Ghana Library Authority has secured additional 1000 scholarship slots with funding support from Commonwealth of Learning, bringing its total award to Ghanaians to 2000, the largest among the four nations in the commonwealth benefiting from the partnership.

The e-learning project, dubbed Read2Skill launched on January 6, 2020, was initially meant to offer only one thousand scholarships for Ghanaians to undertake courses on the world largest open learning platform, Udemy.

The Executive Director of Ghana Library Authority, Hayford Siaw explained that seeking for additional scholarships was a result of the enthusiasm and massive interest expressed by Ghanaians in the project.

We received 31,574 applications from all 16 regions of Ghana as at the end of January competing for just 1000 scholarship slots if we had not negotiated for more, then, clearly you can see that many Ghanaians would be denied access to this opportunity. So what we did was to engage our partners to extend the opportunity for more Ghanaians.

MrSiaw, however, indicated that they are not accepting new applications. The additional 1000 slots will be given to applicants from the remaining applications.

Among the total number of applications, the Greater Accra region recorded the highest with 13,895 applicants while Savannah region recorded the lowest with 106 applications.

According to the statistics, more males applied for the e-learning programme as compared to females. In the Greater Accra Region, for instance, 9295 out 13,895 were males whereas the remaining 4600 were females.

Out of the many courses available on Udemy, the majority of the applicants selected Project Management and Operations as their preferred course with Procurement being the least preferred.

The successful candidates will earn certification upon completion of any of the courses on offer and have till the end of October 2020 to enrol on as many courses as possible.

Online courses available on Read2Skill programme includes, but not limited to; Data Science, Cloud Computing, Project Management, IT Operations, Design, Finance and Accounting, Human Resource, Leadership and Management and Office Productivity.

Excerpt from:
Ghana Library Authority gets over 30000 requests for Read2Skill online project - Myjoyonline.com

Thursday Events

Anthropology Forum, Chico State: 4-5 p.m. The Archaeology Field Schools 2019 Adventures with The Magical Substratum: Memory, Mammoths and Permafrost in Siberia, with Matthew OBrien and Carly Whelan. Ayers Room 120. 898-6192 or http://www.csuchico.edu/anth/news-events/anthropology-forum.shtml. Free.

Zingg Recital Hall, Chico State: 7:30 p.m. Historian Linda Colley delivers 19th annual Joanna Dunlap Cowden Memorial Lecture, free to the public. Information or questions, 898-5739.

Chico Apple Users Group (MacCHUG): 6:30 p.m. General meet: Industry executives, technical experts, library of books, CDs, other training resources to check out. Veterans Memorial Hall, 554 Rio Lindo Ave. Ron Brooks, 893-8098. http://www.macchug.com.

Chico Area Recreation and Park District: 6 p.m. General meeting. 545 Vallombrosa Ave.

Planning Commission: 6:30 p.m. Chico Council Chambers, 421 Main St.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area: Sunrise to sunset. 9,100 acres of fields, riparian areas, ponds, waterways; shelter for 300+ species. Self-guided nature trail, (seasonal guided tours RSVP for 12+ people), hunting, exhibits. 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. 846-7500.

SCORE: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free face-to-face counseling for startup and existing businesses. Service Corps of Retired Executives, 1324 Mangrove Ave., Suite 114. Chico Chamber, 891-5556, to schedule appointments. http://www.greaterchicoarea.score.org.

Temporary restraining order help: RSVP to assure counselor availability. 10 a.m.-noon. 330 Wall St. Suite 50. 343-7711. For victims of domestic violence. Free. Sponsor, Catalyst Domestic Violence Services. 800-895-8476.

Medicare counseling: Trained, state-registered volunteer counselors assist seniors, adults with disabilities with Medicare matters. Passages Adult Resource Center, 25 Main St. Ste. 202, Chico. Appointments, 898-6716.

Chico Library: 10 and 11 a.m. Toddler Story-time for ages 3 and younger; 3 p.m.-3D Printing and 3-6 p.m. Maker Lab for all ages; 3:30-5:30 p.m. Chess Club. 1108 Sherman Ave. 891-2762.

Preschool story time: 10 a.m. Durham library, 2545 Durham-Dayton Highway. 879-3835.

Chico Air Museum: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aircraft, aviation, space artifacts and documents, outdoor museum, research library, gift shop, speaker series and events by arrangement. Free, donations helpful. 165 Ryan Ave., Chico Airport. Appointments available. 345-6468. http://www.chicoairmuseum.org.

Chico History Museum: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Chico Through Time in Patrick Gallery. The Evolving Chinese Temple in Carnegie Gallery. Admission: $5 adults; $3 seniors, veterans, students, children 5 and older; free to under age 5. 141 Salem St. 891-4336.

Chico Seed Orchard: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Pedestrian gate open daily. Drive-thru gate 7 a.m.-3 p.m. One-mile trail through botanical area in Edgar Slough. Keep dogs leashed. No water, one restroom. More information online. 2741 Cramer Lane.

Chico Creek Nature Center: 9 a.m.-Noon. Janeece Webb Living Animal Museum and Nature Play Room (Bidwell Park interpretive center). Free members admission; $4 adults, $2 children, students and seniors. 1968 E. Eighth St. 891-4671.

Museum of Northern California Art (monca): 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Observe the Creative Process. Rachelle Montoya and Ama Posey make the museum galleries their studio for a month. Visitors observe them and try their hand in a Visitor Studio. 900 The Esplanade. Admission $5; free to students with IDs and children. http://www.monca.org or 487-7272. Panel discussion, 3 p.m. Feb. 22.

Janet Turner Print Museum: Noon-4 p.m. Curated with history professor Jason Nice and students in Renaissance Civilization: 1200-1550. Chico State, Arts & Humanities Building, 130; 400 W. First St. 898-4476. Free.

