SCLS Offers Career Transitions Resource to Help Citizens Find Sustainable Employment

Online Resource Walks Residents Through the Entire Employment Process

Bridgewater, NJ.  January 31, 2012. – The Somerset County Library System (SCLS) now offers Career Transitions, an online advanced career service tool. Career Transitions is designed to help public library patrons, even those who have no experience using technology, secure sustainable employment.

“Every day more than 300,000 Americans get job-seeking help at their local public libraries, and they need efficient tools to help them find work,” said Brian Auger, Library Director. “With Career Transitions, Somerset County residents will be able to find the answers they need to improve their chances of finding sustainable employment, whether they are dealing with job loss, re-training needs or looking for new career paths.”

Career Transitions is a guided, self-paced program that walks users through the entire employment process – assessing strengths and interests, providing information on new opportunities and growing industries, preparing a resume and cover letter, finding educational opportunities and networking advice, performing a comprehensive job search and completing online job applications.

The program includes a guided resume and cover letter creator to help users find a quick and efficient path to presenting their background and abilities in the best light. The resource also offers custom interview simulation, targeted tips and advice in the form of articles and more than 1,000 videos on job searching and applying, as well as “Day in the Life” interviews with people in different fields. Users can also search for training programs and new career opportunities based on their education level, or previous job or military experience. 

SCLS library card holders may access Career Transitions at one of the nine library branches or from any computer by going to the library Web site at http://www.sclsnj.org, selecting “JerseyClicks” under the “Homework/Research” banner on the home page and entering the product using their library card number.

In an effort to assist in the economic recovery of the State, the New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State College, purchased the Career Transitions database for SCLS, after receiving a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) grant. Career Transitions is an online advanced career service tool from Gale, part of Cengage Learning. To learn more about New Jersey State Library services for job seekers, visit www.njstatelib.org/ItsTime.

Patrons with further questions can call SCLS at (908) 526-4016 ext. 105 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

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Hillsborough Library Writes New Chapter in Convenience

Pre-Loaded Playaway^® Digital Audio Books Now Available for Patrons

Bridgewater, NJ.  January 27, 2012. – Hillsborough Library, a branch of the Somerset County Library System (SCLS), has begun lending Playaway^®.  Playaway is a digital audio book unit fully loaded with select popular titles. 

Half the size of a deck of cards, Playaway is a digital audio player pre-loaded with content.  The entire unit plus the content is loaned out to patrons.  Each unit can hold up to eighty hours of HD Audio content, allowing even the longest books to be easily listened to on one unit.  With every available title recorded in HD Audio, Playaway’s audio quality is unsurpassed. 

Using clearly marked buttons, Playaway gives listeners the ability to move back and forth within or between chapters and alter the speed of a narrator’s voice.  It even has an automatic bookmark feature that remembers where listeners last left off.  Additionally, Playaway has a universal headphone jack that works with almost any type of headphone or mobility accessory.

Playaway View^™, a digital video player with a 3.5” screen is also available, with content focused on children’s titles.  The unit, featuring an LCD viewing screen, holds up to 6 hours of viewable content.

“Playaway’s simple functionality and immediate usability separate it from other audio book formats,” said Edward Hoag, director of the Hillsborough Library.  “With Playaway, our patrons can enjoy best-selling content with first-rate digital audio.”

The Somerset County Library System has a variety of subjects and genres, including many selections for children, language learning programs, bestselling adult fiction, and classics.  And because the Playaway format is friendly for listeners of all ages, every patron can enjoy the new format.  The Hillsborough Library collection includes:

 

·       One Summer – by David Baldacci

·       Now You See Her - by James Patterson

·       Trader of Secrets – by Steve Martini

For more information about Playaway at the Hillsborough Library, please contact (908)369-2200 or visit www.sclsnj.org.

Patrons with further questions can call SCLS at (908)369-2200 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

The Mary Jacobs Memorial Library presents Man's Fascination with the Planet Mars

Wednesday, January 25 @ 7:00 pm

Mary Jacobs Memorial Library
64 Washington Street
Rocky Hill, New Jersey 08553
Phone: 609-924-7073


John Andrews from the New Jersey Astronomical Association will be presenting the program Man's Fascination with the Planet Mars at the Mary Jacobs Memorial Library on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:00 pm.

Mankind has been tracking the motion of the red planet across the night sky for millennia. For many years it was assumed by many, including some astronomers, that Mars was inhabited by intelligent life. Through books, movies and radio shows we have managed to keep the dream alive. John Andrews will chronicle our love affair with the Red Planet.

Registration is required for this program. To register visit the Mary Jacobs Library Adult Services Desk, call 609-924-7073 ext 4, or visit http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=mjp&lmx=234539.

eBooks for Free!

