Field Notes

Access Consumer Reports Online With Your Library Card

2016-06-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Your PPLD library card gets you access to more than just books.

"Like what" you may ask? How about the Consumer Reports online database - for free!

That's right. With your PPLD library card, you can browse ratings, reviews, recommendations, and buying advice for thousands of products and services - from the library or from the comfort of your own home.

To log in, just visit our Online Resources page and choose Consumer Reports from the alphabetical list. Type in your card number, and you're all set!

Have a question? Let us know by calling the Reference desk at 815-436-6639, or email us at reference@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org.

Celebrate Audiobook Month by downloading your next book!

2016-06-17T08:30:00.000-05:00

June is Audiobook Month - so it's the perfect time to try out eAudiobooks with Axis360 and OverDrive!

Each collection contains thousands of eAudio titles to choose from. Both free apps are compatible with Apple and Android devices. eAudio titles are available for three weeks, then are automatically returned at the end of the lending period. So no late fees!

You can find step by step instructions on our eBooks & More page. Have questions? Stop by the Reference desk or email us at reference@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org.

Happy reading!

Signed up for Adult Summer Reading Program? Track your reading online!

2016-06-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

Summer reading is here, and we know you're excited to get started!

If you've signed up for our adult program, you can track your pages from home and on the go with Beanstack.

Logging in is simple - click Sign In in the top right of the screen and enter your card # and password. If you registered at the Library, use your generic password to sign in first (you can always change your password later if you choose).

Choose Add to Log and select Pages. Fill in the title and author, and pages - and you're all set! You can log up to 500 pages at a time, so larger books might take a few entries.

It's as easy as that! And don't forget to stop by the Reference desk when you've finished your first 800 pages to pick up your completion prize!

Happy reading!

What are you reading this summer? We can help!

2016-06-03T08:30:00.000-05:00

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Summer Reading is almost here! And you know what that means...

You need to find some awesome books to read!

Check out some of these great resources to find your next amazing read.

Looking for more suggestions? Stop by the Reference Desk and we can help you track down a great readalike, a new genre, or an amazing author that is sure to start your summer reading off right!

Novelist (in our Online Resources page): if you're looking for the perfect book, look no further than Novelist! This database contains reading recommendations from experts - you'll find booklists, readalikes, reviews, and more.

Pinterest: in the mood to browse some titles? Our Pinterest boards are full of new releases and creative booklists with a little library fun mixed in.

Reads from the Field: need a recommendation? Check out Reads from the Field for staff reviews of great books you can find on our shelves.

PPLD on Tumblr: looking for some interesting bookish goodness? Our Tumblr page has links to unique reading lists, book news, library happenings, and even some GIFs thrown in for good measure.

Not finding the book you need in the catalog? Try InterLibray Loan

2016-05-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

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Looking for something in particular, but don't see it in the catalog?

Researching a paper and you found that one perfect article - but it's not full text?

InterLibrary Loan might just be your solution. ILL allows Plainfield patrons to request items more than 6 months old that are not currently owned by a Pinnacle library. The Library will search for the item in libraries nationwide and contact you when the item becomes available.

Our ILL form makes it easy to request a title. You can also search for the item directly through our catalog - just remember to change the search option from "Pinnacle Libraries" to "Libraries Worldwide."

Once you submit your request, it will be processed by our staff through WorldCat. Keep in mind though, the process can take several weeks, depending on availability and how quickly items are shipped.

Have a question about the process? Our Reference staff is happy to help! Stop by the desk or email us at reference@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org to find out more.

Online Learning @ Your Library: What Will You Learn This Summer?

2016-05-13T08:30:00.000-05:00

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Summer vacation is almost here - so it's the perfect time to learn something new!

You can access to several online learning platforms for free with your PPLD library card - at the library, at home, or on the go. But where to start?

Lynda.com - from web design and coding, to photography and software applications, lynda.com is a leading online learning company that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.

Mango Languages - always wanted to learn a second (or third, or fourth) language, but not sure where to start? Mango Languages provides online language instruction for over 60 languages, including English Language Learner (ELL) courses. Best of all? You can take your learning with you by using the Mango app on your iOS or Android device!

Gale Courses - enjoy a classroom environment, but not the commute? Try Gale Courses! Gale offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor-led courses that you can take entirely online. Classes run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month.

