Resources for Coders of all ages

A request I get with increasing frequency is for books on coding, or as many put it, on "making apps". This is truly one of my favorite questions, in part because it points to two things: 1) people still want books, and 2) people trust librarians to point them in the right direction for information about emerging technology. I have to say it: I love books, but print isn't necessarily the best vehicle for learning coding. I love having lots and lots of books on lots of subjects and I love that people look for books on every subject. And we do have books on coding and programming, sure we do. However, technology never stops moving and new coding languages and tools are are always emerging. Innovators and problem solvers are constantly developing new ways to get a job done, animate a story, facilitate a business solution, and invent the only imagined. Traditional publishing has a hard time keeping pace with technology, and money being a limiting factor, you probably won't see shelf after shelf in the library lined with the most up-to-date version 2.5 of The Dummies Guide to TDD when every book we have on Facebook is obsolete the minute they change the look of their interface. So allow me to introduce you to a few of my personal favorite reference sources, print and digital, for the DIY coder-to-be.

First, code lives on computers so at some point, if you really want to learn, you'll have to go digital.  There are a number of free online and in-person classes, tutorials, practice sessions, and workshops for all skill levels and ages. Try W3Schools  and Codecademy for free, self-directed learning at your own pace. I taught myself HTML while in library school using W3Schools so I can speak from experience that it is terrific. Codecademy's lessons are well designed and simple to get into. They almost feel like playing a game. Also, there are some excellent local resources for adult learners such as the co-working space, 804RVA, who exist so that you may "Learn new things. Share skills. Meet new people." I like that. Among other things, they host meetups for the digitally oriented at all experience levels. From WordPress Wednesdays to Free Code Camps, they have a Meetup for you. The Richmond Linux User Group (LUG) meets at the Main Library to learn more about open source software, to compare and collaborate. For kids and families, CoderDojo hosts free monthly classes at the Main Library.

CODE Magazine

This is a new subscription to the Ginter Park Branch. More on the advanced side, this magazine is intended for independent developers. I tend to choose magazines over books for technology topics--because of their frequency and currency they can keep up with emerging trends better. With gripping article titles like "CRUD in HTML, JavaScript, and jQuery Using the Web API" this is perhaps not for the novice coder, but an excellent resource for experienced developers working on their own who want to keep up on trends and challenges.

Now for a couple of books on programming in practice for kids and adults:
Many of the coding books that I find the most approachable and useful for beginners who simply must have a printed manual in order to feel oriented are written with children in mind. Even though the book is aimed at children it can be very useful and engaging for a novice adult learner, and they are actually written with the parent or teacher in mind guiding instruction.

Pick up Coding Games in Scratch for "a step-by-step visual guide to building your own computer games", or Help Your Kids with Computer Coding to "introduce yourself (and your whole family) to the world of computer programming, with a fun and approachable method. This book begins by introducing the essential concepts of programming with simple instructions, and without specialized computer lingo. Fun projects throughout let kids start putting their computer skills into practice and build their own code using Scratch programming and Python, the two most popular languages." Personally I find print manuals helpful for getting down general concepts and keeping building concepts in order, but with anything digital, reading about in the abstract won't help you learn unless you actually sit down and do it. Learning code is a decidedly hands on experience. Try to read a 100 lines of code printed on a piece of paper and tell me that it holds your attention. You can read Python for Kids cover to cover and still not know Python until you've put your hands on a keyboard.

Explore the curious world of Digital Natives

So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson

This should be required reading for anybody with an internet connection, and for anybody in journalism 101. I'm definitely assigning it as a text book if I ever teach social media 101*. Jon Ronson investigates several recent episodes of frightening public humiliation such as Jonah Lehrer's made-up Bob Dylan quotes in Imagine, and Justine Sacco's tweet in poor taste that cost her the job of her dreams and earned her death threats and a waking nightmare. His examination of the disproportionately high price some have paid for a bad joke that went viral, and the possibility of forgive-and-forget in the digital age, is insightful and riveting.