SCLS Patrons Can Download Thousands

Bridgewater, NJ.  January, 2012. – Amazon and Barnes & Noble are not the only places to download eBooks this Holiday Season.  The Somerset County Library System (SCLS) has literally thousands of books available for eReader owners.  Perhaps the best news of all is the price:  FREE!

“This holiday season, it seems eReaders are everywhere.  So, we need to make sure that we have the reading materials in the format that our patrons want it in.”  Brian Auger, Director of SCLS continued by adding that “with over 6,900 titles available directly through our library system, we are offering library card holders more titles in electronic format than almost any other library in the State.”

Recognizing the popularity of the eReader as a gift this year, “gift cards” have been created to raise the awareness of patrons about the availability of free eBooks.  The colorful cards are free and available at all nine of the SCLS branches and make a nice bonus to include in an eReader gift package.

Patrons with a library card and pin number from SCLS can access the digital media collection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any location where they can obtain an internet connection.  Step-by-step help, Quick Start Guides, and Frequently Asked Questions are all available at www.sclsnj.org, the library system’s website.  Help is also available by email through bwref@sclibnj.org or by calling 908-526-4016 ext. 105 during library hours.  Finally, the library staff has been trained to help patrons with the five most popular eReaders: iPad^®/iPhone^®/iPod^®, Kobo^™, Kindle, NOOK^™, and Sony^® Reader.

“We want to make sure we are getting information into patrons’ hands when, where and how they want it,” says Electronic Resources Librarian Richard Loomis.  “Not only have we expanded our eBooks collection extensively, we also offer downloadable audiobooks, music and video.  We are also now utilizing a free smartphone app to let those patrons access their account and other important library information quickly and easily anytime and anywhere they want.”

Google Chromebooks and Playaways round out the new additions to the library system’s quest to keep patrons plugged in.  Both are available through the Hillsborough Library.  Google Chromebooks can be borrowed for four hour periods within the library, allowing patrons to access the internet through a WiFi connection.  A Google account is needed for any productivity computing as all software on the device is managed through Google apps and cloud computing.

Playaways are self-contained audiobook players with one title available on each device.  Patrons need to supply their own earbuds to listen. 

Patrons with further questions can call SCLS at (908)526-4016 ext. 105 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Acupuncure at the Bridgewater Library

 

Join us on Thursday, February 9th at 7 pm for a presentation on Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Medicine. Roger Qian, L. Ac., will show us how to improve our quality of life through these ancient practices. There will be a question and answer session followed by a mini treatment! This program is free and all are welcome to attend, however you must register! You can register online at http://www.sclsnj.org/ or call us at 908-526-4016 ext. 105.

Programs at Warren Twp Library

The Warren Twp Library is presenting "A Year of Birthstones"

on Tuesday, 1/10 @ 7 pm,

 and

"Wellness Saturday: Total Body Transformation and Introduction to Meditation"

on Saturday, January 14 starting @ 12:30 pm until 3 pm.

 WHERE: Warren Twp Library - 42 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, NJ 07059 - Phone: 908-754-5554

If you are thinking about getting a gift for a special person in your life, find out about their birthstone when gemologist Daniel Campbell presents "A Year of Birthstones" on Tuesday 1/10 @ 7 pm.  The history behind each month's birthstones, their characteristics and attributes will be addressed.
To keep you on track with your New Year's Resolutions, our "Wellness Saturday" on Saturday, 1/14 is the first step in the right direction.  At 12:30 pm personal trainer Andrea Viola will lead participants through her group fitness class "Body Architect".  Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers, and bring a towel or mat for floor exercises.  At 2 pm, HypnoCounselor Susan Lembo will guide you through the basics of meditation: proper breathing, visualization and relaxation, in this "Introduction to Meditation".

All these programs require pre-registration.  To register online, please access our calendar by clicking on this link http://bit.ly/u5l2qF  . Find the program(s) of your choice in the calendar, and double-click to register.  Or call 908-754-5554 ext 64 for more information or assistance with registration.

Follow us on Twitter@warrenlibrarynj  to get up-to-the-minute information about library events, weather-related closings, new releases, books, authors, and much more!

The Warren Twp Library is a branch of the Somerset County Library System.

Mariah's Puppets: 'The Giving Tree & The Selfish Litterbug Giant'

Bridgewater Library presents
Mariah's Puppets:

'The Giving Tree & The Selfish Litterbug Giant' (Grades PreK-5)
Saturday, January 14th
11:00am-Noon
No registration required  

Through the escapades of the Selfish Litterbug Giant, students learn about the problems caused by litter.  With their help during the puppet show, he is finally encouraged to stop littering and reduce, reuse and recycle.  'The Giving Tree' teaches a powerful message about the gift of nature and how we can give back and make a difference.

 

 

For more information, please contact the Bridgewater Library at 908-526-4016 ext 166, or e-mail Kyle Pucciarello at kpucciar@sclibnj.org.

 

Bridgewater Library

1 Vogt Drive

Bridgewater, NJ 08807