Saturday, May 4, is Free Comic Book Day!  Every year on the first Saturday of May participating comic book shops give away comic books free to people who visit their stores.  Learn more at http://www.freecomicbookday.com .

This year, the Appleton Public Library will be partnering with Chimera Hobby to be a give-away site.*

Appleton Public Library lends graphic novels—stories told in words and pictures, like a traditional comic book—for children, teens and adults.   A display of teen and adult graphic novels from our collection will be available for check out, along with a guide to some interesting and important adult graphic novels. The library also has a large collection of manga.

We will also be promoting a program this summer for teens (grades 7-12) called Secret Identity Workshop.  Teens will create their own superhero identity cards!

Cover, Grid or List—these are new ways to browse for titles. 

For a quick look at the collection, try the cover view.  You will see more books at once.

The Grid view shows more information about each title, including full title and author name as well as the name of the series, if appropriate.

The List view shows fewer books but also more information about the book.  You can see the full description by clicking on the book cover.

Another way to narrow your search is to choose a collection.

“My library’s collection” means everything currently in the Wisconsin Digital Library collection for use, whether you need to put a hold on it or it is available for checkout right now.

 “Only titles with copies available” will take away the titles which are all checked out, and you will see just items which can currently be checked out.

 “Additional titles to recommend” searches through all titles which OverDrive currently has access to, whether already added or not.  This is similar to a request for purchase, where you suggest that the library buy a title to be added to the collection.

Your search may also be narrowed by

• Ebook vs. audio book
• Format (Epub, Kindle, OverDrive Read, etc)
• Subject
• Publisher
• Language
• Grade Level
• * rating which other readers have given to the title

• 
  

  ·         Device that may be used to read or listen to the book (brand of ereader, audio device, tablet, etc.)

   

  There is a new “basic” version of OverDrive Read that allows you to use OverDrive Read in Internet Explorer without installing a plugin.  If you are already using Internet Explorer with the Google Chrome Frame Plugin or using a different browser you will see no difference. However, Internet Explorer versions 7, 8, and 9 will give you the option to use the basic version instead.

  The basic version of OverDrive Read supports many of the features of OverDrive Read. However, because some of the features of OverDrive Read depend on the advanced features of HTML5 and CSS3 (which are not available in older browsers without the Google Chrome Frame Plugin), the basic version will provide you with a different experience. The most notable of these are the absence of pagination and customized font sizes.

Enjoy these new features which make it easier to find titles to your taste.

1. A library card is free to residents—just bring in your photo ID and proof of current address if not on your ID, then stop at a service desk and get a card in a few minutes.
   
   
2. Free Wi-Fi and internet computers are available at the Appleton Public Library.  Use your library card to use the computers up to two hours a day.  Visiting from outside Wisconsin?  You can get a guest pass using your ID to access the internet computers.
   
   
3.   Download free e-books and audio books from Wisconsin’s Digital Library or  OneClick Digital.
   
   
4. We answer questions!  Can’t find an out-of state phone number?  Who was the 23^rd President of the United States?*   What is the name of the children’s museum and where is it located in Appleton?**  Call 832-6173, the main number for most questions, 832-6177 for media questions, or 832-6187 for Children’s.
   
   
5. Free access to databases such as Mango language learning, HeritageQuest genealogy website from home or Ancestry Library Edition within the library, car repair databases, Opposing Viewpoints, newspapers and magazines online, and many others.  Go to www.apl.org/e to see what we have available in our elibrary resources.Kids bugging you to buy new video games?  Save money by checking out PS3 or Xbox 360 video games from the Children’s and Teens areas for free.
   
   
6. Call dibs on hot new books—they are usually in the catalog a month or two before the book is released, so you can get a place in line before they even come out, at no charge.
   
   
7. Free subscriptions to 100 different magazines are available through Zinio once you create an account using your library card.
   
   
8. Looking for interesting books to read?  There are Staff Picks next to the new books where books recommended by staff are placed, while on the website there are new Staff Picks every few days.  You can read older reviews by going to http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all.
   
   
9. Programs for all ages and interests are available for free at the library:  author talks, book clubs, craft programs, petting zoo, knitting groups, children's programs, and many more.  Check the Event Calendar at http://host6.evanced.info/appleton/evanced/eventcalendar.asp.

Answers:  *Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd American President.  Found at the White House site.

**The Building for Kids, is located at 100 W. College Avenue, Appleton.