Throwback Thursday!!!

 Throwback Thursday with the Fort Smith Public Library

This is the reading area in the original Carnegie Library in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The Fort Smith Public Library's beginnings can be traced to the formation of the Fortnightly Club on October 7, 1891. The library was formally opened on July 27, 1892 in the Belle Grove school building. There were 1,100 books on the shelves. By 1902 the library had grown to be the largest public library in the state of Arkansas.
In 1904 the Fort Smith Reading Room Association and the Fortnightly Library Association formed a permanent organization, named the Fort Smith Public Library Association, whose purpose was to raise money for a new library building. After securing a grant from the Carnegie Foundation, the library was able to build the first Carnegie library in the state. The building, constructed in 1907 on North 13th street, was built on the site of the house in which Judge Isaac Parker died.
In the early 1950s the board of regents began talking about remodeling the 40+ year-old Carnegie building to make room for more books. They ended up building a new building instead, which was located on South 8th Street. Construction on the 35,000 square foot building began in 1969 and was completed in 1970.
In 1995 the Library, in conjunction with Library Planning Associates, Inc., conducted a space needs assessment to plan for the next 25 years. The study results indicated that in order to serve the citizens of Fort Smith adequately in the future, the library would need a new central library building, a new branch on the south side of town, a new branch on the east side of town, and a new branch on the north side of town. In October 1997 the voters of Fort Smith passed a sales tax to pay for several civic improvement projects, including the library project's four locations: 

Construction on the new Main Library Building located at 3201 Rogers Avenue began in 1999. The new 60,000 square foot facility opened in February of 2001.

The Stonewood Village Branch, first established in January 1995, was located in Stonewood Village Shopping Center across from St. Edwards Hospital. In February 2000, the Dallas Street Branch opened its doors at 8100 Dallas Street.

The Market Trace Branch, established in June 1996, was temporarily located in a shopping center at the foot of Fianna Hills. It became the Miller Branch in April 2000, when its permanent facility opened at 8701 South 28th Street.

The Windsor Street Branch, located at 4701 Windsor Drive, opened its doors in March 2000. This is the first time there has been a library on the north side in quite a while.

The Fort Smith Public Library’s new Main Library building was chosen to be on the cover of Library Journal’s Architectural Issue, published in December, 2001. Between July, 2000 and June, 2001, there were 80 new library buildings built and 132 additions/renovations totaling over 4 million square feet and costing more than $686 million. The Fort Smith Public Library was one of 28 Libraries whose photographs were used in the issue. To read the article from Library Journal Click Here.

 Sources:

"History of the Fort Smith Public Library." Fort Smith Public Library. Fort Smith Public Library, 

16 Jul 2013. Web. 3 Oct 2013. <http://www.fortsmithlibrary.org/fsplhist.html>.

 

FSPL Internet Policy

Library patrons use the Internet at their own discretion. The Fort Smith Public Library does not protect persons from information found individually offensive. The Library has no control over resources available from outside the Library nor does the Library have complete knowledge of what is on the Internet at any given time. We cannot be responsible for its content. When using the Internet, please remember that some material may be outdated, wrong, or biased. Please critically evaluate all information you find.

As with other library materials, restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. The Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for viewing by children. The Library staff is not in a position to monitor and supervise children's use of the Internet.

Displaying, sending or receiving material inappropriate for viewing in a public place is prohibited by Arkansas State Code 5-68-205. Inappropriate material is defined as pictures or text which could reasonably be construed as obscene or pornographic, as defined by Arkansas State Code 5-68-302.

The Fort Smith Public Library does not provide e-mail accounts. Internet access at the Fort Smith Public Library is intended primarily as an information resource. Library staff will assist patrons with Internet use as time permits, but cannot offer personal instruction on computer use.

• Use of Internet chat, news or discussion groups on public access computers in the Library is strictly prohibited.
• Computer users may not install or use any software not installed by the library.
• Attempts to damage computer equipment or alter computer configuration are unacceptable uses of the Library's electronic resources.
• If Internet searching results in disruption of library services or if patron behavior when using Internet resources becomes inappropriate for a library setting, the Library reserves the right to end the session.

The Library may deny computer, Internet, or library access to library users who misuse or abuse the Library's electronic resources, or who are found in violation of this policy.

In accordance with Arkansas State Code 13-2-103(a)(3), the Fort Smith Public Library must require all users to signify their agreement with this policy before accessing the Internet at any Library public access computer.

Kindle Users Rejoice!

I am so excited to announce that Penguin eBooks will be available to download in the same format as all other Kindle eBooks! 

NO MORE USB!!! 

 The USB side-loading requirement has been lifted!  What this means is that you will now be able to download all of your favorite titles published by Penguin immediatly via wifi, making it easier for you to enjoy titles from numerous best-selling authors including but not limited to: Tom Clancy, Lee Child, Nora Roberts, Charlaine Harris, Ken Follett, Junot Diaz, Khaled Hosseini, Maya Banks, Harlen Coben, W.E. B. Griffin and many others. 

