'Gadget Menagerie' to offer tech tips
CBH Columbia Basin Herald Local News
MOSES LAKE- The Washington State Library's Gadget Menagerie is coming to Moses Lake next week.
The training will help tablet owners learn how to use their various devices to access a library's online resources. The state library is partnering with libraries across the state to provide the training.
About 40 locations and 70 sessions have been scheduled for the Gadget Menagerie through July, according to a state library statement. The training is funded by the state library through the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
"We are very excited to be able to provide this training," said State Librarian Rand Simmons. "These skills will benefit both library staff and those who wish to use the devices to access a whole array of useful library resources."
Two sessions are scheduled for Moses Lake, one at Big Bend Community College and one at the Moses Lake Public Library. The sessions take place Monday.
The Big Bend session takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Simplot Room 1841 in the college's ATEC building. The session at the public library takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Attendees of both sessions will learn how various eReaders, tablets and other devices work. They will discover what these devices have in common, how they differ and learn basic operating tips.
Participants can bring their own device or explore one from the Gadget Menagerie, which will have Kindles, Nooks, Galaxy Tablets, iPads and a Microsoft Surface plus a Chromebook available.
Tim Fuhrman, Dean of Library Resources for Big Bend, said a lot of libraries now have online resources available to patrons.
"Big Bend has a lot of online databases. We don't have very many e-books right now, but we're looking to grow that area," he said.
Patrons of the Moses Lake library can check out e-books on their devices, according to North Central Regional Library website.
Fuhrman said the idea behind the Gadget Menagerie was to get people familiar enough with their devices that they could comfortably access a library's online resources.
"A lot of libraries have online resources that most people don't seem to know about," he said. "Whatever a local area library has to offer as far as online resources, this would show people how to access them on an iPad or other device."
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