E-book Readers: Comparing Devices

A Kindle?  A Nook?  How big is the screen?  Here is a link to get specifications on devices you are considering http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/  Scroll through to find the devices listed and pictured alphabetically.  Click on the +more information to get the dimensions of the screen and other information.  When you are in the library, you can ask to be logged onto Consumer Reports Online database to compare specifications and reviews.

Database and Library Guide Help

Ratings, reviews, and more!

Consumer Reports Online

 Description | Podcast

This database is available in the Library only.

Screencast Video Guides for Select Databases 

Look for our PDF tip sheets and screen video guide podcasts to help you use our featured databases and others plus our own library guides, through the homepage or A-Z Database list link http://guides.newtonfreelibrary.net/databases

Shop Online Using Consumer Reports Online

“Generators that keep your home running.” “Snow blowers that save you work.”  “Best and worst appliance stores.” “Choose the right health insurance plan.”   When the news affects your wallet, plan your purchases using Consumer Reports Online. 

No matter if you are investing your dollars in a generator or the latest smart phone or tablet, topics such as Cars, Appliances, Electronics, Home & Garden, Babies & Kids, Money, Shopping, and Health provide  brand and model ratings and prices. You can even comparison price shop by zip code online through the Buy Online button.  Check the Specs tab for features.  Be advised when some are add-on costs.

Consumer Reports Online is published by Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization.  Follow-up any purchases through “Recalls & Safety.” An “In Library Use Only” consumer subscription,  to log in, please speak to a Reference Librarian for assistance.

Books Librarians Give 2012

Take a look at books recommended by the librarians of the Newton Free Library for your holiday or other gift giving http://downloads.newtonfreelibrary.net/reference/Newton_Free_Library_Staff_Suggest2012_Annual_Holiday_Booklist.pdf 

Online and Need a Legal Form?

 Using the one-stop source Law: QuickStart Guide, click on the  Legal Forms tab when you need a form.

Home Plate - Legal Resources Self Help Center - Library Guides at Newton Free Library

Home Plate - Legal Resources Self Help Center - Library Guides at Newton Free Library

Newton Free Library Tips: Legal Questions? Get Help!

Newton Free Library Tips: Legal Questions? Get Help!

Legal Questions? Get Help!

The summer will be winding down before we know it, and in preparation, there will be another distribution through the Massachusetts Library System delivery service of the remaining Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation mini-grant-funded legal bookmarks & posters developed to encourage patrons to use public libraries (including public law libraries) as part of the National Center for State Courts Access to Justice & Public Libraries effort. Public librarians, Massachusetts Trial Court law librarians, and the MassLegalHelp.org content provider all joined together to create the bookmarks and poster.


There are more bookmarks than posters left, so please respond if you would like a poster (11" x 16 1/2") sent and I will send in order of request received. There are also templates available online for bookmarks (generic, or customize for your library) and for the poster, either through http://www.masslegalhelp.org/help2 or use the Legal Resources Self Help Guide prepared to help patrons and non-law librarians begin their search for answers to legal reference questions.

New Yorker Issue Out -- Need Story

Need a New Yorker story for your book club?  Is the particular issue of the New Yorker out that you need?  Ask one of the reference librarians to log into our e-subscription.  We can retrieve it for you there.  The archive goes back to 1925!

Learn a Language!

Use our language instruction databases, featured in our Database of the Month block.  These are free to library patrons remotely with a Newton address and Newton library card beginning 21323.  For non-residents, the databases are free within the Newton Free Library on our library computers.  You'll find tip sheets, training videos, and descriptions for both Mango and Tell Me More by scrolling down on our homepage and also by way of our library guide A-Z listing of databases.

History Help and More

Use the Newton Free Library's History subject guide to databases to find articles, timelines, documents, speeches, and reels of historic media footage.   Use the Database of the Month box on the library's homepage to find the current month's featured databases, descriptions, podcasts on how to use the database, and a cheat sheet.  These learning tools are also linked within the A-Z listing of databases as the tools are produced.  Welcome to Guides from the Newton Free Library!