I will keep you updated on this as information comes in!

Happy reading!!!

Saving Previously Downloaded Music to Kindle via Windows Media Player

Saving Previously Downloaded Music to Kindle via Windows Media Player

• Open “Windows Media Player” from your Programs in the Start Menu.
• Locate the music you would like to transfer. 
• Right-click the song and select “open file location”
• A new window will open with your chosen file highlighted.
• Click on the file – drag & drop into the kindle location on the left hand side.
• The file will be copied and saved onto your kindle device.
• You will find it in your music tab in the “Recently Added to Device” playlist.

 

Downloading Freegal Music to your Kindle via USB

Downloading Freegal Music to your Kindle via USB

These instructions were created using the following browser: Internet Explorer 9

Go to the Fort Smith Public Library website (http://www.fortsmithlibrary.org/) on your computer and press the Freegal Music logo on the left sidebar of the homepage. You can also access the Fort Smith Public Library’s Freegal Music page directly at http://fortsmithlibrary.freegalmusic.com. Be sure to plug your Kindle into your computer.

  

Login to Freegal using your library card number. 

Search and locate a song you would like to download. 

I suggest listening to the sample before clicking download.  There are sometimes “cover songs” that are

disappointingly deceiving.  I have fallen victim to this more than once and have learned that it is always

 best to check.

A window will appear at the bottom of your screen asking if you would like to Open, Save or

Cancel the downloaded song.

Click “Save” and then “Save As”

Select “Computer” and then “Kindle”- you do not need to select a folder - just click on “Kindle” and then save.

The song will be added directly to your device. 

You will find it in your music tab in the “Recently Added to Device” playlist.

Downloading Freegal Music to a Kindle Fire

Downloading Freegal Music to a Kindle Fire

Go to the Fort Smith Public Library website (http://www.fortsmithlibrary.org/) on your kindle’s browser and press the Freegal Music logo on the left sidebar of the homepage. You can also access the Fort Smith Public Library’s Freegal Music page directly at http://fortsmithlibrary.freegalmusic.com.

If you prefer, you can connect your Kindle Fire to a computer with the

USB connector, and then access the Freegal Music site on the computer.

Instructions for transferring via USB are included.

• Log in by entering your library card number and your PIN (your library account password).
•  
• Search for your song.
•  
• Press Download Now for your selected song.
•  
• After downloading your selection(s), press logout.
•  
• Press the Home button on the bottom of your Kindle screen.
•  
• Press the menu button.
•  
• Press Downloads and your song(s) should be listed.
•  
• Press the white arrow to download the song to your device.

You will be taken to Music, where your song(s) are listed. If your song is in the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen, you may remove it by pressing the Menu Button, then Now Playing. Then press the Menu Button again, and then Clear Queue.

Overdrive 3.0! New and improved app for android and iOS

Over the last few years, Fort Smith Public Library patrons have been able to check out books in the e-book format for various devices, like Android Tablets, Kindles, iPads, Nooks and Smart Phones – thanks to the Overdrive Media Console, an app linked to the catalogs of more than 22,000 libraries worldwide.

All you needed was a valid library card ID/account with FSPL – Well, now the OverDrive Media Console has just upgraded -having improved the electronic-lender’s experience significantly through its 3.0 update.

OverDrive Media Console 3.0 now features a new iOS 7-inspired interface (for tablets and Android smart-phones), simplifying user’s home screens and scanning of book menus.

The process of using the App is altogether sleeker and swifter. CLICK HERE for some help videos (for iOS and Android e-readers).

OverDrive Media Console 3.0 allows you to synch your book marks and current page positions across different iDevices. 

Also: the 3.0 update adds support for varying playback speeds of MP3-formatted audiobooks. Is the narrator reading too fast during a particular part of the book? Slow their orated pace down a few clicks so you can take it all in!

There’s tutorial screens included, now, for first-time users. You can get this as a free app from the iTunes Apple App Store (click here to find out more).  E-readers using their iPhone, iPod-touch and any iPad running iOS 6 or 7 will be able to access this new app.

Stay tuned for more information! And click here again -to run through those oh-so-helpful help videos. 

SO…

To review…

OverDrive 3.0!  The e-lending service goes into iOS territory – offering users:

• A redesigned user interface with an all-new look, streamlined navigation and a one-stop reorganized menu. App functions are just a swipe and tap away.
• Users will be able to sync bookmarks and reading progress across multiple devices using a free, opt-in registration service called OverDrive One.
• Variable speed playback for iOS: audiobook users’ most requested feature.
• Guidance for first time users: The app now prompts users to add libraries and get books.
• System Requirements: OMC v3.0 for Android requires Android OS v4.0 (or newer). OMC for Android v2.6.6 will remain available for download. OMC for iOS requires iOS 6 (or newer).