LearningExpress Library - featuring nearly 1,000 online tutorials, practice tests, and eBooks, LearningExpress Library has something for everyone. Whether you're seeking help with job search/workplace skills training; college, grad school, and GED® test prep; or help learning computer programs from Microsoft Office and beyond, LEL can help you succeed.

Take the library on the go with LibAnywhere

2016-05-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

Have you tried our library app? (Because you should!)

LibAnywhere gives you access to your library account on the go. You can place and check holds, check events, contact us with questions, and more.

LibAnywhere is a free app, available for iOS and Android devices. You can download it through the Apple or Google Play stores.

Find PPLD by choosing "Browse All Libraries" to search by state, or choose "Find Libraries Near You" to search using your device's GPS location. You're all set!

Research made easy with Explora

2016-04-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

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Need to find the perfect sources for your research paper?

Your life just got a little easier with Explora.

Explora is a new search interface you can use to search multiple library databases at once. It provides quick access to full text articles and abstracts from a number of scholarly journals, newspapers, encyclopedias, and more.

Your PPLD library card gets you access to this site at the library or at home. Just connect through our Online Resources page.

Need help? Let us know! You can contact our Reference desk by phone at (815) 436-6639 or by email at reference@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org.

Check out a Museum Adventure Pass this Spring!

2016-04-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

Spring is finally here - time to celebrate with an Museum Adventure Pass!

These passes offer admission deals for area museums like Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden, Legoland Discovery Center, Naper Settlement, Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, and more. Check out the Museum Adventure Pass homepage for participating locations and admission offers.

You can check out one pass at a time, and admission offers vary per museum. For some, two or four people may be admitted free per pass, or by carload. If admission is free, another special discount will be offered. Your name will be printed on the pass when you pick it up, and collected by the museum when you visit. Passes are good for seven days.

So stop by and check out a Museum Adventure Pass today! We have a limited number of passes for each participating organization, and passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis (we cannot reserve them, and they can't be checked out online or on the phone). Check out our website for more information.

In search of your next great read? We can help!

2016-04-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

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We know the struggle - you just finished an amazing book (or maybe a particularly underwhelming one) and now you can't decide on what to read next. What's a bookworm to do?

Of course, we've got you covered.

Check out our Readers Space page to keep up on new releases, peruse 100+ read-alike lists, find your next book club selection, or sign up for some bookish newsletters.

Because who better than librarians to help you find your next great read?

Looking for something more specific?

Let us know! You can contact us on social media, by phone at (815) 436-6639 or via email at reference@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org and let us know what you're looking for. We're here to help.

Happy Reading!

Need information on the go? Send us a text!

2016-04-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

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Wondering when your movies are due, or if the library has that one book you need for your assignment? Or maybe you heard about a great program, and you just have to register right away?

Try our Text a Librarian service!

Simply text askppl to 66746 to ask a question, and we'll respond as quick as we can (after hours questions will be answered the following day). Normal messaging rates apply. How easy is that?

What will you learn with Lynda.com?

2016-03-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Wondering what you can learn with Lynda.com?

With thousands of video courses to choose from, it can be difficult to decide.

So Lynda.com has come to the rescue with a feature called Playlists.

Curated by professionals, these instructional playlists offer a road map - and make it easy for you to know where to start.

You can choose from topics like marketing, photography, web design, graphics, and more. You can connect to Lynda.com through our Online Learning page. All you need is your library card to get started.

What will you learn today?

Check out these great eBooks for The Great Read

2016-03-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

(Pun intended!)

If you're looking for a new "Made in Illinois" read, look no further than our online collection!

Our PinDigital and eRead Illinois collections have a variety of eBook and eAudio titles to choose from - all you need is your library card to get started.

Need some suggestions? Check out our TGR collection in PinDigital on your computer or mobile device. And don't forget to visit The Great Read website for information on events, titles, and contests.

Happy Reading!

From eBooks to movies to apps...Check out a Tablet or eReader today!

2016-03-11T08:30:00.000-06:00

Love technology? Then it's time to try out one of our preloaded devices! Choose from our Samsung Tabs, eReaders, and streaming Rokus. No set up required - how easy is that?

Looking for a tablet experience? We have Samsung Galaxy Tab 3s that are preloaded with eBooks and apps.

Looking for something good to read? Our Kindle Paperwhites, Nook Simple Touches, and Galaxy Tab 4s are preloaded with hundreds of popular titles that are available 24/7, including graphic novels.

Looking for a good movie (or a couple hundred)? Check out a Roku for access to hundreds of streaming movies - always available to watch!

