You can capture a picture of what you’re looking at on a PC’s screen.  This is called a “screenshot.”   You can save the image, or paste it into a document.  Try these steps:

1.  Have the screen appear the way you want it.

2.  Hit the button in the upper-right of the keyboard that says “Prnt Scrn” or “Print Scrn.”

3.  Go into another program, such as Microsoft Word or MS Paint (Start Menu – All Programs – Accessories – Paint).  Now, paste the image (press CTRL + V, or go to Edit and hit Paste).

In these programs, the image can be cropped or stretched.  You can even crop a small portion of the image, like if you just wanted a little picture of the Start Menu or the toolbar, or a graphic from a website.

UPDATE: As of Wednesday, August 12, power has been restored at Tyrone Township and all other KDL branches affected by the recent storms. All branches have now resumed normal operating hours.

Earlier this week our catalog software was upgraded, adding some great new features:

• Wildcard Searching: Can’t remember exactly how to spell the last name of the author of The Time Traveler’s Wife? Use the asterisk symbol (*) to do a wildcard search. Just entering Niffen* will bring up all books written by Audrey Niffenegger. And searching for travel* will pull up results for travel, traveling, traveler, etc.

• My Cart: Making a list of all the books you want to read? Use the “Add to cart” button to add items to your online cart. Then click on “My Cart” at the top of the screen, and you can send the list to your email address.

• Quick-Link Buttons in Search Results: New buttons in the search results screen offer an easy way to do common tasks, such as “Add to cart,” find out ”More info,” or “Request it” (place the item on hold.)

• Find Local Results: Do you want to quickly see only the items at your local library? Log in to your account using the link at the top of the screen, and your “home library” will jump to the top of the list of Locations in the left column when you search. Just click on the link to show only items at that branch.

Happy Searching! 

For the last three years, Representative Tom Pearce has randomly selected one Summer Reading Club participant from his district to join him for lunch in Lansing. This year’s winner is Katarina Michnick who participated in the Summer Reading Club through the Sand Lake/Nelson Township branch of KDL.

Katarina and her family will travel to Lansing later this year to meet Representative Pearce for lunch and a tour of the capitol.

Congratulations Katarina!

The Kent District Library invites you to the first annual “A Novel Experience” event featuring Marley & Me author John Grogan!

We hope you’ll join us on Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center for this special evening.

Tickets are $10, and proceeds will support KDL’s literacy programs for young children.

You can purchase your tickets starting September 14 online, at any KDL branch location or any Schuler Books & Music location in Grand Rapids.

Look for more details soon!

A list of the top websites for 2009 has just been released by pcmag.com. 

The list includes 50 classic websites that most of us have found we can’t live without, such as amazon.com, hulu.com and imdb.com.  Also included in the list are new and/or undiscovered sites that may soon become one of your favorites such as……

http://www.picnik.com/ ……. a site which makes photo editing fun with easy yet powerful editing tools. The web-based image editor works with Mac, Windows and Linux and integrates nicely with lots of great photo sharing sites like Flickr, MySpace, and Facebook.

……and http://www.gizapage.com/. Gizapage provides you with a single dashboard in which you can control your social network profiles across sites like Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and your WordPress blog.

Spend some time perusing the list on pcmag.com and tell us which ones are your favorites!

MeLCat, the service that allows KDL cardholders to request items from libraries around the state, will be unavailable Tuesday, August 4 due to server maintenance. Searching, placing requests, and renewing MeLCat items will not be possible during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Geek (verb)
1. To love, to enjoy, to celebrate, to have an intense passion for.
2. To express interest in.
3. To possess a large amount of knowledge in.
4. To promote.

Whatever you geek, public libraries like KDL support it all. Public libraries inspire and empower, and they play an important role for individuals and for communities. Everyone is welcome, and almost anything can be explored. The Kent District Library is no exception! Visit any of our 18 branch locations to explore whatever it is you geek.

Check out the Geek the Library campaign to show your support for public libraries.

And tell us… what do you geek?

KDL is participating in the Park & Read Program through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Park and Recreation and the Library of Michigan.

Visit any of KDL’s 18 branch locations to borrow a book and a one-day vehicle permit good at any Michigan State Park and Recreation Area.

Many parks will have hammocks available for Park & Read participants so you can fully enjoy a great book in Michigan’s great outdoors.

Michigan’s park system includes 285,000 acres of land, 13,500 camp sites, 879 miles of trails, and nearly infinite opportunities for outdoor adventures. The Park & Read certificate will give you the opportunity to visit one of these many parks for the day, for FREE!

How to participate:

Look for the Park & Read posters and displays in your local KDL branch. If there are any Park and Read cards available, take one to the library desk, along with your KDL card to check out a pass. You will get a certificate good for a one-day park entrance to be used within the next seven days. Passes can not be reserved ahead of time and they can not be renewed. Each KDL branch will have two passes available for check out.

Grab a book, pick a park and enjoy a relaxing day of outdoor reading!