Jacki Headley University Art Gallery: Noon-4 p.m.Artist Cathy Lu: Foreign Bodies. Ceramics installation inspired by ancient Chinese myth of the Immortal Peach Garden. Humanities Building, Room 121, Chico State. headleygallerycsuchico.com. 898-5864.

Valene L. Smith Anthropology Museum: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Remarkable Lives: The Intertwined Worlds of Birds and Humans. Also, Unbroken Traditions: Basketweavers of the Meadows-Baker Families in Northern California. Free, donations helpful. Meriam Library, Room 180, Chico State. 898-5397.

Temporary restraining order help: For victims of domestic violence. Free. RSVP for counselor availability; 330 Wall St. Suite 50. 343-7711. Sponsor, Catalyst Domestic Violence Services. 800-895-8476.

Gateway Science Museum: Noon-5 p.m. Mission Aerospace explores history of flight, navigation and NASAs vision. Entry free to members; $7 ages 18+, $5 ages 3-17 and students with valid ID, free to ages 2 and under. 625 The Esplanade. 898-4121. http://www.csuchico.edu/gateway.

Chico Creek Nature Center: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Janeece Webb Living Animal Museum. Exhibits, living animals, public programs. 1968 E. Eighth St. $4 adults, $2 children. 891-4671, info@bidwellpark.org.

Chico Heritage Association: Noon-3 p.m. Volunteers help with questions on history of area, businesses, homes, individuals; research library. Donations appreciated. Garden Walk, 225 Main St. 345-7522. http://www.chicoheritage.net.

Domestic violence support group: 5:30 p.m. Chico Drop-In Center, 330 Wall St. Suite 50; 343-7711.

Catalyst Domestic Violence Services: 800-895-8476; catalystdvservices.org.

Paradise Spinning Guild: 6-8 p.m. Free introductory lessons; spin wool and other fibers into yarn. Feather Canyon Gracious Retirement. Brooke, 519-1541.

Americana Corvette Club: 7 p.m. Logans Roadhouse, Chico. All Corvette owners welcome. 520-1399. http://www.americanacorvetteclub.org.

Chico Optimist Club: Noon. Cozy Diner, 1695 Mangrove Ave. Larry Jendro, 533-1413, ljendro@msn.com.

North Valley Woodturners: 7-9 p.m. Usually a wood-turning related demonstration, show-and-tell and wood sharing. New members welcome. Lynn Shoger, 876-1419; Lynn.Shoger@att.net. Westgate Hardwoods, 9296 Midway, Durham.

Chico Republican Women: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Luncheon. Manzanita Place, 1705 Manzanita Ave. Open to women registered as Republicans. Cost $15. RSVP. Information, Mary Lou Johnson, 343-8843.

Sons of Italy, Chico: 6 p.m. St. Johns Catholic Church basement, West Fifth at Chestnut. 345-7911.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 6:30-8 p.m. General meeting. Question and answer time; refreshments. 109 Parmac (conference room). 343-775 or 894-8551.

Exchange Club of Durham: 6:30 a.m. Red Rooster Cafe, 9418 Midway, Durham. 876-7763.

Chico Breakfast Exchange Club: 7 a.m. Kalico Kitchen, 2396 The Esplanade. Bill Morris, 342-7805; http://www.nationalexchangeclub.org.

Butte Business Network: 7:15 a.m. Italian Cottage, 2234 The Esplanade, Chico. 893-4464.

Salvation Army Home League: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Salvation Army, 567 E. 16th St., Chico. 342-2199.

LeTip Chico Lunch Club: 11:30 a.m. Exchange business referrals. 342-4229, letip.com. Moms, 209 Salem St.

Sons in Retirement (SIRS), Branch 84: 11:45 a.m. Lunch, guest speakers, golf, bridge, hiking, fishing, newsletter, travel. No dues. Elks Lodge, 1705 Manzanita Ave. Jim Hertl, 897-0402.

Sons In Retirement Bridge Club: Noon. Chico SIR members play Chicago bridge. The Lodge, 2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace. Robin Thompson, 343-2953.

Toastmasters, Hooker Oak Club: 12:15-1:15 p.m. California Northern School of Law, 1395 Ridgewood Drive. 519-3304.

Chico Eagles: Doors 4:30 p.m. Bingo. Pack games start 6:30 p.m. Kitchen open for snacks/dinner. Door prizes. Eagles Hall, 1940 Mulberry St. Proceeds benefit local charities. Charlene Hefty, 518-7767.

Speak Easy Toastmasters: 5:30 p.m. Willows Library, 201 N. Lassen St. 968-5038. http://www.toastmasters.org.

High Sierra Model Railroad Club: 6-10 p.m. 3650 Morrow Lane. New members welcome. Joe Clark, 342-4305.

Chico Citizens Climate Lobby: 6:30-8 p.m. Education and promotions of solutions to climate change. Chico library, 1108 Sherman Ave. 893-1855.

Chico Toastmasters: 7 p.m. Learn to communicate effectively. Enloe Rehab Center conference room, 340 W. East Ave. 893-4464.

Facebook Live: Noon. Caring for Your Heart. Learn about improving heart health, its risks and more, online with Joanne Alonzo, a cardiovascular disease specialist with Enloe Cardiology Services. Follow and ask questions. Information, 332-7300 or visit http://www.enloe.org/events.

Butte County Health Care Coalition: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meets at Valley Oaks Village, Common House, 1950 Wild Oak Lane, Chico. Park in uncovered spots.

Alzheimers Caregiver Support Group: 2-4 p.m. 150 Amber Grove Drive, Suite 154, Chico. 895-9661.

Cancer Discussion Group: 4:30-6 p.m. Patients/caregivers share tips, discuss challenges, gain tools to understand how to support those with cancer. Enloe Conference Center, 1528 The Esplanade. 332-3856.

