SOCIAL SECURITY “RETIRE ONLINE” CAMPAIGN

Social Security Administration is asking public libraries for help in promoting their new campaign, "Retire Online." This campaign features a new online retirement application that can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. The application is available online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov and can easily be completed at any library computer. A brochure on the subject can be viewed at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10522.pdf.
In May 2009, as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Social Security will distribute a one-time payment of $250 to over 55 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. A leaflet which discusses this in greater detail is available online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10519.pdf.

Social Security will be launching their third annual Mother’s Day and Father’s Day campaigns promoting the “Extra Help with Medicare” prescription drug plan costs. The SSA will keep libraries updated as to when these new outreach materials are available.

Generations Online Computing Class

Wednesday, May 20
10:00 AM or 2:00 PM
Meet Joe Jardas, a volunteer trained to "coach" elders who are "new" to using a computer.
No need to register & there's NO charge.
Come learn what Generations Online can do for you.

(Generations Online is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing communication among generations by promoting Internet access and computer literacy in elders of the Paper Generation).

National Library Week Winners
"My public library is important to me because"

Grand Prize: "When I get the urge to learn something new, I know I will find it here!" - Nancy Awve

1st Prize: "It's been here through the good times and bad on this roller coaster I call life. It's been a constant ever since I can remember."
2nd Prize: "In these troublesome times where else can I lose myself in the different worlds that books provide?"
3rd Prize: "It lets my mind relax."

Other GREAT Answers-
"It has allowed me to watch my daughter's love of reading blossom."
"I can get fire truck books."
"Since I can't sleep I need lots of reading material."
"It is so useful in teaching my children a variety of topics. We Homeschool and use the library system a lot."
Thanks to all who participated!!!!

Culver's Coloring Contest Winner!

Culver's sponsored its annual coloring contest during the month of April at the
Waterford Public Library. This is the twlfth year Culver's Restaurants have sponsored
this statewide program an the Youth Services Section of the Wisconsin Library Association is also a sponsor this year. Kids ten and under were eligible to participate. Each child who turns in a drawing of their favorite book character orscene from a favorite book will receive a coupon for a free ice cream. At the end of the month all participants will be entered in a drawing to win a Culver's toy. Below is the Waterford Public Library Winner of this year's contest.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT ELIZABETH BURMASTER COMMEMORATES NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

In celebration of National Library Week, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster issued an editorial and proclamation commemorating Wisconsin libraries, saying in part:

“No matter your interest or need, libraries remain a great well of resources for users. In honor of National Library Week, April 12 to 18, I encourage all citizens to visit their local library and find out how “Worlds connect @ your library.”

Your Public Library

Skype for iPhone

Skype launched its iPhone application bringing its much-anticipated Net-based phone service to Apple's mobile platform. With the Skype iPhone app, users will be able to make free calls using Wi-Fi to other Skype users as well as use their Skype accounts to make reduced price calls to traditional landline phones. Skype announced its iPhone application will be available on Tuesday for free, with a version for the BlackBerry available in May. Mobile versions of Skype are already available for Nokia, Windows Mobile, and Google Android phones.
From what we can tell, the Skype for iPhone looks great; but it has some drawbacks. One disappointment is that users won't be able to place calls over cellular networks, but only via Wi-Fi. Still, for international callers especially, Skype's iPhone app will save callers money by allowing them to avoid AT&T's traditional wireless phone network and adds the convenience of allowing Skype users to use their iPhone handset for Skype calls.
Looking more like a traditional iPhone app rather than the desktop Windows counterpart most of its 400 million users are used to, Skype for iPhone features five tabs at the bottom of the screen, displaying contacts, chats, a calling panel, call history, and your profile (with Facebook-style status).

Skype for iPhone will use phone numbers directly from your phone's address book, so no more nasty duplicated contact lists. It even displays your contacts' photos (if they have one set up on Skype). Conference calling is available, but for the moment you can only take part in one if someone iYou can also chat with your Skype friends, but unfortunately this is the only thing (besides seeing who's online) you can do over a cellular network. Skype for iPhone places calls only via Wi-Fi, not differentiating itself much from the other voice apps in the App Store (Skype for T-Mobile G1 can place calls over 3G.

Skype for iPhone is still a young app and is short on some of the features its desktop counterpart has. SMS, video and proper conference calling, file transfer, and voicemail are missing from this first version, but let's hope they will make their way in future versions.
iPod Touch users will also be able to enjoy Skype, but this would require them to purchase a microphone, or headphones with built-in microphones (like the iPhone's).

PCW 3/30/09