It's still April

In case you didn't know, April is, among other things:

• Alcohol Awareness Month 
• American Cancer Society Month
• Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
• Community Service Month
• Jewish-American Heritage Month
• National Autism Awareness Month
• National Mental Health Month
• National Older Americans Month
• National Parkinson's Awareness Month
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
• Thai Heritage Month
• Women's Health Care Month

Stop by the library--and/or take advantage of our online resources--to learn more 

about any of these topics. 

Awesome Freegal news!

We’ve increased your weekly downloads from 5 songs to 7! 

 

That’s right, patrons can now download up to 7 songs a week from Freegal, all completely free with your library card.  And streaming is unlimited, as always.  Go listen to your favorite new artist or download some classic tunes today! 

 http://brentwood.freegalmusic.com

Get New Library Materials Without Leaving Home

When the weather interferes with getting to the library -- or anytime -- remember our vast e-library.

We've got audio books, e-books, music, magazines, and even streaming independent films. And if that's not enough, we've got online databases for everything from Consumer Reports to genealogy and newspapers to reference books. You can even take an online class! Explore hundreds of options from the culinary arts to home improvement; from software and computer graphics to reading, writing, and languages; or medical billing to domestic violence counseling.

We want to see you at the library, but when you can't make it in or when you want something extra, check out all we have to offer online Start your search here.

eReference, all the time

Reference just jumped off the shelf at The Brentwood Library! With nearly 5,000 authoritative, full-text electronic titles available through Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL), patrons can now access articles on a variety of subjects from the arts to literature to science.  Resources such as Authors and Artists for Young Adults, Contemporary Authors series, Encyclopedia of Philosophy and many others are available. GVRL also includes travel, business and health resources. Whether traveling for business or writing a research paper, there is something for everyone.

GVRL allows simultaneous, unlimited usage and can be accessed from home with a patron library card and password or at the library on one of three new eRef stations. Each eRef station includes a touchscreen all-in-one computer dedicated for research purposes. After logging in, a patron will be directed to our eReference webpage showcasing not only GVRL, but also other useful electronic resources such as America’s News and Consumer Reports. Articles can be downloaded to an eReader, thumb drive or computer, printed, emailed or even listened to in an MP3 format. Now you can take reference home!

History resources

Whether you're in school working on a history project or just want to find some more information about a historical event, place, or figure, The Brentwood Library has something for you.

World History in Context has comprehensive coverage of the most-studied topics, from the arrival of Vikings in North America to Vietnam, Watergate, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. It includes a broad collection of scholarly materials, news and magazine articles, images, videos, and primary source documents.

U.S. History in Context provides the same breadth of materials as World History in Context, but with a focus on American History. You can even search both World History in Context and U.S. History in Context at the same time by using the search bar at the top of either resource.


If it's Tennessee history you're after, check out the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. This electronic resource is maintained by the University of Tennessee Press and contains not only text articles, but images, video, audio, and interactive slideshows.


If you're interested in local history, we've got that too! Check out some of the links on our Local History page or come in and visit the Brentwood Room where we house many print local history materials.


All of these resources (with the exception of local history) can be found under the History section of Databases and Online Resources on the library website. All are available to use either in the library (either at one of our computers or on your own device) or from the comfort of your own home. All you need is your library card!

FREE Online Language Classes for Brentwood Library Members

Want to learn a new language? Brentwood Library members can take FREE language classes online! The library subscribes to Mango, an online language learning lab, so our members can use Mango for free. Create a Mango account, take language classes, save your progress, and learn to speak Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian, and more. You don't even have to be at the library to use Mango. You can log in to Mango anywhere, 24 hours a day! If you need help creating an account, please ask a librarian.

Use your library card to read magazines on your phone or iPad for FREE!

Have you  heard about Zinio? With Zinio, you can use your library card to read magazines on your e-reader, smart phone, and computer for FREE! Choose from popular titles like Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Country Living, Esquire, Martha Stewart Living, US Weekly, and many more.

 

Once you've created a free Zinio account, the magazine will stay in your reading list until you delete it--there's no need to worry about your checkout expiring.

 

Try it today, and let us know what you think!

 

 

Explore the Brentwood Library's Digital Collections

Hints of Fall at Radnor Lake,
from the Brentwood Library's Art Collection.

Did you know? The Brentwood Library has digital collections, in addition to the thousands of books, movies, CDs, games, and more that you'll find on our shelves! Our digital collections focus on art and local history. See the individual contents of the 1987 Brentwood Time Capsule. Peruse historical photos of Brentwood (my favorite is the haunting photo of the Brentwood Train Station on Church Street). And admire the original paintings in our circulating art collection. Once you've chosen your favorite, you can even drop buy the library to check out one of these paintings, and hang it in your home for three months. Start here, and be amazed by what the Brentwood Library has to offer!

Get FREE, LEGAL music downloads from the Brentwood Library!

Did you know the library offers downloadable music that's FREE and LEGAL? It's true!  Freegal™ Music Service offers access to over 28,000 music labels from 85 different countries. Brentwood Library cardholders can download 5 tracks in the MP3 format each week. Choose from millions of songs! Starting in August, Freegal will offer music videos for download and unlimited music streaming, too.

GO HERE to log in with your Brentwood Library card number, and start enjoying Freegal. Freegal Music apps are available in the Apple® App Store and Google Play®.

