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Ridgefield

Technology

The Ridgefield Library strives to provide its patrons with access to the tools and skills they need to learn, work and play in an ever-changing technology environment. From personal productivity software to authoritative online databases, you can look to the Library for cost-effective technology solutions and expert staff guidance.

Contact: Reference Desk 203-438-2282 x1015 or x1016 referencedesk@ridgefieldlibrary.org

Public Access Computers (PACs)

Public workstations
Located in Reference and Children's Services departments and equipped with black & white and color printers and popular personal productivity software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint).

Color scanner and desk-top publishing software
Perfect for creating brochures and other promotional materials.

Internet access
More than 20 public workstations in Reference and Children's Services departments with printers and high-speed access to the Internet.

Computer Use Guidelines & Procedures

Internet Use Policy

Wireless Access

Free Wi-Fi network
Available throughout the building. Bring your wireless-ready laptop and log on, using your Ridgefield Library card. Residents of other towns in Connecticut should register their hometown library cards at Circulation first. Out-of-staters and those with no library card may get a guest pass at any reference desk. Sorry - no print capability from our wireless network.

Wireless Internet Policy

Wireless FAQs

Mobile Applications

Take your Library with you wherever you go with a variety of applications available for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

RESEARCH

EBSCOHost Mobile
For reliable information while on the go, try EBSCO databases in a smartphone-friendly format. Access a wealth of information from MasterfileFILE Elite with searchable articles from over 1,000 periodicals. Search Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, HealthSource, and more. Read full text articles or save results for offline access at a later date.

Click here to download the Apple or Android app. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on the link for “EBSCOhost iPhone and Anroid Applications”. You will be prompted to enter your email address. Then open the email from EBSCO on your device to access a link to download both the app and an Authorization Key.
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/selectdb?sid=285c54c1-8389-4f4b-810d-f17ad7b89566%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=104

For Blackberry users and those who don’t wish to download an app, click here on your device for EBSCOHost specially formatted for your mobile device.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,cpid&custid=ridgefld&profile=mobsmart

Gale AccessMyLibrary
Download the app and then locate the Ridgefield Library in the navigation menu. Access popular databases including Biography in Context, General Reference Gold, Books and Authors, and more. When you’re on the road, use the app to find libraries within a ten-mile radius of your location. App available for both Apple and Android devices.

NoveList
Looking for a reading recommendation? Search for books by title, author, and series. Find book reviews and book discussion questions. Now you can access this powerful reader’s advisory tool in a mobile version designed for smaller screens.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,cpid&custid=ridgefld&profile=novmob

WorldCat
WorldCat Mobile lets you search the worlds’ catalog of more than almost 150 million items in libraries worldwide in a smartphone friendly format. Use WorldCat to locate books, videos, audio recordings and other publication types.
www.worldcatmobile.org

Don't forget Text-a-Librarian for on-the-go reference answers! See instructions below.

DOWNLOADABLE AUDIOBOOKS AND eBOOKS

OverDrive
Download eBooks and audiobooks directly to your smartphone or tablet with an internet connection. Once your download is complete, read or listen to a book wherever and whenever you choose. App available for both Apple and Android devices or download software for Blackberry devices.
http://help.overdrive.com/MyHelpINOMCBlackBerry

TumbleBook Library for children

This online collection of animated talking picture books which teach young children the joys of reading now has titles that are compatible with the iPad and iPhone.
http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp

LANGUAGE LEARNING

Mango Mobile Library Edition
Learn languages everywhere you go with a free app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Full-featured Mango Mobile Library Edition gives you access to all the Mango language courses offered through the Ridgefield library. All you need is your library card! Find out more.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE RIDGEFIELD LIBRARY

Events Calendar
Bookmark this page on your smartphone to view a listing of Ridgefield Library events specially formatted for your phone screen. Now you can check out what’s happening at the library from any location.
http://mobile.eventkeeper.com/RDGFLD

Library Elf
Receive notices of items coming due, overdue or on hold via text message or RSS.
http://www.libraryelf.org/

Follow the Ridgefield Library on Twitter
http://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=ridgefieldlib

Check out our Facebook pages
The New Ridgefield Library http://www.facebook.com/newridgefieldlibrary
Children's Services http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ridgefield-Library-Childrens-Services/233936673320522
Teen Services http://www.facebook.com/RidgefieldLibraryTeenServices

Presentation & Training Technology

Come to the Library to host a speaker or film for your organization or hold a training meeting for your whole staff. The Dayton Program Room accommodates up to 100 and is fully equipped with state-of-the-art media projection system, integrated audiovisual capabilities and Internet access; modest rental fee applies.

Digital Collections

Online Databases
Downloadable Audio & eBooks

Text a Librarian

Send your text to 66746. Start the body of your message with askrdg then a space, followed by your question.

This is the newest way the Ridgefield Library invites you to send us your reference questions. Wherever you are, you can use your cell phone to ask all the same questions you might by phone, email or in person. During the Library’s open hours, our librarians will be monitoring and responding promptly to incoming text messages. At other times, you can send a message but it will not be answered until our librarians are next on duty.

The first time you use the service, you will receive a message with an introductory message from Mosio, the company that provides this service to libraries. After that, you should only receive responses from our staff. Please note that Text a Librarian messages will incur whatever charges are customary under your phone plan.

Technology Instruction

Microsoft Office 2007
We've moved to Microsoft Office 2007! Visit our Computers& Technology reference page for a list of tools to help make the transition to these newer versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access and other Microsoft Office applications.

Senior Gold Card
If you are a Ridgefield resident aged 65 or older, you qualify for a free Ridgefield Senior Gold Card, which entitles you to discounts, freebies and special services at businesses and organizations around town. At the Ridgefield Library, show your card to schedule a personal half-hour session with a librarian to take a tour of the Library or get one-on-one instruction on how to use our computerized "card catalog," our downloadable audiobook service or one of our many electronic databases. Call Assistant Director Mary Rindfleisch at 203-438-2282 x1009 to schedule your Gold Card visit.

Additional Resources

Watch for notice of new software and services and of upcoming computer instruction classes.

Computer Help

The Library's Network Administrator helps a patron with her laptop.

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Ridgefield Library | 472 Main Street Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877 | 203-438-2282 | Directions