Clipper Downloadable eAudiobooks

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Clipper Downloadable eAudiobooks offer patrons the option to download talking books in an MP3 format to either listen to on a computer or transfer to an MP3 player (eg Ipod).
Supported devices are listed at: http://library.netlibrary.com/supported_device_list.aspx
Currently there are over 600 titles with more added monthly including bestselling titles such as the “Girl with the dragon tattoo” trilogy.



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There are a number of access points:
(1) Canned search in library catalogue (click on eAudiobook downloads saved list): http://catalogue.wev.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/OPAC/CLIPPER
(2) Library website--“Information on the web”—“Books and reading” http://www.wev.vic.gov.au/Page/page.asp?Page_Id=300&h=0
(3) Library website--“Information on the web”—“Databases A-Z” http://www.wev.vic.gov.au/Page/page.asp?Page_Id=335&h=0
(4) Catalogue entry for specific book title (eg search for “The accidental mother” in the library catalogue)

Help topics are available from: http://www.netlibrary.com/Help/Default.aspx



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Step 1: Create a free account (Netlibrary website, top right hand corner of page)
Step 2: Choose your preferred download method (help for download options available from http://www.netlibrary.com/Help/DisplayTopic.aspx?Name=Listening/DownloadEaudiobooksProcess )



Test me



(1) Set up a free personal account for yourself from the Netlibrary homepage
(2) View a list of all available titles
(3) Use the advanced search function to narrow search down to just MP3 format titles
(4) Locate “Girl with the dragon tattoo” record using library catalogue

Road to IELTS

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Road to IELTS is a new database designed to assist users with preparation for the IELTS exams. Material for both General and Academic IELTS exams is provided.

The database provides 120 hours of online self study material based on commonly used IELTS topics covering reading, writing, listening and speaking. Material is in a variety of formats including video, audio and sample tests simulating the real exam.

Library members can access internally or externally, however there are a maximum number of concurrent users allocated:

• Academic-20 users


• General-30 users
  

As we have selected to provide "anonymous access" users will not be able to save or compare progress, however they are able to use the "marking" option to view the correct answers and note their progression.

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Help topics are available from:

http://www.clarityenglish.com/Software/RoadToIELTS/Help/help.htm


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To access, go to the library website: and click on "Information on the web".

http://www.wev.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=297&h=1&p=1



Test me



General Module-
1. In Unit 7 - "Health and fitness" What are the topics of the two reading passages?
2. Read and try your luck at the answers to topic one.
a. What does the + symbol in the top menu bar indicate on this page?
b. What is the difference between the "Home" button and the "Menu" button on this page?
3. Click the tick to have your answers marked.
a. What do you click in order to re-try the answers once completed and marked?

Academic Module-
1. Select a Unit which interests you.
b. Click on one of the sections offered (eg. Words, listening, writing etc.)
c. Use the "Back" and "Forward" buttons to move through the unit
d. Note the question types you are required to answer in the unit
e. What happens when you hold down the Ctrl key and click on a word?

E-Book Readers

WHAT DEVICE DO I NEED TO READ AN E-BOOK?

(1) PC:
In order to read electronic books through a computer desktop a reader program such as Microsoft or Acrobat Reader is needed.

(2) E-BOOK READER:
An e-book reader, or e-reader, is a portable devise designed primarily to display e-books. The e-ink technology it uses to display the content to readers not only enhances readability but also facilitates long battery life. Other advantages of e-book readers are:

• Light weight and portable


• Alterable font sizes and styles


• Built in dictionaries


• The ability to highlight passages


• Save selected text


• Make notes


• Search for words or passages


• Store multiple books


• Read under any conditions- including bright sunlight
  

There are a number of devices available for purchase in Australia; not all facilitate the same E-book format.

Ipad -Apple http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/ibooks.html

Kindle - Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C/?tag=gocous-

Eco Reader - Dymocks & Myer

www.ecoreader.com.au/

Bebook -Dymocks
www.mybebook.com/

Kobo - Borders/Angus & Robinson

http://www.koboereader.com/

IRiver - JB/Harvey Norman/ ABC shop
http://www.iriver.com.au/iriver/

Sony -Online
www.sonystyle.com/reader

Comparison sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_readers
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix

(3) HANDHELD DEVICE: PHONE OR PDA
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or Smartphones which are capable of displaying text on a screen is also capable of being an e-book reader, but without the advantages of an electronic ink display. In order to read electronic books on a PDA or Smartphone, you will need a reader program (or “Application”).

