Maryland Library Associate Training Institute Blog

I have a customer who needs to research a condition his dog has been diagnosed with. Are there books or online resources for pet health?

2010-10-21T16:04:00.002-04:00

Most libraries will have a basic book or two about dog or pet health/diseases. These are examples of titles found in many Maryland libraries:

The complete healthy dog handbook: the definitive guide to keeping your pet happy, healthy & active by Betsy Brevitz. Workman Pub., c2009
The Merck/Merial manual for pet health edited by Cynthia M. Kahn. Merck & Co., c2007
Dog owner's home veterinary handb ook by Debra M. Eldredge. Wiley, c2007

You know how there are books on how to communicate better with your doctor? Since veterinary care has become more sophisticated, there are now a couple of books discussing getting second opinions, specialty vet care, communicating with your family vet, money issues, questions to ask in specific situations, etc. These books don’t go into details about health conditions or diseases, but help you to get your pet the best care.

Speaking for spot: be the advocate your dog needs for a happy, healthy, longer life by Nancy Kay. Trafalgar Square, c2008
Vet confidential: an insider's guide to keeping your pet healthy and safe by Louis Murray. Ballantine Books, c2008

Of course, there are many online resources!

Free Animal Health Resources Web Sites
From the Veterinary Library at Cornell University’s Vet School (College of Veterinary Medicine), this list of Web sites (mostly for non-veterinarians) includes sites on alternative medicine, nutrition and poisoning in addition to sites on diseases and conditions.

Merck Veterinary Manual
The 9th edition (2006) of the Merck Veterinary Manual is available online. It contains information about animal anatomy and physiology, diseases, behavior, and emergency treatment. It includes over 1400 images, video and audio files you can use to identify plants poisonous to animals or see lesions characteristic of a specific disease. The language can be technical. I find it irritating to be forced to constantly be clicking to move on to the next page.

Pet Education
This site from retailer Foster & Smith includes advertising, but the information provided by is the site is so useful it makes me almost forget the advertising. This searchable site on contains information on diseases and treatments, lab procedures & tests, drug information sheets, a dictionary of veterinary terms, and articles related to alternative and holistic medicine. It also has excellent articles on symptoms in their “Symptom Checker” section.

VeterinaryPartner.com
The University of Tennessee’s Agriculture & Veterinary Library calls this Web site “the best place to start looking for information on the Web” for general care and health information on dogs. It provides information on health, medications, therapies, surgery, behavior, and safety. New articles are added weekly.

WebMD: Healthy Dogs
Did you know that WebMD included information on pet health? Healthy Dogs is part of their Pet Health Center. Healthy Dogs has major sections on conditions, symptoms and behavior.

Please keep in mind that Maryland's State Library Resource Center has some more specialized resources that can be useful. While these books are reference (noncirculating), we are would be happy to send you any appropriate pages:

Blackwell's five-minute veterinary consult: canine and feline edited by Larry Patrick Tilley. Blackwell, c2007 (4th ed.)

The new edition of this title is on order. This book does wonderful 2 page overviews of dog and cat diseases and conditions. While technical, it is fairly understandable—I’d say it is more like a nursing textbook than a physician’s textbook if it was medical textbook.

Blackwell's five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion: canine and feline behavior by Debra F. Horwitz. Blackwell, c2007 (1st ed.)

This only covers behavioral issues.

Textbook of veterinary internal medicine: diseases of the dog and cat edited by Stephen J. Ettinger. Elsevier Saunders, c2005 (2 volumes)

We have a newer veterinary internal medicine textbook on order; as in medicine, 2005 is old for veterinary medicine. This is definitely written in technical language.

Libraries seem to have so much specific vocabulary--as well as acronyms. Is there a guide to Maryland library language?

2010-10-14T15:56:00.000-04:00

Merlin, Maryland's Essential Resource for Library Information Networks, has put together just the right document for you! If you want to know what ARLD*, BRAC**, or WRP*** mean, check out their Library Lingo page!

If you are interested in learning about the American Library Association's various acronyms, check out their ALA & LIS Acronyms page.

Hopefully, between these two pages, you'll feel as though you've found a secret decoder ring for library lingo!

* Academic Libraries Research Division of the Maryland Library Association
** Base Realignment and Closure
*** Winter Reading Program

I went on the SLRC Tour this past fall and remember that SLRC can do a lot for the public library at which I work.

2010-10-07T15:53:00.000-04:00

Can you tell me more about what the State Library Resource Center has to offer?

Maryland's State Library Resource Center does offer many services for Maryland public libraries. On the State Library Resource Center web site there is a great deal of information. You'll want to check out the section for Public Librarians.

The State Library Resource Center brochure also lists many services offered to local libraries.

Display Tips & Tricks

2010-09-30T13:29:00.005-04:00

When creating displays, it is very important to make sure you have enough materials to replenish the display. But there are a few pitfalls!

Here are few rules to follow when creating displays:

1. Don’t overcrowd

When setting up a display, be careful not to overcrowd the display. It’s important to create a display that is easy for customers to browse. The titles in the above display are difficult to read and not very inviting.

2. Don’t skimp

The above display is easy to read and looks balanced; however, if a customer decides to check out one or two of the titles, the display will look empty. To avoid this pitfall, be sure to add a few more titles to fill out the display. If possible, use book easels available from library vendors.

3. Just Right!

The best solution to avoid the above pitfalls is to create a display that is balanced and eye catching. In the above example, the display is balanced and each title is clearly visible. In addition, materials are readily available to replenish the display, as needed. Always remember to display replacement books with the spine out.

By following these three simple rules, your displays will be eye catching, inviting, and balanced.

SLRC Treasures: Humanities

2010-09-28T16:13:00.002-04:00

The Humanities Department has a run of the Baltimore/Washington edition of the TV Guide from 1957 to the current issue, in paper. These are wonderful for the covers alone, remembering Father Knows Best, I Love Lucy, The Carol Burnett Show, The Man from UNCLE, and others. If you need to know the listing for a local program or just want to take a walk down memory lane, this collection is a great place to start.

Interested in an 1854 Italian English Dictionary? A pronouncing dictionary of Gaelic?A Hopi/English-English/Hopi dictionary?Or Yoruba/English? Want to look up a word in Middle English or see how Samuel Johnson defined “Lexicographer?” How about tracing the etymology of a Russian word or looking at a 1700 page Chinese dictionary from 1925? If you ask for bouji while in Haiti, what will happen? The Brothers Grimm compiled an historical dictionary of German, if you’d like to explore the history of that language. The Humanities Department has language dictionaries for most known languages and will be glad to share the information in them!

I keep repeating the same display themes. Where can I find some ideas for fun or timely displays?

2010-09-23T13:29:00.003-04:00

Displays are a great way to share the library’s resources and creativity with your customers.

Here are a couple of sources for new display ideas:

Chase’s Calendar of Events, upcoming holidays
Community Events, Neighborhood Activities
News, Scandals
Readers’ Advisory:
Databases: NoveList (RA & School Resources) and Books and Authors (Browse by Genre)
Read-alikes
Booklists
Authors: Visiting Authors, Author Tributes, and Award Winners
Web Search – Google, Flickr, Library Thing
Popular Display Topics: Gardening, Home Improvement, Sports, Back to School, etc.

Another possibility is to ask your staff for ideas. What are their interests? What are some popular subjects that they have noticed customers’ checking out? One of the most popular displays in bookstores is the Staff Picks display; why not try this at your library?
You might also do an informal survey of your patrons.What kinds of displays do they want to see? What are popular topics in school projects and papers? Maybe there is an upcoming school theater production that could generate a display topic. Staying in touch with the activities and themes popular with your customers is a sure way to create timely displays.

SLRC Treasures: Business, Science & Technology Department

2010-09-21T13:34:00.004-04:00

Probably the greatest hidden treasure of the Business, Science, and Technology (BST) Department at Maryland's State Library Resource Center is the collection of old department store catalogs, including Sears (1897-1993), Wards (1922-1985), and Penney’s (1984-2002). These catalogs allow you to walk down memory lane and see the styles and prices of the old days. Sears used to sell just about everything from clothing and furniture to pure-bred dogs and houses.

BST also owns a fantastic collection of old car shop manuals that date from 1929-1988 and owner’s manuals that range from 1913-1984. These manuals are great for people trying to restore a classic car, and the cars they cover include the Model T, Studebaker, Edsel, Reo Speedwagon, as well as the more common makes and models.

If you’re interested in historical business information, BST has old business directories, such as the Thomas Register (1925-2005), Moody’s Manuals, which also give financial information, (1900-present), and Best’s Insurance Reports (1915-present). The department also carries Jane’s Fighting Ships (1898-present) and Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft (1915-present).

The most important treasure in BST, however, is its crack staff of librarians, who will find your answer!

What Curriculum resources are available for homeschoolers?

2010-09-16T10:53:00.002-04:00

Before seeking out curriculum resources, homeschoolers will want to familiarize themselves with laws and regulations governing homeschooling. Start out by taking a look at the Maryland State Department of Education’s Home Instruction Fact Sheet. The Baltimore County Public School system’s Homeschooling Guide is a particularly valuable guide for homeschoolers. Here, you will find sections on homeschooling procedures, frequently asked questions about homeschooling, and other useful resources. The Baltimore County Public School site also provides a convenient link to the Maryland State Department of Education’s Voluntary State Curriculum. Homeschoolers can view the objectives for each grade level for the subjects that the Maryland Home Schooling regulations require you to include in your curriculum.

Homeschoolers looking for ideas for a curriculum for their children should start at our Home Schooling How-to Guide. Go directly to the section on Curriculum and Lesson Plans and you will find links to a variety of free Web resources. You’ll find several print sources listed as well, which are available for borrowing through interlibrary loan. One of these, Cathy Duffy’s 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum, covers a number of related issues for homeschoolers such as learning styles and age appropriate learning.

