Monday, December 31, 2007

Watch episodes of old television shows on streaming video. At this time, access should be free.
http://www.hulu.com/

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Generation Y biggest user of libraries: survey
Sun Dec 30, 4:08 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than half of Americans visited a library in the past year with many of them drawn in by the computers rather than the books, according to a survey released on Sunday.

Of the 53 percent of U.S. adults who said they visited a library in 2007, the biggest users were young adults aged 18 to 30 in the tech-loving group known as Generation Y, the survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project said.

"These findings turn our thinking about libraries upside down," said Leigh Estabrook, a professor emerita at the University of Illinois and co-author of a report on the survey results.

"Internet use seems to create an information hunger and it is information-savvy young people who are most likely to visit libraries," she said.

Internet users were more than twice as likely to patronize libraries as non-Internet users, according to the survey.

More than two-thirds of library visitors in all age groups said they used computers while at the library.

Sixty-five percent of them looked up information on the Internet while 62 percent used computers to check into the library's resources.

Public libraries now offer virtual homework help, special gaming software programs, and some librarians even have created characters in the Second Life virtual world, Estabrook said. Libraries also remain a community hub or gathering place in many neighborhoods, she said.

The survey showed 62 percent of Generation Y respondents said they visited a public library in the past year, with a steady decline in usage according to age. Some 57 percent of adults aged 43 to 52 said they visited a library in 2007, followed by 46 percent of adults aged 53 to 61; 42 percent of adults aged 62 to 71; and just 32 percent of adults over 72.

"We were surprised by these findings, particularly in relation to Generation Y," said Lee Rainie, co-author of the study and director of the Pew project. In 1996 a survey by the Benton Foundation found young adults saw libraries becoming less relevant in the future.

"Scroll forward 10 years and their younger brothers and sisters are now the most avid library users," Rainie said.

The survey of 2,796 Americans was conducted by telephone from late June through early September and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. It was funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, an agency that offers federal support for U.S. libraries and museums.

(Reporting by Julie Vorman; Editing by Bill Trott)

Friday, December 07, 2007

Parents and children watch the trains at the library's Annual Train Show with conductor Jack Lehn. Children's music by Oklin Bloodworth.





















Monday, November 26, 2007











Tuesday, November 20, 2007








LOCAL AUTHOR PROGRAM
Join us for a memorable evening with...
Sunny Frazier
WHEN:
Thursday, December 6, 2007
6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Hanford Branch Library
401 North Douty Street
Hanford, CA 93230
After the program:
  • Books will be available for purchase
  • Book signing by the author
  • Refreshment provided by Friends of the Library

FOOLS RUSH IN:

On a blazing July day in Central County, California, snitch Johnny Blue is murdered by a lethal heroin injection. Undercover narcotics detective James Wolfe, the operative who handled Blue, goes to the Sheriff's Department substation seeking ex-girlfriend Christy Bristol. In the past he ridiculed her hobby of casting horoscopes. Now he needs her expertise to catch the man he suspects is behind Blue's murder, a drug dealer named Lloyd Parr. ...The reality of what goes on in the fertile land of the San Joaquin Valley is far more disturbing than the Hollywood version of drug lords and a wealthy lifestyle fueled by drug money. In the drug world of the Valley, there are no winners. Only losers.

Visit Sunny Frazier's Web site: http://www.sunnyfrazier.com/

Questions about the program??? Please call Gail Lucas at 582-0261 ext. 104 or e-mail gail.lucas@kingscountylibrary.org

Sponsored by Kings County Library and Friends of the Library

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

















Local Author Program





Join us for a memorable evening with




CHRISTINE DICKMAN





Christine is the mother of Halla Whittier Valentine-DeLeon, illustrator of the internal drawings. She will be giving a book talk about the Soway Sleuth Hounds mysterly novel, and the local history of 18th century Dumfries, Scotland. Her enthusiasm and energy will draw you into the myster and adventure of the time.





WHEN:




Thursday, November 8, 2007
6:30 P.M.-8:00 P.M.




WHERE:




Hanford Branch Library




401 North Douty Street




Hanford, CA 93230





After the Program:
Books will be available for purchase
Refreshments provided by Friends of the Library








Contact: Gail Lucas at 559-582-0261 x104











Monday, October 29, 2007

Avid readers gather outside of the Hanford Library on the morning of October 27, 2007 in anticipation of the Hanford Branch Library's Fall Book Sales.





Monday, October 22, 2007









SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
William DeNisi
Author of "Trinity" and "Choking Sam"
Over his three decades of police work, Bill did every job from rookie to chief. Along the way he spent time in narcotics, vice and homicide. A veteran of Army intelligence and a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy, he draws from his experience and the life and death issues of our time to weave compelling tales of crime and adventure.
Mr. DeNisi will be happy to talk about the art of fiction writing, his background in law enforcement and the potential for nuclear terrorism in America.
WHERE:
West Hills College in Lemoore
Conference Center
555 College Avenue
Lemoore, CA 93245
WHEN:
Thursday, November 15, 2007
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Books will be available for purchase and signing
Free Admission
Limited Seating
Refreshments provided by West Hills College
Questions??? Please call Sherman Lee at 582-0261 x119 or e-mail sherman.lee@kingscountylibrary.org
Sponsored by Kings County Library & West Hills College Lemoore
Driving Directions
FOR EVERYONE ATTENDING
West on Bush Street (curvy) to College Avenue
Continue west to second block of classrooms