*A distinct job possibility in this day and age.

Dataclysm by Christian Rudder

This book is a fascinating look at all of the things our data trail says about us. The author is co-founder of OKCupid, a popular matchmaking website, so much of his data comes from his own customers (he openly admits to having experimented on them). Full disclosure: I met my mate on OKCupid several years ago. We are not just a couple of people who met on the internet now-- we are Data. We exist in some endless spreadsheet of profiles and preferences, probably being salivated over by marketing gurus who want to sell us very specific, irresistible things. OKCupid is an attempt to find a formula for kismet. It's free, and makes it easy to find a like-minded, introverted companion, especially if you're the sort of person who needs an algorithm to get a date (like me). The result of making life decisions in such an instantly graph-able way is that all of my demographic information, along with my clicks and "likes" and mouse hovers, and digital whatevers, all get added up to create a prediction of what people like me are like, and what we like to "like". It's creepy, and yet somehow comforting. Rudder's methods and conclusions are fascinating, and he applies just enough wit to make this highly readable.

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

This book about dating in the digital age is basically Dataclysm with a sense of humor (Rudder is credited in the acknowledgements). The most memorable part of the book for me is his opening anecdote, one that those familiar with his act will know, which is possibly the best illustration ever of the cliffhanger anxiety brought on by the text ellipses used to indicate that your partner in textversation is typing a response (...): Ansari meets a single woman at a party and they bond over many common interests including a shared love of the band Beach House (I can relate--Beach House is everything, check out their album, Myth, if you don't believe me). They swap numbers, they text. Soon after meeting, he invites the woman to a Beach House concert. It looks like she's about to respond ...there's those three little dots...then...crickets. Nothing. No response. Dead air.
The audio book is great, especially if you love Ansari--he reads it--but I found the text to be surprisingly dry and a bit academic at times, lightened with bouts of that trademark Aziz Ansari comic tenderness.

DIY-YA: Teen Tech Week @ RPL

Richmond Public Library is celebrating Teen Tech Week again, and we are really excited because we have more branches involved. The theme for Teen Tech Week for this year is "DIY @ your library". Richmond Public Library always encourages their teen patrons to be expressive and creative by using upcycled materials to make re-purposed items. We have creative librarians and library staff who are welling to share their creative skills for awesome Teen Tech Week programs.  Here are our activities down below.

A lot of our programs have been geared towards career development for teens. It all started with our Teen Recyclable Craft Sale, which is held at Main in December and it has been very successful. This year we are working with the YA staff and teens at other branches to make the craft sale system wide.


We are setting a new trend for our teen programs and it is called "DIY-YA". If you are the type of teen who likes to be creative and explore new trends, check us out at RPL!

Make your own website for free (or really cheap)!

"But how?  I didn't go to one of your fancy internet schools!  I don't know my elbow from my html!"  
Fear not, blog reader--that is why there's WordPress.com! (And other similar dotcoms but for the sake of space I'll just talk about WordPress.)

Read about it here or come to my class!

DIY Websites with WordPress at the Ginter Park Branch Library

Wednesday, December 18th @ 5:30

Can't make it today but wish you could?

Give us a call and I'll try to schedule another class in the future: 646-1236.

Creating your own website to promote a small brick-and-mortar business or a web store in an online marketplace, or to share your art, music, or words with the world is well within your reach.  You don't need to know any code or shell out a ton of money to have a professional, attractive, functional website that can grow with your needs, skill level, and your business.  WordPress, simply put, is a blog (sort of like the one you are reading now).  Blogs are basically just websites designed to display the most recent content first in the form of "posts". Static "pages" can be added and set as the homepage, moving the blog off the the side.  Pages can even be nested creating sub-menus if your template allows it. Go to any website you can think of and navigate the menus.  You can do that on your own site.  Here is an  example of a well done WordPress.com website for a small business:

The Pink Rose Bakery

These blogazines (I may have just made that word up) definitely weren't free but are worth showing here as an example of what is possible:

The Holborn

Flavorwire

So, how to get started?  Go to Wordpress.com.  Click "get started".  Do this:

Create your account log-in, and don't worry about the blog address because you can change it later. You're almost there! Once you're in you can pick out a theme.  There are 120 free themes to choose from. The theme is the pretty part; it determines the look and feel of your site. Consider your audience and your content.  If you feature a lot of photos and very little text, look for a theme that emphasizes photos like this one.

