Where was that file? (Searching the F Drive)

Do you know how to find a file on the F Drive if you can't remember or don't know where it's saved?  Try this:

• Windows logo key + F OR go to Start button-->Search-->For Files or Folders to open the search screen.

• 
  
  Change the drive to search to the F drive.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Put all or part of the file name in the search box.  Best to try only one keyword, as it will only add results if you add keywords.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Click Search Now:
  
  
  

 

• You might want to sort by Modified date to see the most recently modified if it was something that's been updated recently.  This particularly helps when there are a lot of files with similar names that may be older versions of the one you want.

Still can't find your file?  You can try searching by words contained within the file by putting search terms in the second field where it says "Containing text" (instead of the first field).  Keep in mind that this may take quite a while to search the whole F drive within each file:

A final tip:  You can use search options in your search (below the search fields - use the check box to expand).   For example, you can limit your search to only Word documents or another file type.  This is particularly helpful when you have to search for a word that's fairly common in file names. 

This is a good reason to name your files appropriately. 

More info about finding your files here:  http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Directories/computer_tips/windows.html

Using the Mesa Library catalog

Have you given up on being able to do a search in the Mesa Library catalog from our library?  Try using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer; it seems to work.  It's the icon in the Quick Launch bar that looks like this:

I thought it was an issue of our blocking the port they're using, but it doesn't make sense to me why this would work.  Maybe Dan will see this and comment. . . ?  :-) 

"Find Articles, Do Research" brochures

Michelle and I updated the gray brochure that explains remote access to databases .  I think I got rid of the old ones, but as you come across them, please flip it over and see what the revision date is.  If it's "Rev 12/09," that's the current one.  Not all databases are listed, just the major ones.  If you find that you are regularly recommending a database that isn't listed, please let me know and I'll probably add it. 
Thanks!

GED prep in Spanish @ MCC

Added this to the bottom of the Adult Ed page under Adult Ed & English Classes in the East Valley: 

Mesa Community College Spanish GED program/GED en Español
Raquel Leyva, Department Chair 480 - 461-6106 raquel.leyva@mcmail.maricopa.edu
145 North Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201(Downtown campus)
Fee Based
Open to legal residents

More info:  http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept2/spanishged/

Windows shortcuts

I feel like I'm forever trying to locate 'My Computer.'  Finally figured out that there's a shortcut for that:

Windows logo Key+E will open 'My Computer'.

Here are other keyboard shortcuts, many of which you'll already know, but you may be surprised at how quick and easy it is to do things that you sometimes flounder around to do.  (Windows logo+M, anyone?  A personal fave of mine - it minimizes all your open windows, so you can see the desktop quickly.)

Try Keyboard shortcuts for Windows  or List of the keyboard shortcuts that are available in Windows XP (We'll be getting XP soon.)

Adult Ed webpage updates

• Added the January through May GED testing dates to the Adult Ed page. 

Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 20, 2010, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 17, 2010, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 22, 2010, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Also added info about Winter Break and Spring Break 2010 dates, which only affects Talk Time and English Tutoring Small Groups:

Winter break December 18 through January 3. (Groups will resume starting January 4.)

Spring break 2010 March 13 through March 28.  (Groups will resume starting March 29.)

Finding a person by address or phone

Just a reminder of a variety of ways to find someone by their address:

ReferenceUSA (link on Information Databases page, among others) Search by address or phone.  This one is not always the best at reverse lookups, in my experience.

Superpages' reverse lookup Search by address or phone.

Cole Directory (print version behind reference desk) Search by address or phone.

Maricopa County Assessor for finding the owner of a property/house.  Doesn't list phone number.

There are some more directories on the Internet Resources/Phonebooks page.  While you're at it, check out the cool site Gethuman, suggested by Joe Schallan.  Who knew? 

Unfortunately, you won't find people in any phone directory if they're unlisted. . . .
Please comment if you have any other places you use regularly that work for you.

Google Toolbar at the desk

Thanks to Paul for installing the Google Toolbar at the adult desk.  It will be on the youth computers soon as well.  You can do a search from the toolbar instead of going to the Google site and then doing your search.  (See pic at right for where to look if you haven't noticed it.)

