A different way to search

Most of the time when I search for an item in Workflows, I use the item/search wizard (the book and magnifying glass icon); however, there is another wizard you can use to search that might be easier for you.

The home wizard (little house icon) allows you to do more advanced searching.

To try it:

1. Open Workflows
2. Click on the Home wizard (little house icon)
3. Choose “library catalog”
4. A whole bunch of choices should appear: word or phrase, combination, author, title, subject, author and title, periodical title, browsing, or term search.
5. I like to use “combination.” Click on the picture with the combination lock.
6. It will bring up a list of combination choices.
7. Say you wanted to look up the list of ordered dvds for 2008.
8. Type “ordered” in the “words or phrase” box.
9. Click on the “limit” icon in the top right hand corner.
10. Type “2008” in the “pubyear” box.
11. Choose “DVD” from the “itemtype” drop down menu.
12. You have to hit the ENTER key on the keyboard to use the selections.
13. It should take you back to the main menu. Now, hit ENTER again and view your search results.
14. You can navigate the list by hitting the arrow keys in the top right corner. You can change your search by hitting the Go Back button (curved arrow). You can view the item by click on it until its highlighted blue, and then hitting the View button (paper with magnifying glass).

Try the different search functions. You might like this way better and it might be easier for you.

Faxing without a fax machine

I know at the Central library we receive 5 questions a day asking if the library has fax services. Since we do not, we normally refer them to other places nearby. However, there is now an alternative.

Drop.io

Drop.io was originally created as a place to share files. This website allows you to create sharing points called drops. The best part is you don’t have to have an email or have to create an account. Each drop is private in that people only know about it once you share the website address and you can create as many drop points as you want.

This is where the Fax service comes into play. Click here to get directions and learn read more about the service. Basically, if you have a file on your computer you need to fax and a fax number to send it to, you are ready to go. You create a drop, upload the file, and fax it. Unfortunately, it used to be free, but because the service was abused you now you have to upgrade to a premium box. According to the website, "You can purchase ‘Premium’ upgrade codes which allow you to expand the size of your drops and enable shorter URLs (2+ characters). The cost is $10 per gigabyte per year. Your code can be applied to newly created drops as well as existing drops."

You can also receive faxes with drop.io. This is FREE. For some to fax a document to you they must use the drop’s custom “cover page,” which is available for you to email, or print and give to them. But without this cover page you will not receive the fax.

You can also receive voicemail, email, make documents into websites, and just plain share files with your peeps.

This website is an alternative we can offer our those customers searching for a way to fax from the library. Remember: We can’t scan documents, so the file has to be on a disk, flash drive, CD, or in their email box. Other than that, it’s a pretty great service. Give it a try!