What’s New

Wi-Fi Printing

LOG IN

1. Go to this web site and log in with your library card number / password:
https://smartalecplus.smartalecprint.com/?id=TLN

2.  Press “Choose File”, browse to the file you wish to print, and then click upload.  You may now upload multiple files at a time.  You don’t need to be inside the Library building for this step, so the print jobs can be sent from home if you wish.  Alternatively, you can email the files as attachments to: smartalec@smartalecprint.com, attach directly from Google Drive, or paste a URL you desire to have printed.

3.  Once you have all the files uploaded, sign into the Print Release Station on the 2nd Floor of the Library, and you will see the files you had uploaded previously.  Click them to select, then click “Continue”

4.  You will be shown a summary of the charges.  Make your selection for Black & White or Color printing.  Additional funds may be added to the library card number at the circulation desk.

Reading Groups

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

The Dexter District Library offers public faxing service for patrons:

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

Computer and Internet Access

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Computers for Public Use:
The Dexter District Library has 11 public use computer terminals for adults, 4 public use computer terminals for teens, and 4 public use computer terminals for children.  All of these computers have Windows 10 and are loaded with the Microsoft Office 2021 suite; and the adult computers also have Photoshop Elements 18.  Full color printing is available for $0.20 a page.  Black & white printing is $0.10 a page.


General Rules for Internet Use:

  1. Hardware and Software settings may not be changed.
  2. Users will respect all copyright laws.
  3. Users saving files from the Internet to their own disks do so at their own risk. The Library assumes no responsibility for viruses transmitted from the Internet to disks through the use of Library computers.
  4. Any users caught hacking into computer systems or disrupting the functions of other computer systems will have their Internet use privileges revoked.
  5. Users will not use the Library terminals to violate any Federal, state or local laws or to engage in unethical behavior.
  6. Users can be held financially liable for damage to the Library’s equipment and software.

Wi-Fi Printing Directions

 

Click here for Dexter District Library Homepage

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.

 Android Logo

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

 

 

 

Michigan Activity Pass

The Michigan Activity Pass presented by The Library Network program is a partnership between 638 public libraries, 11 library cooperatives, and 400+ destinations. The program is designed to enhance the learning experience for people of all ages through books and other library materials, and to provide reduced cost or complimentary access to arts and cultural organizations across the state of Michigan, from Monroe to Mackinaw City to Marquette, and all points in between.  All passes are issued online through the MAP site:

http://MIActivityPass.org 

Introduction to Story Times

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Many parents and caregivers are not aware of the planning and preparation it takes to present a 30 minute story time here at the Library. The planning process begins with choosing a theme for each week, particularly one that would be of interest to a toddler or preschool child. Examples of themes often used are Farm, Pond or Jungle Animals, Bedtime, Bath Time, Pets, Monsters, Dinosaurs and Transportation as well as concept themes such as Colors, Counting, Opposites and Shapes. Age appropriate books that are entertaining to small children are then selected, action rhymes are prepared to encourage enjoyment of the rhythm of language, a variety of visual aids are selected to keep a child’s interest during the sessions and songs for dancing or singing are added because very young children are not expected to sit still and listen for 30 minute intervals.

Dexter District Library also has a wide variety of programming materials for story times. There are over 300 interactive, pop-up and lift-the-flap books in our Professional Collection and our story time cupboards hold a huge collection of hand puppets, finger puppets, story telling kits, literacy bags, flannel board pieces, rhythm sticks and other materials that encourage the love of reading. The Friends of the Dexter District Library have also purchased several popular children’s books in big book format to add to the Professional Collection and an easel to hold the books, making it easier to read and show during story times. This collection has become very useful when children need to sit and listen to a book for a longer period of time.

Attendance at story times is often a child’s first introduction to the many services offered by the Dexter District Library. When the program is geared to their interests with the knowledge of what is developmentally appropriate for their age group, the Library has the opportunity to create life-long readers and Library users in the Dexter Community. It is with this knowledge in mind, that story times are carefully planned and implemented to introduce the entertaining side of literature to young children.

Tips for Story Time Success

For many children this will be their first group experience. The following tips will help to make it a happy one:

  • Participate:  Please join in the activities and save interactions with other parents until after the program. Children love to see their grown-ups listening and participating in story times.
  • Minimize distractions: Plan to arrive early. Snacks or toys should be put away and cell phones should be silenced before story times begin.
  • Be prepared for bad days: It’s okay, sometimes children just have bad days and we understand.  If your child becomes very restless or uncooperative, please step outside the story time room for a few moments to regroup. If you need to leave the session for the day, please come back the following week.
  • Relax: There is no expectation that your child will sit still and participate in every activity. Music and movement is incorporated into our all of our story times to keep it interesting and fun.
  • Bring it back home:  Plan to check out books each week for you and your child to read at home together.
  • Ask for help:  Our Library staff is available to assist you in selecting which story time is right for your child, to guide you in choosing appropriate books and materials, and to provide information about other library services.
  • Visits from groups:  Our weekly story times are designed for individual children and their parent or caregiver. Arrangements for a daycare, school or other group field trips should be made in advance.
  • Keep it healthy:  If you suspect that your child is coming down with something, has a fever or is still coughing or sneezing after a bad cold, please skip a session until they are feeling 100% again.

Internet Use for Children

Computers

The Dexter District Library has four public use computer terminals for children.  These computers have Windows 7 and are loaded with the Microsoft Office 2007 suite.  Full color printing is available for 20 cents a page.

Safety

We encourage children of all ages to visit and enjoy the library.

Children ages six through eleven may use all areas of the Library alone, but a parent or other adult must be on the Library premises.

Children aged twelve and over are welcome to use the Library without an adult on the premises.

Borrowing Cards

Up to the age of 16, children may have their own borrowing card with parental permission. Parents are responsible for what their children borrow and for assuring that materials are returned or replaced when lost. A parent signature is required when a child is issued a borrowing card.