If you are promoting an auto repair shop you will probably want a static homepage that prominently displays your phone number, a list of services, and a map of your location. Think about what information your customer is looking for and make it easy to find. The above theme might confuse someone in search of a reliable mechanic.

So, what's next? Get to know your dashboard. That's the control room for your whole website. There you'll be able to create pages, add content, change your theme, write and edit blog posts (basically just do all of the things) there. I set up a "sandbox" to demo changes for the purposes of the class so it will look different all the time: http://nataliedlibrarian.wordpress.com/

The theme I have chosen is pretty well suited to my content, what little of it there is, but I'm not wild about the background color so I think I'll change it.  It's nice to know that the theme can be changed easily at any time without sacrificing my content.

When creating a page or a post you may notice a tab labeled "visual" and next to it a tab labeled "text".
The text tab is where you can edit (some of) the HTML--that's the language that tells a browser how to display content.  The great thing about WordPress?  You don't have to know it at all. You can learn just a little and make some changes in there if you like or you can leave it alone and trust WP's code.

WordPress can be ALL free, "pretty cheap", or "reasonably priced" depending on how much space you need and how much control you want. You can purchase upgrades à la carte or as part of a plan. 60$/year gets you video—the free version does not support video. 99$/year gets you a custom domain, more space for photos and video (about 13 GB), and more control over site appearance. Even more money will get you even more, if you can imagine that.  Want a custom theme?  It'll cost you but it's an option.

Want even more control? Teach yourself a new language! The folks at codeacademy.com and W3Schools.com have just about all you need to learn code like CSS or HTML in your spare time. It might even be fun.

Final advice: Put a cat on it. (People love cats.) (The internet has lots of funny cats.)

Teen Tech Week -Check In @ your library!

During Teen Tech Week™ (March 10 - 16, 2013), the Richmond Public library invites you to Check In @ your library! 
With this year's theme, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) wants to encourage libraries to open their physical and virtual doors to teens and showcase the outstanding technology they offer, from services such as online homework help and digital literacy-focused programs to resources like e-books, audiobooks, databases and more.

Here at RPL, we want the teens to experience all of the programs RPL has to offer.

Teen Tech Week will be celebrated at the Main and North Avenue Branches. There are so many exciting things to do, from the digital art contest to exploring new technology trends in an open laptop computer lab. You can find out more information by going to the Events Calendar on the library's website or call both branches for more details.

Here are some "cool" things to do on your own during Teen Tech Week.

• Follow us on our Social Media Outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr).
• Visit the library's Events Calendar for programs.
• Use Overdrive to access eBooks and Audiobooks.
• Try out a book-focused website like GoodReads, LibraryThing or Shelfari.
• Start a Teen Tech Club at your school or public library.
• Read and contribute to a blog about technology.
• Join a Teen Advisory Group (Main) or Teen Advisory Board (North Avenue).
• Use our databases located on the library's website.
• Volunteer at your library.
• Share ideas for the new teen page.
• Have a smartphone? Learn a new app.

Tech Trends for Teens: Cool (Free) Apps for Teens

Everybody loves to play on their cell phones, right? Thanks to our Library Science student intern, Laura Buell, we have compiled a list of exciting apps for teens and tweens so you can check them out! And they're free!

Pandora
Pandora is an internet radio station that adjusts itself to your musical tastes! You can create up to 100 different stations and select your likes and dislikes to create the Perfect Music Experience!

myHomework
Great way to keep organized! First, input your classes so you can have a schedule in your phone (especially helpful for the beginning of the year). Second, put your assignments into the "Homework" section. Finally, there's an area called "calendar" where you can view all of your assignments at once.