Apple Iphone: Stanza application http://www.lexcycle.com/
PDA: http://www.mobipocket.com/en/DownloadSoft/default.asp?Language=EN

WHAT E-BOOK FORMATS ARE AVAILALE?

Most readers support several formats each. In a battle for dominance in the e-book market, Amazon released a closed Kindle format (AZW) that can only be read by the Kindle e-reader. Furthermore Kindle does not support ePub, the most interesting format for the rest of the world. More recently, however, Amazon released a Kindle app for tablet computers, including the Ipad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats


WHERE DO I PURCHASE E-BOOKS FROM?
Dymocks:
http://www.dymocks.com.au/VirtualStore/LandingPage.aspx?Store=Digital&Ne=10&N=4294967265

Pan Macmillan:
http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/ebooks.asp

Borders:
http://www.borders.com.au/ebooks/ebooks/45/

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store-ebooks-newspapers-blogs/b/ref=sa_menu_ks2?ie=UTF8&node=133141011

Apple: (via Ibooks application)
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/ibooks.html

Read without paper:
http://www.readwithoutpaper.com/

Ebooks.com
http://www.ebooks.com/

Blog with E-publishing news and reviews
http://bookbee.com.au/

WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD FREE E-BOOKS?
Most e-book sites have free or reduced cost e-books.

Google Books:
Sony application
http://ebookstore.sony.com/google-ebooks/

Ipad compatible format
http://books.google.com/m

Project Gutenberg (out of copyright material)
http://www.gutenberg.org/

WHY DO WE NOT HAVE E-BOOKS AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY?
There are currently only selected suppliers who offer E-books for library patron use including the software to “loan” titles to library patrons. It is restrictive to commit library resources to a specific e-book format until one has emerged as a standard.

WHAT IS DRM AND HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ON E-BOOK PROVISION?
Digital rights management (DRM) is a generic term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to impose limitations on the usage of digital content and devices.

Electronic books read on a personal computer or an e-book reader typically use DRM restrictions to limit copying, printing, and sharing of e-books. E-books are usually limited to a certain number of reading devices and some e-publishers prevent any copying or printing. Some commentators believe that DRM is something that makes E-book publishing complex, particularly as different e-book reading programs use slightly different approaches to DRM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management

QUESTIONS:

How would you answer the following questions? (Please note there are no right or wrong answers, just things to think about).

1. Why don't you have e-books in the library?

2. Why do you still buy books when everything is going to be available on an e-book?

3. What advice can you give me regarding which E-reader device I should purchase?

Readplus

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Readplus is an Australian database which lists books (and films etc) for children and teens. It is arranged under themes and can be searched by title, author, genre, age range and category.
It can only be accessed within the library (no remote access) and requires a username and password.
To search, simply click on the "search" button at the top of the page - pretty easy really!




Try me

Access is through the Information on the web page under Books and Reading : Children & Teenage or Databases A-Z.

Test me

1. Other than Harry Potter, a borrower wants a list of 5 books about magic published in 2010 or 2009.

2. My 8 year old son likes books about dragons. Can you suggest any?

3. What picture books are there about pirates?

4. Produce a "bookmark" of similar authors to Emily Rodda.
Hint: do an author search then click on one of her titles and follow the free bookmark link.

Opposing Viewpoints


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Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center is a resource for middle to upper school students.

Opposing Viewpoints offers a range of current articles addressing issues in society, with up-to-date information from a variety of resources.

It is largely American in content, featuring a range of Gale’s reference resources, primary documents, and full-text magazines.

It offers both general and scholarly resources, government and organizational statistics, as well as multi-media records including pictures, illustrations, audio and video clips.

Search via basic/advanced searches, subject headings, or publications.

There is also a useful subject search based on the Victorian Education Curriculum and Standards Framework for Social Sciences and Science. It covers Year 6- 12.

At the top of the search results are tabs for choosing resources from: Viewpoints, Reference, Magazines, Academic Journals, News, Primary Sources, Statistics, Multimedia, and Websites.

The Viewpoints tab provides argumentative articles on the chosen subject.

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center also includes a translation feature, which allows users to translate documents Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Portuguese, simplified Chinese, and Korean.

There is a toolbox link which instructs on research tools such as: how to make a concept cloud, how to build an argument, how to footnote.

