The Electronic Newsletter of the Palm Beach County Library System

Contents:
1/ Introduction to Books & Bytes
2/ Our New Web Site
3/ In Next Month's Issue

1/ Introduction to Books & Bytes

Welcome to the April issue of Books & Bytes. On April 7, we launched a new version of the Palm Beach County Library System web site. Our new site features easy to use drop-down menus that provide quick access to all our electronic resources. In this issue, we will highlight the major changes to our site and provide a quick tour of our resources.

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

2/ Our New Web Site

In honor of National Library Week, we were proud to unveil our newly designed web site. Using a series of drop-down menus, it is now easier than ever to explore the great online content we provide for free. All of our wonderful features are still intact, such as quick access to the catalog, library card account information, and updated news and events in our system. In addition, we have expanded our web site, so it contains more information than ever.
http://www.pbclibrary.org

From our home page, you can access all our major services with a click of the mouse.

Quick access to our catalog is available in the top left corner of the page through a drop-down menu with the title “Search the Library Catalog.” Select your local library from the list to be immediately transported into our catalog to search for books, music, movies and more.

In the top right corner of our home page is a form that allows you to check your library card account. Enter your full card number (eg D012345678) and PIN. (For more information on your PIN, please visit: http://www.pbclibrary.org/cardfaq.htm#PIN.) After clicking the GO button, a page will load which contains a list of your borrowed items, current requests, and any fines that you may owe. You may renew your books from the account page or even cancel requests. For more information on renewing your books, please visit:
http://www.pbclibrary.org/renew.htm

The home page also contains stories on special news and events happening in the Library System. Over the past month, we have posted stories profiling:

National Library Week
Jupiter Construction Photos
Family FAQ programs
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Special Presentation
Royal Palm Beach Spring Art Show
Job Hunting @ your library
Bookmobile Service at Jupiter Town Hall
and much more!

Every page in our web site has a blue and white drop-down menu that allows quick access to our entire web site. The menu has eight sections:

a/ Home Page
This section quickly links users back to our home page no matter where they are in our site. It also contains a link to “Search our Web Site.” You can use this search tool to locate information on our web site with ease.

b/ Catalog and Account
This section allows users to quickly reach our catalog and library card account features. The following subsections are available from this menu:
* Search the Catalog – Search through over 1 million items in our system.
* Check Your Account – Learn item due dates, renew your books, check your requests, and more.
* Renew Your Books – Seven simple steps enable you to renew you items online.
* Library Card FAQ – Discover information about borrowing items, fines, and your PIN.
* Catalog Search Help – Looking for an item in our catalog? This page can help you do that!
* eBooks – Electronic books made available through NetLibrary to Palm Beach County residents.

c/ News and Events
This section keeps you up to date with new services and events in the entire Library System. It contains these subsections:
* Library Expansion – Get the latest information on new and expanding libraries in the County.
* Adult Programs – We offer dozens of unique programs on a wide range of subjects every month.
* Children’s Programs – Learn about our fabulous story times, craft specials, and movies for kids.
* Computer Training – Our free classes include training on the Internet and computers, both in lecture and hands-on formats.
* Publications – Read the latest news from Happenings, Books & Bytes, and Update News.

d/ Research Resources
Start your research here! A library full of information lies at your fingertips - all of which has been professionally selected and designed. The main subsections here include:
* Electronic Databases – Search our Premium Databases for magazine articles, telephone numbers and more.
* Useful Web Links - Our librarians have built a directory of high-quality web sites. We hope that you will find them useful.
* Reader’s Advisory - Looking for information on famous and not so famous literature? Here are great web sites and reading lists.
* Government Research – An excellent directory of government links – everything from local to state to federal is contained here.
* Genealogy Research – Shaking your family tree? Our resources and librarians can help you locate elusive ancestors.
* Community Health - A comprehensive and authoritative collection of the best health information resources on the web.
* Email Reference – Email your short, factual questions to us for next day service.

e/ Youth Pages
A fun and informative place for kids, teens, and parents to explore. It contains the following subsections:
* Kids Pages – Get Homework Help, find Fun Stuff, explore the Reading Corner, and visit our Useful Databases.
* Teen Pages – Get Homework Help, explore the Reading Corner, find Fun Stuff, and learn about College and Careers.
* Parenting Pages – Learn tips to help your child read and find a wealth of parenting resources.
* Internet Safety – Discover simple rules to ensure safe play while online.
* Search the Web – Locate information on the Internet with these kid-friendly tools.

f/ Additional Services
This new section contains information on our services outside the library and services for residents who are unable to visit a library, or use regular library material. The subsections here include:
* Adult Literacy Project – Learn how to become a student or a tutor in this popular program.
* Interlibrary Loan – If we don’t own the book, we may be able to borrow it from another library.
* For Deaf and Blind Residents – Locate information about special services for residents who have physical disabilities.
* For Seniors – Learn about great programs and services that assist our senior population.
* Outside the Library – Reach links to library services that occur outside of our branch locations.
* Clubs and Organizations – A unique database of non-profit and community groups in Palm Beach County.

g/ About the Library
This section provides information about library locations, along with information on groups that support library services.
* Locations and Hours – Find comprehensive information about each library, including telephone numbers, hours of operation, and collections.
* Departments – Learn about the different departments that comprise the Library System.
* Employment – Do you want to work for the library? Locate job opportunities on this page.
* Volunteers – Offer your spare time to help out at the library.
* Library Advisory Board – The Board works with the Library Director to improve and expand library service throughout the County.
* Friends of the Library – Become a Friend to help the library grow and reach out to the community.

h/ Páginas Español
Tenemos a su alcanze los materiales que busca sin importar su edad o sus intereses. Usted encontrará libros, revistas, periódicos, videos, acceso a recursos electrónicos y expertos en información. Estamos capacitados para responder cualquier pregunta que usted tenga.
* Renovar Libros – Siete Pasos Para Renovar Libros
* Clases de Computadoras
* Información de Salud
* MiServiciodeBiblioteca

We invite you to explore our new web site. We believe you will like what you see.
http://www.pbclibrary.org

3/ Next Month in Books & Bytes

Next month, we will begin exploring our web site in further detail. We will spend the next issue exploring our Catalog and Account section, and we will continue to profile our Electronic Databases.