It is always helpful to consult with other homeschoolers to see what curriculum and lesson planning resources they have used. You might want to try a national, state, or local homeschooling association. For links to these, go to the section of our guide that asks the question, “Are there home schooling organizations/associations?”. There, you will find information on such organizations as the American Homeschool Association, National Black Home Educators, and Homeschool Connections – Central Maryland.

If you would like more information on homeschooling, e-mail us through our Ask A Librarian service or contact the Social Science and History Department.

SLRC Treasures: Social Science & History Department

2010-09-14T16:17:00.003-04:00

The State Library Resource Center’s Social Science and History Department contains a large variety of resources that can assist you with geographic, genealogical, and historical questions. We frequently work with customers attempting to find the village in which one or more of their ancestors were born. Sometimes, a village or town from the 19th century no longer exists and we need to look for it in older sources. For locations in Germany, Meyers’ Orts und Verkehrs Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs, a gazetteer published in 1912, is often helpful. Andrees Allgemeiner Handatlas, published in 1906, provides detailed maps for various parts of Europe. Another gazetteer, Ritter’s Geographisch-Statistisches Lexikon, published in 1895, helps in identifying other geographic locales. Obviously, German language sources will be more oriented toward Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.

What else can we offer to researchers? The Nouveau Dictionnaire de Geographie Universelle, a multi-volume source published in 1895, offers another approach to finding older towns and villages. Customers whose ancestors emigrated from the southern part of Italy might find Baedeker’s Southern Italy, a guidebook published in 1900 useful in familiarizing themselves with their ancestral homeland. Looking for a map of Charleston, South Carolina before the Civil War? Colton’s Atlas of the United States and Mexico from 1850 contains a nicely detailed street map. While we’re mentioning maps, don’t miss our digital exhibit of seventeenth and eighteenth century European maps. You’ll find colorful maps of various parts of Europe from 1629 through 1759.

Genealogists and historians aren’t the only audience for these types of resources. Aspiring authors of historical fiction need facts and authenticity to buttress their works. A writer needing to describe fin de siecle Vienna accurately would certainly benefit from perusing a 1900 edition of Baedeker’s Austria. One of the most interesting maps in our general Map Collection is the 1830 map of the former Kingdom of Poland. This huge map displays thousands of towns and cities as well as some topographic details. We have many other kinds of maps in our collection. A Guide to the General Map Collection will provide more information about our maps.

If you would like more information about our atlases, maps, and geographic resources, e-mail us through our Ask A Librarian service or contact the Social Science and History Department.

I have a customer who is interested in learning about Caribbean literature. Where should I start?

2010-09-09T10:49:00.002-04:00

The African American Department carries some resources on Caribbean Literature. We have anthologies and critical interpretation titles that focus on women writers, politics, migration, etcetera, as well as interpretation of individual writers’ work. We also have a collection of fiction by Caribbean writers well known to the Americas such as Jamaica Kincaid, Paule Marshall, Edwidge Danticat, Claude McKay and Derek Walcott, just to name a few.

While the African American Collection focuses on a wide range of peoples of the African Diaspora, our selection of Caribbean Literature is smaller than what you may find in the Humanities and Fiction Departments. For instance, the Humanities Department has an Encylopedia on Caribbean Literature by D.H. Figueredo that may be a good place for you to start exploring your interest on the subject.

More SLRC Treasures: Sights & Sounds Department

2010-09-07T13:34:00.001-04:00

The Sights and Sounds Department (SAS) just has so many treasures that we had to make it two blog entries! Learn more about the great hidden gems of SAS.

Frederick Wiseman Documentaries: Along with Ken Burns, “cinema verite” devotee Frederick Wiseman is considered one of today’s greatest living documentary filmmakers, but because Wiseman controls his own catalog and sells his films at prices (often several hundred dollars per title) beyond the budget of most institutions, few viewers get to see his critically acclaimed work. Thankfully, SLRC has purchased a number of his best titles over the years, including his groundbreaking Titicut Follies, High School, Hospital, Law and Order, and Near Death. The investment has paid off in terms of customer satisfaction, with the Baltimore City Paper honoring Pratt’s Wiseman collection as “Best of Baltimore” in 2005.

Annenberg/CPB Foreign Language Videos: Like Frederick Wiseman videos, these foreign language videos, funded by Annenberg/CPB (a non-profit dedicated to promoting innovation in schools), are prohibitively expensive for most institutions. But their “total immersion” approach (in which viewers are forced to listen, speak and read only in that foreign language) has been critically acclaimed. SLRC’s Annenberg/CPB series include Destinos (a 52-episode video instructional series for college and high school classrooms and adult learners that teaches speaking, listening, and comprehension skills in Spanish), French in Action (a 52-episode video series using professor Pierre Capretz’s immersion method to increase fluency in French, while introducing French culture), and Connect with English (a 50-episode video series designed to teach English as a second language to high school, college, and adult-aged foreign language speakers).

“Eyes on the Prize” Videos and DVDs: Though now readily available on DVD, this award-winning 14-hour documentary series about the American Civil Rights Movement – originally broadcast in 1987 as a PBS TV mini-series - was long out of circulation (due to copyright issues with its archival footage) until 2006. During those years, SLRC always had the complete historical series available for students and educators, who used it as an essential part of their curriculum. In addition to the original six-hour 1987 series Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years, which covered the years 1954-1965, SLRC also owns the complete eight-hour video/DVD series Eyes on the Prize II: America at the Racial Crossroads (1990), covering the period from 1965-1985.

A customer has been asking about how to find out the value of his old book. What sources should I use?

2010-09-02T17:52:00.003-04:00

Everybody has an old book that might be worth a fortune! There are numerous resources both on paper and online to help you help your customer find out.

The condition of the book is important in terms of its market value. The Humanities Department has created a presentation for Determining Book Condition, helpful for both the librarian and the customer.

There are a number of Web sites which combine listings of booksellers for help in determining what items are selling for. Addall Book Price Search and Comparison has a “used books” tab. Fill out the form; use Keyword for publisher and date. The Advanced Book Exchange also has a form to fill out. For the Bookfinder, fill out the advanced option form so you can include more information, such as the date and publisher.

Remember: Prices you find on bookseller Web sites include the dealer’s markup. They will charge the buyer more than they will offer the seller!

There are other, more general Web sites, which are also helpful. Your Old Books lists questions and answers about book collecting, such as “What makes a book rare?” Firsts: The Book Collector’s Magazine has a useful area called “The Fundamentals of Book Collecting.” The Internet Public Library has many other links to follow!

Rare Book organizations are also useful in helping to find information. The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America lists booksellers and appraisers near you. You can also search book titles and find selling prices, and click on the “Learn About Rare Books” tab. The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers is a similar organization for booksellers and appraisers outside of the United States. On the other side of the coin, the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies is a guide to book collecting organizations.

SLRC Treasures: Sights & Sounds Department

2010-08-31T13:33:00.002-04:00

The Sights & Sounds Department (SAS) of the Central Library/State Library Resource Center houses a collection of audio-visual materials reflecting the general scope of most Pratt subject areas. But there’s more to SAS than just popular and world music CDs, fiction audiobooks (on cassette tape and CD), and educational and popular movies on DVD and video. Some of its lesser-known gems include:

16mm Films: Did you know that SAS maintains a collection of over 2,100 16mm film titles, including many obscure and hard-to-find titles not available in other media formats? There is a concentration in the areas of independently produced films (including many Baltimore Film Festival entries), student films, film history, children's films, animation, experimental and avant-garde shorts, and documentary films. The collection also boasts an impressive number of feature films, including films from the silent era, Hollywood classics and a broad representation of world cinema. And because all of SAS’s 16mm films have "public performance rights" (meaning they can be shown at free public screenings without having to get clearance from the copyright owners), they are frequently used by local film curators, including Station North’s Windup Space, Hexagon/Magic Eye Cinema, and the 14K Cabaret’s Nineteen23 non-theatrical film series. (All 16mm films are stored in the third floor A/V Inspection Room; although this room is not open to the public, staff will bring films down to the Sights & Sounds Department upon patron request.)

Phonograph Records: Long considered a “dead medium” in the era of digital CDs, vinyl records are coming a comeback, with a growing number of popular musicians now releasing their works on 33 1/3 albums (with the vinyl version sometimes more expensive than the CD!). Although SAS no longers adds to its phonograph collection, it boasts an impressive collection of both musical and spoken word records, including many that have never been released on CD. Strengths include ‘50s and ‘60s jazz, obscure children’s records (including a number of hard-to-find titles by electronic music pioneer Bruce Haack), UNESCO’s renowned world/folk library, and its spoken word collection that features famous authors and poets reading their works, like the extremely rare H. L. Mencken Conversing with Donald Howe Kirkley (used copies of this out-of-print 1957 interview conducted by the Baltimore Sun’s Kirkley fetch up to $60 on eBay!). You can even hear world-famous mime Marcel Marceau speak (it’s true!) on his instruction record Marcel Marceau Speaks in English. (Like its 16mm film collection, records are stored in SAS’s third floor A/V Inspection Room; staff will bring records down to the Sights & Sounds Department upon request.)

More SAS treasures to be revealed next week!

I have had customers who have become frustrated with using the computers and became upset with me.

2010-08-26T16:31:00.005-04:00

Do you have suggestions for how to best handle this situation?

My best general advice is to learn as much as you can about the computers, keep up to date on the technology, and be prepared to apologize. Does that always work? No. The computers sometimes fail. Customers can make mistakes and mess up what they are doing. You may make a mistake. All of this is your fault and you must accept the resulting beatings. All kidding aside, computers cause a lot of frustration for both customers and for you. It helps not to take it personally and to keep your sense of humor.

Many times people who come into the library to use the computers are totally out of their element. This electronic world is frightening, and frightened people are frequently angry, demanding people. You are the Librarian, and you are an expert in all things. So when you can’t help them as quickly as they think you should, or if it is something that you can’t do, they feel even more frightened. Sometimes it helps to make some sort of light comment about having to learn new stuff, but that you will try to work through the issues together. And sometimes, if you are able to fix an issue quickly and they seem to feel foolish, it may be a good idea to downplay your expertise. For instance, they have tried to do something simple and the computer has not cooperated. You walk over and click on the mouse and lo and behold, the computer behaves. I usually make a comment like “It’s afraid of me.” They chuckle and embarrassment is over.

