even sure what books you have anymore. LibraryThing brings some semblance of order to them. Simply enter each book using it’s ISBN number, title, or author, and LibraryThing will automatically search the catalogs of nearly a 1000 libraries and bookstores around the world (including the Library of Congress and Amazon) to fill in every piece of information you could possibly want to know about that book—title, authors, subjects, first lines, series’, reviews, cover images, you name it. It will even assign Dewey Decimal System numbers to your books if you want to get all librarian on them.

There are more features than we can possible mention here, but another great use for LibraryThing is to gather ideas for your next read. Once you have a few books catalogued, LibraryThing uses recommendations from its 1.3 million users to give you reading suggestions based on the books in your library.

To that end, the Mukwonago Community Library has started its own LibraryThing “Catalog of Recommendations” (you can also find it by searching LibraryThing for “Mukwonago library”). In this catalog you will find a completely random assortment of books--for adults, teens, and children--that we, for whatever reason, really like and think you might too. So check it out, browse around, and follow some links. There’s no telling what great book you might find.

Inside Look at the MAM's exhibit: The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City

Join us at at the Mukwonago Community Library on Thursday, August 25th at 6:30 pm, as Judy White docent from the Milwaukee Art Museum gives an hour long audio/visual presentation about the Museum's featured exhibition. "The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures of the Forbidden City".

Gain insights into the breathtaking treasures commissioned by the 18th Century Qianlong Emperor to adorn his private residence deep in China's Forbidden City. The stunning collection ranges from elaborate to the quietly personal--reflecting the refined vision of history's most influential rulers, revealing his reverence for nature and his dedication to Buddhism, Confucian morals, and scholarly pursuits.

I got the opportunity to visit this collection and even by today's standards you can see the quality and exquisiteness of each piece. It was the first time I had ever seen a true lacquered piece of Chinese artwork with inlaid gold so closely. Seeing the best type of this art from the country in which lacquering originated was just astounding. Hopefully you get the chance to see this display before it ends on September 11th, 2011. Otherwise come get some of the historical background and come discuss with us at this even and see some pictures/slideshow of these beautiful pieces!

Construction Photos: Twelve

The building is really taking shape! With the trusses up, you can see how the roof lines will look and soon the sheeting will be down and the crews can work on getting shingles in place. Here are some recent views of the progress:

The east side of the building with the main entry in the middle and the community room to the

right. All of the trusses are in place and the plywood sheeting is being installed.

Another view of the eastern exposure and the main entry.

The northwest corner of the building. The bank of windows on the north side is "visible" in the foreground. This will look very similar to the north end of the old library.

A final view from the south.

Technology Tip #4: Ctrl, Alt, Del

Most computer users are familiar with the "Open Task Manager" feature. For those of us who aren't...it is worth mentioning.

If you ever find yourself in a situation when the computer is running veeerrrrryyyy slowly or continually freezing, the "Open Task Manager" feature may help you fix it. The common problem with slow or continually freezing computers is the computer is just trying to do to much at once. Depending on your computer's speed, used memory, or age it can only do so much at one time.

The "Open Task Manager" feature will help you list everything that the computer is doing. From that list you can see what is is having troubles with. Next to the list it will either report the program as "Responding" or "Not Responding". You will want to go through and close any programs that are Not Responding. Now let's show you how to do it!

Step 1: Press the "Ctrl", "Alt" and "Delete" button all at the same time. Hold it long enough for the screen to change or a box to pop up.

Step 2: Depending on what operating system your computer has, what screen that comes up, or what box that pops up will be different. This is the most common box that will appear. Notice that it lists everything that the computer is running on the left hand side "tasks" and the status of those tasks on the right.

Step 3: You will want to left click once on the task that is "Not Responding". Then left click the "end task" button. Repeat this step until you have closed all of the "Not Responding" tasks.

Step 4: When you are all done to close the "Task Manager" click on the "x" in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Give it a try!

Construction Photos: Eleven

We have walls! Or at least the beginnings of walls. Soon we'll have a roof, as well. Things are really taking shape over at the construction site and so far we are still on pace to have a grand opening on Midnight Magic weekend. Here are the latest shots:

Here's a shot of the southeast corner. You can see the "outline" of the walls and the peaked "hip" roof is starting to take shape as the crews get the trusses set.

A view from the northeast looking back at the community room (foreground) with the main entry to the left (tower element).

The west wall. some of the plywood sheathing is already in place on this wall. With the sheathing up, you can really see how the big bay window (far right) will look-- it's going to be awesome!

Final shot-- looking down the entryway of the library. This will be the high-ceilinged space that runs from the new front entry to the bay window, the "aisle" leading into the library.

Technology Tip #3: Printing Made Easy

To print from most Microsoft Programs and web browsers,

Hold down the Ctrl button and hit the "P" key.

Try it now!

A box with your printing options will pop up on your screen. The options you have for printing will be different depending on the program or web browser you are using. But most will give you the option of changing from color to black and white printing, the number of pages to print, and more.

Friends of Mukwonago Community Library Secure $30,000+ Grant

We received awesome news today from the President for the Friends of the Mukwonago Community Library, Romaine Kleinfeldt. The Friends had submitted a grant application to the Potawatomi Bingo and Casino's, Miracle on Canal Street Program. The Friends were selected in the final drawing!!!

The drawing guarantees a grant between $30,000 to $50,000. These funds must be used towards children's programs and materials. We congratulate the Friends on their success and thank for their hard work and diligence in supporting the Mukwonago Community Library. It will be exciting to see what new and diverse programs this grant money will allow. If you run into Romaine while you are at the library, please congratulate her! Thank you to anyone that also supports the Miracle on Canal Street program.

Appalachian Storyteller, Sari (Ma) Semple Visits Aug. 10

In the mood for a good old fashioned story told by someone who knows how to spin a yarn? Stop by the Mukwonago Community Library on Wednesday August 10 from 6:30pm-8pm and be enthralled with the master story-telling of Jessica Michna who dons full traditional garb to portray Sari (Ma) Semple, a folksy story-teller from 19^th century Appalchia. Sari takes us back to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of the mid-nineteenth century. As Sari spins her tales the listener is transported to those hills. The stories blend together the folklore and the gritty reality of life in the ridges and hollers of Appalachia. Young and old alike will be spellbound by the rich tapestry of words woven by Sari. She may not be the First Lady of the Land but she certainly is the first lady of Appalachia.

For more information, stop by the Reference Desk, call (262) 363-6456, or write us at mukref@gmail.com