Special Collections

December 28, 2021December 28, 2021 Scott Wright

Apply For A Library Card

March 24, 2020June 25, 2021 Scott Wright

We are now offering online library card registration.

Please fill out the form below to apply for a temporary Dexter District Library borrower’s card.

We will provide your card information via e-mail and send your physical card to your home address via standard postal mail. If you need a Library card immediately, please visit the Library to register. The Library is open to the public for registration and browsing materials. Processing time for online registrations may vary and physical card delivery is dependent on postal mail.

A valid card number is required to access the Library’s electronic content. This content is always available and can be accessed from home.

We require all new applicants to visit the Library building to complete the registration process and extend the expiration date of new cards beyond the temporary registration period.

Our borrower’s cards are only available to residents of the Dexter School District, including students. If you reside outside our service area, please check with your home library about getting a card.

Parents: When registering a child for a Library card, please use a parental e-mail address. Dexter Community School student e-mail addresses prevent receipt of all external e-mails, including those from the Library.

Affirm that you reside within the Dexter school district (required)

1. Applicant's Last Name (required)

Please leave this field empty.

2. Applicant's First Name (required)

3. Applicant's Middle Name - if you don't have one, write "no middle" (required)

4. Address (Number, Street, Apartment # if Applicable) (required)

5. City (required)

6. Zip Code (required)

7. Phone (required)

8. Applicant's Date of Birth (required, in this format please: MM/DD/YYYY)

9. Email Address - If you're a parent applying for a child going to Dexter Schools, put the child's school issued email in this blank and your email in blank #14 (required)

10. Is the applicant over 16 years of age? (required)

11. If yes to #10, answer this statement: I certify that the information on this form is correct. I accept responsibility for those materials borrowed on the library card issued from this application. Responsibility for the choice of materials borrowed rests with the person(s) who filled out this entry form and not with the Dexter District Library or its staff.

12. If no to #10, answer this statement: I certify that the information on this form is correct. I accept responsibility for those materials borrowed on the library card issued from the application before the applicant turns 18 years of age or otherwise becomes legally competent. Responsibility for the choice of materials borrowed rests with the person(s) who filled out this entry form and not with the Dexter District Library or its staff.

13. If no to #10, provide the full name of the guardian taking responsibility for the minor.

14. If no to #10, provide the email address of the guardian.

Unemployment, Financial, and Business Resources

March 20, 2020August 24, 2023 Scott Wright

For COVID-19 Pandemic specific unemployment documents recently released by the State of Michigan, please click here.

Computer Skills

LinkedInLearning – Technology training videos for both beginners and experts – requires a Dexter District Library card beginning with 29221
https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/go/account/74409124

LearningExpressLibrary – A wealth of information on computer skills, job skills, and practice tests.
http://widgets.ebscohost.com/prod/customerspecific/mel/auth.php?database=lex

Goodwill Community Foundation
Innovative online learning opportunities for anyone who wants to improve technology, literacy and math skills necessary for success.

Microsoft Office 365 Training Center — Learn important skills using Microsoft Office products through online tutorials and examples
https://support.office.com/office-training-center?redirectSourcePath=%252fen-us%252farticle%252fOffice-Training-Center-b8f02f81-ec85-4493-a39b-4c48e6bc4bfb

Computer Tutorials – a web guide with links to listings of computer tutorials including Microsoft applications, Internet searching, email, typing and using a mouse. Compiled by Newark Public Library.
http://nplwebguides.pbworks.com/w/page/5673363/Computer%20Tutorials

Visual Tutorials – assistance learning Microsoft programs and other computer technology using pictures.
http://inpics.net/

DigitalLearn – Tutorials on computers basics, Windows 10, email, job skills, and more.
https://DigitalLearn.org

Job Seekers

Michigan Talent Bank – search for job openings or post your resume
http://www.mitalent.org/

Michigan Works Agency Locator Map
http://michiganworks.org/agencies/map/

Career Zone Write Your Resume – from New York a one-stop way to create a resume and export it in pdf, or MS Word.
https://www.careerzone.ny.gov/views/careerzone/index.jsf

Cover Letter Generator
http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/cover_letter/

My Skills, My Future from the U.S. Department of Labor
http://www.myskillsmyfuture.org/

O*Net Resource Center – Occupational Information Network, is a comprehensive database of worker attributes and job characteristics.
http://www.onetcenter.org/

USA Jobs – Official Jobsite of the U.S. Government
http://www.usajobs.gov/

Financial Literacy

MyMoney.gov – U.S. government’s website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education.
http://www.mymoney.gov/

Greenpath – debt counseling and consolidation information
http://www.greenpath.com/home.htm

