Mercer County Library Blog

Our library hosts virtual programs using the videoconferencing software program GoToMeeting. If you're familiar with Zoom, you'll find some differences, but the tips below will help you get started. Our virtual programs include guided meditations, lectures on historical topics, and informative workshops throughout the year and can be browsed on our virtual program event calendar . Before the Program You don't need to create an account. When you join a library program, you're joining as a guest. You'll simply need the link we provide in an email before the program. Choose how you want to join: Web browser: Only works in Chrome and Edge. Click on “ Join in this browser ”. Desktop app: GoToMeeting will prompt you to click on “ Download the app ”. Phone or tablet: Download the GoToMeeting app from your device's app store. Android Apple For more information on how to join, see Join Methods and Join a Meeting in the GoTo app from GotoMeeting. Joining a Vir...

Have you ever wished there was a webpage you could go to that would teach you about writing an email, keyboarding skills, artificial intelligence, Google Calendar, and creating animations in PowerPoint- all in the same place? If so, you are very ambitious. If not, have no fear, because that is exactly the niche that the Technology Instruction LibGuide seeks to fill! The Technology Instruction LibGuide is the hub for all information relating to the Mercer County Library System’s technology instruction. For those unfamiliar, LibGuides is a content management system (CMS) that library staff use to manage digital content on a variety of subjects. The collection of guides created by the Mercer County Library System is housed under the “Resources” tab on the MCL website. LibGuides are meant to be easy to quickly update if information changes. Due to the evolving nature of some of the topics covered in the Technology Instruction guide, such as artificial intelligence and the impending end ...

We are fortunate enough to be alive at a time in which all the information we could ever dream of learning is at our fingertips. I’ve always lived in a world with instant access to the internet; I could always Ask Jeeves or even text ChaCha when I was away from my computer, and got my first iPhone just before starting high school. I cannot imagine living in a world without the ability to pull up a video of my favorite Real Housewives fight whenever I want to see it. (Mine is the Amsterdam fight from Beverly Hills. If you know, you know.) Or worse, growing up without Real Housewives at all… I shudder at the thought. Those who forget history… Instant access to information does not mean instant access to reliable information, though; the spread of misinformation is as old as time itself. With each technological advancement, more opportunities for misinformation arise: in the 1480s, Dominican friars used the recently-invented printing press to spread a wildly successful, Pope-approve...

While putting together my latest gaming computer last week, I was struck by how intimidating all those components can seem to someone who's never looked inside a PC case. Have you ever wondered what's actually inside that computer humming away on your desk? Whether you're curious about technology, considering building your own PC, or just want to make more informed decisions about computers, understanding the hardware components is surprisingly accessible. Like learning any new subject, it starts with breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces. A computer is basically a team of specialized parts. Each one has its own job, and when they work together, you get a functioning machine. Here's what's in there: The processor (CPU) - The brain The Central Processing Unit is truly the brain of your computer. It executes billions of calculations per second, processing every instruction from your software, and comprises the following: Cores : Think of these as i...

Hi all, Tech Guru here with a post about something very low tech. For as long as I can remember, my best friend and I have enjoyed watching baseball together. There are memories of afternoons on a phone with her while we both watch a Yankees game, summers on hard plastic seats watching Trenton Thunder games, a road trip to Fenway in a torrential downpour, subway rides to and from Yankee Stadium, and taking our Cubs-loving-parents to a Phillies-Cubs game at Citizens Bank Park. No matter where I watch a baseball game, I’m reminded about why I love the game so much. It makes you slow down and really be in the moment. Part of that is the low tech use of a pencil to keep score while watching the game. Over the years, I have tried my hand at keeping score, never getting past a K means a batter struck out swinging and a reverse K means the batter struck out while looking. You may be asking yourself why would someone need to keep score? There are digital screens everywhere telling you the s...

You know we have books, e-books, audiobooks, kids’ books, cook books. When it comes to books, you name it, we have it – and if we don’t, there’s even interlibrary loans to get it. But you may be surprised to learn what other interesting things we have to offer beyond the books! TECHNOLOGY Playaway Launchpads Playaway Launchpad is the first-ever secure, pre-loaded learning tablet in a circulation environment. Each Launchpad is pre-loaded with high-quality, ad-free learning apps grouped by age, grade level, subject area and theme. Learn more Circulating Tablets Need to borrow a mobile device? The Mercer County Library System lends tablet computers to patrons! These Android tablets come pre-loaded with many of our patrons’ favorite electronic resources, including Bluebird Languages, Headspace, the New York Times, and Kanopy. You can place a hold on a tablet through our online catalog, or ask at your local branch. Learn more Remote Printing Patrons who need to print a document or f...

Since its launch in 2020, the MyMCLSNJ app has evolved to better serve our library community. After the outage of 2023-2024 (which was due to a contract dispute between the primary vendor and the software provider over the underlying software behind many other public library apps, “BLUEcloud Mobile”), the app has now been upgraded to the latest version — “BLUEcloud Mobile2”. This update brings improved functionality, enhanced performance, and a more seamless user experience. I’ll provide a quick overview of the most common features: Home Screen Upon logging in, you’ll land on the Home screen. At the top, you’ll see a friendly welcome message. In the middle, you’ll also see “Library Locations” with relevant branch addresses, social media links, and approximate distance from your location—useful if you’re deciding which branch to visit. At the bottom is your current account summary—fines and fees, the number of holds, and any current checkouts. This is a good at-a-glance summary if yo...

Consumer Reports Online Edition was added to Mercer County Library System’s list of resources this past fall and runs the gamut of products readers have come to expect from the print magazine, while also offering new and interactive ways to find the best deals on the highest rated products. This patron-requested resource is now available to you both in-branch and on the go. The online edition is organized by categories: Cars, Home & Garden, Appliances, Electronics, Babies, Digital Security, Deals, and More+. I’m using Consumer Reports Online Edition to help family members shop for a new laptop. Performing a search brings up the Laptops & Chromebooks page with tabs for Overview, Ratings & Reliability, Recommend, and Buying Guide. The family member I’m helping is currently using a mid-size, 15in laptop. They prefer a laptop of comparable size, but with a larger, solid-state drive as they plan to mainly store their files locally. The laptop should have the capability to...