From Fresno – North
Take highway 41 south from Fresno
Exit Bush Street, turn right at stop
Conference CenterFollow curve to stop sign at College Street



From South
Take Highway 41 North
Exit to Bush Street, turn left at stop
Follow curve to stop sign at College Street



From West
Take SR 198 E/B to Lemoore
Exit Highway 41
Turn Left at stop, over the freeway
Exit 41 North to Bush Street
At stop sign, turn Left


From Visalia - East
Take SR 198 to Lemoore
Exit to N/B Star Route 41
Exit to Bush Street
Turn Left at bottom of off-ramp

Monday, October 15, 2007


















LOCAL AUTHOR PROGRAM
Join us for a memorable evening with SUSAN CLARDY , author of "SOMETIMES THE BLUES: The Letters and Diaries of Frank Hammon, A Lonely Frontiersman in Globe and Phoenix, 1882-1889."






When: Thursday, October 25, 2007
6:30 P.M.-8:00 P.M.






Where: Hanford Branch Library
401 North Douty Street
Hanford, CA 93230






After the Program:















  • Books will be available for purchase










  • Book signing by the author










  • Refreshments provided by Friends of the Library





Questions??? Please call Gail Lucas at 582-0261 ext. 104 or e-mail gail.lucas@kingscountylibrary.org






Sponsored by Kings County Library and Friends of the Library

Friday, October 12, 2007

Happy Halloween from the staff of the Kings County Library






Friday, September 28, 2007

The 4-H Display at the Hanford Branch Library.







Thursday, September 27, 2007

BANNED BOOKS WEEK
September 29 - October 6, 2007
The books in this display have been challenged by individuals or groups based on its contents at one time or another in libraries across the country. Banned Books Week is a time to celebrate one's freedom to read anything they choose.
This display can be seen at the Kings County Government Center, Administration Building Lobby. Display layout arranged by Jane B., Gail L., Allison P., Jennifer R., and Tammy S.



Tuesday, September 11, 2007



Wireless is now available WITH printing at the Hanford Branch Library. Printing does cost 15 cents a page and is only available in black and white. We do not offer color printing.

Testing has indicated that the wireless signal reaches as far as the library's rear parking lot and Superior Dairy which is located across the street.

We have two desks located on the second story mezzanine area that are near electrical outlets for the convience of laptop users.

At this time, the number of wireless users will be limited to five. The signal will only broadcast during the library's business hours.
Monday-Wednesday: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.





The Hanford Branch of the Kings County Library now has wireless access.

1. WIRELESS TECHNICAL SUPPORT

You will need a laptop/notebook that has a wireless network card and capabilities. The library does not provide external network cards.

Library staff is not able to provide technical assistance due to the wide variety of hardware available. Users assume responsibility for their own equipment.

2. WIRELESS SECURITY

The wireless network provided by the library is not secure. Patrons are cautioned to use good judgement when sending any personal information over wireless networks.

The library is not responsible for protecting the user's equipment from viruses and the like. Wireless network users are encouraged to have their own anti-virus and firewall software installed on their own equipment.

3. USING WIRELESS IN THE LIBRARY

The wireless service we provide is filtered. By choosing to use this free service, you are agreeing to the library's internet policy.

Printing IS available on our wireless network at a cost of 15 cents per page. Please follow the instructions when using wireless printing. NOTE: at the end of your wireless session, printing scripts will be removed.

Wireless speed can vary depending on the amount of wireless users within the library. The library does not guarantee a set amount of bandwidth.


QUICK AND EASY INSTRUCTIONS FOR WIRELESS CONNECTION IN THE LIBRARY

1. Make sure your wireless device is activated.

2. Open your wireless network capabilities. Wireless network connection options are typically located in the lower right hand corner of most laptops (designated by an icon) or in the Control Panel of your pc under Network Connections.

3. Click on "View Wireless Networks" from within available networks.

4. Choose Library-Wireless and connect to it.

5. Close the utility and open your web browser.

6. On the left hand side of the screen you must enter your library card, pin number and check mark the "I accept terms of service."

7. You have now successfully logged on to the library wireless network.

Please remember to log out of the wireless network when you leave.

How to install printing:

1. Make sure you have configured your wireless device to allow pop-ups.

2. After you have successfully logged on to the wireless network, a window will pop up asking, "Do you want to print today?" Click on YES.

3. Another pop-up window will appear asking if you want to open or save a file called runtpc.vbs. This is a temporary script that installs printing capabilities while you are in the library. Click on OPEN.

4. Depending on your settings, another box may pop up asking you if you are sure you want to run this software. If you want to print, the answer is to click on RUN.

5. This will bring you back to the screen that asks, "Do you want to print today?" Click on YES.

6. This brings you to the Envisionware Software License Agreement. You must select ACCEPT in order to print.

7. Once you do this, LPTONE: One Thin Print Client will be minimized at the bottom of the screen. You are now able to print over our wireless network.