Sunday, September 4th TBPL has an App for That!

“There’s an app for that” has become a catch phrase. There are Apps to help you do just about anything, from playing games to remembering the milk. Apps are programs that work with smart phones (cell phones with internet access) and other portable devices like iPods and iPads. Your Library has a few Apps which can help you connect with some of our online resources.


Imagine you’re tinkering with your 1975 Mustang on a sunny afternoon, and discover you need to remove the steering wheel. You pull out your iPod and with a few clicks bring up the information you need to keep working. You can do this now with AccessMyLibrary.


AccessMyLibrary is a fantastic app that automatically connects you with online resources from Gale, from any public library within a 10-mile radius. Gale is a company that develops databases which help you find reliable information from trusted sources. AccessMyLibrary may be found in the App Store on any iPod, iPad, iPhone and in the Android Market. It’s free and it’s amazing! AccessMyLibrary covers a huge range of topics, including health care, environment, biographies, career choices, car repair, literature, sciences and much much more. Information comes directly to your phone from current magazines, journals, encyclopaedias, how-to-guides and more.


It’s Thursday afternoon and you’re looking forward to the evening’s Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra concert. They’re playing a piece you’re not familiar with. You take out your smart phone, and using NAXOS Music Library’s app, listen to the piece. Your experience at the concert that evening is enriched due to the familiarity you have with the music.


NAXOS Music Library’s app is available in the Android Market, and the iPod/iPhone/iPad App Store. You can log in with TBPLMM as both your username and password, and listen to streaming classical, jazz and world music.



You’re waiting to see your doctor and wishing you had a book to read. You pull out your smart phone, browse the Library’s collection, download an eBook and start reading. You can enjoy this convenience now with the Overdrive Media Console app on your iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile device. You’ll need to log in with your Library Card number and PIN.


You can also access Overdrive’s eBooks from a computer, by going to the Library’s Web site (www.tbpl.ca) and clicking on “Overdrive” under “Quick Links”. There are tips on this Web page for people using the Overdrive App.


For more information on our Apps please visit our Web site www.tbpl.ca and click on Research, then “Apps and Mobility”.


If you would like to learn more about your smart phone or iPad we have some books you might find useful. “iPad made simple” by Martin Trautschold and Gary Mazo takes you through all the amazing things you can do with this device. It includes a section devoted to iTunes, as well as a quick start guide. With lots of screen shots, this is a very user-friendly book.


“ iPad 2 Quicksteps” by Joli Ballew is packed with colour photos and screenshots and truly is a visual guide. It is currently on order in our online catalogue, where you can place a hold on it.


“iPod and iTunes for Dummies” by Tony Bove covers the basics, as well as advanced techniques for experienced users. Also in the popular, easy to follow “Dummies” series we have “Blackberry for Dummies,” “Blackberry Curve for Dummies,” and “iPad All-in-one for Dummies”.

Joanna Aegard