Hardware issues cause major headaches. Nothing is more frustrating to the customer or to you than to have the computer crash. You have to do the best you can. Apologize profusely and try to get the customer on another computer. If you don’t have another computer available, see if you can help at the reference desk. If the customer needed to look something up for example, look it up for him. And print out the results for free.

Printing problems are a big issue and can be highly frustrating. If the printer and computer aren’t speaking to one another or Adobe is not cooperating, I will apologize (notice the trend here) and do everything I can to get the document printed. Generally, that will mean that I will print it at the staff computer for no charge. Good customer service will go a long way in calming the customer down.

Internet problems can be another source of irritation for the customer. There are as many internet problems as there are web sites. The problems may range from blocked sites by your library’s filter to web sites that are down to network problems. Or the web site and your browser aren’t compatible. And don’t forget the confusing job application sites. Patience and education are vital. You will never be familiar with all social networking, blogs or web sites, so don’t let anyone make you feel guilty. Be familiar with your library’s pages, and a couple of good search engines. Share information with other librarians. You may know a lot about several networking sites and someone else may know a lot about job searching sites. Compare notes. If you find a super site on something of interest to many of your customers, post the address on a bulletin board or otherwise spread the word.

Document creation can be a nightmare. Customers want professional looking documents and they expect the librarian to be an expert in all facets of the task. Your best defense is to know as much about the software on your computers as you can. Read, play with the software, and take workshops. Don’t be afraid to ask your colleagues or other customers who you know to be well versed in the software for help.

And that brings me to my last point. Be approachable. Smile. Be friendly. If you don’t know the answer, ask for help. Cultivate your regulars who are good with computers. They will feel appreciated. When your customers see you as another person and not as “The Librarian” even problems go more smoothly.

SLRC Treasures: African American Department

2010-08-24T10:57:00.002-04:00

The African American Department has a wealth of hidden treasures! For starters, the collection contains several rare and out of print books, dating back to the 1800s. Some of these books are so fragile that they have to be kept in a secure location and handled with extreme care.

We also have an extensive autographed book collection including the signatures of prominent Americans such as Gordon Parks, Lena Horne, John Hope Franklin and Langston Hughes. Our ephemera file has hundreds of brochures, transcripts, playbills, funeral programs and more. A significant amount focuses on the events and accomplishments of Marylanders.

The African American Department also maintain a large set of colorful drawings, posters, photographs and reproductions depicting the rich history and pioneers of African American culture.

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2010-08-23T14:07:00.000-04:00

Meet Emma Beaven!
Resource Sharing Supervisor
Maryland Interlibrary Loan Organization (MILO)

What do you do?
I manage the MILO (Maryland Interlibrary Loan Organization) office which includes transshipping. I help coordinate Marina for the state of Maryland and my department also handles non-Marina network interlibrary loans for Pratt patrons as well as the patrons of many counties in Maryland. I provide training for Marina and am currently working with testing groups for the URSA upgrade.

How did you get here?
Previously I worked at McKeldin Library at the University of Maryland College Park. I worked in the interlibrary loan department on the lending side. I was anxious to have a more challenging job so one day my boss handed me an ad from the ILL listserv for my current position.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite part of the job is getting material that is difficult and challenging to find. I feel a sense of accomplishment when the material actually comes in and some or our patrons get very excited when they get what they’re looking for.

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to like – but did?
Let’s see. I’ve recently been reading Bowing to Necessity: a history of manners in America, 1620-1860. I was reading it for research purposes but found it incredibly engrossing. It gives wonderful glimpses of life in early America and the way in which behavioral norms have been reflective of the ever changing class structure in this country.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?
Marina training, of course!

What do you do when you’re not reading?
I write, play computer games and cook.

The Trouble with Different Computer Files

2010-08-19T10:24:00.002-04:00

I have some customers who have come in with different types of files – Open Office and Office 2007. What are some online resources that I can use to help them with these newer formats?

Staying up-to-date on the latest file formats is an important part of customer service in libraries. One of the newer software application suites is OpenOffice. OpenOffice is an open-source software, which is similar to Microsoft Office but free to download. Its programs include word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, databases and more, and it is available in many languages. Why Open Office? gives a great overview of the benefits of the software suite.

OpenOffice.org offers a number of resources for its users including FAQ’s, templates, help guides, and tutorials on using the programs.

Microsoft Office has released Office 2010 in June. This latest version of Office is similar to Office 2007 but still a major change from the previous format in 2003. Microsoft Office also has a support service for its users, which is a great place to start to familiarize with their new user interface. It also offers a printable list of Office 2010 commands and buttons. There are tutorials available though some require a free download of Silverlight to view their videos, training, and interactive guides.

One challenge with different types of files is converting files without downloading the software. Zamzar is one resource that converts files, including images, documents, music, video, and e-book formats. It does require an active email account to receive the converted file, and the new version is only available for 24 hours though you can save the new file.

You can also suggest to your customer that they look for free computer classes to become more familiar with computer software and files. Most libraries offer computer training. For example, Enoch Pratt Free Library also offers free Computer Classes, including on Microsoft Office 2010. Classes take place at several locations during both daytime and evening hours.

SLRC Treasures: Children's Department

2010-08-17T10:44:00.004-04:00

There is a number of “hidden treasures” in the Children’s Department. We have a vast selection of retrospective as well as historical books. Some are first editions and some are autographed. We carry Children’s Literature Review for those looking for critical commentary about authors and books.

Did you know that the Children's Department has 49 versions of Cinderella or Cinderella-like tales from around the world? Many different versions of narrated or illustrated fairy tales are available from the Children's Department.

I’ve had a customer who is interested in finding an authentic African baby name. Where should I start?

2010-08-12T15:44:00.002-04:00

For the customer looking for authentic African names for their new baby, the African American Department has many resources. All of these books fall under the CS 2375-2377 call numbers in our reading room. 1,001 African Names: First and Last Names from the African Continent by Julia Stewart is a great place to start. Not only does it give you male and female names from A to Z with pronunciation, country, village or tribe of origin as well as definition of meaning, yet Stewart also includes an introduction on traditional African naming practices, ceremonies, superstitions associated with names and much more. Other sources to consider:

The African American Baby Name Book by Teresa Norman
What’s In a Name? Unaitwaje?: A Swahili Book of Names by Sharfa M. Zawawi
The Book of African Names by Molefi Kete Asante

If you are looking for a way to search for African baby names on the internet, try the following websites:

Parents Connect: African Names & Meanings
Baby Names - can search by country/continent of origin

SLRC Treasures: Fiction & Young Adult Department

2010-08-10T14:53:00.000-04:00

What are some of the hidden treasures of SLRC in the Fiction and Young Adult Department?

With over 250,000 items, the Fiction Department has the largest collection of fiction in the state of Maryland and is one of the largest in the country. The retrospective collection has items dating back to the early 1900’s and is especially strong in American and English novels from the 1930’s on.

The Young Adult Collection spans young adult fiction from the 1940’s to the present. Many of these titles are long out of print and represent the history of young adult literature in the U.S.

A customer asked me about books being considered "classics." How do they get that designation?

2010-08-05T14:56:00.000-04:00

According to A Handbook to Literature, a classic is "a piece of literature that by common consent has achieved a recognized superior status in literary history; also an author of similar standing."

Another definition can be found on Esther Lombardi’s excellent About.com site:

A classic usually expresses some artistic quality--an expression of life, truth, and beauty.
A classic stands the test of time. The work is usually considered to be a representation of the period in which it was written; and the work merits lasting recognition. In other words, if the book was published in the recent past, the work is not a classic.
A classic has a certain universal appeal. Great works of literature touch us to our very core beings--partly because they integrate themes that are understood by readers from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of experience. Themes of love, hate, death, life, and faith touch upon some of our most basic emotional responses.
A classic makes connections. You can study a classic and discover influences from other writers and other great works of literature. Of course, this is partly related to the universal appeal of a classic. But, the classic also is informed by the history of ideas and literature--whether unconsciously or specifically worked into the plot of the text.

Lombardi also discusses modern classics. She makes the point that a modern classic would have to have been written after World War I or possibly World War II because those events marked major events in global history and changed the way we view the world.

Here are some lists of classics to get you started:

Time Magazine 100 Best English language novels from 1923 to the present
Library Thing Most Often Tagged Classic Fiction
A great list of links from the Internet Public Library/Librarians’ Internet Index
Although compiled in 1999, the lists from Modern Library are useful.

Finally, here’s a site that provides "ultra-condensed" classics, good for a laugh but not for an assignment!

SLRC Treasures: Maryland Department

2010-08-03T14:45:00.002-04:00

What are some of the hidden treasures of SLRC in the Maryland Department?

There are many collections held in the Maryland Department that are not apparent when one searches the catalog. Since the 1930’s the Department’s staff has been collecting and organizing materials exclusive to Maryland. Some of the interesting collections include:

Maryland Telephone Directories: Phone books dating as far back as the World War I era for every county in the state. Many of these are quite brief but, in addition to telephone listings, contain interesting advertisements from local businesses.

Annual Reports: Business and non-profit organization reports for entities that are not included in the Pratt catalog. The date range of these reports is wide, but some date from the early 19th century.

Music and Theater Programs: Actually, two separate collections that include programs back to 1795. Some contain beautiful cover art and details of famous actors (e.g., Edwin Booth) who played in the area.

Photographs: More than 20,000 black-and-white photos from all over Maryland with emphasis on the Baltimore area. Particularly strong in the 1930’s. Many are available for reproduction. In addition, there are smaller, photographer based collections from A. Aubrey Bodine and M. Robert Rappaport.

Campaign Literature: A growing collection of election advertising in many shapes and sizes for Maryland state elections and national campaigns in Maryland. Material covers mid-19th century to date.

