The Electronic Newsletter of the Palm Beach County Library System

Contents:
1/ Introduction to Books & Bytes
2/ Overview of Computer Training Classes
3/ Useful Web Links Section Highlight – Travel Links
4/ Reader's Advisory Section Highlight – Literary Criticism
5/ In Next Month's Issue

1/ Introduction to Books & Bytes

Welcome to the August issue of Books & Bytes. This month we will provide an overview of our Computer Training Classes. This will be followed by an exploration of the Travel Links category in Useful Web Links. We will also examine the Literary Criticism section in our Reader's Advisory.

We hope you enjoy receiving Books & Bytes. Please let us know what you think of our publication by writing to: webmaster@pbclibrary.org

2/ Overview of Computer Training

With the growth of the World Wide Web, more information is available online than in all the books in our library system. But all this electronic information is worthless if you do not understand how to use a computer. For many people, learning to use a computer is a big challenge. Here at the library, we want everyone to be able to access the wide range of electronic resources. So we offer a wide variety of computer training through our Main Library and in all branches, including lecture-based classes and hands-on training.

We offer the following System-wide Lectures:

Basic Computers: Do you know someone is new to computers. Are they confused by the terms “hardware” and “software?” If so, they can learn the basics about computers at this free presentation. This class covers hardware, software, files, and networks. (1 hr.)

Introductory Internet: This is a basic introduction to the Internet for beginners. No previous experience with computers is necessary. In this class we cover the World Wide Web, Search Tools, Internet Service Providers, and E-mail. (2 hrs.)

Intermediate Internet: This seminar provides instruction on using different Web search tools and discusses helpful tips and tricks for using your browser. The instructor also goes into detail on computer viruses, cookies, hoaxes, and plug-ins. (2 hrs.)

These classes are offered at all our locations throughout the year and are free of charge. To current two months schedule is available online.

To reserve a space to attend one of these classes, please call the hosting branch.

If you want hands-on training, we have two computer labs in our system. The Main Library has a ten-computer lab. Our North County Regional Library has a four-computer lab. Below is a description of our hands-on classes:

Basic Windows: Learn the basics of moving around in the Windows environment and get some hands-on practice using the mouse. (60 min.)

Basic Word Processing: Microsoft Word 97 is a word processing program that can be used to create school reports or resumes. Learn how to align text, change fonts, and copy and move text. (60 min.) Some computer experience is necessary.

Browser Basics: This is a hands-on instructional class for learning the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. Participants should have some experience using the mouse. (60 min.) Prerequisite: Introductory Internet

E-mail Basics: Learn how to use SAFe-Mail, a free web-based e-mail program. Participants get hands-on training for sending and receiving mail as well as creating folders and an address book. (60 min.) Prerequisite: Introductory Internet and Mouse Experience

Your Library on the Internet: Do you need to do research from home? This brief tour shows how to use the Library's web site to answer your questions. A scavenger hunt gives you hands-on practice at the end of the class. (60 min.) Prerequisite: Introductory Internet

Search Tools: Discover how easy it is to find information on the Internet. Learn how to search using a Web Directory, a Search Engine, and a Meta-Search Engine. and some specialized Search Tools. (60 min.) Prerequisite: Introductory Internet

Business Searching: This class demonstrates the resources needed to conduct business research on the Internet. Learn to use specialized databases and search tools to find information. (60 min.)

Seating for these classes is limited and reservations are required unless otherwise specified. Call the Main Library at (561) 233-2600 and ask for the Telephone Reference department to reserve your place. The Main Library Computer Lab schedule is available online.

North County Regional offers many of these classes in their computer lab. To reserve space, please call (561) 626-6133. Please call the library for the current class schedule.

For more information about our Computer Training classes, please visit our web page.

3/ Useful Web Links

As a regular feature each month, we examine one section of our Useful Web Links. Our web directory is compiled by librarians who apply their knowledge and Internet experience to recommend web sites for each topic.

