GIVE A GIFT FROM THE LIBRARY

Finally, give yourself a gift. Are you planning to buy a computer this holiday season? Do you already have a home computer, but you’re not sure you’re getting all you could from it? (After all, you could play solitaire with real cards.) Check out our free computer classes! Many are offered at convenient Branch Library locations and more are available at the Central Library. You can start with the basics or find out how to surf the Internet or open an e-mail account, all at no charge. Computer classes are also offered in Spanish. For a list of classes pick up a computer calendar at any Branch or call 207-2500 and ask for computer training information.
 

PUT WINGS ON YOUR IMAGINATION!

Don’t forget that December 31 is the deadline for Young Pegasus poetry entries. In 1927, the Young Pegasus Poetry Contest, a writing competition for young people from preschool to high school, was introduced in San Antonio. For more than 75 years, the San Antonio Public Library has invited all the city’s poets eighteen years of age or younger to submit their original work. Entries are now being accepted for the 2002 competition. Your poem could appear in the next Young Pegasus Poetry Anthology!

Infant Lapsit is a program that is specially designed to benefit our youngest library patrons. Infant lapsit storytimes encourage development of language and motor skills by incorporating books with simple songs, rhymes and fingerplays.

Unsolicited commercial e-mail, commonly called "spam" or junk e-mail not only clutters our inboxes, but can also invade our lives with unwanted messages that may even deceive or disgust us. The flow of unsolicited commercial e-mail can be slowed with advanced filtering and other new technology, but curbing spam also requires the combined action of computer users, industries, and government. You can take these steps to help decrease your exposure to unwelcome messages:

• Ignore spam. Spammers often combine names randomly with popular e-mail services (for example, MSN® Hotmail®, AOL, and Yahoo!) in hopes of finding valid e-mail addresses. By responding to the junk e-mail, even to unsubscribe, you may be inadvertently verifying that the message has reached a working e-mail address. Unless you are unsubscribing from a distribution list that you signed up for or you know the sender of the message, discard it without responding.
• Don't buy anything promoted in SPAM/Junk mail
• Don't post your e-mail address on public web pages, unless your business process necessitates it
• Don't use your e-mail address in chat rooms
• Don't disclose your e-mail address to a web site without checking its privacy policy (These policies are usually easily found as a link on the Web page. If there isn’t one, don’t assume your e-mail address will be kept private.)
• Don't forward chain letters, petitions, or virus warnings
• Ignore and delete any SPAM/Junk e-mail you receive immediately without opening it

This security tip is provided courtesy of the Network Administrator, City of San Antonio.
 

1. Start with a reputable store that you are familiar with. All your favorite major stores also have websites you can purchase from.
2. Check for extra fees, warranties, return shipping and handling policies. It is also helpful to have a store phone number if you have questions.
3. Read the privacy policy outlining what personal data the company collects and how it will be used.
4. Always make online purchases with credit cards since they are protected by federal law from unauthorized charges. A debit card does not offer the same protection.
5. Once you complete your online transaction, print out your confirmation page which usually includes the total amount to be paid and a confirmation number you will need if any questions arise.
6. For more information, visit www.safeshopping.org.