Devices can be checked out for three weeks at a time. Visit our eBooks & More page for a list of preloaded titles and links to place a hold in our catalog.

Questions? Stop by the Reference Desk, or contact us by phone at 815-436-6639 or by email at reference@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org.

Check one out today!

Library #lifehacks that will make your bookish life easier

2016-02-26T08:30:00.000-06:00

We can all agree books are the best. So why not make your bookish life even better?

Enter: the Library! We have some tricks to make finding your next read much easier. A life hack for books? Yes please!

Library hack #1: Save your favorite author searches.

We all have those authors whose new releases are cause for celebration. The key? Getting on the hold list ASAP - which is easy with saved searches in the catalog!

Simply log in and run a search in the catalog. Click the Save Search button in the top left, and you're set! You can choose to run your search weekly or monthly, and you'll be emailed any time a new book fits your criteria. Easy right?

Library hack #2: Need help on the go? We're a text away.

Saw a book you just have to read - hey, we've been there - but not near a computer to place it on hold? Text the library and we'll place a hold for you. Send 'askppl' along with your message to 66746. Or ask us anything. We're here to help. We are the library after all.

Library hack #3: Need to know what's new? There's a list for that.

Looking for the latest but don't have time to check out New Releases shelf? Our trusty catalog comes in handy again! Try our New Books feed on the catalog home page (bottom left). It's full of the latest releases. And what's better? They link right up to the catalog so you can reserve a copy. Done and Done.

We're social. Find us online!

2016-02-19T08:30:00.000-06:00

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Love to post, tweet, pin, and tumble? So do we!

Get a glimpse of our Library world with Instagram and Flickr.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to keep up with events, programs, resources, and more.

Are you looking for great book recommendations, technology suggestions, and DIY ideas? Try our Pinterest and Tumblr pages.

And if you’re a job seeker, make sure to check out our Job Club group on LinkedIn for information and resources to help you with your search.

Connect with us online today!

Online Learning at your Library!

2016-02-12T08:30:00.000-06:00

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We're one month in to the new year, and it's time to start working on those resolutions - like learning something new!

Your Library gives you access to several online learning platforms - all free with your PPLD library card.

Connect at the library, at home, or on the go. Now where to start?

Lynda.com - from web design and coding, to photography and software applications, lynda.com is a leading online learning company that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.

Mango Languages - always wanted to learn a second (or third, or fourth) language, but not sure where to start? Mango Languages provides online language instruction for over 60 languages, including English Language Learner (ELL) courses. Best of all? You can take your learning with you by using the Mango app on your iOS or Android device!

Gale Courses - enjoy a classroom environment, but not the commute? Try Gale Courses! Gale offers a wide range of highly interactive, instructor-led courses that you can take entirely online. Classes run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month.

LearningExpress Library - featuring nearly 1,000 online tutorials, practice tests, and eBooks, LearningExpress Library has something for everyone. Whether you're seeking help with job search/workplace skills training; college, grad school, and GED® test prep; or help learning computer programs from Microsoft Office and beyond, LEL can help you succeed.

Learn a new language with Mango!

2016-02-05T08:30:00.000-06:00

Ever thought about learning a new language? Then it's time to get started with Mango!

Mango Languages offers access to 60 foreign language courses and 17 English courses taught completely in the user’s native language. Lessons are interactive and fun, focusing on the four key elements of language learning: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture.

All you need to get started is a PPLD library card. Select Mango from our Online Resources page and create your free account. Have questions? Contact the Reference Desk at 815.436.6639, or just drop in - we're happy to help!

And don't forget to check out the Mango app for Android and Apple, to make learning even more convenient.

Start learning a new language today!

Consumer Reports online - for FREE - with your library card

2016-01-29T08:30:00.000-06:00

New to Lynda.com? We're here to help!

2016-01-15T08:30:00.000-06:00

Your library card just got better - you can now use it to access Lynda.com!

So where to begin? Try out these quick tips and tricks to get yourself navigating Lynda like a pro. Need extra assistance getting started? Stop by the Reference desk - we're happy to help!

Tip# 1: Bookmark the PPLD Lynda link

If you go to Lynda.com, you might find yourself wondering how to log in. The trick? PPLD has a direct link to Lynda that identifies you as Plainfield patron, and will let you log in with your library card. Click here and bookmark the site for quick access.

