Please check out Abby's introduction to computer stuff

Here at Ruidoso Public Library, we field many questions about computers.  Libraries are about information and connecting visitors with answers to questions, in any format or medium.  The staff are happy to help with your question, whether how to reply to an email or how to find a book.

Available in Ruidoso

If you are curious about computers, there's a new book in town:  Is This Thing On? by Abby Stokes.  If you wish to read a little sample of her style, I suggest this link for a sneak peak: http://abbyandme.com/posts/cracking-the-web-page-code

I would suggest that post for anyone.  From it, I learned phrases to use when teaching someone new to computers--phrases that are free of computer terms.  If you design webpages or have been confused by a webpage (What's a webpage?  Abby's book is for you), Abby's short post reveals tricks that might help you.

If you don't see the book on the shelf at 004.16 Sto, please ask at the front desk.  We can call you when it comes back in, or save a place for you if it becomes popular.

Partnering with Lincoln County Health

Cora at the Lincoln County Health Offices, next door to the library, would love your help.

She collects specific recyclables for a group called TerraCycle Personal Care and Beauty Brigade for the benefit of Feed My Starving Children.  Cora is also planning a Mobile Packing event for Ruidoso this Fall.  A later blogpost will share the details for that event as they become available.

The idea is: collecting these items earns money.  TerraCycle then contributes that money to Feed My Starving Children.  FMSC meals cost less than a quarter (22 cents).  Each item submitted from the list below earns two (2) pennies for FMSC.

This is a win-win situation.  You can recycle your disposables while helping a charity.  TerraCycle finds buyers to reuse the plastics in paving stones for your garden among other items.

Cora is collecting the following recyclables at the Lincoln County Health Center (105 Kansas City Rd, Ruidoso, NM  88345).  If you have other ideas for displaying a collection container, please post a comment below.

lipstick cases
mascara tubes
eye shadow cases
shampoo bottles  (including caps, triggers
conditioner bottles
bronzer cases
foundation packaging
body wash containers
soap tubes
soap dispensers
lotion dispensers
shaving foam tubes (not cans)
powder cases
chapstick tubes
lotion tubes
face soap dispensers
face lotion jars
eyeliner cases
eyeliner pencils
eyeshadow tubes
concealer tubes or sticks
hair gel tubes
hair paste jars
lip liner pencils

NB: Hair spray cans, nail polish bottles, and nail polish remover bottles are not acceptable.

Money Smart Week (R) 2013

This year, Ruidoso Public Library hosts Money Smart Week (R) April 2nd through 5th.  The slate of presenters has some of last year's most popular events and a few new faces, too.

Tuesday, April 2, from 10-11 am, Vera from First National Bank will speak on How to Apply for a Mortgage.  If that time does not work for you, or you have more questions, try a different perspective on Wednesday, April 3 at 4pm.

Later on Tuesday, April 2, from 11 am to noon, Debra Hendricks, of New Mexico’s Aging and Long Term Services Department, will present "Extra Help," a program to reduce your Medicare expenses. 

Wednesday, April 3, 10 am, begins with Credit Scores: what they are, what affects them, and how to improve them with Billy Jones of Ruidoso Credit Union. I saw this presentation last year and thought it could be useful for most anyone.  Then at 4pm Wednesday is the second mortgage application explanation by Lorri McKnight of City Bank New Mexico who will present a different perspective.

On Thursday, April 4, at noon, Rachel Weber of New Mexico’s Workforce Solutions offers Frugal Living Tips to Save Money.  Then at 4:30 pm, also on Thursday, April 4, Rutalee Todd-Jernigan of the Farm Bureau Financial Services will help you increase your financial smarts.  Come with any questions you have.

We wrap up Friday at noon with Ismael Camacho one of the state’s Assistant Attorneys General.  Mr Camacho presents “Don’t Get Burned” to help you explore the risks of identity theft and scams, including how to protect yourself.  

If you'd like to see the calendar, it's here.  For more information about Money Smart Week and the Federal Reserve, try this link.

Money Smart Week is an registered service mark of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

We hope to see you!  If your schedule does not allow a visit, comment below or email us ahead of time.  We can check into saving you a set of the handouts to pick up later.  If you think of a friend or acquaintance who might like a class, feel free to share this post's URL with them on Facebook, Twitter, or by email, too.

More in Universal Class: Health

Maybe you visited the Village's health fair last month?  The library had a table loaded with flyers and posters and bookmarks on the different ways the library can help you understand and explore health issues.  If you didn't, this blogpost is an excellent alternative because much of the same material is below.  As a library, we are not health experts and cannot advise.  We can connect you with the county health office [575-258-3252], the state's nursing hotline [ 1(877) 725-2552], or other reliable sources of information.  As with legal questions, please visit us at the library and let us know if you would like a little more privacy (such as the Archive Room) to ask your questions, or reach out to us through email.

Outside of the articles, nursing specific, and direct-from-the-government's National Institute of Health tutorials, videos, FAQs, and guides, the library provides you access to classes to explore health topics, too.  As mentioned in earlier posts, these classes are free to you, start whenever you are ready, and go as fast or slow as you need.  There may be videos to watch or text to read online (or print and keep for later reference).  The instructor may suggest other sites for further exploration and assignments to help you apply the new knowledge.

This is a list of the more health-focused courses among the 500 available.  Each is a link to open the course (you will need your library barcode number and your email to create an account in order to start).

Yoga 101

Weight Training 101

Weight Loss Management 101

Anti Aging Techniques

Lifetime Wellness

Meditation 101: Learn How to Meditate

Natural Skin Care

Nutrition 101

Therapeutic Bathing 101

Wellness Coaching

Reiki 1st and 2nd Degree

Emotional Healing

Energy Healing

Healing Affirmations 101

Homeopathy 101

Chakra Clearing

Depression Management

Aromatherapy 101

Stress Management 101

Flu shots, 2nd chance at e-audio download class, & Alaskan Bush Pilots

Wednesday, Oct 13, 8 am- 4pm flu shots, by the NM Dept of Health, are available at the Ruidoso Senior Center by Schoolhouse Park (on Sudderth by the Fire Station). Flu Clinics for the rest of the county are on


October 12, 2011 at these locations and times:

Carrizozo Senior Citizens Center
406 Central
Carrizozo, NM
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM


Capitan Schools Cummins Gym
154th Rd
Capitan, NM
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM


Hondo Valley Senior Center
10686 Hwy 380
Hondo, NM
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

NMDH has an FAQ  or call 1-866-681-5872 for their Nurse Hotline if you cannot make any of these clinics.

Flu IQ

         

Also Wednesday, @ 3pm @ Ruidoso Public Library, we offer another chance to look into our downloadable audiobook service.  If you have a laptop, MP3 player, or iPod, bring them with you and you'll be off'n'running!  If you don't yet, come anyway and meet people who have made the plunge.

Capt Mike in his charter plane

Finally, Friday @ 10 am, meet Capt. Mike Cory, a bush pilot from Alaska in the '70s and '80s.  He's sharing photos from the air and stories of the Cold War's Pacific Front.  His book, Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Whiteout Blues, is available for checkout in case you already have plans for Friday.