Yearbooks: High school and college yearbooks from educational intuitions in Maryland. Dates vary, but a current list is always available.

Postcards and Stereoscopic Views: Hundreds of postcards from places and points of interest from around the state- many with personal notes. Two hundred stereoscope views of Maryland sites.

Ephemera: Almost 6000 items of material that can be viewed as time sensitive, but provide a fascinating look at life in the past. Menus, programs, invitations, awards, posters, etc. from actual events. Useful for creating displays or exhibiting with other historical material.

Think about these collections as a supplement to other SLRC materials. Since most are composed of primary source documents, they are useful for students and make excellent display material-especially when mixed and matched!

Contact the staff of the Maryland Department to talk about access to these and other collections.

Who are the People in your State Library Resource Center?

2010-07-06T15:47:00.006-04:00

Meet Vivian Fisher!

African American Department Manager
Enoch Pratt Free Library/Maryland’s State Library Resource Center

What do you do?
I manage the African American Department’s daily operations. In addition to that, I present workshops and programs to librarians and various groups throughout the State of Maryland.

How did you get here?
I came to Pratt in 1983 as a Young Adult Librarian for Neighborhood Services. I worked at other institutions before coming back to Pratt part-time where I worked in the Maryland Department on Sunday’s. In 2000, I came back to Pratt to manage the new African American Department that was being built as part of the Pratt’s annex expansion.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
What comes to mind immediately is my interaction with the public and assisting them with finding information about African Americans. My training as a reference librarian has rewarded me with assisting the public with their reference needs. I enjoy programming and giving presentations about African American life, history, and culture. My training as a historian coupled with my library skills allows me to give customers the best service I can.

What’s a book that you did not expect to like—but did?
Toni Morrison is one of my favorite authors. When Beloved was published I was excited about reading it, but I soon discovered that it was moving slowly for me. I put it down three times before I decided that I was going to make every effort to complete the book. I was not expecting to like the book because it was a slow read for me, but as I continued to read it I found that I was enjoying the characters and plot more because it was based partly on historical fact and I was familiar with Margaret Garner’s story who sacrificed her children’s lives so that they would not return to the cruel life of slavery.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?
The African American Department presents a Brown Lecture Series at least twice a year. The Brown Lecture Series honors Eddie and Sylvia Brown, whose financial generosity endowed the African American Department. I truly enjoy programming and the variety of African American programs that we have at Pratt. I also enjoy doing public programming for the public and librarians. Recently, my presentation, From Jazz to Hip Hop has been a very successful library program. Other programs that I have presented include African American Genealogy, and African American Art.

What do you do when you’re not reading?
I enjoy gardening, listening to music, arts & crafts, and traveling.

What are some good photography resources for my patrons?

2010-06-24T09:38:00.003-04:00

There are a number of great websites out there to help your patrons learn more about photography. Whether it’s getting reviews on the best type of camera to buy, finding a simple way to edit photos online, and/or learning to develop skills in photography, the sites below are a few of the most helpful:

Picnik
Picnik is an easy online photo editing application that has almost all of the basic features an amateur might need to edit their photos. Most users will find it fairly easy, but depending on their level of skill, he/she might also be interested in some of the other photo editing sites that are linked here.

DPreview
DP Review (Digital Photography Review) is a great resource for finding out information on the lastest digital cameras in all kinds of categories from the most basic to the professional model. This site is also useful because of its “learning” section which helps explain the lexicon of digital photography to those who are not familiar.

Another site to consider is CNET, for its simple reviews.

photo.net
Photo.net has a great learning center that explains the basics of picture taking in a number of different circumstances, from weddings to wildlife. Unfamiliar vocabulary is easily explained and beginners can quickly learn the technical requirements for whatever may interest them. In addition, this site has numerous forums that allow users to join and share information with others (however you don’t have to sign up in order to view them).

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2010-06-21T15:03:00.001-04:00

Meet Julie Strange!
Statewide Coordinator, Maryland AskUsNow!

What do you do?
I am the Statewide Coordinator for Maryland AskUsNow!, Maryland’s online information service. We’re available 24/7 to Marylanders for all their information needs. Being Statewide Coordinator means that I manage the grant that we’re funding by, coordinate and train librarians around the state, am in charge of new partnerships and marketing initiatives and have my hands in customer relationship management, system troubleshooting, our online presences and social media planning. In general, I make sure that our librarians get what they need so that our customers can get what they want.

How did you get here?
I’ve always had an interest in learning but while knee-deep in the research for my undergraduate thesis (on interpersonal communication & computer mediated communication) someone suggested I go to library school. I didn’t know what I’d be getting into, but I knew that I wanted to continue my schooling so I went off to Rutgers to earn my MLIS. It was there that I met Dr. Marie Radford, a key player in virtual reference and reference excellence research and practice. Once I began working on her grant-funded research project on interpersonal communication within virtual reference interactions, I fell in love with virtual reference and the rest is history. From there, I came down to Maryland to work with Joe Thompson on AskUsNow! in November 2006.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
What isn’t to love? I get to help customers get the information they need when they need it, meet so many amazing library professionals all across the state, and get involved with many statewide projects (like LATI and VisionQuest). In addition, I’ve had the opportunity to travel the country and expand my network- there are so many amazing people out there doing such amazing things- both inside and outside of library land.

My favorite thing, though, is probably the fact that I get to do so many different things and wear so many different hats- it’s always exciting!

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to like – but did?
That’s a trick question. I don’t read books I don’t think I’m going to like! :-) Though, since I usually tend to read non-fiction I’m always pleasantly surprised when I can really get into and enjoy a work of fiction!

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?
I appreciate all that SLRC offers to our Maryland Library Community- the trainings, resources, collections, tours, and programs. I have a special place in my heart, though, for LATI- especially since I am involved in it for 2010!

What do you do when you’re not reading?
When I’m not running AskUsNow! or reading, art is a huge part of who I am- design, painting, film & music included. Traveling is also something I love- I am slowly marking all the states off my list, but also have a handful more countries I want to explore. I love being outside- kayaking, being at the beach, enjoying the world. But I never know what things the world will bring, so I will usually try anything at least once.

Review Thursday: Fiction

2010-06-10T11:39:00.000-04:00

Lake Shore Limited by Sue Miller (2010)

Sue Miller's sweetly melancholy, beautifully patterned new novel fills the description of literary fiction as a story where nothing happens: nothing, that is, but the quiet, important tumults in people's hearts. Leslie, 59, wavers between contentment with her marriage and a craving for something more, embodied mainly in an almost-lover from her past, Sam, but also in Gus, the adored younger brother she lost to 9/11. Gus's lover, Billie, a female playwright, had just decided to break up with him when he died. Ambivalent about his death, she clings all the more fiercely to his memory, finding it hard to embrace someone new. Her paralysis confuses Sam, who sees his own attraction to her as a happy accident, unlike poor romantic choices he made in earlier years. Meanwhile, Rafe, 45, uses his lead role in Billie's new play to express his changing feelings towards his wife, stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease. Exploring a man's conflicted response to the news that his wife may have died in a terrorist attack, Billie's play reflects the inner dilemmas of all four protagonists.

Luminous detail, transparent prose, and psychological depth give Miller's world an absorbing realism, though few real people achieve the serene wisdom granted to Leslie, Billie, Sam, and Rafe in the end. Edith Wharton, another moralizing chronicler of New England, would have appreciated Miller's emphasis on wisdom's price, the renunciation of certain dreams and pleasures. But her faith that domestic happiness is possible at all makes her more akin to contemporaries Anna Quindlen and Anne Tyler. Like Billie, who rejects one play ending as "too Ethan Frome-ish," Miller tips her story's difficult emotional balance towards joy.

Review Thursday: Children's Books

2010-06-03T11:21:00.005-04:00

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal (2009)
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Born a slave, legendary lawman Bass Reeves became one of the most respected marshals to tame the Wild West. He apprehended thousands in his thirty two year career, including his own son, but only had to kill fourteen of them. This arresting (pardon the pun) portrait treats its subject with dignity all the while treading close to tall tale territory in its telling. From a humorous run in with a skunk to Reeve’s powerful response when coming across a lynch mob, Nelson gives a well rounded portrayal. With plenty of colorful turns of phrase and illustrations that show a steely-eyed African American hero, this larger than life biography will capture the imagination of readers and appeal to a wider age range (8-12) than Gary Paulsen’s fictionalized The Legend of Bass Reeves (10-12). A Coretta Scott King Award Winner

A Million Shades of Gray (2010)
Cynthia Kadohata

Set in Vietnam after the Americans have ended their part of the war, we meet 13 year old Y’Tin whose only goal is to be an elephant handler. His elephant, “Lady”, is the center of his world. When his village is overrun by North Vietnamese forces, Y’Tin sees his way of life change immeasurably. Not only does he have to help dig a mass grave, he must, after escaping, find his way through the deep jungle while protecting a friend and Lady. Y’Tin fears he will never be able to trust anyone or anything again, especially when he finds that the starving survivors want to eat the village’s domesticated elephants. He finds out that the truth has as many shades of grey as an elephant’s hide or the jungle in dim light. The first juvenile novel to address this time in history from the indigenous Vietnam viewpoint, this would be a powerful counterpoint to Patrol by Walter Dean Myers (a US soldiers point of view) or Kadohata’s ( a Newbery award winning author) Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam. (11-14)

Ned’s New Home (2009)
Kevin Tseng

Ned, a charming bright green worm, has a wonderful home, an apple, but it is beginning to decompose. His mission is to find a new abode. A pear, lemon and a pile of blueberries all have serious faults (too wobbly, too sour, and won’t hold together). A plan for a cherry house is foiled by a hungry bird, who accidently delivers Ned to the best new house of all, an apple still hanging from its tree. With warm colors and visual humor, this is a comforting story that has an ecological undertone. The endpapers even show the life cycle of the apple from seed to fruit and back again. Use this with Peter Horacek’s A New House for Mouse for an equally agreeable paean to apples as the perfect dwelling place. (3-5)

Review Thursday: Attracting Success

2010-05-27T12:42:00.000-04:00

Have many of your customers read The Secret? Are they interested in learning more about the laws of attraction for success? Try suggesting the following books for learning more about how to be successful.