Family Engagement Group: 6 p.m. For families seeking support for loved ones with memory loss. Hosted by memory care community. Amber Grove Place, 3049 The Esplanade. RSVP, 826-3226.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Chico: Chico Central 6:30, 8 a.m. noon. 3:30 p.m. 5:30, 7 p.m. 1102 Mangrove Ave.

Alcoholics Anonymous: Secular in Sobriety: 7-8 p.m. Secular meeting of AA. All faiths welcome. Chico Peace and Justice Center, 526 Broadway St. 762-9834.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly): 8:30-9:15 a.m. Weigh-in; 9:30-10:30 a.m. Weight loss support group meeting. Grace Brethren Church, 355 Panama Ave. 342-9017.

Iversen Wellness & Recovery Center and Med Clinic: Computer center open. Iversen Wellness & Recovery Center, 492 Rio Lindo Ave. 879-3311.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, Chico NA; 7 p.m. Just for Today Daily Meditation. 5:30 p.m. Mens meeting. 7 p.m. Chico NA. Topic Discussion 208 W. East Ave., Suite A. Park in back. 6 p.m. Daily Application of Spiritual Principles, 1053 Ohio St. Topic Discussion.

Teens, Stonewall Alliance Youth (SAY) Teens: 3:30-5 p.m. Non-threatening, non-discriminatory, safe outlet for ages 13-17 to talk about issues surrounding sexuality. Inclusive to all youth. Stonewall Alliance Center, 358 E. Sixth St., Chico. 893-3336. conner@stonewallchico.org.

Victims of Domestic Violence Support Group: 5:30 p.m. 330 Wall St. Suite 50, Chico. 343-7711. Also Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Catalyst Domestic Violence Services. 876-0397. 24-hour crisis line 800-895-8476.

Overeaters Anonymous: 5:30 p.m. Meet at 1600 Mangrove Ave., Chico. 760-518 6480 or 514-4610 (24 hour line).

Pills Anonymous Chicos Got Hope: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Big Book study/speaker. Open discussion based on 12-step recovery program, prescription drug addiction. Newcomers, loved ones and those addicted to other substances. 2341 Floral Ave.Call/text 624-0094.

Overeaters Anonymous: 5:30 p.m. Meets at 1600 Mangrove Ave., Chico. 760-518 6480 or 514-4610 (24 hour line).

Transgender Stonewall: 6 p.m. Peer support group for all individuals, from those questioning gender role/identity to those living their authentic genders, plus spouses, partners, siblings, children, friends and allies. Stonewall Alliance Center, 358 E. Sixth St. 893-3336. conner@stonewallchico.org.

Celebrate Recovery Christian 12-Step Program: 6:30-9 p.m. East Avenue Community Church, 1184 East Ave., Chico. 342-1806.

Overeaters Anonymous: 5:30-6:30 p.m. St. John Episcopal Church, 2341 Floral Ave. Walter, 343-1029.

Al-Anon: Chico: 7:15-8:15 p.m. Experience, Strength & Hope. First Christian Church, Room 5, 295 E. Washington Ave. 342-5756.

Submit calendar listings, corrections or updates by email calendar@chicoer.com, fax 342-3617 or mail Enterprise-Record, P.O. Box 9, Chico, CA, 95927.

More:
Whats happening Thursday in the north valley - Chico Enterprise-Record

DURHAM Imagine being able to borrow a cot for house guests, a highchair for visiting grandkids, or yard games for a party, then returning them for reuse and not having to store them.

Amy Goldberg does and that's the premise of her "Library of Things," which she envisions as a place for locals to donate things and their neighbors to borrow them as needed. Examples of things include slow cookers, pasta makers, horseshoe games, power tools, camping gear and all the stuff stowed in closets, basements and garages. Goldberg cited shared karaoke machines, walking canes, serving trays, punch bowls, massage balls, label makers, shop vacs and waffle irons.

Her insurer told her the only things she can't loan, for liability reasons, are chainsaws and ladders.

"What community does not need this?" asked Goldberg, a Durham resident who hatched the plan while living in Newmarket.

The Portsmouth-based GoodWork, a nonprofit incubator to support startup nonprofits, recent announced it selected Goldberg's Library of Things plan as a beneficiary. GoodWork describes the Library of Things as "a centralized location where people can donate underutilized items to share with others who might not have the space to store things, the money to buy them, or the need to use them all the time."

Goldberg said when she was told GoodWork will help her move her concept to reality, "I honestly thought I was on 'Candid Camera.'"

It's an extension of the sharing economy, an ecological initiative and a way to economize. To highlight the need, Goldberg reports the average power drill is only used for 30 minutes.

She has worked in the communications disorders field and as a cranial sacral therapist. Throughout her life, Goldberg said, if a friend or neighbor was painting or cleaning, she'd offer to help.

"I'm from the South, it's what we do," she said. "Need a truck? I have a friend whose cousin has one."

A few years ago when she helped an exhausted neighbor clean her children's rooms, while they were at summer camp, Goldberg said, the neighbor paid her for her labor. She said she never thought someone would pay her for that and it led to her starting an organizing business. Through that work, she said, clients purged all sorts of perfectly good things she began collecting in her basement. At the same time she began keeping a "pledge book" of things neighbors and friends said they'd loan or borrow to track her concept of a library for such items.

"People would say, 'Come to my storage unit and take it all,'" she recalled.

Others would report cleaning out parents' homes and telling her it was all destined for a dumpster, if not rescued.

Goldberg said her Library of Things plan was put on hold when she moved to Durham. Then last fall she submitted her plan for the University of New Hampshire Social Venture Innovation Challenge, for which she was a finalist.

"Not a single person I talk to thinks this won't work," Goldberg said. "Do we really need every house in the state to have a big plastic bowl in case they're having watermelon at a cookout?"

Goldberg imagines the Library of Things charging a small membership fee and also having a "skill share component." That would involve volunteers showing borrowers, for example, how to use a sewing machine, or a set up a borrowed tent.

Now looking for a Seacoast location to launch, she imagines a space energized by other activity and not "not in a back closet."

