Have Questions? Get Answers!
The Reference Librarians at Highland Park Public Library are happy to help you with any research project!
We can:
-Help you identify books and journals appropriate to your subject
-Show you how to use electronic resources
-Assist you in obtaining materials from other Libraries
-Guide you through the overwhelming sources of information on the Internet
Please contact us at 847-681-7031 for assistance.
From the Reference Desk...
Tax Forms at the Library
Tax forms are available at the Library, just inside the doorway to the Adult Services Room. Amounts are limited, and it's first come, first served. We don't carry every form and publication, but we'd be happy to help you locate them online at www.irs.gov for Federal, and www.ILtax.com for State. Printouts are 10 cents a page. See the Reference Desk for assistance.
You may also order tax forms from the IRS. Information and employer returns are also available to order.
Tags: News/Announcements
Hands-on Help with Ereaders
Do you have a new Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, or iPad and need help figuring out how to get a Library ebook onto it? We offer hands-on help from 2-4pm EVERY Thursday during the month of January! Just drop by the Group Study area in the back of the Adult Services Department and we'll help you get Library ebooks onto your device. First come, first served, so we appreciate your patience if we get busy.
Here's what you need to bring, in addition to your Library card:
*iPad? Bring your iPad and be sure you know your iTunes password, so you can download the app you'll need.
*Nook, Sony Reader, other non-tablet devices? You'll need your laptop, your device, and the device cable.
*Kindle? Bring your device and your cable. Also, you MUST know the email and password for your Amazon.com account.
*Android device? Bring your device and know your Marketplace password to install the app.
Looking for instructions? See our My Media Mall page and scroll down to "Device Instructions" for step-by-step how-to's.
Tags: News/Announcements
Ereader classes
Did you get a new E-Reader for the Holidays? Want to learn how to download Library books to your new device? We will be holding classes in January that are specific to different types of devices. One class for Kindles, one for i-stuff, and one for all other ereaders. More information is available on the Library Calendar.
Tags: News/Announcements
Introducing Mango Languages
Did you know we have a fun, fast and easy language learning program called Mango Languages? The best part is it's free and you can access it anywhere there is Internet with your library card. Mango is the easiest and most effective way to learn to speak a foreign language. Learn more about Mango Languages here.
Tags: News/Announcements
Kindle Books Now on My Media Mall!
This is the news we've been waiting months to hear! Overdrive, our provider of e-audiobooks and e-books, is now offering Kindle-compatible e-books!
Here's how it works: on your computer, go to My Media Mall and sign in with your library card. Locate an e-book you wish to checkout and click the "place in cart" link. Proceed to checkout, set your loan period, and confirm your checkout. Click the "get for Kindle" button and you'll be taken to Amazon's site. Sign in with your Amazon account, and then download your book to your Kindle or to any device (including your computer) with a Kindle app. Per Amazon: Public library books can be sent wirelessly to Kindle devices via an active Wi-Fi connection or transferred via USB. But you'll still need to use a computer first to find, check out, and transfer a book.
Essentially, Amazon is where you'll do the heavy lifting of downloading and transferring your book. They even have a nifty help page that gives you all the information you'll need to get started: Public Library Books for Kindle.
Have you tried Universal Class?
One of our newer online resources is Universal Class, which offers over 500 online continuing education classes. The classes meet online, at your convenience, with a real instructor. Classes cover a wide varierty of subjects: computers, business, arts & photography, crafts, GED prep, health & medicine, writing help, homeschooling, and more!
Classes are available in a diverse range of subjects including computers, business, home & garden, health and medicine, hobbies, and more. View a listing of class topics.
Get Started!
Step 1: Go to the sign up page to create your account with your user name and password.
Step 2: Go to http://highlandparkil.universalclass.com to enroll in your class and start learning!
• You are welcome to enroll in up to 5 courses.
• You have up to 6 months to finish each course
• You have access to your course 24/7 via the Internet.
• Attend class and do assignments on your schedule.
• Each course has a real instructor who you may communicate with using e-mail.
note: These are non-credit courses and are provided for your personal enrichment. These courses are not intended to be a substitute for any state, government, licensing, or educational requirements.
Tags: Online Resources
RAILS - Our New Library System!
You may recall that last year the North Suburban Library System (NSLS), of which Highland Park is a member, was nearly shut down by the lack of state funding. Everything but the most essential services - notably, interlibrary loan - was cut.
Other library systems in Illinois, facing the same budgetary issues, pooled resources with NSLS on July 1st to create RAILS: the Reaching Across Illinois Library System. Composed of the now-defunct Alliance Library System (ALS), DuPage Library System (DLS), Metropolitan Library System (MLS), North Suburban Library System (NSLS), and Prairie Area Library System (PALS), RAILS now serves more than 3,700 libraries over 27,000 square miles.
How does this affect you? Service levels will remain the same as before July 1st, so there is no service interruption! You can read more about RAILS on their website.
Tags: News/Announcements
All Praise the Subject Guides!
One of the new features on our site is our Subject Guides, which collects our subscription online resources (databases), recommended weblinks, ebooks, print magazines and classes by subject and puts them all together on one page. So, clicking on "Art" in the subject guide listing will give you all the resources with that tag. It's one-stop shopping, and it's exactly where you'll find what we called our "recommended links" on the old site. Is there a subject you think we're missing?
Looking for our databases?
You may have noticed our site is looking just a tad bit different lately (see our announcement), and perhaps you're wondering where you can find all your favorite databases, like Lexis Nexis, Reference USA, and Consumer Reports. Look no further than the "Online Resources" link on the left side of the screen, under "Quick Links". You also can find a link to our online resources under the "Research" tab at the top of the page. Questions? Call us at the Reference Desk at 847-781-7031, or instant message us using the Ask Us widget on the left side of the screen.
Job Hunting Resources
We've collected a number of online resources for job hunters in our Job Hunting guide. You'll find links to recommended sites on resumes and cover letters, interviewing, salary information, career guides, and more.
Tags: Web Resources
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