Emergenetics: Tap into the New Science of Success (2006)
Geil Browning, PhD

Introduces a brain-based approach to personality profiling, explaining how to identify one's personal thinking style, behavioral set points, natural strengths and talents, and enhance the chances for personal success.

The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You are to Where You Want to Be (2005)
Jack Canfield, Janet Switzer

A self-improvement guide for business professionals, teachers, students, parents, or anyone interested in promoting themselves within today's success-oriented culture shares sixty-four practical or inspiring principles on how to reach desired goals.

Do You: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success (2007)
Russell Simmons

Since rising out of the New York City streets over 25 years ago, Russell Simmons has helped create such groundbreaking ventures as Def Jam Records, Phat Farm and Def Comedy Jam, becoming known the world over as "The CEO of Hip Hop." He credits his success to his belief in a set of 12 laws, which he shares in this book. His path towards success can be followed by anyone struggling to realize their dreams.

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2010-05-25T10:12:00.004-04:00

Meet Rebecca Sullivan!

Job & Career Information Center Manager

Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center

What do you do?

I am the Job & Career Information Center manager and the assistant manager of the Business, Science & Technology Department (BST). I work as a librarian in BST answering questions about all sorts of topics. I also teach classes and trainings on job related topics – job searching, interviewing, and resume writing. I’m also fortunate to be able to do outreach through the Job & Career Information Center to community groups that are interested in tours and classes.

How did you get here?

I finished my MLIS at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and was looking for a job. A friend from library school was working at the Pratt Library and suggested that I might apply for a job here. I ended up moving out to Maryland and have been here ever since!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite part about being a librarian is helping people find answers to their questions. It is a lot of fun, especially when the question requires some detective work. I also really love teaching classes about job searching. Teaching people skills that can help them get a job is really rewarding.

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to like – but did?

Wisconsin Death Trip by Michael Lesy. It’s an interesting book that combines photographs and newspaper text from Black River Falls, Wisconsin from 1890-1910. The images can be really creepy – including children in coffins – but it is a really fascinating read.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?

I really like the LATI Blog – and not just because I’m the editor of it! I think it’s a great resource for finding new ways to answer customer questions. I definitely learn a lot when I read the answers that are sent to me.

What do you do when you’re not reading?

During the spring and summer I like to run and bike outside. I also love camping and traveling. I’m hoping to visit all 50 states eventually!

Review Thursday: Genre Mysteries

2010-05-20T12:33:00.004-04:00

Customers who read a lot of mysteries may be interested in a specific genre to explore. One that might not be very obvious is clerical mysteries. Here are some suggestions on how to get started with that genre. More are newer books in a series -- giving customers that opportunity to start from the beginning and explore an entire series!

Sister Pelagia and the Red Cockerel (2009)
Boris Akunin

When the leader of a messianic cult is murdered on a steamship, fellow passenger and amateur sleuth Sister Pelagia finds herself in danger.

(3rd in the series)

The Silent Spirit (2009)
Margaret Coel

The disappearance of an Arapaho acting in a 1923 movie in Los Angeles and the possibly connected murder of his great-grandson more than eighty years later on the Winder River reservation force Father John O’Malley and Arapaho lawyer Vicky Holden to confront some harsh realities.

(14th in the series)

The Apostate's Tale (2008)
Margaret Frazer

Dame Frevisse and the other nuns offer a safe haven when a penitent Sister Cecely returns to the priory she left nine years before and brings her illegitimate child with her. Their security is threatened when Sister Cecely’s troubles follow her.

(17th in the series)

Stained Glass (2009)
Ralph M. McInerny

Father Dowling and his congregation are fighting to keep the archdiocese from closing the parish, an effort that is complicated by a series of murders that points to a family active in the church.

(28th in the series)

I Shall Not Want (2008)
Julia Spencer-Fleming

After a devastating tragedy, Reverend Clare Fergusson and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne have kept their distance. When Latino migrant workers are slaughtered, however, they must work together to keep their town of Millers Kill, NY from falling apart.

(6th in the series)

The Council of the Cursed: A Mystery of Ancient Ireland (2009)
Peter Tremayne

Counseling a hostile Irish delegation to the Celtic Church in 670 A.D., Fidelma of Cashel is embroiled in political intrigue and physical danger when one of the delegates is murdered and a priceless reliquary is stolen.

(19th in the series)

I have customers who need to apply for state assistance. How can I help her?

2010-05-18T11:18:00.017-04:00

With the current economic situation, library customers are more frequently using library computers to apply for state assistance of all kinds -- including housing, education, unemployment, and more.

A great place to start is on the Maryland government website Maryland.gov. It brings together all of the information from the state including the various programs that are available for Marylanders.

Maryland.gov also has created a page specifically for bringing together the various services -- WeConnect You: Maryland. It includes links for many services and resources available for Maryland residents covering broad categories such as finance, employment, and food.

To look for non-governmental services, your customers may want to search the Maryland Community Service Locator. Provided by the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland, College Park, it includes information on local community services. Users can search for local services close to their address. Organizations included cover a wide range of services, such as senior citizens, support groups, job readiness, and health services.

Review Thursday: Children's Fiction

2010-05-13T11:02:00.000-04:00

Al Capone Shines My Shoes (2009)
Gennifer Choldenko

Moose Flanagan and his family live on Alcatraz. His father is a guard there and his autistic sister, Natalie, goes to a special school in San Francisco. Moose becomes concerned when he gets a note from inmate Al Capone who wants a favor for getting Natalie into a special school. What will Al ask for? Then when Moose discovers a bar spreader in Natalie’s suitcase, he really starts to worry. If he tells an adult, his father might get fired. What can he do about each problem? If you want to find out more about living on Alcatraz, check out Children of Alcatraz: Growing Up on the Rock by Claire Rudolf Murphy.

Zoobreak (2009)
Gordon Korman

Savannah Drysdale’s pet monkey Cleo disappears from her house. She and her friends Griffin and Ben take a school trip to a floating zoo where Savannah discovers a monkey that she swears is Cleo. The three children decide to pay a visit to the zoo at night and get Cleo out of her cage. They are successful but Savannah wants to release all the poor animals. Can they set all the animals free without getting caught? Where will they put all of them? Pair this book up with Cyberia by Chris Lynch.

Notes from the Dog (2009)
Gary Paulsen

Fourteen-year-old Finn is uncomfortable around people until a graduate student named Johanna shows up to house sit next door. Finn likes her and gains confidence after she encourages him to start and maintain his own garden. Johanna plans to raise money for breast cancer (which she’s dealing with) by participating in a triathlon. Unfortunately she becomes sick the night before and is unable to be in the race. Finn and his friend Matthew decide to help her. Can they find a solution? Another book recommended is Holding at Third by Linda Zinnen.

I have customers who are looking help with figuring out how to change careers. How do I help them?

2010-05-11T15:41:00.001-04:00

There are a lot of free online career assessment tools available for library customers to use. They can range from skills assessments, personality tests, and career assessments. Try recommending a few of these:

The Skills Profiler identifies skills and matches them to jobs.
O*NET's Ability Profiler matches strengths with occupations.
O*NET's Interest Profiler identifies broad interest areas.
O*NET's Work Importance Locator identifies job features that are important to you.
Employability Checkup provides a snapshot of your employability.
Enneagram Test will find your personality type.

Don't forget about books! There are also quite a few popular books that you can suggest to customers to find out more about their career possibilities. Here's a couple good ones:

Do What You Are : Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger (2001)

Uses the Myers-Briggs personality types to link to possible careers. Career advice is provided and each strengths and pitfalls of each personality type is highlighted with real-life examples.

The Everything Career Tests Book by A. Bronwyn Llewellyn (2007)

Take ten different tests to reveal work habits, affinities, and interests. Emphasis on "finding your passion" to be able to find the career path that you were destined for.

Review Thursday: Cookbook Round Up

2010-05-05T16:28:00.001-04:00

Looking for a new cookbook to spice up your dinner plans? Try any of the following cookbooks to learn more about cooking techniques, ethnic foods, or quick ways to make dinner.

Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller (2009)

From the acclaimed chef of the French Laundry, Thomas Keller gives recipes for home-style classic foods. While the food may be more what you remember from growing up, the recipes for the comfort food may still take time and effort to make. However, the time spent cooking will allow you to experience meals as conceived by a great chef! Keller also provides lots of great illustrations of how to do various tasks, such as tying up a pork loin and trussing a chicken. The link to the book includes a copy of his recipe for fried chicken, which testers have deemed delicious!

I Know How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot (2009)

The bible of home cooking in France has finally been translated into English. The cookbook includes an extensive collection of recipes, covering sauces, hors d'oeuvres, meat, vegetables, fruit, and lots of desserts. It is illustrated throughout with drawings and some photographs. A very helpful section at the back includes suggested menus for different meals and seasons of the year to help cooks put together delectable meals for sharing!

Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities by Nigella Lawson (2009)

While you may not be thinking of Christmas in May, Nigella Christmas is a great resource for planning for special occasion meals or parties. Lawson provides great advice on party preparation, meal ideas, and even edible gifts. Perhaps these might be helpful to get a jump on holidays coming up. Illustrated throughout with many, many photographs showing pictures of the recipes from beginning to completion. Looks delicious!

Pamphlet Play Database

2010-05-04T12:41:00.002-04:00

Do you have customers looking for a play to perform with two females and four males? Check out the new Pamphlet Play Database brought to you by the Humanities Department of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

These acting editions can be searched by the number of characters in a play, the type of play (comedy, melodrama), or the subject. The plays are available through interlibrary loan, making them especially useful for students or community groups wanting to put together theatrical productions. If you have any questions about how to use the database, please contact the Humanities Department staff and they will be happy to answer any questions.