"I can attest to you, there is no limit to the number of items people want to get rid of," she said. "I see building a shared community resource around these things in every community. It's for everyone."

With the backing of GoodWork, she said, "I feel confident we'll be able to make a good sustainable model that can be replicated."

More information about the planned Library of Things is available at http://www.LOT603.com.

The Portsmouth Public Library has a list of "other things" available for borrowing including an Orian Starblast Telescope, a gift from the New Hampshire Astrological Society that can be checked out for a week at a time, with instructional information. The library also loans a Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor, which is used to determine how much energy appliances use and help make decisions about reducing use and cutting cost. There's an Operation ID Engraver Kit for loan, to mark personal items for identification in case of theft. The Portsmouth library also loans a sun lamp and a portable LCD projector.

Strathams Wiggin Memorial Library also has a telescope donated by the Astrological Society, as well as a microscope, LCD projectors and digital recorders. Portsmouth's Tom Cocchiaro said the Astrological Society has donated 175 telescopes to New Hampshire libraries.

The Harvey-Mitchell Library in Epping loans Halloween costumes and the Mary E. Bartlett Library in Brentwood loans a punch bowl with glasses.

Go here to see the original:
Reduce, reuse and share: Library of Things lends mix of items - Seacoastonline.com

Imagine this dream, if you dare: Bronx bomber Mike McGowans dancing a jig on second base in Yankee Stadium after smacking a ground-rule double. But fans notice almost immediately that both pockets on his pin-striped uniform are bulging with well, its hard to tell.

McGowan, grinning like a cheshire cat from his perch in the infield, pulls out from one pocket a giant Nathans Famous hot dog thats easily a foot longer than the bun that precariously cradles it. He raises the dog to the sky.

From his other pocket hes grinning wider now he pulls out a billy clubbed-sized, dripping, kale-green kosher pickle that would make any true New Yorker drool with pride. He raises that, too, to the sky.

The crowd cheers!

Eat em Mike! Eat em! they yell.

He does one gulp after another until dog and pickle are but messy memories.

It all makes perfect sense. Really.

You know, when I was a kid, all I wanted to be was a baseball player in the summer and own a deli (New York delicatessen) in the off season, McGowan said recently.

Then he became a librarian.

Mike McGowan, 63, public services specialist at the Yelm Timberland Library, has worked his magic at the branch for the past 25 years, specializing in children's programming and reference services.

Nothing ever replaced that dream (of baseball and deli) until the library, he added, and I never expected to get the job.

The New York City native, now 63, has worked at the Yelm Timberland Library for 25 years, his current title of public services specialist allowing the gregarious man with the shoulder-length flowing white hair some latitude to shape his job as he envisions it.

He spends much of his time creating and performing programs for children his outreach often taking him to Yelm-area schools far and wide. When hes not performing for kids, hes often answering difficult questions as the Yelm branchs reference librarian.

Hes good at both, said his boss, Library Manager Erica McCaleb, who has been at the library for nine months.

Mike has a genuine desire to help others, and thats the core of his effectiveness, McCaleb, 30, said recently. Hes very personable and outgoing.

McGowan, who served on the Yelm City Council from 2006 to 2015 resigning his position when he moved out of the Yelm city limits to unincorporated Thurston County knew from the get-go that the library was his true destination.

I was halfway through my library interview when I realized that I really wanted this job, and not just the paycheck, said McGowan, who has a bachelors degree from the University of New York at Buffalo. I really enjoy the work, and its particularly satisfying because I probably get to see people at their best.

McGowan would undoubtedly include frequent library patrons Lanakila Washington and his husband Reginald Ross among them. The Yelm couple has known McGowan for six years.

Said Washington, 57: I really enjoy Mike because of his kindness and the fact that he always has a story to share.

Ross has similar feelings: His knowledge of the library is extensive, hes kind, he makes you laugh when you're feeling bad and most of all, I like his hair.

All of that including the distinctive locks undoubtedly amplify McGowans ability to mesmerize kids during his school outreach programs.

I really like going to the schools and doing outreach, McGowan said. It was like this is what I was made to do.

But it didnt come so easily in the beginning as McGowan painstakingly forced himself to learn on the fly. Little by little, though, he figured out the most effective ways to reach his young audiences.

My first library program was based off The Ed Sullivan Show, he recounted. I had skits and music acts all I would have needed was Topo Gigio, and it would have been complete.

From there, McGowan shifted to half-hour game show themes that kept his kids enthralled and interactive.

By this point it felt like I belonged here, and I knew what I was doing, he said. I think there was a hidden showman in me I didnt know was there until I did my first school program. I connected with the kids, and its what I do best.

But its often his more somber moments particularly in his role as the librarys reference guru that stick in his mind. Its not always pleasant.

Patrons may be going through situations with their families or need information about a medical diagnosis theyve been given, he said. You get connected to how people are feeling both good and bad, and if I can help them its satisfying for me.

The goal, McGowan said, is getting to the core of their issues and that takes persistence.

I look at myself as a guide who helps people find what they really need, he said. And that requires digging down beneath their initial questions and getting to the real answers.

Its always a two-way street, McGowan said.

Whatever action Im taking for patrons, theres an equal reaction Im receiving from them and its satisfying for me one way or the other.

Thats true for McGowan even after 25 years because nothing remains static.

The people, their questions and other needs change all the time and that keeps it fresh, he said. As in most situations, it always comes down in the end to the people. Ive learned over the years how to connect with people about what they want, but I wasn't able to do that when I started.

And though he loves his job, McGowan doesnt spend all of his time in the library.

He spends special time with his daughter and two granddaughters the joy of my life who live next door to him, and he still digs sports. You might see him playing basketball or stickball or tennis or even roller skating, but youre probably never going to see him prancing around second base at Yankee Stadium.

Unless, of course, you have ultra-weird sports dreams about men with long white hair.