Are you planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park? Are you trying to find a quaint Bed and Breakfast in Vermont? Or do you simply need to know how much to tip the taxi driver? If so, take a look through the “Travel” section in Useful Web Links.

The “Travel” section of Useful Web Links is divided is divided into four subsections: General Sites, Guides, Lodgings, and Transportation. Below is a sample of sites from each subsection:

General Sites

“Festivals Around the World” is a great listings of festivals, ranging from art to music to sports and more.

“The Original Tipping Page” provides guides to tipping in a vast range of countries and locations, such as hotels, taxis, and sports stadiums.

“Passport Services” has information straight from the State Department answering all your questions about obtaining and using your passport.

“Travel Health Online” is a resource of travel and medical information, viewable by country and illness.

“Universal Currency Converter” allows you to perform interactive foreign exchange rate calculations, using live, up-to-the-minute currency rates.

Guides

“Florida USA” is the official site of the Florida tourism board.

“Fodors,” “Frommers,” and “Lonely Planet” are three of the best travel guides in print, now available on the web.

“Learning Vacations” provide adventurous people with exotic travel with an educational twist.

“National Scenic Byways Online” provides travelers with current, detailed information about byways throughout the United States. Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

“The National Park Service” presents maps and information about our National Parks across the country, from Yellowstone to the Everglades.

Lodgings

“America's Inns and Lodges” is a comprehensive list of inns and lodges across the country and around the world.

“Bed and Breakfast Inns” has a tool to help you locate bed and breakfast inns across North America.

“Elderhostel” is America’s first and the world’s largest educational travel organization for adults 55 and over.

“Hostels.com” is a guide to hostels and hostelling around the world.

“Resorts and Lodges” is a worldwide directory of resorts and lodges with contact information and links to their web sites.

Transportation

“AAA Auto Club” is the largest automobile association in the United States. AAA Auto Club South services Florida.

“Amtrak” is the official web site for the nation's largest passenger train carrier. You may purchase tickets online through their site.

“Federal Aviation Administration” is the official web site for the government body that oversees air travel.

“Federal Highway Administration” is charged with overseeing safety and efficiency on the nation's highways.

At the “Palm Beach International Airport” web site you can check the official airport web site for driving directions, parking, and flight arrival and departure times.

To visit these great sites and more, drop by the “Travel” section of Useful Web Links.

4/ Reader's Advisory Highlight

Looking for more information on famous and not-so-famous literature? Do you want to delve deeper into a genre? Or do you simply want to read a good book? As a regular feature each month, we examine one page of our Reader's Advisory. This month, we will explore the world of "Literary Criticism."

With students returning to school, the study of English language and literature is a popular subject. To help with essays and term projects, we have assembled a list of the best literary criticism sites on the web.

"BookSpot" has a collection of web sites covering many different aspects of literary criticism.

"Feminist Literary Criticism and Theory" includes information on different literary genres, specific historical periods, pedagogical issues, politics and literature, and literary theory.

"Glossary of Literary Terms" contains definitions of important literary terms ranging from Adventure novel to the Western and all points in between.

The "Handbook of Rhetorical Devices" contains definitions and examples of more than sixty traditional rhetorical devices, from Alliteration to Zeugma.

"The Internet Public Library Online Literary Criticism Guide" brings together hundreds of literary criticism and/or bibliographical web sites (with annotations) arranged by author, subject, and time period.

"Links to Literary Criticism" from InfoUSA, a list of links to useful literary criticism web sites, cutting across gender and race lines.

"Modern Word - The Libyrinth" is the Web's largest site devoted to exploring twentieth-century experimental literature. Selected authors include Samuel Beckett, Philip K. Dick, and Umberto Eco.

So if you are looking for great stories about the olden days, take a look at the “Literary Criticism” section of Reader’s Advisory.

5/ Next Month in Books & Bytes

In next month’s issue, we will review how to check your account and renew books through our web site.