Marriage Licenses

Per Ted/Lynne, added links to info about marriage licenses in Maricopa County to the Internet Resources/Chandler page:  http://chandlerlibrary.org/internet/chandler.htm

FYI, when the City Clerk's office stops processing marriage licenses Jan 1, 2010, the nearest place will be the Southest Court Complex in Mesa (although it sounds like Chandler Municipal Court may start offering this service soon - will update info then):

Southeast Court Complex
222 E. Javelina, Mesa, Arizona 85210
Hours: 8am - 5pm / Mon. - Fri.
Passport Services: 8 am - 4 pm / Mon. - Fri.
602.506.3360 

Homeless outreach in Chandler Oct. 29

Homeless outreach in Chandler Oct. 29
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chandler Christian Church, 1825 S. Alma School Road.
"More than 20 service providers will offer instant access to driver's licenses, employment services, wellness checks, shelter, counseling, food, clothing, haircuts and other services."

Recent Tweets about the Library :-)

• Getting my Chandler Public Library on. 
• Spending the day in the Chandler Basha library with kids researching. Cool topics, and there are no filters on the web!!!! FTW!
• some guy at the chandler library is asking people to sign his petition for medicinal marijuana. and i cant believe how many people said no
• Working my volunteer shift at Chandler Public Library then to downtown Chandler Farmer's Market.
• Sonja love i've figured out your computer problem!!! 2 words... CHANDLER LIBRARY!!! I know brilliant.
• Chandler Library? "Could there BE any more books?" 
• . . . is at the Chandler library, access the Wi-Fi.

First Post

Thanks to Deidre for inviting me to post. I look forward to sharing information with all of you!

Blog Search isn't working

I reported that the search for this blog isn't working.  It seems like only the very recent posts are being searched, which is not very helpful.  Hopefully the Google/Blogger folks will be able to fix this problem for us!

Scooters

We currently have motorized scooters at the Downtown and Sunset Libraries only.

Mending procedure change (no more pink slips)

[from Peter's email]
Beginning today, we will no longer use the pink mending slips to communicate mending issues. Instead:

1. Check the item out to MENDING
2. Take the Checkout slip from the receipt printer, adding an extra inch or so at the bottom when you do
3. Write a simple explanation of the problem (spine, pages, scratched)
4. Include your initials and the date.
5. Place slip securely sticking out the top of the item.

Basha, Hamilton, and Sunset staff - If you need to send an item to Downtown mending, follow the procedure above and place in a courier bin. Downtown staff will place the item on the Mending shelf

Downtown staff - Please all mending on the mending shelves in the Circ work area.A separate process will be set up for Rush mending and Replacement items.

Missing Top Margin in Word 2003?

Check out this page for help if you can't find the top margin in someone's document in Word 2003:
http://www.pratie.com/playground/misc/word2003/

Apparently there's a white space 'toggle' at the top of the page. . .

Easy way to start a new page in Word

Looking for an explanation of margins to be able to give to our patrons and ran across this. . .

From Microsoft Word 2003 for Dummies:
Starting a New Page
You can choose two ways to start a new page in Word. . . :

• Horribly wrong: Keep pressing the Enter key until you see the row o' dots tha tdenotes the start of a new page. . . .
• Impressively neat: Press Ctrl+Enter. Voila! New page.

I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know this. I know the trick in Excel to force the line to wrap in the cell (Alt+Enter). Maybe I should read the rest of the book!

History Dept. Staff & Volunteers

from Lynne:

Jean Reynolds from the city's history department has begun a new research project about the San Marcos Hotel. Her staff and volunteers will be coming regularly to use view the Chandler Arizonan on our microfilm reader and save the images to a flash drive. A log plus a flash drive will be stored at our desk for researchers to use. See the white folder called San Marcos Hotel Research Project on the shelf with our notebooks (Policies, Reference Volunteers, Best Sellers, etc.). Each person who needs this material will ask for it at the desk and then return it after use. Thanks for your cooperation!

 

SCREEN IT! Movie analysis

Just a reminder that we have a subscription to Screenit.com for people who want to know more details about what's in a movie - everything from sex/nudity to0 profanity to "disrespectful/bad attitude."

Their description: "Screen It! was created to give parents a way to access the content of popular entertainment their kids are exposed to. It is not intended as censorship. Rather, it is designed to allow Hollywood and independent filmmakers to continue to produce movies, videos and DVDs while informing parents of the content in them. Some people argue over the moral quality of films while others want to ban certain releases that contain material that particularly offends them."

"cplyouth" is the login. Password is the same as our #2 login for B&T (check large Rolodex under "Movie ratings" if you don't remember.)

Random Color of the Day - Drug Testing

Anbolyn shared the site where people can see if they're supposed to go in for drug testing (usually court-ordered): http://www.tasc-arizona.org/ Click on "Random Colors of the Day."
I know they can call in and get the colors of the day, which would probably be a better option. The telephone for TASC is 602-254-7328.