Read more:
Yelm Librarian Has Been Helping Patrons Find What They Need for a Quarter Century - Nisqually Valley News

FLINT (WJRT) (2/13/2020) - The Flint Public Library is preparing to close in two weeks and move to a temporary location.

A celebration is planned at the library at 1026 E. Kearsley St. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 29. The library will be closed from March 1 to April 30 while materials are packaged and moved.

Any material can be returned to the library's drop-off location on Crapo Street while it is closed.

The library is planning to reopen in May inside the Courtland Center Mall in Burton. The temporary library location is next to the Sloan Museum's temporary facility in the mall.

The library is planning to remain in the mall until June 2021, when it will close again and move back to the Kearsley Street campus.

All of the moves are necessary while the Flint Public Library completes a $27.6 million renovation and expansion of the Kearsley Street facility, which is 60 years old.

Voters approved a millage to fund $12.6 million of the project. Private donors are paying for the remaining $15 million.

The renovation and expansion will incorporate modern technology, new learning styles and changing community needs. It will add more children's learning space, more room for digital learning, 15 meeting rooms, four classrooms and a larger history and genealogy room.

The library is scheduled to reopen on Kearsley Street in August 2021.

Go here to read the rest:
Flint Public Library closing in 2 weeks, moving to temporary location - ABC 12 News

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Over time, its not uncommon to build up a large library of music and media on your Mac. If you want to share that content with other people so that, for example, your family members can listen to your music library, its a fairly simple process on Apples devices.

You can do that through Apples Home Sharing feature, or by sharing playlists youve created in Apple Music. In this article, well outline both methods for you so that you can get started straight away.

Speaking of Apples Music app, in MacOS Catalina the company split up iTunes into three distinct apps Music, TV, and Podcasts. If youre looking to share an iTunes library, youll find thats no longer possible on your Mac. On Windows, however, iTunes lives on. If you want to know how to share a music library in iTunes, weve got a guide for you on that topic as well.

Apple devices have a feature called Home Sharing thats designed to let you share, stream, and import various media files from up to five devices be they Mac, PC, iOS or Apple TV devices that are connected to your Wi-Fi network.

Step 1: Make sure any device you want to share with is signed in using the same Apple ID and has been authorized to play purchased items on that Apple ID.

Step 2: On your Mac, open System Preferences by clicking the Apple icon, then click System Preferences.

Step 3: Click Sharing, then click Media Sharing in the left-hand sidebar.

Step 4: Tick the checkbox next to Home Sharing, then enter your Apple ID username and password and click Turn On Home Sharing. Youll now see a dialog box telling you Home Sharing has been enabled.

Now that Home Sharing has been enabled, youll want to start sharing your content in Apple Music.

Step 1: Make sure that any device that wants to access or share an Apple Music library is turned on, is not asleep and is running Apple Music.

Step 2: Open the Music app and sign in with your Apple ID (if you arent already).

Step 3: Click the down arrow next to Library in the left-hand sidebar.

Step 4: Youll see a list of libraries that have been shared with you. Click the one you want to access and youll see it loaded into Apple Music. Any playlists that have been created in the shared library will also be shown in the left-hand sidebar.

Home Sharing can also be accessed from your iOS or iPadOS device. Heres how.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on iOS and scroll down to Music; tap it.

Step 2: At the bottom of the window under Home Sharing, tap Sign In if you arent already signed in with your Apple ID. If you are signed in, youll see your Apple IDs email address displayed on your screen.

Step 3: Open the Music app, then tap Library in the bottom toolbar, then Home Sharing.

Step 4: Choose a library and wait for Music to download it to your device. Once thats done, you can play the shared content.

What if you want to share your music library with someone else who has a different Apple ID? Fear not, as thats just as easy to do.

Step 1: Open System Preferences on your Mac, click Sharing, then click Media Sharing in the left-hand sidebar.

Step 2: At the bottom of the window, tick the checkbox next to Share media with guests.

Step 3: Click Options on the right-hand side.

Step 4: To require a password when people try to access your media library, tick the checkbox next to Require Password, then enter a password in the adjacent box.

Step 5: You can choose to either share all your media items or only selected things. For the latter option, click Selected playlists, then choose exactly what media types you want to share.

If you would rather just share a single Apple Music playlist rather than your entire library, that is straightforward to do as well.

However, note that both you and the person you want to share the playlist to must have an active Apple Music subscription.

Step 1: On iOS or iPadOS, find the playlist you want to share, tap the three dots icon under its name, then tap Share. Youll get a variety of sharing options, including AirDrop, Messages, Mail, Facebook and more.

Step 2: On a Mac, find the playlist, then click the three dots icon like the one in step 1. From here, click Share Playlist.

Continue reading here:
How to share your Apple Music library on Mac, iOS, and more - Digital Trends

Editors Note: The Rainmakers Group will work alongside the RISMedia team to share pragmatic industry insights into building your personal and professional wealth in 2020. Throughout the year, the Rainmakers Group will cut through the noise to explore and share new business opportunities that will help drive your bottom line to new heights. Just to be perfectly clearthe Rainmaker in 2020 is YOU!

As we are officially roaring into 2020, the pundits have spoken. The good news is that interest rates most likely will remain low, the economy is strong and homeowners need the personal touch of a real estate professional more than ever. The headlines that should be on your radar: the inventory crunch continues; commissions will get squeezed a little harder; iBuyers will continue to make headlines; and the ROI for the latest shiny tech products will be as confusing as ever.

But there are more than 35 trillion reasons why you should be paying attention at the dawn of this decade. That was the combined U.S. housing market value in 2019, and the real estate transaction is at the center of it all.

Throughout the year, this column will share the DNA of the Rainmakersthose top thought leaders who are bringing it in real estate, mortgage, title, insurance, lead generation and data mining. But let me kick things off with a bit of personal history. As a wise man by the name of Confucius said, Study the past if you would define the future.

