For Immediate Release
April 16, 2015
Residents Urged to Try New Technology: Thousands of Free eResources Available at the Library
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – April 16, 2015 – Santa Clara County Library District’s (SCCLD) Los Altos Library recently unveiled its innovative Tech Toolbar, a new service offered by library staff to help residents learn about the newest electronic devices. Individuals are encouraged to explore and play with these devices and learn how to easily download a myriad of free eResources offered by SCCLD. The Tech Toolbar features four devices: an iPad mini, a Samsung Galaxy tablet, a Kindle Fire and a Kindle Paperwhite.
“At SCCLD, our libraries offer a vast amount of content for electronic devices. The Tech Toolbar provides an opportunity for individuals to try various devices and have library staff assist with their device and content questions. This personalized service opens a new world of library resources for library users; one filled with a wealth of downloadable content that can be accessed 24/7 at the touch of a button,” observed Nancy Howe, County Librarian.
The Tech Toolbar pilot program began in 2013 at the Cupertino Library and expanded to the Campbell Library in January 2015. Los Altos Library is the third SCCLD location to provide this personalized service. “Libraries have to evolve to adapt to changing technology. With thousands of eResources, including 46,000 eBooks, available on the SCCLD web site, cardholders have a wealth of informational and entertainment resources at their fingertips. Individuals who have recently purchased new tablet computers are invited to visit the Los Altos Library Tech Toolbar and discover the potential of their new devices,” stated Los Altos Community Librarian, Judith Gregg.
The Tech Toolbar will be staffed by library employees on:
- Tuesdays, 4–6 p.m.
- Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Thursdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Saturdays, 3-5 p.m.
- Sundays, 1-3 p.m.
Individuals needing additional assistance with eResources or their devices can schedule one-on-one appointments with a librarian or Tech Toolbar coach at the Los Altos Library by calling (650) 948-7683. For additional information and detailed instructions for downloading eResources go to: http://www.sccl.org/Browse/eBooks.
Los Altos Library is utilizing technology in other innovative ways to help children learn. There are four early literacy iPads for children and their caregivers to enjoy together during their library visits. The iPads are loaded with early literacy apps designed for children ages 2-6. The content on the iPads includes important early literacy building skills such as singing, talking, reading, and writing. These devices provide parents and caregivers with early literacy tools for their young children and can make their visits to the Los Altos Library even more engaging.
About the Santa Clara County Library District
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.
In 2014, SCCLD celebrated one hundred years of service to local residents. For the last several years, SCCLD has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries by Library Journal. In 2014, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014, SCCLD won a Top Innovator Award from the Urban Libraries Council for its innovative program to revive episodic fiction.
The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2014, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 225,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.3 million visitors who borrowed 9.4 million items, making it one of the most used resources in the region.
Visit Santa Clara County Library District online at www.sccl.org.
Contact:
Nancy Howe/Mark Fink/Lili Smith
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3001/3010/3014