Advanced Genealogy Class

Are you ready to jump across the pond? Learn how to trace your family tree back to the “old country.” This free class is for those who have a basic knowledge of genealogy and are ready to find out where their ancestors came from. European countries as well as Canada will be covered.

Date: Monday, May 6
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Presenter: Holly Hebert, Reference Librarian
Registration: Online - Click Here

Free Genealogy Class

Discover new branches of your family tree with our new genealogy database, Fold3! Class time will include instruction and time for exploration. This resource is from Ancestry.com. It has several areas of interest, including:

• African American Archives
• American Revolution Archives
• Native American Archives
• U.S. Bureau of Investigation Case File Archives
• World War II Archives

For your convenience, we're offering this class on two days so you can choose the one that fits your schedule best. Space is limited and registration is required, so please register today!

Date: Tuesday, February 5
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Registration: Online

Date: Thursday, February 7
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Registration: Online

Another Reason to Love Library Databases: Find Books Similar to Your Favorites!

Did you love Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn? Or perhaps you're #87 on the hold list for Gone Girl, and you'd like to read something similar while you wait? Either way, the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) has you covered. They can help you find novels similar to Gone Girl! Here's how:

• Go to the Brentwood Library's webpage.
• Click "Updated Databases and Online Resources" in the left sidebar.
• Scroll down, and click on the TEL icon at the bottom of the page.
• Choose the "Books and Authors" database.
• Use the search bar at the top of the page to search for Gone Girl.
• This will lead to a page with lots of info about the book Gone Girl, including a list of recommended similar titles.

Try out the Books and Authors database today, and find great new books similar to your favorites!

LearningExpress will be temporarily down for planned maintenance.

LearningExpress Library will be down for planned maintenance from 7:00 p.m. tonight until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Thank you for your patience, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

If you've never used LearningExpress Library, please try it out tomorrow! LearningExpress Library is a comprehensive, interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series designed to students and adult learners succeed on academic or licensing tests. You’ll get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of test results. You can create your own individual username and password. This will let you keep track of the tests you take and track your progress. You can access LearningExpress Library from our website, or click here.

NEW Partnership with OneClickDigital - Get Better Audio Book Downloads Today!

Great news! The Brentwood Library has partnered with OneClickDigital to bring you a huge number of downloadable audio books that are NEW to the library's collection! You may be wondering...

Q: Can I listen to audio books from OneClickDigital on my iPod?

A: Yes, all titles from OneClickDigital are compatible with all popular listening devices, including the iPod. In addition, titles are available for PC and Mac.

Q: Is there an app for that?

A: Yes, there is a OneClickdigital app for iPhone. Droid and Windows 7 apps are coming soon!

Q: Does OneClickDigital offer audio books by popular authors?
A: Yes! Authors include James Patterson, Karen Kingsbury, Tracy Chevalier, Stuart Woods, Charlaine Harris, Sarah Dessen, Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Brian Jacques, Anthony Horowitz, Francine Rivers, and Jodi Picoult, Lisa Jackson, John Sandford, and Alexander McCall Smith.

Q: How do I look at titles and download audio books from OneClickDigital?
A: Go to the OneClickDigital page just for Brentwood Library patrons at http://brentwoodtn.oneclickdigital.com.

QR Codes? Pinterest? Apps?

Everyone's talking about QR Codes, Shop Well, Pinterest, Red Laser, Price Check. This free class will introduce you to these favorite aps, websites, and technology.

Date: Thursday, June 21
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Computer Lab
Registration: Online

Genealogy Class: Searching the 1940 Census

Date: Tuesday, March 6
Time: 6:00 - 7:45 PM
Place: Computer Lab
Cost: Free!
Registration: Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 8510.

Get ready for the release of the 1940 Census, which will be released on April 2, 2012. This census will not be indexed right away, so this class will focus on how to find your ancestors by using E.D. numbers.

EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT GOOGLE! -- Tuesdays; June 7, 14, & 21; 10:00-11:30AM

Instructor Joe Patterson will show us how to use Googles's many tools. Sign up for this 3-session class by calling 371-0090 ext. 851. The fee is $20.00.

DIGITAL PICTURES USING PICASA - Monday, August 30, 1-3PM, or 6-8PM

Robyn Zandi will show us how to download, organize, and edit digital pictures using Picasa, a free download from Google. You can bring your laptop, digital camera, and USB cable if you have them. Space is limited, so register by calling 371-0090 ext. 851.

LEARN HOW TO SKYPE -- Wednesday, August 25, 3-4PM

Skype is a free computer service that allows you to talk and see friends and family anywhere in the world. Wendy Cornelisen will show us how to sign up and to connect to Skype. Space is limited, so register for this free seminar now by calling 371-0090 ext. 851.

Reward Customers with help from the Brentwood Library

With the rise of smart phones comes a whole new way to find your friends and share experiences. Location-based applications for smart phones, like Foursquare, let you "check-in" at places you like, leave tips for future visitors, and earn points and badges the more places you go! It's like a game.

But it's serious business if you want to connect with your customers. You can figure out who comes to your store, what they're telling their friends about you, and increase your business. Foursquare lets you offer discounts and freebies to the customers who visit your store the most.

Learn how to use Foursquare for yourself and for your company on Wednesday, July 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Register online, or call 371-0090 ext. 851.