Review Thursday: Fiction Staff Picks

2010-04-29T13:08:00.000-04:00

Looking for some great new fiction to recommend? Check out the Fiction Department's latest picks for great fiction!

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood (2009)

Ren and Toby, two women who have survived the plague known as the “waterless flood”, look back on the choices they’ve made and attend to their future survival.

Unfinished Desires by Gail Godwin (2009)

By reviving an old play at their Catholic school in the 1950s, two girls raise questions about the past and dramatically change their own futures.

Family Album by Penelope Lively (2009)

Serious problems lurk under the picturesque surface of a big family in an old house outside London.

The City & The City by China Miéville (2009)

Inspector Tyador Borlu of the city of Beszel must solve a difficult murder – one that seems linked to Ul Qoma, another city which exists in the same physical location as Beszel but is forbidden to interact with it.

The Humbling by Philip Roth

A 65-year-old failing actor hopes a romance with a 40-year-old woman will revitalize him.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (2009)

On his visits to the residents of a crumbling mansion named Hundreds Hall, Dr. Faraday witnesses phenomena that shake his belief that hauntings cannot exist.

Text or IM Us!

2010-04-27T14:39:00.000-04:00

Need an answer quickly? Now you can text or IM the Enoch Pratt Free Library! Four departments are currently doing IMing -- Business, Science & Technology, Maryland, Sights & Sounds, and Social Science and History. Just ask us a question and we'll get back to you quickly during library hours.

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2010-04-23T16:23:00.003-04:00

Meet Jeff Korman!
Maryland Department Manager
Enoch Pratt Free Library/Maryland's State Library Resource Center

What do you do?
I am one of three SLRC Managers who serve under the Chief of SLRC and work with other SLRC subject departments. I am also the coordinator of the SLRC committee responsible for marketing services. In addition I am the everyday manager of the Maryland Department.

How did you get here?
In 1980 I came to Pratt out of library school to become the Government Reference Librarian- a special SLRC service that handles reference inquiries from Maryland state agencies. That job gave me a lot of experience with Maryland material. In 1985 I became the assistant manager of the Maryland Department; in 1997 manager of the Maryland Department and in 2002 was promoted to SLRC manager.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
There are so many things I like to do but clearly interacting with the public and other librarians at SLRC and around the state is the most rewarding. At heart I am a reference librarian and it is an honor to be part of the wonderful staff and work with the great collections we have here. I get to do lots of public programs and Maryland related training in just about every Maryland countly library system and that allows me to meet and work with so many front line librarians. And, it benefits SLRC too! I have a lot of library contacts across the state. It is great to keep those relationships going and continue to make new friends.

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to like – but did?
A few years ago I was doing some reference work on local politics in the 1850's. Politics is not my favorite topic, but I used a new book (at that time) entitled Hanging Henry Gambrill: the violent career of Baltimore's Plug Uglies, 1854-1860 by Tracy Melton. It fascinated me and turned that mundane reference question into a real interest in life in the Civil War era. That led to interest in all kinds of related history and theories about what really went on at the time.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?
No question- public programming. I love to pull together material on an historic topic, but to come at that topic from a different or strange angle. For example, not Edgar Allan Poe's gifted writing but his mysterious death. Not John Wilkes Booth's assassination of Lincoln but the conspiracy theory that has him living until 1903. Not Maryland history, but the history of Maryland as seen by Native Americans. Not famous Marylanders, but infamous Marylanders, etc. Booth is my favorite, and one gets to meet and talk to many people with like interests when presenting these programs.

What do you do when you’re not reading?
A lot of cooking and baking, spending time with my wife and sons and talking to my dog.

Review Thursday: Pratt Picks

2010-04-22T12:56:00.000-04:00

Did you know that the staff of the Enoch Pratt Free Library create booklists for fiction, nonfiction, and children's books? And that the lists go beyond books to cover music, movies, and magazines? Check out Pratt Picks for the latest selections.

Some of the popular lists include:

It's a great resource for reader's advisory! Whether you are looking for suggestions for teens, adults, or children, you're bound to find something different from Pratt Picks.

Free Credit Reports in Maryland

2010-04-14T11:21:00.002-04:00

Did you know that Maryland residents are entitled to two free credit reports each year? Under separate federal and state laws, customers are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three Credit Reporting Agencies. Since there are two laws, this means that you can contact each Agency twice per year and request your personal credit report free of charge!

Contacting the credit reporting agencies can be done online or by phone. Want to find all the contact information? Check out the Business, Science & Technology Department's guide online -- How to Get a Free Credit Report -- for all of the details.

A customer has asked for my advice with finding good places to donate. Help!

2010-04-12T11:13:00.001-04:00

When tragedy strikes Americans are known for their generosity. Here are some sites that may help you and your customers in making your decision about where to give.

Charity Navigator – Hot Topics
This site features charities that are given a high rating by Charity Navigator and are working with societal concerns and natural disasters.

Crisis Commons - CrisisCamp
Brings together domain experts, developers, and first responders to help improve technology and practice for humanitarian crisis management and disaster relief.

CNN Impact Your World
Read current new stories and what organizations are doing to help.

Network For Good
Learn about charities and the work that they are doing and then make an online donation through Network For Good's secure online donation system.

Maryland Volunteer Centers
Find organizations in Maryland to volunteer with.

Volunteer Match
Find organizations around the country to volunteer with.

Chile:
Embassy of Chile - Relief Efforts
Research information about Chilean relief efforts

Haiti:
Embassy of Haiti – Relief Assistance
Research information about how to help Haitian agencies directly.

Review Thursday: Children's Nonfiction

2010-04-08T10:01:00.001-04:00

Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator by Sarah C. Campbell (2008)

Nature’s Most Extreme[ly Slow] Predators! If there really was a tabloid TV show about wolfsnails, the low speed chases portrayed therein might not make for the most exciting viewing. This book, however, is a fascinating read. Detailed photographs and vivid prose introduce young naturalists to the wolfsnail, a predatory creature that earns its name by tracking and devouring other snails. This informative volume demonstrates that the drama of the life cycle doesn’t just happen in the jungle or on the savannah – it’s happening in your own back yard on a miniscule scale and at an almost agonizingly leisurely pace. For readers 6-8.

Whaam! The Art and Life of Roy Lichtenstein by Susan Goldman Rubin (2008)

How Roy Lichtenstein put Donald Duck and Popeye on the walls of the world’s greatest art museums. In the sixties, painter Roy Lichtenstein, one of the founders of what came to be known as “Pop Art,” challenged the conventions of fine art by incorporating graphical techniques and imagery from comic books into his paintings. He asked viewers to consider, and this book asks YOU to consider, why pictures on a wall in a museum are “better” than pictures in a comic book? What is it that makes art “art”? Whaam! is a fun and informative portrait of one of the most influential American painters of the 20th century. For readers 9-12.

On the Scale: A Weighty Tale by Brian P. Cleary (2008)

An exploration in verse of comparative weight measures. Units of mass are illustrated with real-world examples (an ounce is the weight of a slice of bread; a quart of milk weighs two pounds). English and metric systems are included. “A gram,” we learn, “is not a cracker or your parent’s mother/ It’s a weight – so get this straight – smaller than most others.” Simultaneously vivid and whimsical, this book is a way to learn about gravity with levity. For readers 6-8.

What kinds of resources are available for someone trying to become more environmentally responsible?

2010-04-06T16:17:00.002-04:00

This is a topic that has been gaining in popularity over the years, and there are a lot of sources out there. A good place to start is the State Library Resource Center’s Green Living How-to Guide. This guide provides links to sites dealing with saving energy at home or in your car, where to find locally grown food or the closest e-cycling location, or how to be a responsible shopper.

For example, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fuel Economy site allows you to look up specific car models to see what their carbon footprint is, and you can also compare and contrast several models at once. Energy Savers offers links to energy efficiency tips, ENERGY STAR rated appliances, and energy use calculators.

Recycling Maryland is a nonprofit site that lists recyclers and organizations that take donations of items for reuse, including computers, computer parts, copy machines, electronics, and many others.

For print materials, you can look at several Pratt Recommends booklists, including Green Homes, Renewable Energy, or Selected Current Green Living Magazines.

Review Thursday: Nonfiction

2010-04-01T10:00:00.002-04:00

The Sound of Freedom: Marian Anderson, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Concert that Awakened America by Raymond Arsenault (2009)

In The Sound of Freedom, Raymond Arsenault connects the singer Marian Anderson and her famous Lincoln Memorial concert on April 9, 1939, with the beginning of the Civil Rights movement. Anderson rose to stellar heights of fame and fortune as an artist, overcoming the hurdles discrimination put in her path. By 1939, she had performed in cities across the United States and toured Europe, but her fame did not alter the American segregation laws that restricted where she could perform to places like high school auditoriums.

For a performance in Washington, D.C., originally the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Constitution Hall was requested. The D.A.R. denied Anderson use of the building because of a discriminatory policy. This provoked First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a friend of Anderson’s, to resign from the D.A.R. and to announce her resignation in her national newspaper column. The resulting civil rights controversy reached a solution with the historic concert outdoors at the Lincoln Memorial, where Anderson performed for a racially integrated crowd of 75,000. This began fifty years of life in the national spotlight, where Anderson became a symbol of integration.

In telling this remarkable story, Arsenault’s detailed exploration and analysis of original sources includes newspaper accounts, collections from both the NAACP and the Roosevelts, and Anderson’s personal papers. This is an in-depth account of a pivotal moment in history, for patrons interested in musicians, American history, and the Civil Rights movement.

Are there reading/interest levels for graphic novels when recommending them to patrons?

2010-03-30T12:28:00.000-04:00

There are quite a few good resources in both print and online that can aid you in you in finding age/interest levels in your graphic novel readers’ advisory work. They use various rating systems, so you will want to check their explanatory remarks.

Here are some books that you might find on your shelves:

500 Essential Graphic Novels: The Ultimate Guide by Gene Kannenberg (2008)
Divided into by genre and designates age levels as All ages, 12+, 15+ and 18+.

