Do you check out downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks through OverDrive, available from the Troy Public Library? If so, you have a chance to win a Sony Reader! All you need to do is take a short survey about your OverDrive use. The survey is available by going here, and then clicking on the "We want your feedback!" link along the right-hand side. the survey takes only 5 minutes to complete.
If you haven't tried downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks before, now is the perfect time. For more information about downloadable material available from the Troy Public Library, visit here.
Have you ever visited the Troy Museum and Historic Village?
The Museum and Village contains 10 historic buildings, and a village green, and gives the public the chance to learn, explore, discover and enhance your understanding of the history of the City of Troy.If you have visited the Museum, and think it is a worthwhile community place, please vote on the WDIV 4 Best of Contest. Last year, the Museum and Village was ranked the fourth best museum in the area, after The Henry Ford, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Museum of African-American History.
If you haven’t visited the Museum recently, this Summer is a good time to drop by. There are fun and interesting family-friendly activities going on every week. This week, for example, on August 13, there will be a hearthside cooking demonstration; live alpacas from Powder Puff Pacas, to show how wool is used; and story time under the story tree.
The Troy Museum and Historic Village, located on the northwest corner of Wattles and Livernois Roads, is a great place to spend a few minutes on your lunchtime, or a few hours with the family.
Interested in teleconferencing?You might want to check out the “Why I Want Cisco TelePresence” viral video contest.
The contest is designed to entice individuals to submit their ideas about why or how they would like to use Cisco Telepresence, a teleconference tool that the computer software and network company promises will provide “an immersive in-person experience.” Winners in two categories, Productivity and Shaping the Future, have a chance to win $3,000 each.
Just make a video about how teleconferencing would be useful to you and upload it to the Cisco site. You don’t have to be a Tim Burton or a Frank Capra. All you need is a home video camera, some passion and a tad of creativity. Most digital cameras can record short form videos, and the site is set up for easy uploading and includes a simple pass along feature. You can also visit the site periodically to vote on your favorite videos and add commentary.Good luck!
Are you interested in not only winning some money for yourself, but also for your favorite school or local library? Database publisher Gale is sponsoring a contest from now until June 1, where you can win $2,500 for yourself and $2,500 for your favorite library.To enter the contest, you need to create a one-minute video that promotes your favorite library and how it brings "power to the user." Then post the video to Gale's Libraero Group on YouTube. For official rules, entry requirements, and sample videos, visit the official contest site here.Good luck!
Would you like to own a Kindle 2, Amazon’s latest generation ebook reader? Publisher Harper Collins, blog CrunchGear, and thriller author Andrew Gross are giving one away.The Kindle 2, which retails at $359, holds 1,500 ebooks. It is lightweight, ultra-thin, and completely wireless. You can now download books from your Kindle2 anytime, anywhere.Five second place winners in the contest will receive an autographed paper copy of Gross’ latest novel, Don’t Look Twice. You can read the first few chapters here.Then go to the contest page to enter. The contest ends on April 20.If you win, bring it by the the Technology desk at the Library. I would like to see it at work.
From April 6, through April 22, the Troy Public Library is sponsoring a Name the Café contest. Library users are invited to submit a name for the Library’s new vending café, which is scheduled to be open in May.
There is no official entry form. You can submit your suggestion via email to Library Director Cathy Russ at c.russ@troymi.gov. Please include the proposed name, and your name and contact information in the email.On or around April 24, a panel of judges – including the Library Director, the City’s Assistant City Manager, the Friends of the Library President, and a member of the Library Advisory Board – will choose the winning name. A sign with the name and an acknowledgement to the winner will be displayed in the café.Earlier this year, the Library sponsored a contest among staff to pick a quote to display in the new café. The winner was Technical Services aide Anna Brodak. Her winning submission was “Libraries have become my candy store,” from Julie Kimball, literacy advocate.
Ever dream of accompanying a famous classical musician? Well, now your dream might come true.
World-famous cellist and 15-time Grammy winner Yo-Yo Ma is hosting an online competition, inviting listeners to add their own accompaniment to his performance of the traditional hymn “Dona Nobis Pacem,” from his album, Songs of Joy & Peace.
In October, according to Wired.com, Ma posted his cello solo to the online site Indaba Music. Since then, Indaba's users — amateurs and pros alike—have used the site's free Flash-based mixing board to add their own variations and countermelodies. In January, Indaba users will vote for their favorite arrangements, with the winner receiving a recording session with Ma that will be featured on both Indaba and the cellist's own site.
"Just releasing a CD is constraining to an artist," Ma told Wired. "You know: 'I'm the product, you're the consumer' — it's no longer like that. Technology lets you share ideas. By sharing and learning and teaching, you expand your imagination."
In the past, plenty of indie, hip hop, and pop artists have welcomed others to remix their songs online. Now classical music lovers can get in on the act.
Great news for readers: Due to the popularity of our Summer Reading Program we've created a year-round reading program for adult patrons (ages 18 and up).To participate, go to the TPL website and click on Year-Round Reading Programs. This link will take you to the TPL Reading Programs website. From there you can register, and begin logging books.
For those of you familiar with our Summer Reading program, this is the same process. Read books, log your books on the website, and win prizes. The prizes for this program include gift certificates to the Somerset Collection, the TPL Friends Gift Shop, and the TPL Friends Book Shop. The more books you review, the more chances you have to win.
For more information email h.pytiak@troymi.gov or call the Tech Desk at 248.524.3542.
Is your home computer space -- your "digital crib" -- a technological paradise or your worst electronic nightmare? Cisco wants to know.
The company is looking for short (up to three minute) videos showing off your digital heaven or hell. Show how clever and efficient you are with consumer technology and your home network or issue a plaintive cry for professional help. Submit a video, and you will have a chance to win a top prize of $10,000 (in each category) or one of ten $500 gift cards.
All submissions will be hosted on Cisco's Digital Cribs website and be viewable by the public. Winning is weighted toward the most viewed and highest rated videos, so submit early and share with all your friends to improve your chances. Check back regularly and cast your vote for the best or worst video you see.
Submissions will be accepted no later than November 26, 2008. Winners will be announced on December 8, 2008.
For more information and complete rules, click here.
Do you check out downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks through OverDrive, available from the Troy Public Library? If so, you have a chance to win a Sony Reader! All you need to do is take a short survey about your OverDrive use. The survey is available by going here, and then clicking on the "We want your feedback!" link along the right-hand side. the survey takes only 5 minutes to complete.