Tip#2: Try out the playlists

Not sure where to get started? Lynda has you covered. You can choose from pre-selected video playlists on topics like web design, marketing, photography, and more.

Tip#3: Practice makes perfect

Lynda tutorials are meant to be interactive - because the best way to learn is by doing. Many of the tutorials also contain practice spaces, so you can try out your new coding skills and follow along with the lessons.

Tip#4: What interests you?

Fill out the My Interests
questionnaire in your profile, and Lynda will recommend videos and tutorials to match. Easy, right?

Take Your Online Learning to the Next Level with Lynda.com

2016-01-08T08:30:00.000-06:00

Do your New Year's resolutions involve learning something new?

Then you're in luck, because your PPLD library card now gives you access to a world of online learning with Lynda.com!

Lynda.com provides access to their full video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts. From software and technology to business and creative skills, Lynda has the tools to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

As a Plainfield Library cardholder, you can access this service for free. With new courses added weekly and 24/7 access, Lynda.com is a great resource to support your learning goals for the new year.

Check out our Online Learning page to get started. You can access Lynda from home, on the go, at the library - all you need is your PPLD library card to get started.

Tech help is here with Tech Tuesdays!

2015-12-25T08:30:00.000-06:00

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Who doesn't love new gadgets? Especially when they work for you!

Trying to keep up with the latest and greatest in tablets, laptops, smartphones, apps, and more is enough to make you head spin.

So we're here to help!

Tuesday evenings from 6pm-8pm, drop by the Library's computer lab for Tech Tuesdays!

No need to register or make an appointment! Stop by anytime for one-on-one help with your tech questions.

Need help setting up eBook services? Got a new iPad for the holidays and still trying to figure out how to use it? Looking to download apps to your new phone, but not sure how to get started? Stop by the library - that's what we're here for!

Take an eBook on your travels this holiday season!

2015-12-18T08:30:00.000-06:00

Taking a trip this holiday season? Take an eBook with you!

Your PPLD library card gives you access to eBooks, eAudio, DRM-free music, and magazines - all for free. Our services are compatible with most tablets and smartphones.

Not sure what you can access on your iPad or Android?

Want to load an eBook to your Kindle Paperwhite or Nook Glowlight?

Check out this helpful guide to find out the great resources you can start downloading today!

Not sure how to get started? You can find device-specific instructions on our eBooks & More page that can help walk you through the process. Or stop by the Reference desk - we're happy to answer your questions!

Axis360 tips to take your eReading to the next level

2015-12-11T08:30:00.000-06:00

Having thousands of eBooks available at the touch of a button? We know, it's pretty awesome.

So how can you make your reading life even better? Try some of these Axis360 hacks and make the app work for you.

#1 - Don't miss the preferences
The Axis360 is pretty easy to access - you only need your library card number and PIN to get connected to a world of books. But don't skip over your preferences menu. Why? Glad you asked! Two things: data and storage.

Saving your data for something great (or at least entertaining)? Turn off the cellular data option, and Axis360 will only download when connected to WiFi.
Constantly forgetting to delete downloaded files when you've finished reading them? Choose the auto delete option, and all expired items will be automatically removed from your device when your book is returned.

#2 - Filters are your friend
Searching for something in particular? Only want to see audiobooks you can actually download and listen to right now? Filters can help.

When you search, choose the filter option (right above the results) and choose what kind of results to display. It's easy. Just remember to remove your filters on your next search - you don't want to miss out on something the next time you peruse the collection.

#3 - Wishlists...because you won't remember the title later
Browsing the collection, seeing all kinds of interesting books - we know what you're thinking. "I'll definitely remember to download this later."

But, really, why take a chance of forgetting? The wishlist is here to make your reading life easier. All your to TBR books in one place - how efficient is that?

Download new music that is yours to keep with Freegal!

2015-12-04T08:30:00.000-06:00

If you're loving Adele's Hello as much as we are, you'll love this even more - you can download her new album, 25, for free with Freegal! All you need is you PPLD library card to get started.

Freegal is a downloadable music service that offers access to about 8 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists.

The best part? Each song is yours to keep!

There are no digital rights management (DRM) restrictions - each song downloads as an MP3 file, and can be played and transferred to most devices. You can also download the Freegal app to Android and Apple devices.

Your PPLD library card gets you 5 downloads a week. Need help? Check out our eBooks & Downloads page for instructions.

Now seems like the perfect time for a new playlist, don't you think?