Money Smart a Financial Education Program – an easy to use learning tool that teaches the 10 modules of the Money Smart curriculum through a computer. http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/mscbi/mscbi.html

Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Doing business in Dexter
https://www.dextermi.gov/businesses/doing_business_in_the_city.php

Michigan Small Business Relief Program
https://annarborusa.org/news/michigan-small-business-relief-program

Small Business Administration – The United State Small Business Administration provides programs and services to help you start, grow and succeed in small business.
http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/counseling-training

Small Business Administration Michigan District Office
http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/2/3121

Top Ten Legal Mistakes Made by Entrepreneurs – help from the Harvard Business School
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/3348.html

Entrepreneurs and Innovators Web Portal from Michigan Economic Development Corporation – find small business start up resources.
http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Entrepreneurs-and-Innovators/

General Assistance and Social Services

Michigan Helping Hand – site helps Michigan citizens facing economic hardship find the services they need.
http://michigan.gov/helpinghand

United Way 211 – free and confidential information and referral help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more.
http://www.211.org/

Michigan Department of Human Services: Food assistance information.
http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,1607,7-124-5453_5527—,00.html

Michigan Department of Community Health: How Can I Get Free or Low Cost Health Care for Me & My Family?
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2943_52115—,00.html

Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs – veteran’s assistance programs
http://www.michigan.gov/dmva/0,1607,7-126-2362—,00.html

Michigan Unemployment Services and Benefits
http://www.michigan.gov/uia/

Webcasts for Unemployed Workers: The webcasts are designed to inform residents about Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency programs and services, and in some cases serve as guides or tutorials.
http://www.michigan.gov/uia/0,1607,7-118-53900-219607–,00.html

Michigan Attorney General Brochure on Avoiding Foreclosure
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Avoiding_Foreclosure_Brochure_215948_7.pdf

Forclosure Resources: Links from the Dearborn Heights Public Library on avoiding foreclosure.
http://www.dhcl.michlibrary.org/news-events/dearborn-heights-foreclosure-help-resources.html

Michigan State Housing Development Authority
http://www.michigan.gov/mshda/0,1607,7-141–235359–,00.html

Unemployment Insurance videos to help file a claim

The Unemployment Insurance Agency has a series of how-to videos to help navigate the unemployment system and assist you with filing a claim.
View the full playlist of videos for employees here.
Keep in mind, it’s best to apply online during non-peak hours, between 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The 24-hour website operates faster when fewer people are on the site. Visit Michigan.gov/UIA to get started.

Additional UIA resources

Promotional Tickets Offer

January 16, 2019April 3, 2023 Scott Wright

Announcing a free new service for library patrons: Get Tix!

Anyone in Michigan can use this free service to get discounts on various upcoming venue events. Ticket availability changes on a regular basis. Use the link below to view ticket deals.

https://313.spinzo.com/?group=standard-offers-alex-bpxw&affiliate=library-network-6dsv

Hotspots and Laptop/Hotspot Kits

October 8, 2018March 24, 2022 Scott Wright

Mobile hotspots from AT&T, Mobile Beacon, T-Mobile, and Verizon available for checkout.
Click here to view the hotspots and place a hold.

We also have laptop / hotspot combo kits available.
Click here to view the laptop/hotspot kits and place a hold.

Goal

Our goal of providing a hotspot collection is to allow Dexter District Library patrons with valid Dexter District Library cards the opportunity to test a particular carrier before purchasing their own device and for temporary uses such as vacations, education, employment, special projects, etc. They are not intended to provide patrons with permanent Internet access.

Due to our government contracts with AT&T, Mobile Beacon, and T-Mobile – we are able to offer hotspots with no data caps and no throttling. Be aware that such contracts may not be available to you as an individual; or, if they are available, they may be prohibitively expensive. Our Verizon hotspots have unlimited monthly data, but will enforce a speed cap of 500 Kbps after 30GB of monthly usage.

Policy

In order to make our hotspots more widely available to our patrons, the following rules will be enforced regarding holds:

Holds will be limited to ONE per Item Queue per household per 30 days (Household – a family or occupants residing at the same address.)
Holds not picked up within 7 days will be released as per standard procedure.
Thank you for your cooperation and please, if you are unable to pick up your hotspot — let us know so that we can check it out to the next person on our waiting list and replace your hold.

Checking out a Dexter District Library Hotspot / Laptop Kit

If there are hotspots/laptops available, take an item tag from the hanging display near the second floor computer lab.

Give the tag to the Adult Librarian and they will retrieve the item and then accompany you to the circulation desk to checkout. A valid Dexter District Library card required.