OverDrive
Just in case you hadn't heard: OverDrive connects you to this library so you can download eBooks and audiobooks!

Temple Run
For when you just need a little fun, Temple Run is an adventure game. Your objective is to stay away from whatever is chasing you -- and as fast as you can!

Shazam
Do you ever hear a song you like, but you don’t know what it’s called or who sings it? The next time you hear it playing, use Shazam to figure out what it is!

Instagram
You can use this app to edit your pictures -- make them black and white or give them other effects to change their appearance. Lots of fun to play around with!

There are a ton of fun apps to play with and these are just a few that we know are fun to play with!

Summer Tech Sessions at Main

We've got some great Tech Sessions coming up this summer at the Main Library. If you're an intermediate-level technology user, somewhere between a beginner and a computer expert, then these workshops will be right up your alley.

E-Book Madness! Lunch Hour Edition 

Want to learn more about e-books and e-readers? Stop by any time between 12 and 1:30 with your questions. Learn about downloadable books and play with some gadgets.

Main Library - Entrance Lobby 

Wednesday, June 13th, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

E-Book Madness!
Want to learn more about e-books and e-readers? Stop by any time between 5 and 6:30 with your questions. Learn about downloadable books and play with some gadgets.
Main Library - Entrance Lobby
Monday, July 9th, 5:00-6:30 pm

The Professional’s Google Docs Workshop 

Learn to use the Google Docs (now part of Google Drive) productivity suite to create, share, collaborate, and store documents for your business or organization. Please sign up for a Google account before attending this class. 

Main Library - Conference Room G, Lower Level 

Friday, July 27th, 2:30 - 5:00 pm
Click here to sign up for this workshop. Space is limited.

Marketing Research with Reference USA 

Reference USA is a powerful research database made available for free to our library users. Learn how you can use this database to research business markets or your competitors.
Main Library - Conference Room G, Lower Level
Friday, August 3rd, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Teen Tech Week, What a Blast!

Teen Tech Week 2012 at the Main library was a huge success. During the week, Teens and Tweens had the opportunity to learn and celebrate different things about technology. We were pretty amazed at the turn out for all the programs we had to offer, since this was our first Teen Tech Week program at Main.

The teens showed great enthusiasm for the Microsoft Publisher and the gaming programs which proved to be a great success. Next year we will be offering even more programs for Teen Tech Week.

By using Microsoft Publisher, teens and tweens used their creative minds to produce attractive posters and bookmarks about reading.

We used an online gaming site, GameStarMechanic.com, for our popular two part program. Game Star Mechanic allows children to develop games. But before they have the opportunity to create a game, they must complete a quest which helps the children understand different components of the game designing process. Once the quest was completed, they worked on their game.

As part of Teen Tech Week, we had a Wrap-Up party for all of those who attended. At the party, the teens had the opportunity to show off their games and Publisher creations.

Teens & Tweens Services @ Main

Stay tuned for more exciting information and programs for Teens & Tweens.

Richmond Public Library is proud to announce that we are going to offer more exciting programs for teens and tweens at the Main Library. In order to improve our services we would like for you all to complete a short survey by going to this link: Teen and Tween Survey

Speaking of our website...we are improving it by adding new links to the teen's portion of the site. So check it out!

Teen Tech Week- Geek Out@ RPL

In March, the Main Library will be offering special events and programs during the week of March 5-10, 2012 for teens and tweens.

What is Teen Tech Week?  

Teen Tech Week is a national initiative aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other adults. Its purpose is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries.

Some slots are limited. Must register to attend.

Here are the programs for Teen Tech Week.

Using Microsoft Publisher to Create Cool Advertisements
Monday, March 5, 2012
4:30-6:00 p.m.
Lower Level Computer Lab (Ages 10-18)
Only twelve Slots Available
Show your skills by designing your own 'Read' poster or bookmark.

eBook Madness for Teens
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
4:30-6:00 p.m.
Children’s Activity Room
An interactive workshop on how to download eBooks and eReaders with different gadgets.

