Practice Tests and Computer Skills Tutorials

Staff Services Analyst, Accountant-Auditor, SAT, CHP Patrolman - these are county and state tests that are hugely popular with library borrowers. When a test is coming up, copies of these and other practice tests fly off the shelves, not to return until the test is over.

There is a way to practice without having to visit a library and track down a test book: Learning Express Library. This is a database of civil service, education, and career tests that anyone can use in the library - no Internet needed - and can also be used at home if you have a library card in good standing. The library pays for the subscription, and you can use it for free! You can practice at your convenience, your place in the test is saved and you can come back to it later. You also have the option of taking a timed test. Your answers are scored and evaluated.

The big bonus and hidden gem of Learning Express Library: Computer Skills Tutorials! If you want to learn about Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and other common computer programs, here's a chance to do it at your convenience. Ask the staff at the reference desk in your branch to show you how to find it on our Database Page.

Closed Wednesday: Annual Staff Training

It goes by many names: continuing ed, in-service training, professional development - Sacramento Public Library devotes one day each year to an all-staff training day. This year, on Wednesday, October 10, all libraries will be closed, and staff will be boning up on Emerging Technologies and Trends in Libraries - and what they mean for library services today and in the future.

Even though the branches are closed, there are still some services that are available. Books may be renewed by calling one of the Renewal Lines (916-264-2952 and 916-264-2953), and also by going to the library's web site and clicking the "your library account" link. We'll all be open again regular hours on Thursday, October 11.

Ask us to tell you what we learned about some of the ways libraries are making it easier and more convenient for the public to use their materials and services.

(Original photo by Mind on Fire, altered using Flickr Toys, and used here under the Creative Commons "attribute and share alike" license.)