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For more information about Opposing Viewpoints go here:

http://www.gale.cengage.com/OpposingViewpoints/more.htm

For a powerpoint presentation on using Opposing Viewpoints go here:
http://www.gale.cengage.com/OpposingViewpoints/OVRC.ppt

Try me

Access is through the Information on the web page under Encyclopedias and General Reference or Databases A-Z.

http://ezproxy.wev.vic.gov.au:80/login?url=http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/wh_manningham?db=OVRC

Test me

1. Find academic journal articles on Narcotics legalization.

2. Find news articles on teen (juvenile) drinking.

3. Find statistics on the Median Age at the Onset Mental Disorders

4. Using the Curriculum Standards link, help a Year 12 student find information and articles on globalisation (hint: Social Sciences – Economy and Society).

Whitehorse Manningham Heritage Database



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The Whitehorse Manningham Heritage Network was established in June 1997 as a collaboration between Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation, Box Hill Historical Society Inc., Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society Inc., Warrandyte Historical Society Inc., and Whitehorse historical SocietyInc.

The aims of the Whitehorse Manningham Heritage Network are to create a local history database for the region and to develop co-operation between the local historical societies and the library in order to provide a comprehensive local history service to the communities of Whitehorse and Manningham and beyond.


The Whitehorse Manningham Heritage Database is an ongoing project with additional entries being added as catalogued. It is not yet a complete record of items held in the historical societies.

A selection of images can be viewed in database records but for most images the researcher will need to visit the society to view images.

The Whitehorse Manningham Heritage Database is the place to look for any information relating to the local area - not just 'history'.


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Notes on how to search the database.




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From the library website, access through the Information on the Web page under History and Geography then Local History

or

Access through the Information Desk page under Local History




Test me



1. Images on goldmining locally are required for a school project.
(Tip: Basic search using Search for Images only)

2. Which organisations hold information about the Eastern Freeway?
(Tip: After searching use the Return to search page link for names of organisations).

3. According to the database, how many photographs does Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society have of schools in Doncaster.
(Tip: Use Advanced Search. Note: % is used for AND for a Boolean search in this database)

4a. Which collection holds photographs of tiles produced by the Australian Tesselated Tile Company?
(Tip: Use Advanced Search - tiles%tesselated - and specify publication type. After searching use the Return to search page link for name of organisation.)

4b. When is the organisation holding the photographs of tiles open to the public for research enquiries?
(Tip: Use Contacts link).

5. A patron is looking for books on local birds.
(Tip: Use Advanced Search)

Literature Resource Center

Literature Resource Center (LRC) is a fairly comprehensive database, useful for literary research and author biographies etc. Although it has a strong American focus, it still has some good Australian content.

LRC consists of three seperate sections which can be searched individually or as a group (which is the default setting and is the best way to go).

It is part of the Gale group of databases and is therefore easy to search and navigate.

Try Me

To access LRC go to the "Information on the Web" page under "Books & Reading" or "Databases A-Z"

http://ezproxy.wev.vic.gov.au/login?url=http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/wh_manningham?db=LitRC




Test Me

1. Use the "Works Search" tab to find some overviews of "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. How many did you find?

2. Using "Advanced Search" find a book review of "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold.

3. A student is doing an assignment on the "muckraking movement" and needs to find a list of authors from this literary movement. Hint...use the "Person Search". Which nationality was primarily responsible for this literary movement?

Science Resource Center

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Science Resource Center is an in-depth resource for all science-related research that combines Gale’s reference resources with primary documents and full-text science magazines. It offers both general and scholarly resources as well as multi-media records including pictures, illustrations, audio and video clips.

Science Resource Center covers everything from earth science to life science, mathematics, space, technology, science history and biography. It also contains science experiments, useful for school projects.

The search results are conveniently marked according to content level: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced.



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For more information about Science Resource Center go here:

http://www.gale.cengage.com/SciRC/




Try me


Access is through the Information on the web page under Science and Technology or Databases A-Z.

http://ezproxy.wev.vic.gov.au/login?url=http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/wh_manningham?db=SciRC

Test me

1. Find some biographical information on Australian scientist Howard Florey. (TIP Person Search)
2. Find a basic level reference article on ‘solar power’. (TIP Advanced search, Content Type)
3. Find some recent newspaper reviews on the e-book reader ‘Kindle’.
4. Find a science experiment that demonstrates the ‘Greenhouse Effect’ (TIP Advanced search, Subject: Science experiments)