So, heres the scene: New York City, Oct. 2, 2013. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)the mecca of business institutions. Rockefeller, Carnegie and Ford all stood within these hallowed halls to figuratively grab the brass ring and literally hear music to their ears as they rang the fabled bell.

We were staring up in awe at the massive pillars that grace the iconic NYSE on Wall Street. RE/MAX Founder Dave Liniger and a small team were coming off a long road show, ready to launch the companys IPO. This was surely going to be a surreal experience. Something to tell the grandkids. A defining moment of clarity about the pillars of business that the greats had mastered generations before us.

And, lo and behold, it happened! The elusive pillars of success were revealed. Those that led individuals and corporations to the holy grail of their professions are:

As a real estate agent, broker, team member and business entrepreneur, mastering these pillars to success is the path to your personal success in 2020.

YOU must build and honor your personal and professional brand. It is the promise you make to your customers.

YOU must be unique, a knowledge broker, an exceptional service-aholic.

YOU must TAKE marketshare in your local area. Referrals, leads, listings and closings are your lifeblood.

YOU must remain curious and dedicated to personal and professional education.

YOU must build purchasing power. Invest wisely in yourself and your profession.

The dawning of a new decade is upon us. Real estate, like the weather, is local, but paying attention to the national forecast is essential.

To get you started, here are our recommended Rainmaker Reads. Enjoy, be a Rainmaker, and share these insights with your team, customers and friends.

Rainmaker Reads

Mike Ryan is a partner with the Rainmakers Group, an advisory firm serving the real estate and settlement service industries with global insight, talent and technology.

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Welcome to the Roaring '20s: Rainmaking in the New Decade - RisMedia.com

Tens of thousands of companies from startups to Fortune 50 corporations, mom and pop shops to megaconglomerates are currently undergoing digital transformation. One common pitfall is not understanding the true requirements of adapting to the digital economy.

Transformation isnt only about technology; it requires a behavioral change, which makes cultural metamorphosis as important to a successful digital journey as choosing a cloud strategy. Shaking up the workforce is one way to make this happen.

You learn from all the talent around you and the way people think differently about problems, said Christine Heckart (pictured, left), chief executive officer of Scalyr Inc. That synergy often creates magical outcomes.

Geeta Schmidt(pictured, right), chief executive officer of Humio Ltd., agrees with Heckart.Celebrate peoples differences. [You should]feel comfortable and safe when youre coming with an opposite viewpoint because the diversity of thought is really what were trying to include.

Heckart and Schmidt spoke with Sonia Tagare, host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Medias mobile livestreaming studio, in two different interviews during the CloudNOW Awards event in Menlo Park, California. Both women were presented with a Top Women in Cloud awardduring the event.

Picking one key value and focusing on it is important to build a cohesive company culture, according to Heckart. At Scalyr,this value is care.We really strive to have a culture that encourages people to care about each other and care about the companys mission, she said.

This means prioritizing customer experience and product quality but also has wider implications. [We] also care about the environment and care about the community and care about peoples lives outside of the day-to-day work job, Heckart added.

Being the CEO of a start-up is an exhilarating experience, according to Heckart. She draws inspiration from her co-workers and the employees she supervises.

Were a company by engineers for engineers; and engineers innovate to change the world, she said. Every day is different, and every day is fun.

Heresthe complete video interview with Heckart:

As one of Humios founders, Schmidt found her input was an integral part ofthe companys success. Yet alongside the excitement came challenges as she stepped out into male-dominated territory. She remembers her early days raising capital for Humio.

I walked into a venture capital event where there were no other female CEOs, she said. There were a hundred CEOs, and I was the only [woman].

Schmidt overcame her fear and proved herself as a CEO. Now she wants to help other women join her in the executive suite. This means taking active stance toward making the workplace more welcoming for women and minorities.

All employees, at every level, should feel like they can reveal their authentic self during work hours, according to Schmidt. This means bringing together folks that dont look like each other, wear exactly the same clothes, and do the exact same hobbies and come from the same country, she said.

Another way to help create a supportive work environment for women is throughevents such as CloudNOW, where women come together to share experiences and help one another. Id like to see more of [where] we actively create environments and communities for that to happen, Schmidt said.

Heres the complete video interview with Schmidt:

Becoming a C-suite executive led Schmidt to a revelation on how the concept could be applied in her personal life.I realized I probably need my own personal board, my own sort of support infrastructure, she said.

Gathering a diverse network pulled from family, friends, and career contacts gave her a safe place to gain advice and share experiences. The personal board isnt exactly people; its profiles, she said, describing how she built her board by seeking out people she could learn from outside of those she knew from her daily work.

As the relationships matured, she found that the personal board was a two-way street. The members supported her life and career growth, and she supported them.

Encouraging other women to adopt the same concept, Schmidt said that it builds a support infrastructure unrelated to ones job. Its not your manager; its not your coworker, she said. You feel some level of freedom having those discussions, because those people arent looking at your company. Theyre looking at helping you.

These interviews are just part of SiliconANGLEs and theCUBEs coverage of the CloudNOW Awards.

Show your support for our mission with our one-click subscription to our YouTube channel (below). The more subscribers we have, the more YouTube will suggest relevant enterprise and emerging technology content to you. Thanks!

Support our mission: >>>>>> SUBSCRIBE NOW >>>>>> to our YouTube channel.

Wed also like to tell you about our mission and how you can help us fulfill it. SiliconANGLE Media Inc.s business model is based on the intrinsic value of the content, not advertising. Unlike many online publications, we dont have a paywall or run banner advertising, because we want to keep our journalism open, without influence or the need to chase traffic.The journalism, reporting and commentary onSiliconANGLE along with live, unscripted video from our Silicon Valley studio and globe-trotting video teams attheCUBE take a lot of hard work, time and money. Keeping the quality high requires the support of sponsors who are aligned with our vision of ad-free journalism content.

