By Creative Technology Librarian Amy Hofmockel Do you have a desktop covered in icons you don’t use? Are you interested in decluttering your digital workspace? Let’s go over some basics of file management so you can find the files you want when you want them. First, what is file management? Just like you might have papers … Read more
By Digital Learning Specialist Amelia You probably have seen them somewhere by now, black and white square or circular barcode images—known as QR codes (short for Quick Response codes)—on contactless menus, advertisements, and even as a form of payment around the world. But what are QR codes? These barcode images are readable by digital devices—like … Read more
By Amy Hofmockel, Creative Technology Librarian When using apps or programs you may come across an image, article, or link that you want to share with someone else. You could copy or download the media and paste it into or attach it to an email to send to the recipient. However, most apps actually have a … Read more
By Digital Learning Specialist Amelia You might be familiar with the keyboard shortcuts to copy, cut, and paste (and if you’re not, check step-by-step instructions on how to use these shortcuts in Microsoft Word and on your smartphone). But did you know that there are more keyboard shortcuts you can use to navigate your computer … Read more
By Amy Hofmockel, Creative Technology Librarian When using apps and programs it can sometimes be hard to figure out how to access the menu. It can seem like the icons you need to tap to open the menu are constantly changing, even between app updates! While apps are always updating, some basics will stay the same. … Read more
By Amelia, Digital Learning Specialist Have you ever wondered what the letters “URL” mean or seen the phrase “follow this link for more information”? Maybe you’ve seen a URL or a website link in advertisements or on event flyers, product information, or even the news. In this Tech Tip, we’ll cover what URLs are and … Read more
Interested in a convenient way to read newspapers on your phone? With access to more than 7,000 publications from around the world in their original language and format, PressReader is a helpful tool. This post will cover some basics that will help you get started with PressReader. Here are five things to know: 1. You … Read more
By Amy Hofmockel, Creative Technology Librarian It’s so important to create strong passwords—and frequently update them—even though most websites have security measures in place to keep your personal information private. Let’s go over a few of the most basic—but most important—ways to keep your digital data safe, starting with how to: 7 steps to a … Read more
Your Oak Park Public Library card gives you access to thousands of digital newspapers and magazines. Different streaming apps like PressReader, Flipster, and Libby all provide access to digital newspapers and magazines. So what is the best way to start when you’re looking for your favorites? 1. Is it a magazine or a newspaper? 2. … Read more
By John Gargiulo, Supervising Librarian of Creative Technology You have likely used the copy and paste functions to move text on your computer, within a document or email, or from one application to another. (If you haven’t, check out these copy and paste shortcut instructions you can use on your computer.) But how do you complete … Read more
By John Gargiulo, Supervising Librarian of Creative Technology In today’s media landscape, it can be challenging to sort through the constant flow of information and evaluate the accuracy of news articles and social media posts. The fast pace, sensational headlines, and frequent layout changes of social media can make it challenging to assess what you are reading. These … Read more
By Amy Hofmockel, Creative Technology Librarian Looking for one-on-one help with a specific digital learning or technical topic? Sign up for an in-person Learning Lab appointment—available at all three library locations—and get a focused 30-minute session with a Learning Lab instructor. You can request an appointment by filling out our Learning Lab Appointment Request form, but before … Read more
By Amy Hofmockel, Creative Technology Librarian You may be in a cafe, out in Scoville Park, or at the library trying to access a public WiFi network, or connecting with a mobile WiFi hotspot that you have checked out from the library. But how do you know you are connecting to the right network? Using your laptop … Read more
By John Gargiulo, Supervising Librarian of Creative Technology Searching the internet for trustworthy information can feel exhausting at times. With seemingly endless results, it’s often tempting to just click on the first or second option. But is the first result the most useful or the most accurate? Maybe, but not necessarily. One easy way to narrow the scope … Read more
By John Gargiulo, Supervising Librarian of Creative Technology Do you have a Gmail account? Gmail provides you with access to Google apps like Docs, Slides, and Drive. If you have used Docs and Slides before, you may have noticed that all of those files are stored in Google Drive. So what is Google Drive? Cloud-based storage: Files are autosaved … Read more
Smartphones have changed the way we communicate and interact with the world around us. Beyond acting as a telephone, smartphones allow us to have instant access to quick and useful tools called apps. What are apps for? Simply put, an app is a type of software that allows you to perform different tasks. The word … Read more
By John Gargiulo, Supervising Librarian of Creative Technology Do you have a Gmail account? Gmail provides you with access to Google apps like Docs, Drive, and Slides. If you have used programs like Microsoft Word before, Google Docs will feel very familiar to you. ‘A more streamlined feel’ Google Docs is a text editor program with a more … Read more