Gaming@ your Library Part 1
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
4:30-6:00 p.m.
Lower Level Computer Lab (Ages 10-18)
Only Twelve Slots Available
Do you want to create your own video game and play it? This is an opportunity to use your creative skills to create an online game. For the first part of the program we are going to explore different games and do a quest that will show you how a game is created and allow you to get pieces to create your own.

Gaming@ your Library Part 2
(Must attend Part 1 of the Gaming Program)
Thursday March 8, 2012
4:30-6:00 p.m.
2nd Floor Computer Lab (Ages 10-18)
Only Twelve Slots Available
After part 1 of the gaming program, you will now have the opportunity to build your own game.

Geek Out with Pinterest
Friday, March 9, 2012
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Lower Level Computer Lab (Ages 10-18)
Only Twelve Slots Available
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that allows you to collect and share things that interest you with others.

Teen Tech Week Wrap-Up Party
Friday, March 9, 2012
5:00-6:00 p.m.
For all those who attended, come celebrate this wrap-up party for Teen Tech Week! Snacks and drinks will be provided!

Spring Tech Sessions

This Spring, we're starting a Tech Sessions series at the Main Library to help intermediate technology users navigate today's complicated information landscape. During the next few months and beyond, we'll be offering workshops on social media, Internet searching and security, eBooks, and more. Here are the Tech Sessions coming up in March, April, and May.

from humedini via Flickr

eBook Madness!
Want to learn more about eBooks and eReaders? Do you have questions about your device? Stop by for this informal session, play with some gadgets, and get your questions answered.

Main Library - Gellman Room
Friday, March 23rd, 3:00 - 5:00 pm


Facebook Clinic
Are you lost on Facebook but want to stay in touch with friends and family? Come to this informal open house computer lab clinic and bring your questions. Some general Facebook instruction will be provided, but the class format will be open to suit the needs of attendees.

Main Library - Conference Room G, Lower Level
Thursday, March 22nd, 3:30 - 5:30 pm


Internet Security Workshop
Are you concerned about your online safety and privacy? Come to this workshop for tips on ensuring your information is secure while you’re online.

Main Library - 2nd Floor Computer Lab
Saturday, April 21st, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm


Advanced Online Searching Workshop
Delve deeper into the Web! Use advanced search engine features and learn about research databases provided by Richmond Public Library.

Main Library - 2nd Floor Computer Lab
Saturday, May 5th, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm


Do you have a suggestion for a Tech Session topic? We'd love to hear from you. E-mail dana.smook@richmondgov.com or leave a comment below.

Downloadable eBooks and Audiobooks Now Available

Have you heard about our new downloadable eBook and audiobook service? Through our website, you can now download audiobooks and eBooks for your computer, cell phone, iPod, or eReader for FREE using your library card.

 

 

First, visit http://richmondpubliclibrary.lib.overdrive.com/, where you can browse and search available books in various formats. Once you’ve found an item you want to check out, add the selection to your “cart.” You'll then be prompted to enter your library card number. If an item is checked out by someone else, you can place a hold on it, and you’ll receive an e-mail when the title is available.

 

Click on “Download” to enjoy your selected book. Once downloaded, you can read or listen to your book using a variety of devices, including Kindle, iPad, Nook, and others. At the end of the lending period (2 weeks), your books will automatically expire and disappear from your device—no late fees!

 

You may have to download Overdrive software in order to enjoy this eBook service. To listen to audiobooks, you’ll need the Overdrive Media Console, and for EPUB and PDF eBooks, you’ll need Adobe Digital Editions. This software is all available for free through the Richmond Public Library Overdrive site. There are also Overdrive apps available for many devices, like Android phones and iPods, which help make finding books and managing checkouts even easier.

 

Take a few minutes to visit our Overdrive site. You're sure to find some interesting books to download. If you need assistance using the service, visit the Overdrive help page or call your library branch. Enjoy!