Graphic Novels: A Genre Guide to Comic Books, Manga, and More by Michael Pawuk (2007)
More inclusive than Kannenberg, listing all titles within series. Age levels are All ages, 10 and above, 13-15, 16-17, 18 and older.

The Librarian's Guide to Graphic Novels For Children and Tweens by David S. Serchay (2008)
Targeted specifically towards younger readers, this book uses the following age categories: younger elementary, older elementary and junior high, tweens and early teens, all ages (but appealing more to younger readers).

The Readers' Advisory Guide to Graphic Novels by Francisca Goldsmith (2010)
While this book is the most current and has much useful information on readers’ advisory, its only special designations are “appropriate for younger readers (under sixteen in some communities, as young as under twelve in others)” and “crossover titles for readers unfamiliar with the format.”

Two good books devoted exclusively to manga are:

Manga: The Complete Guide by Jason Thompson (2007)
Includes age levels with film rating equivalents: All ages (G-PG), 13+ (PG-PG13), 16+ (PG13-R), 18+ (‘hard’ R- NC17).

Understanding Manga and Anime by Robin E. Brenner (2007)
Contains both the publishers’ age ratings and the recommendations of the author (grades 6-8, grades 7-9, grades 9-12, adult).

Web Resources

YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Lists for 12-18 year-olds beginning 2007; with a top ten list for each year.

No Flying No Tights
Includes three separate sections of reviews: the Main site for teens, Sidekicks for ages through 12, and the Lair for older teens and adults.

Graphic Novels: Resources for Teachers & Librarians
Lists of recommended titles (by genre) for all ages, younger teens (11-14), older teens (17 and older,) plus a list of titles recommended for girls and a list of “teen favorites not recommended for younger readers.” The site also includes lists by genre and publisher.

Checking publisher web pages can also give you information on age levels. One very good example is the Dark Horse Comics page for libraries. The backlist is even sorted by age level (8+, 10+, 12+, 14+, 16+, 18+, all ages).

You can keep up-to date by reading reviews in professional journals:

And, of course, knowing your collection and your readers is the best way of knowing what titles to recommend.

Library Blogs

2010-03-29T14:36:00.002-04:00

Here at the LATI Blog, we asked librarian Ray Cruitt to write a blog post about librarian blogs and how to keep up. His report follows:

I was asked to write a blog post about librarian blogs. I hadn’t kept up with them for some time, but remembered when I first became interested in being a librarian, about seven years ago, how surprised I was by the large number of them. It was intriguing; I had never been exposed to professional-oriented blogging before, and librarians seemed to have this genre covered in spades!

Since then, not only have there been a proliferation of library-related blogs, but also other professional-oriented blogs: pharmacist, police officer, waiter/server, and even a garbage man blog exists on the Internet.

There are several prominent library themes: for instance, The Union Librarian, by Kathleen de la Peña McCook is written by a well-known academic librarian involved in the Progressive Librarian Guild, a very left-of-center organization. She is a supporter of the unionization of libraries. Walt at Random is a blog that addresses many subjects relevant to librarians, from librarian blogs and bloggers to technology to library policy issues; it is written by Walt Crawford, a well known name in the library field who describes himself as a voice for the “radical middle.” On another side of the spectrum is the Conservative Librarian, the Government Information and Political Science Librarian from Purdue University, who writes very little, if anything, about librarianship, yet keeps the “Librarian” as part of his identity. He mostly writes about conservative politics. One thing is for certain, library blogs tend to be partisan affairs.

Another popular genre of library blog is the kind that either provides a forum for other librarians to vent about patrons or relate funny patron experiences, such as the LiveJournal site The Society for Librarians Who Say “M…” (ah, well, maybe I should refrain from stating the rest of the name, it isn’t exactly rated G). If you don’t like to say the “M” word, but still want to post about weird, funny, or disturbing patron stories, you can always check out the Merry Librarian (oddly enough, it starts with an M, as well!).

There are four blogs that I would like to highlight. One is old news, another is new, but based on an older group, one is thoughtful, and the other a great place to get technology news and analysis.

1) Best of Publib:

Publib is a listserv that was established in 1992 and now has over 8000 subscribers. Best of Publib is a blog that was established as a means to conveniently find some of the more interesting threads that have been woven over the years on the listserv. This new blog is an especially good resource for public librarians doing research on a subject relevant to their work. Along with some of the more serious topics there are plenty of fun threads that only a public librarian can relate to.

2) The Annoyed Librarian

As mentioned above, I’m including an old news librarian blog, The Annoyed Librarian (AL, as she is prominently known). This pseudonymous provocateur has resonated over the years with many librarians who sometimes wonder about the direction of their profession and professional organizations. With subjects ranging from the nature of the MLS degree requirement to the political nature of the ALA and the ALA Council, this librarian weighs-in on the critical side. Of course, this fact and “her” pseudonymous identity have annoyed many librarians, which is part of the allure. The AL has her favorite subjects, the ALA Council and its non-library related political resolutions, the Progressive Library Guild, Library 2.0, and the perceived drifting away of the public library’s original charter to afford the appropriate resources for a educated society. Tip: just don’t take “her” too seriously. It’s all in good fun!

3) Academic Librarian

The Academic Librarian is the head librarian for the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Princeton University. Although, his main sphere of librarianship is the academic world, his views, many times, transcend that of his particular specialty and are applicable to all librarians. The ideas treated in this blog are articulately expressed and there is always something in his posts to think about. It is a nice antidote to the partisan and snarky librarian blogs that populate the Web, including the Annoyed Librarian! Some topics recently covered: the ethics of library school students posing as patrons on reference chat, millennials, and reading.

4) Disruptive Library Technology Jester

This blog is all about technology and its influence on library and educational institutions. While there are many technology-related library blogs, the majority of them seem to be only concerned with the promotion of social networking or Library 2.0 technologies. As the name of this blogger entails, his main mission, the Jester’s mission, is to give the “raw facts,” as critical as they may be, about all the technologies available to libraries, whether ultimately useful or not. The Jester’s role has always been to entertain while simultaneously telling it like it is. This blog goes a long way in accomplishing this.

Review Thursday: Nonfiction

2010-03-25T09:37:00.003-04:00

The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad by Michael Landes (2005)

Do you know a recent graduate looking for experience? Maybe there is a library customer who is trying to make a career change but needs to gain certain skills to improve his/her resume. The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad offers a number of possible venues as tools for their job search.

Michael Landes starts with a number of life-planning exercises and leads into a variety of sections, which include real-life stories, websites, and associations for further exploration. Each section outlines whether the experience offers a stipend or if it’s a volunteer opportunity. Some programs are geared specifically for college students or recent graduates, while others are open for anyone over eighteen. The reviews also offer contact information and how to apply for participation. Short-term work may be the tool you need to build the skills, experience, and connections with people to get to the next phase in the job search.

Maryland Libraries & Social Media

2010-03-23T12:13:00.002-04:00

Here at the LATI Blog, we recently got a request to investigate how Maryland libraries are using social media and what success the libraries have had with it. Today we bring you the scoop on what the Harford County Public Library (HCPL) system is doing!

Dave McLaughlin, webmaster at the forefront of HCPL's official social media efforts had the following to share:

Harford County Public Library has recently started and ramped up a number of social networking initiatives. We have a Facebook page and Twitter account, both of which are used to broadcast updates from our website and special messages, such as closings, etc. We are also posting many photos from renovation projects, recent programs, etc. to Flickr and have started a YouTube channel that is currently used for advocacy videos and our iPhone app promotional video.

We will continue to expand these presences, but in the last month and a half (since the launch of our new website, on which we display a Facebook logo that links to our Facebook page) our number of fans on Facebook has quadrupled. Customers are commenting on our Facebook page and tweeting about us and we are able to engage them in discussions via both services.

One quick success story:

With all of the recent snow, we made sure to quickly post any information about closings to our social networking accounts. One day, shortly after posting that we would be closed, customers started a discussion on our Facebook page that went like this:

"So, if I have movies due tomorrow I won't get charged?"

"No - they said yesterday that no fines will be charged for items due when the library is closed - as long as they are returned the next day."

"are the parking lots cleared so we can at least drop them off when we are able to get out of our homes?"

"Abingdon was clear when I went by a couple hours ago"

"Do you need volunteers to help clear the backlog?"

While we are generally pretty quick at responding to comments and questions, our customers were answering other customers’ questions before we even had a chance. We followed up with more information, but I consider this a huge success!

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2010-03-22T15:06:00.002-04:00

Meet Sarah Kuperman!
Selection Librarian
Collection Management Department
Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center

What do you do?
I select materials for the State Library Resource Center and for Pratt Library too. I select both fiction and non fiction print materials and I work with some database selection and our statewide ebooks consortium as well.

How did you get here?
After I graduated from college, I took a job as an assistant in the Reference Department of a small public library. The librarians I met there were a wonderful supportive encouraging and fun bunch of people. Their encouragement led to my going off to library school in Chicago, then jobs in Boston, and NYC before I settled in Baltimore.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
I get to review a wide range of materials in my job. It's very interesting to me to see the trends in publishing as ideas are brought forth, reviewed, reworked and developed. As a SLRC selector I am looking for a wide range of high level materials, for Pratt Library I want to get the popular materials that suit the branch needs. In my job, I get to look at everything.

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to like – but did?
Emily Post by Laura Claridge. How could a biography about a person who is well behaved be interesting? But Claridge uses Emily's life to describe a social history of America beginning just post Civil War to WWII. Emily Post had a close connection with Baltimore, which surprised me. She wrote the first edition of her book on Etiquette in 1922, but she was always revising and updating her book. In the WWII era, the military bought and distributed thousands of copies of the 1945 edition in order to help soldiers feel comfortable in unfamiliar situations. Emily was a strong supporter of young people and the changes they made in social behavior. Her goal was not to lay down rules and regs, but to provide guidelines to help people feel comfortable in social settings. Her underlying rule was that one should never discomfort another person.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?
I am a fan of the Fiction Department's "What do you recommend ..?" They always give an interesting set of presentations.