If you like the reporting, video interviews and other ad-free content here,please take a moment to check out a sample of the video content supported by our sponsors,tweet your support, and keep coming back toSiliconANGLE.

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Success in the digital economy requires diversity at every level - SiliconANGLE

MINSTER Minster Bank enjoyed another successful year in 2019. Total assets increased to an all-time high of $517.9 million. Total deposits increased to $450.8 million for the year. These deposits were utilized in the communities we serve in the form of consumer and business loans, which grew to over $259.0 million in balances.

Our Private Wealth Management and Trust services continue to grow. We have developed a specialty in both personal and corporate retirement planning. Business owners and high net worth clients have benefitted from working with our professionals in the areas of business succession planning, Trust and investment management, said President and CEO Dale Luebke.

His report continues:

We continue to invest in technology and protecting our customers information. Minster Bank introduced Zelle person-to-person payments. Its a fast, safe and easy way to send money using our mobile banking app or online banking account. Funds are sent directly to the recipients account in a matter of minutes using their email address or U.S. mobile phone number. Real-time Alerts is another service that was introduced in 2019. Customers can easily set the type of account alert and how theyd like it delivered. The Minster Bank Mobile Banking app for mobile and tablet users, continues to grow.

The Minster Bank app is another convenient way to manage accounts, pay bills, and quickly send money to a friend or family member. Our Minster Bank VISA Debit Card gives our customers access to their bank accounts with no surcharge at any ATM displaying the MoneyPass logo. There are over 20,000 MoneyPass ATMs across the United States. Our business customers continue to enjoy the benefits of Remote Deposit Capture, which allows them to deposit checks at their place of business by scanning and transmitting the images to our bank for posting and clearing. The installation and set-up of the service is easy, saves time preparing deposits, and can help reduce the risk of fraud.

Minster Bank believes in giving back to the communities that have contributed to our growth and success. In 2019, scholarship money was donated to 13 graduating seniors throughout Auglaize, Mercer, Miami, and Shelby counties. Minster Bank also held Community Shred Days at our Troy, and New Bremen offices, which gave people the opportunity to have their sensitive documents shredded on site for free. Over 7.5 tons of paper was shredded and recycled during these events.

We have been very active in providing financial education programs to the schools in our area. Through this program and others, we reached over 2,000 students of all ages. We have also provided educational programs through the Ohio State Extension service, through talks at local service clubs, and through Chamber events.

In October 2019, I announced plans to open a new office in the Vandalia-Butler area. It has been our goal for some time to further expand the markets we serve. As part of our strategic planning process and growth philosophy, we make an effort to seek out prime locations and identify and hire outstanding employees. We look forward to continuing to develop and serve even more relationships throughout Montgomery County offering personalized service through a high-performing bank.

Minster Bank, a local community bank, and is headquartered in Minster, Ohio. Offices are located in Minster, New Bremen, St. Marys, Sidney, Troy, Wapakoneta, and a loan production office in Vandalia. Visit MinsterBank.com to learn more about Minster Bank.

Luebke

https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2020/02/web1_Dale-Luebke-2017.jpgLuebke

.