Computer Classes this Fall

Now that the kids are back in school, maybe you're ready to learn a new thing or two? Well of course the public library is the perfect place for that, but did you know we offer a variety of free computer classes for adults? Most RPL branches offer classes designed for beginner computer users. The Main Library offers classes for beginners as well as those for intermediate users, including courses on the Microsoft Office Suite programs. We also offer classes specifically for seniors, which cater to the interests and learning styles of older adults. Here's what's coming up during October - December:

 

Classes for Beginners

Computer Basics 1: Introduction to Computers

Your first step to getting computer smart! Learn about the parts of the computer and how to use a keyboard and mouse.

• Tuesday, October 4     4:30 - 6:00     Main Library, Basement Computer Lab
• Wednesday, October 5     10:00 - 11:00     East End Library 
• Tuesday, November 1     4:30 - 6:00     Main Library, Basement Computer Lab

Computer Basics 2: Using Windows

Learn the basic skills you need to use the Windows XP operating system.

• Tuesday, October 11     4:30 - 6:00     Main Library, Basement Computer Lab\
• Wednesday, October 12     10:00 - 11:00     East End Library
• Tuesday, November 8     4:30 - 6:00     Main Library, Basement Computer Lab

Computer Basics 3: E-mail & Internet

Explore essential websites and practice sending e-mails. The instructor will help new students sign up for an e-mail account.

• Tuesday, October 18     4:30 - 6:00     Main Library, Basement Computer Lab
• Wednesday, October 19     10:00 - 11:00    East End Library
• Tuesday, November 15     4:30 - 6:00     Main Library, Basement Computer Lab 

Computer Basics 4: Managing Your Files

Learn about files and the organization of your computer.

• Tuesday, October 25     4:30 - 6:00     Main Library, Basement Computer Lab
• Tuesday, November 22     4:30 - 6:00     Main Library, Basement Computer Lab

Intermediate Classes

Introduction to Excel

Learn how to get the most out of Microsoft Office

Excel 2007 in this class for beginners. The class will meet for three sessions in the Main Library’s Second Floor Computer Lab.

Excel 1 - Wednesday, October 5, 5:30 - 6:30
Excel 2 - Wednesday, October 12, 5:30 - 6:30

Excel 3 - Wednesday, October 19, 5:30 - 6:30

Introduction to Word

Learn the basic functions of Word 2007 in this class for beginners. The class will meet for three sessions in the Main Library’s  Second Floor Computer Lab.

Word 1 - Wednesday, November 2, 5:30 - 6:00

Word 2 - Wednesday, November 9, 5:30 - 6:30

Word 3 - Wednesday, November 16, 5:30 - 6:30

Introduction to PowerPoint

Create professional-quality slideshow presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint 2007. The class will meet for two sessions in the Main Library’s Second Floor Computer Lab.

 PowerPoint 1 - Wednesday, November 3, 10:00 - 11:30

 PowerPoint 2 - Wednesday, November 10, 10:00 - 11:30

Introduction to Publisher

Explore the possibilities of Publisher 2007. Learn to create documents with text, borders, and graphics. The class will meet for two session in the Main Library’s Second Floor Computer Lab.

 Publisher 1 - Thursday, December 1, 10:00 - 11:30

 Publisher 2 - Thursday, December 8, 10:00 - 11:30

Classes for Seniors

Students must be 55 or older. Classes are held in Main Library’s Conference Room G, Lower Level (Basement Computer Lab).

Introduction to Windows

This class will teach you to use the mouse and the keyboard and help you understand Microsoft Windows XP.

 Thursday, October 6, 1:30 - 3:15

Introduction to the Internet

Learn how to use Internet Explorer to access and navigate websites. If time permits, students who wish to create e-mail accounts will have an opportunity to do so.

Thursday, October 13th, 1:30 - 3:15

Searching the Internet and Using E-mail

Expand on the skills learned in Introduction to the Internet.

 Thursday, October 20th, 1:30 - 3:15

Students must register for all of these classes, as space is limited. Visit your library or call (804) 646-2551 to sign up. Registration opens 30 days before a class is scheduled to begin.