Saturday Hours

This is just a reminder that our Saturday hours end on May 8th this year. The Library will re-open on Saturdays starting in September. Our extended evening hours will continue through June 24th. Thank you!

RSS Feeds 101

RSS feeds are one of the most useful features to come out of the internet in recent years. Once you start using them, you'll wonder how you ever managed without! RSS feeds save time and effort, and best of all, are easily customizable to filter the exact content that you want.

What is an RSS feed?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and is used to describe the technology used in creating feeds. A feed, also known as RSS feed, XML feed, syndicated content or web feed, is frequently updated content published by a website. It is usually used for news and blog websites, but can also be used for distributing other types of digital content, including pictures, audio or video.

How do I subscribe to and manage my feeds?
Subscribing to feeds is simple, just as the name implies! While there are a multitude of options for doing so, you can always depend on looking for this little icon: , which is the universal button for RSS feeds. Internet Explorer users can look to the top right of their window to see the button, which turns orange to alert you when a feed is available. In Mozilla Firefox the icon automatically appears in the address bar to the right of the website address whenever there is content to subscribe to on a page. If you are using Firefox you also have the option to download various feed reader add-ons for true customization. Of course, a lot of frequently updated pages will offer their very own to click on. Pssst...for an example of this check our sidebar on the right, where it says Connect & Subscribe. You can also use a stand-alone feed reader that isn't connected to your browser. One of the most popular and user-friendly options is Google Reader. Anyone who already has a Google/Gmail account automatically has access to Google Reader, but don't worry if you don't - creating a Google account is fast and easy and opens the door to a lot of other useful web services!

Why should I use feeds at the SERC Library?
Well, we know you love our blog, so subscribing to updates here will surely be nice, but we think you'll really love subscribing to searches in our catalog. That's right...whenever you conduct a search in Iluminar, you'll notice an RSS feed button appear at the top of the page, which will enable you to subscribe to that search. That means that if you add a feed for the topic "math", whenever we catalog new materials with that subject heading they will automatically be sent to your feed reader. You can do the same thing in our journal databases. You'll still have to come to the Library to access the content itself, but a list of new articles on your topic will be conveniently compiled for you. Now that's helpful!

Still confused? Next time you're in the Library ask for Diana, our RSS Queen, or Megan, our resident tech guru, who will be happy to assist you. Just another friendly service from the gang at the SERC Library!

Iluminar is here!

As alluded to a few weeks ago, this is an exciting time for the SERC Library. Our new system is here and ready for you to explore! It is called AGent Verso Iluminar and can be accessed here, as well as from the sidebar on the left (and our homepage of course). To login the first time enter your patron barcode number (located on the back of your SERC Library card) as the username, and enter userpass as the initial password. You will then be prompted to create your own personal password. Be sure to keep it written down because SERC Library staff does not have access to your password. Once you're up and running you'll be able to:

• View your current circulation status anytime from any computer, including your current checkouts (and when they're due), reserves, and fines accrued
• Manage and update your account information online
• Create and save lists of your favorite resources
• Keep track of your search and checkout history
• Reserve and renew resources
  

That's right...renew. Many of you have been asking for the ability to renew your items, so we listened and are now happy to introduce the SERC Library renewal policy! All items, including tests, may now be renewed for a one-week period provided that no other patron has the item on reserve. You can renew your items online or by calling the library at 860-632-1485, option 4.

The Library staff is more than happy to provide a tutorial next time you come into the library...just ask! We can also provide you with a "cheat sheet" with all of the above information. We appreciate everyone's patience during this transition and hope you find the new system improves your SERC Library experience!

Change is in the Air!

We've been very busy at the SERC Library this summer, implementing a whole host of changes to serve you better. Over the past two weeks we've been physically rearranging the front end of the library, with a whole new circulation set-up that we hope will be more convenient. You'll also see some welcoming new faces when you walk in. There will be even more changes coming in the month of August. Here's a look at some of our upcoming developments:

• Coming up very soon we will be transitioning to a brand new library software system called AGent VERSO in order to modernize and streamline our circulation processes. We are very excited about this and we hope you are too, because you will definitely notice a difference. You'll be able to log in to your own patron account from home and see the items you have checked out, any fines accrued, your borrowing history, and more. The new system will also automatically send you reminders a few days before your items are due, which we know some of you will appreciate! As always, feel free to ask any of us if you need assistance with using the new software.
  
• Over the next few months we will be revisiting a lot of our existing policies and updating them to better serve both your and our needs. As these policies are overhauled we'll keep you posted here and when you're visiting the library.
  
• As part of the agency's overall effort to be more environmentally conscious, the SERC Library will soon be offering our own reusable shopping bags. By purchasing one of these bags you'll not only be supporting us, but the earth as well. Both attractive and sturdy, these bags will be perfect for hauling all those heavy library materials around!
• In September SERC will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary. That's right...40 years of serving Connecticut's education community. Check back with us throughout the year as we will be updating our website and blog with special anniversary events and initiatives.

Whew! So much for summer being slow! We have some other ideas in the works as well, such as offering book groups, children's story time, and other community programs. Please feel free to weigh in via the comments or in person with your feedback on what you'd like to see at the library. Despite all the work involved during this period of transition we know that it will be worth it. We're looking forward to improving the SERC Library so that we can be there for you for the next 40 years. Come visit us soon!

Olly olly oxen free! Fine Free Week June 15-19th, 2009

Give us your late, your overdue, your yearning to be returned! In an effort to make both your life and ours a bit easier, we are declaring June 15-19th Fine Free Week here at the SERC Library. We will waive the fines on any overdue items that are returned during this week, no matter how late they are. There will be a cart in the lobby so you don't even have to enter the Library. Just drop your items on the cart during our normal business hours. No questions asked. We hope that you'll take advantage of this opportunity!