Two week checkout, no renewals, $1 per day overdue fine

If the hotspot is 10 days overdue the data plan will be canceled and the hotspot will cease to function. You will be billed the complete cost of the kit (see more information.)

Return the hotspot to our Checkout Desk. Please DO NOT return to another library or put the hotspot in the outdoor book drop. All items will be cleaned/inspected by Library staff before recirculating. Laptops will be purged of all user data so be sure to save your work to a flash drive or email it to yourself before returning the laptop.

Using a Dexter District Library Hotspot / Laptop Kit

Turn the hotspot on (see instructions inside the case for details).

On your device (computer, tablet, phone etc) go to your Wi-Fi settings and connect to the DexLib(Carrier)(Number) network. It will look something like DexLibSPR01 or DexLibVER02. When prompted enter the password: libhotspot (all lowercase). If you are using one of our laptop kits, it will automatically connect with the associated hotspot once both are powered on.

Notes

You DO NOT need to unlock the hotspot. You just need to turn it on using the directions provided in the case.

Signal strength will show up as bars on the the hotspot screen.

It is possible, depending on where you live, that the hotspot you check out will have no signal and therefore not function. This is one of the goals of our project, to help you to identify this situation without committing to any contracts.

More Information

Each hotspot can support up to 10 devices connecting to them at once and have 30-40 foot range.

If the device is overdue by 10 days, the data plan will be canceled and the patron will be billed. Laptops will be remotely deactivated.

If the hotspot/laptop kit is lost or damaged, the Library will deactivate the data plan on the device and will charge the patron the cost for replacement. The hotspot (depending on the carrier) costs between $92 and $199 to replace. The laptop costs $959.85.

The whole laptop kit costs between $1159 and $1267 to replace.

Hotspots only work in the continental United States. They do not work internationally, including Canada.

Hotspots are meant to be placed on a table or shelf – Please do not tape or adhere the devices to any surface.

You may see signal strength variations on the hotspot depending on where you have placed it inside your home. Move it around to locate the best signal strength.

Wi-Fi Printing

November 7, 2017October 27, 2022 Scott Wright

The Dexter District Library now offers wi-fi printing compatible with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop! For black and white, the price is $0.10 per page. For full color, the price is $0.20 per page.

Wireless Printing

8/31/2021 – ATTENTION: Support for iOS/Android has been added to the web based version of Smart Alec. Please carefully read the new steps below.

Please follow the directions below:

A. Click here for directions on how to upload your documents/photos to our print release station.

These directions should now work for all devices, but legacy directions are listed below.

B. (NOTE: Please try step A first) Click here for legacy directions for Android Devices

Android Logo

C. (NOTE: Please try step A first) Click here for legacy directions for iPhone, iPad, iPod

Lower Level Meeting Rooms

November 3, 2017November 13, 2017 Scott Wright

The Library’s lower level meeting rooms are open to the public to reserve for meetings. For availability, call 734-426-4477. For rules and a signup form, see attached:

Group Study Rooms

November 3, 2017November 27, 2017 Scott Wright

The Library has three group study rooms available on the second floor. Groups may call ahead to reserve a room. Reservations can be taken for the current week and the following week. Every Monday, the next week opens up to reservations.

To reserve a group study room, please call 734-426-4477 and ask for the Adult Reference Desk. For the study room policy, see attached:

Reading Groups

October 5, 2017November 14, 2017 Scott Wright

Library Director’s (Paul McCann) Group

Meetings are typically held on the third Monday of each month, September through June, at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Registration is required. Contact Paul McCann at 734-426-4477 (ext 111) for further information.

Lisa Ryan’s Groups

Somewhere in Time Book Club

This history focused book discussion club meets the second Monday of every month from 7:00- 8:30 in the DDL lower level meeting room and will focus on different times and places in history. This is a nonfiction reading group, but some quality historical fiction may also be included from time to time.

Registration is required. Contact Lisa Ryan 734-426-4477 at (ext 119) for further information.

Better Off Read Book Club

This general reading book discussion club meets the third Thursday of every month from 1:00-2:30 in the DDL lower level meeting room. This is a general reading group and it will focus on a selection of books from many different genres.

Registration is required. Contact Lisa Ryan 734-426-4477 at (ext 119) for further information.

Fax Service

October 5, 2017October 19, 2017 Scott Wright

The Dexter District Library offers public faxing service for patrons:

Pre-pay for faxes at the first floor circulation desk
The fax machine is located at the second floor reference desk
The library will provide outgoing fax service only (no incoming faxes will be received)
The cost for this service will be 20 cents per page
Generic cover sheets will be provided at no charge or patrons may provide their own