UPDATE: Pickering iHelp Service wins Provincial Award

We are pleased to announce that Pickering Public Library has won the Minister's Award for Innovation for our new iHelp Service!

iHelp is the Pickering Public Library's new digital services and media centre.  The iHelp centre provides access to Apple iMac computers fully stocked with state-of-the-art media creation software and two photo printing and scanning kiosks.  Specifically, library clients are able to:

• Print digital photos from many makes of digital cameras as well as from digital photo media

• Scan and convert old print photos and print documents to digital format

• Edit images using Photoshop and Illustrator

• Create images, books, pamphlets and flyers using InDesign

• Create music using Garage Band (synthesizer for input is available)

• Create video using Final Cut Express

• Borrow and download content for your portable devices (ipods, etc.)

• Watch video podcasts and tutorials

• Attend  free seminars focusing on digital devices and software

• Obtain one-on-one free assistance and advice from dedicated library staff

iHelp is a service designed to improve digital literacy skills in the community.

Established and internationally accepted definitions of digital literacy are generally built on three principles: the skills and knowledge to use a variety of digital media software applications and hardware devices,  mobile devices, and Internet applications the ability to critically understand digital media content and applications; and the knowledge and capacity to create with digital technology.

Pickering Public Library makes the skills and equipment necessary for digital literacy freely available to all members of the community.  Our aim is to leave no Pickering resident on the wrong side of the digital divide.