Free Computer Tutorials and More!

Need some assistance learning popular computer software?  Check out our free computer class offerings here at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library.  Such classes as Beginning Computers, Word, Excel, Searching the Internet, Job Searching, and Facebook are just a few of the classes we teach.  Check our calendar of events for classes, dates and times.

We do realize that, due to time constraints, you may not be able to attend one of our classes.  While we would love to see you, there are other resources available 24/7.  One such resource is offered by the wonderful folks at the Goodwill Community Foundation, GCFLearnFree!  You are in charge of what you learn and at what pace you do so.  Here are just a few tutorials offered:

Computer Basics
Internet Basics
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Access
Mouse Tutorial
Windows 8
And More!

What's even better is that many of the software tutorials include different versions of the product.   The Microsoft Word tutorials, for example, include every version from 2000 to 2013. 

GCFLearnFree does not stop at computer tutorials.  There are links to improve math and reading skills, job searching, networking, interviewing skills and more!

Check it out!

Science Reference Center

School has started and we at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library are gearing up for those science fair questions!  It's just around the corner and we would like to do our best to help.  That's why we'll be taking a look at one of our newest online resources, Science Reference Center.  You can access this resource by going to the library's website and clicking on Research Help.  Scroll down to the Science heading and you will find Science Reference Center.

While science fair experiment information is one of the highlights of this resource, it's not the only thing that makes it amazing.  The user-friendly interface and quality information make this your go-to place to find information for scientific research.

Here are a few highlights:

Full-text view of many science reference books
Full-text scientific journal and magazine articles
Searchable scientific dictionary
Access to  hundreds of scientific experiments to try
Citation and research assistance

Check out the video below for a quick overview of Science Reference Center!

Check out Consumer Reports Online!

Consumers need to protect their investments by doing the research before buying a product.  However, sometimes we need to replace a product in a hurry.  While the library carries Consumer Reports, wouldn't it be nice to have access to it 24/7? You have that access through the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library!

Simply visit our website and click on Research Help (under the Main Menu).  That will take you to a list of our online database offerings.  Click on MasterFILE Premier.  You will be asked for either your zip code or library card number.  This will take you into the resource which is really easy to use!  Simply enter "Consumer Reports" under the Publication heading and the product you are searching for in the main search box.  That's it!  You will have full access to PDFs of the articles from Consumer Reports magazine.  That includes the buyer's guides, feature articles and, most importantly, product ratings.

Check out the video below to see MasterFILE Premier in action!

Points of View Reference Center

We are continuing to take a look at the new databases being offered through the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library by taking a look at Points of View Reference Center.  You can access POV by going to the library's website, clicking on Research Help, and then clicking on Points of View Reference Center.  You will be asked for either your zip code or library card number.

A popular early assignment early in the school year is to take a stance on a controversial topic and to defend that stance.  This resource is perfect for such an assignment, or if you are simply researching a hot controversial topic in the world today.  Either search for a specific topic you are interested in, or check out the myriad of topics under "Browse By Category".

Full-text journal and magazine articles, books, newspaper articles, and primary source documents are available.  There is also a nice basic overview of the topic throughout history.  Full citation information is given, too.

Check out the video below for more on using this amazing resource!

Assistance for Small Businesses

We love providing assistance for new and well established small businesses here at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library.  It's difficult to know where to start, considering the myriad of print options out there.  Plus, there's the latest in business research, building a business plan, doing market research, and more.  It can be a bit overwhelming.

With that in mind, we created a webpage with links to some of the best in business research.   We included a little bit of everything to help with your business needs.  There are links to books available at the library, such as The Small Business Start-Up Kit and The Wall Street Journal's Complete Small Business Guidebook.  Scroll down and you'll find links to terrific online resources, such as Business Source Premier.  This subscription database, offered for free through the library, contains info on market/company evaluations, industry reports, and popular and scholarly business periodicals.  All you need is your library card to enter this powerful resource!

There are links to the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Business Administration.  Bplans is an amazing free tool that provides free business plan templates for a wide range of small businesses.  There are also tips on financing, marketing, market research, and more.  Finally, check out the SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Northwest Ohio site, where you have access to free mentoring and workshops for small business.

Go ahead and save the link to our page, as we will be adding more information periodically.

Literary Reference Center

We continue to highlight our new online resources here at Search Smart by taking a look at Literary Reference Center.  Keep this database in mind as summer quickly changes into fall and those assignments for junior high, high school, and college level English courses begin.

Here's what's included in this terrific resource:

Full-text classic books, poetry and short stories in PDF format
Author biographies
Literary criticism
Plot summaries
Literary dictionary and encyclopedia


And check out our quick tutorial below!

Find Your Next Great Read- Sign Up for BookLetters!

Do you search all around looking for the latest and hottest book titles?  There's an easier way!  You can sign up for monthly book newsletters, delivered right to your email, through the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library. 

Go to the newsletter sign-up page and check out the robust list of newsletters offered.  There's something for everyone!  Check out some of the current newsletters under the New Arrivals at the Library heading on our homepage.   Here's the latest New Fiction list as an example.

Check out the video below for instructions on signing up!