The rest is here:
Minster Bank has successful year in 2019 - sidneydailynews.com

February 20, 2020 01:01 ET | Source: Achieving the Dream

Washington, D.C., Feb. 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A comprehensive study examining the impact of Achieving the Dreams Open Educational Resources (OER) Degree Initiative reveals that community colleges that introduced OER courses across degree programs saw an explosion of OER courses on campus. The three-year initiative enabled 38 colleges in 13 states to offer 6,600 OER course sections over two and a half years, reaching nearly 160,000 students, the study said. Approximately 2,000 instructors participated in the development and delivery of these courses, substantially expanding the number of faculty with OER experience at participating colleges. Nearly 600 courses were redesigned, contributing to the availability of OER content. The studyconducted by SRI Education and rpk GROUP and released at Achieving the Dreams 2020 DREAM conference here todayfound that students enrolled in OER courses earned more credits than non-participating peers and that the effort was cost-effective not just for students but for institutions. Students at the participating colleges saved $10.7 million on the cost of learning materials. As courses became established, institutions were in position to recover their costs or even, in some instances, generate income from the effort as more students signed up for the OER courses. The Initiative aimed to increase college affordability and student success by catalyzing an institutional commitment to OER, said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. The effort made OER not the responsibility of individual faculty but a campus-wide responsibility. The research shows that OER can be a key factor in student success, a crucial element in teaching and learning that can encourage more students to make more progress toward degrees and graduate. Whats particularly exciting is that now we know for sure that colleges can gain academic and financial benefits for students and recoup their initial investments over a relatively short time. While education research yields mixed or negative results, this study saw mostly positive effects, said Rebecca Griffiths, principal education researcher at SRI education and the lead investigator on this study. What was most striking was that students gained significant benefit from cumulative exposure to multiple OER courses than one-off OER courses. The study also provides a more exact picture of the cost-benefit trade-off for institutions. We have a much higher level of confidence that the savings are real and that OER is financially a good investment for institutions. Funding for the initiative was provided by support from the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ascendium Education Group, and the Speedwell and Shelter Hill Foundations. Academic Benefits The academic impact analysis, conducted by SRI, was based on results from 11 institutions that were selected as research partners at the start of the initiative in 2016. The analysis found that students who took multiple OER courses on average earned more college credits over time than otherwise similar students who took no OER courses. Overall, credit accumulation did not vary significantly for underserved students versus other students. Students who took OER courses had similar cumulative GPAs as other students, on average, according to the report. Increasing course accumulation is crucially important at community colleges, as studies reveal that students who have earned credit for more than 15 courses are more likely to persist in academic programs and graduate, notes SRIs Rebecca Griffiths. She stressed, however, that the study was not designed to determine whether increases in course attainment was caused by participation in the OER courses and this will need to be a topic for further study. SRI also surveyed 300 instructors in 2016 and 900 instructors in 2018 to understand their background and experiences with OER and 2,400 students in 2017 to gain their perspectives and experiences in OER courses. Researchers conducted site visits at ten colleges to gain further insight from both groups. In both surveys and focus groups, students mostly reported positive experiences in OER courses, the study said. Most students found OER materials accessible and well-aligned to learning objectives. Meanwhile, instructors reported that OER affected the way they presented and used materials in class, increased the relevance of those materials, and influenced their pedagogical beliefs overall. Instructors were more likely to report that OER influenced the relevance and use of instructional materials in their courses than their pedagogical strategies. Instructors were cautious in their assessments about the extent to which use of OER increased student engagement, preparation, and achievement in their courses. Forty-three percent of instructors thought their OER programs would definitely be sustained, and another 48 percent thought these programs may be sustained. Eighty-three percent said they would not return to using traditional materials in their courses. Will OER Degree Programs Take Hold? The OER courses that were created across institutions were fairly evenly divided among a broad range of degrees, including: Business and Administration; Computer and Information Systems; Health and STEM systems; Liberal Arts, General Studies, Humanities and History; Language and Literature; Social Sciences and Psychology, and other fields. OER course development was primarily focused on converting introductory or gateway courses to OER, with 91 percent of instructors indicating they were teaching introductory and/or gateway level courses in the 2018 instructor survey. The report does not state definitively whether completely aligning OER courses along a degree pathway will take hold. The courses were still being implemented through the life of the grant, said Richard Sebastian, director of Open and Digital Learning at Achieving the Dream. Students could not take enough courses in the programs at the time of the research to be able to determine the likely success of the OER degree pathways on the campuses, But the report noted the importance of establishing broad-scale efforts to enable students to earn degrees in OER courses. The concept of an OER degree pathway sends a clear signal that cross-unit coordination is needed across academic departments, advising, the registrar, IT, instructional design, the library, and the bookstore, the report said. Elevating OER into a pathway raises the likelihood of a coherent student experience supported by a coordinated and sustainable set of activities. Cost Savings and the Cost-Benefit Tradeoff Research conducted by rpk GROUP indicated that the initiative saved students, on average, $65 per course on instructional materials, factoring in actual student purchasing patterns. Student savings totaled about $10.7 million across all participating colleges, money that students said they would use to cover other educational or personal expenses. In surveys, 41 percent of respondents said OER courses would have a significant positive impact on their ability to afford college. More than half (53 percent) of students said they had not purchased required materials for a course at least once, and the most common reason was cost. The share of students reporting financial strain due to textbook costs was higher for Pell students and underrepresented minorities. On the other hand, relatively few students reported that they had withdrawn from a class or stopped taking courses for a semester or more due to costs (12% and 16%, respectively), the report said. Researchers also conducted a cost-benefit analysis of OER implementation at five cost partner institutions and estimated that the institutions would recover their investments in OER or even generate income from the effort. While implementation costs at institutions ranged from $300,000 to $1 million, colleges spent on average $576,000, two-thirds of which was used to pay faculty to develop courses and one-third of which was used for general program support. The research reveals that the average cost of providing OER degree courses ($70 per student) declined rapidly as enrollment in redesigned OER courses increased. When the impacts across all five cost partner colleges are taken into account, estimates suggest an average of $1.03 in gross revenue was generated for every dollar spent (program and additional delivery costs)a modest 3 percent institutional return on investment that reflects an average net financial benefit of $38,000, the study says. Courses developed and certified as OER are able to be freely shared with other institutions. Many of these courses will be added to Achieving the Dreams OER course library and made available to the public. Moving forward To move OER forward, institutions need to intentionally integrate this OER degree work into their institutional improvement efforts and organizational strategies, said Achieving the Dreams Dr. Karen A. Stout. To make this happen, Achieving the Dream is supporting expanding OER within institutions as part of its institutional improvement model and offering additional services to help institutions bolster sustainability of OER course development and faculty support. Based on instructor surveys and focus groups, the report recommends that institutions: Make OER adoption a strategic institutional initiative and connect OER degrees with strategic goals with high level administrative support. Ensure faculty receive learning opportunities and supports, including OER training and course development supports to enhance the instructor experience and improve course quality, and opportunities for collaboration with colleagues can also build morale. Address logistical and cultural barriers to course sharing across colleges. Communicate OER options strategically to increase student awareness of OER course options and degrees to students they most wish to reach. Additionally, Achieving the Dream will announce a new grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to investigate whether participation in OER courses led to an increase in course attainment at OER Degree Initiative colleges. Copies of the report are available at https://www.achievingthedream.org/resource/17993/oer-at-scale-the-academic-and-economic-outcomes-of-achieving-the-dream-s-oer-degree-initiative Participating colleges Colleges involved in the academic or cost impact studies included Alamo Community College, Austin Community College, Borough of Manhattan Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, Central Virginia Community College, Forsyth Tech Community College, Herkimer Community College, Monroe Community College, Montgomery College, Pierce College, and Santa Ana Community College. #### ABOUT ACHIEVING THE DREAM Achieving the Dream (ATD) leads a growing network of 277 community colleges committed to helping their students, particularly low-income students and students of color, achieve their goals for academic success, personal growth, and economic opportunity. ATD is making progress in closing academic achievement gaps and accelerating student success through a unique change process that builds each colleges institutional capacities in seven essential areas. ATD, along with 75 experienced coaches and advisors, works closely with Network colleges in 44 states and the District of Columbia. SRI Education, a division of SRI International, is tackling the most complex issues in education to identify trends, understand outcomes, ad guide policy and practice. We work with federal and state agencies, school districts, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to provide research-based solutions to challenges posed by rapid social, technological and economic change. SRI International is a nonprofit research institute whose innovations have created new industries, extraordinary marketplace value, and lasting benefits to society.

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Largest-ever study of impact of Open Educational Resources in college reveals benefits of introducing OER courses on a broad scale - GlobeNewswire