Saturday 15 August 2015

Digital Content Galore!

A few years ago, I invested in a tablet computer and a public library membership and I've never looked back!


Books, Books, Books


I mainly use my membership for digital content, and through the Overdrive App for iPad, I can spend hours exploring which books I want to read next. Bestsellers in categories such as fiction, self help, autobiographies, classics, and youth/children's literature, are all at my fingertips. 


Hmmm, How to Choose?

The software works intuitively and provides recommendations for future reading based on past selections as well as providing newly added materials. It makes the selection process a little less time consuming than browsing through a complete digital library of books on your own. Plus, the nerd in me gets a kick out of seeing what the artificial intelligence "thinks" I'll like.


Researchers and History Buffs


There's newspaper archives, as well as the entire National Geographic library to browse for research. Older Consumer Reports are also available for product research. 


Tons of Magazines


In addition to all the above, I can also flip through current and back issues of hundreds of popular magazines in every genre imaginable through the Zinio App for iPad. This alone can eat up a good portion of the afternoon. 


Get the Popcorn


Movie content is also available for streaming, however with a Netflix membership and cable TV, I haven't really explored all this category has to offer. I did test drive it just to see if it would stream through my Apple TV, which it did just fine. 

I think I'll make exploring this section a project for the winter months when the yard work chores are put to rest for a few months.


Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)


My latest love affair is with the Gale Courses. These free, six-week online courses are available in a variety of subjects from business training and accounting to writing and designing - plus much, much more. Whether you're looking for professional development or personal enrichment, these courses can get you on track. The ones I have taken are upbeat, current, fun and very rewarding. I have also taken several Coursera university level courses, and the Gale Courses compare very favourably to these. 

Don't worry about becoming too reclusive if you submerge yourself into an online education, because you can talk to like-minded people through message board discussion topics. These discussion boards - which the instructors monitor and participate in - offer their users fresh ideas, support, assistance and even companionship.


Tablet, Desktop, Smart Phone Compatible


Don't despair if you don't have a tablet computer. The content works just as well with the modern web browsers on most desktop computers. Just log in with your membership card and password wherever you have computer access and stay connected as long as you want.


World Class Content at Dollar Store Prices


Being a frugally-minded person, I have a hard time believing all this content is available through my Library card. Renewing the card annually is less than the cost of two glossy magazines at the grocery store checkout counter. Factor in the costs of physically getting to the library or stores to get magazines, movies and books in person or purchasing online subscriptions, and the savings of a accessing digital content with a library card really begin to add up. 


Fresh Content to Pick From


New digital content is being added all the time and there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to take advantage of all that is offered. I have to admit our house is a little less clean, our yard work needs doing and the dog doesn't get walked quite as often, but for me, the trade off is worth it.

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