Modern libraries aren't just books anymore

by Etan Horowitz | User's Guide
June 28, 2008
Orlando Sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/technology/orl-horowitz2808jun28,0,6419231.column?track=rss

Everybody knows that in a down economy, one easy way to save money is to check out books, CDs and DVDs from the library instead of buying or renting them.

But that's only the beginning. The Orange County Library System is one of the most innovative libraries in the country, and it offers lots of free ways to satisfy your technology, entertainment and information cravings.

Here's a sample:


Catch a flick -- on DVD or on your computer



Etan Horowitz E-mail | Recent columns

The library's DVD collection rivals any neighborhood video store and even Netflix. There are about 145,000 titles to rent and the library carries every one of the 100 most popular rentals on Netflix. There's also a ton of classics, independent and foreign films and even popular TV shows such as The Sopranos.

Like Netflix, you can have DVDs delivered to your door, but you have to return them yourself or pay the postage. New DVDs are shelved on Tuesday morning, so get there early if you want a jump on everyone else.

And if you can't wait for your DVDs to arrive in the mail, the library lets you download about 700 movies, TV shows and community programs to watch instantly on computer through a downloadable program called MyLibrarydv.

There aren't any new releases, but there are about 90 movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment, including quality flicks such as Donnie Brasco, Philadelphia, Taxi Driver and Jerry Maguire.

Once you download a movie, you can watch it without being connected to the Internet. So before you go on a trip, you could download a few movies to your laptop and then watch them on the plane.

For more on MyLibrarydv, including the system requirements, go to www.ocls.info, click on "Library Catalog" and then click on "MyLibrarydv."


Computer classes

Always wanted to learn how to create a Web page, use Photoshop or edit a video? Or do you need to brush up on PowerPoint, Excel or Outlook? The library offers about 1,000 computer classes a month in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. There are even classes you can take online.

Recently, the library added a Mac lab with nine new Apple iMacs. Classes are taught on topics including GarageBand, Keynote, iPhoto, iMovie and iWeb.

Some of the other interesting classes offered include: "Basic Computer Maintenance and Security," " eBay Buying and Selling," "Podcasting Basics," and " Google Earth and Google Maps." For a full schedule of classes, go to www.ocls.info and click on "Classes & Programs" or get a copy of the library's monthly newsletter.


Audiobooks

Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time if you are traveling or if you prefer to do your reading with your ears.

The library has more than 40,000 audiobooks in nearly every form imaginable, including cassettes, CDs, MP3 CDs and downloadable files.

But perhaps the coolest type of audiobook that the library offers is one that doesn't require a separate player and fits in your pocket. It's called a "Playaway" and it's a pre-loaded digital audiobook that weighs about two ounces. All you need to listen to a book is a pair of headphones. You can also hook it up to external speakers or your car stereo. Each Playaway has all the controls you need to listen to your book and you can adjust the volume or speed. The device also remembers where you left off.


Video games

If your kid has been bugging you for an Xbox 360 or a Wii, send them over to the library. Each library location has an Xbox 360 that children under 17 can play. They also have Nintendo Wiis, which they occasionally bring out.

The branches also frequently hold gaming nights where teens compete on the Nintendo Wii and in games such as Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. There are even gaming nights for adults and seniors.

If you have a Nintendo DS, Xbox, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 2, the library has about 300 games that you can check out.