Brainteaser

Keep your mind sharp and test yourself every Friday with a brainteaser email from Credo Reference. Credo is a new online service we provide from the reference section of our website, a searchable box that works like Google but brings you results from over 300 reference books instead of the web (instead of hunting and hoping the information is accurate, you’ll get immediate answers from reputable sources.)

You can see some sample questions here.  Sign up and start thinking!

Library Week, 2008

State of America’s Libraries 2008

The ALA has published the 2008 State of America’s Libraries report. Here are their key findings:

• Americans check out over 2 billion items annually from public libraries.
• The average user checks out over 7 books/year.
• The average taxpayer bill for public library services – $31/year.
• Public libraries are engines of economic growth, contributing to local development through programming in early literacy, employment services and small-business development.
• Libraries provide excellent ROI, positively impact the local economy, and contribute to neighborhood quality of life.
• School library media centers help students learn more and score higher on standardized tests, but their funding continues to lag.
• Teens are regular users of public library services.
• Almost all of the nation’s public libraries offer YA programs & over half employ at least one full-time staff equivalent in this area.
• Computer and on-line games have become part of the mix at many public libraries, and some use gaming to attract new patrons.
• Spanish is the top-priority language to which libraries devote non-English language services and programs.
• Most libraries serving non-English speakers are in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents.
• Ebooks continued to emerge as a regular feature of libraries of all types.
• Library supporters won an important victory in 2007 when the Environmental Protection Agency was ordered to re-open many of the libraries it had closed in the past year.
• College and research libraries continue to find innovative new ways to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the academy.
• Libraries and librarians of all stripes continue to stand up for the First Amendment rights of all Americans, responding in public discourse and in court to unconstitutional snooping and aspiring book-banners. The right to read — freely and in private — remains a core value of the profession.

via Stephen’s Lighthouse, iLibrarian

LookyBook

LookyBook is an eBook site dedicated to children’s picture books. There are not many eBook sites out there for children, so this one is a real find. The site offers lots of extras if you register (it’s free) – build your own shelf, make comments, or do reviews. You can search by keyword, author, illustrator, or genre, and you have the sorting options highest rated, most looked at, or newest. Your child will have fun sitting on your lap and clicking to turn the pages.

Library Budget Passes

Yes – 399, No – 106

New trustee elected – Larry Bloomstein

Thank you for your support!

The Learning Express

Need to brush up on your computer skills? The Library has a fantastic resource for you, called Learning Express.

The Computer Skills Tutorials provide access to over 50 easy-to use self-paced courses. All tutorials are completely interactive and help learners of any age and experience level develop the computing skills necessary for success in the workplace, school, and everyday life. Approved by the Microsoft Office Specialist Program, these tutorials provide practical, sound instruction on how to use various software applications including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Access and more.