What do you do when you’re not reading?
I am very involved with my wonderful family.

Review Thursday: Fiction

2010-03-18T09:31:00.002-04:00

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (2009)

Dr. Faraday is the son of lower class parents who have worked hard and sacrificed to give him the chance to become a doctor. His mother was once a maid at the grand mansion of Hundreds Hall. When he was a child she took him for a visit to the house, where he was struck with admiration for its richness and beauty, a symbol of the upper class and all that was unobtainable to him. Now working quite hard himself, he still lives on a tight budget and is very conscious of the gap between himself and those born to money.

When Dr. Faraday revisits Hundreds Hall to attend to a sick maid, he is shocked and dismayed at the house’s current state of decay. After the death of the head of the household, the fortunes of the survivors of the family declined to the point where only a portion of the home could be kept in a state fit for human habitation, the rest crumbling and disused. Dr. Faraday finds more occasions to call on the residents of the house - Mrs. Ayres, the still elegant widow, her daughter Caroline, a “brainy” woman who is considered likely to remain a spinster, and son Roderick, scarred by his experience in World War II and prone to moodiness and possible mental instability. He volunteers to treat Roderick’s war injury and becomes privy to Roderick’s carefully guarded concerns that there is a malevolent presence in the house. Faraday persists in holding a rational view of events, but as increasingly curious things occur at the house he finds his beliefs challenged.

This is a portrait of a family in decline for those who like character-driven historical fiction as well as classic ghost stories. Because Waters’ descriptions of the haunting are both subtle and ambiguous, this book stay in your head long after you read it.

Do you have any readers’ advisory recommendations for reluctant elementary male readers – other than guysread.org?

2010-03-16T15:05:00.002-04:00

Apparently, reports of the death of reading among boys have not been exaggerated. According to Guys Read, self-described as “a web-based literacy program for boys, ”research shows that boys are having trouble reading and that boys are getting worse at reading.” The problem is one of image. Reading, an erstwhile hairy-chested, two-fisted pastime, is viewed by today’s (male) youth as an irrelevant activity for girls. Boys would be voracious readers if books didn’t seem so contemptibly lacking in vigor.

Apart from Guys Read, where should a librarian performing readers’ advisory work for boys turn to find gravel-in-the-gut, grit-in-the-eye free voluntary reading material? As it happens, there are a number of print and electronic resources to aid in readers’ advisory work. These resources include:
Print

Best Books for Children by Catherine Barr and John Gillespie. Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
Historical Fiction for Young Readers by John Gillespie. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
The Big Book of Children's Reading Lists: 100 Great, Ready-to-Use Book Lists for Educators, Librarians, Parents, and Children by Nancy Keane. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
A to Zoo by Carolyn and John Lima. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
Best Books for Boys: A Resource for Educators by Matthew Zbaracki. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.

Websites

Databases

Books & Authors

Review Thursday: Fiber Gathering

2010-03-11T09:32:00.000-05:00

Fiber Gathering by Joanne Seiff is a celebration of the fiber arts. Rather than simply offering patterns for knitting or crocheting, Seiff introduces the reader to fiber festivals around the country. Traveling coast to coast from Maryland Sheep and Wool, one of the oldest and largest in the country, to the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene Oregon, the reader gets a picture of the vibrant culture of the fiber community. Each festival has its own character where Seiff met “warm, kind people who rushed to embrace this idea of festival as much more than just buying and selling.”(xi) She made me want to pack my bags and spend a year going from festival to festival. If you can’t do that, she tells you how to build your own.

This book is not just a travelogue. Each festival provides inspiration with patterns to try or instructions to follow. Seiff has included a wide range of fiber activities for you to try. For example, have you ever wanted to paint your own yarn? Detailed instructions are here. Or, what on earth do people do with the fleece as it comes off the sheep? This book will show you. Knitting, crocheting and rug hooking are not forgotten either. So, whether you are just curious about the fiber arts or if you are an experienced artist, there is something in this book for you.

Is there a source which recommends books for adults who are very poor readers (primary level readers with adult interests)?

2010-03-09T14:20:00.002-05:00

These kinds of books, known as hi/lo (high interest/low reading level) are useful for people with learning disabilities, new readers of English, and reluctant readers, among others. There are numerous websites that provide lists of books that fall into this category. For example:

Resource Room
A list of more than a dozen sites, most of them belonging to publishers. Two are especially handy: Michelle Stimson (see information about her firm Wegottaread.com which offers free short stories to download) who writes urban contemporary Christian fiction; and
L_MNet the international school media specialists’ listserv which offers lists of hi/low books through its archives.

YALSA
The Young Adult Services Association of ALA compiles an annual list of recommended fiction and nonfiction for reluctant teen readers. Many of the titles will appeal to adults as well.

The Center for Adult Literacy
Based at Georgia State University, the Center offers a broad spectrum of information, including an extensive list of annotated hi/lo books divided into more than fifteen subject areas.

Madison (WI) Public Library
This annotated list, created by staff of this excellent public library, covers choices for both middle and high school reluctant readers. There are quite a few of the latter that would engage adults.

High Noon Books
This publisher specializes in hi/lo materials and has a useful website listing the books by readability levels and by subjects.

Reader and Language Arts Center, Inc.
Like High Noon Books, this is a publisher specializing in providing materials for teachers, tutors, and students of all ages to help the latter reach their potential as readers.

Review Thursday: New Nonfiction

2010-03-04T10:33:00.002-05:00

Daughters of Aquarius: Women of the Sixties Counterculture by Gretchen Lemke-Santangelo (2009)

The images are familiar: Janis Joplin wails to the strains of “Ball and Chain” on the stage at the Monterey Pop Festival. Grace Slick with the Jefferson Airplane adjures the crowd to “feed your head” in her acid-drenched rendition of “White Rabbit.” With all the attention focused on the anniversary of Woodstock, there has been a renewal of interest in the whole countercultural movement of the 1960s. How did women fit into this movement? Where did they come from? What did they experience? And was there any lasting effect from their involvement? These are all questions that Gretchen Lemke-Santangelo, Professor of History at St. Mary’s College of California tries to address.

It’s easy to think in stereotypes: the sexually-uninhibited, wide-eyed “hippie chick;” the earth mother; the guitar-strumming, sandal-wearing protestor. Professor Lemke-Santangelo gives us the reality based on meticulous research and interviews. For the most part, the women of the counterculture came from middle and upper class families. They joined the counterculture to escape from social strictures and expectations and in search of richer life experiences. The book’s in-depth interviews provide the reader with an opportunity to understand the appeal of sex and psychedelic drugs for these women in their journey to self-knowledge.

One of the interesting discoveries that she reveals is that, notwithstanding the exploratory dynamics of the Aquarian Age, many communes consigned women to traditional roles such as cooking, housekeeping, and raising children. However, as time went on, the women took on the primary responsibility for sustaining the communes. Many of these women explored various religions and philosophies, developing a new, feminist-centered spirituality. Professor Lemke-Santangelo traces many of the manifestations of contemporary New Age culture to these second-wave feminists. Although this book is primarily intended for a scholarly audience, it is definitely worth reading if you want to truly understand these pioneering and brave daughters of Aquarius.

What special resources are available to inmate patrons and/or prison librarians?

2010-03-02T14:41:00.002-05:00

We posed this question to Glennor Shirley, Library Coordinator for the Correctional Education Libraries in Maryland. Her answer was:

Detention Centers house prisoners with short sentences and are run by the local government, sometimes in collaboration with local public libraries.

Prisons are run by the state government and house inmates with sentences ranging from 2 years to life. Prison libraries try to model public library services and aim to meet the informational, educational, popular reading, and lifelong learning needs of the inmates.

They strive to develop a core collection of reference and popular reading materials, but resources may vary depending on funding and commitment of the prison administration.

Inmates in maximum security prisons want sentence reduction so information needs center around legal resources. The libraries have legal databases and core legal collections to meet the constitutional mandate of “access to the court.” In medium, minimum, and pre release prisons, libraries have fewer legal resources and a wider range of materials to help the inmate for a successful transition back to society.

Special collections include, legal resources, books on the trade, career information, family relations, anger management, how to write resume and cover letters, interview for jobs, and lots of directories. Directory information includes access to legal help, homeless shelters, county resources, drug addiction centers , food stamps, government funding, health providers, family counseling centers, where and how to get GED. In the women’s prisons, women are interested in regaining custody of their children so there is information on Family Law, custody, and visitation issues.

Some colleges offer post secondary courses in some prisons. The library will collaborate with the instructors who provide special materials for the course, by stocking and shelving the materials. Prison Librarians may work with the state or county law libraries to obtain photocopies or materials that are housed in the law libraries but would be too costly for the prison libraries to purchase. They also make use of the resources of the State Library Resource Center for training, interlibrary loan, and photocopies.

A great resource for potential prison librarians is Library Services to the Incarcerated: Applying the Public Library Model in Correctional Facility Libraries by Sheila Clark and Erica MacCreaigh. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.

To learn more about prison libraries, Glennor Shirley has a blog called Prison Librarian.

Review Thursday: Half Broke Horses

2010-02-25T15:19:00.000-05:00

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls (2009)

Jeannette Walls, whose searing autobiography Glass Castles detailed her chaotic and tumultuous childhood, has written what she describes as ‘a true life novel’ about her grandmother Lily Casey Smith. Drawing on family members’ stories, memories, photographs, and documents, Walls recreates a woman with boundless energy, tremendous resilience, insatiable curiosity, and an unshakeable moral core.

Lily narrates her own story and, stunning as some of the events are, her commonsense approach is a match for all of them. At fifteen she left her family and their hardscrabble homestead in west Texas and traveled alone on horseback over 500 miles to teach school in a small Arizona town. Lily’s life was one unconventional adventure after another as she lived through the Great Depression, suffered a disastrous first marriage, endured her sister’s suicide, married a man more than 20 years her senior, faced foreclosure on their house and business, raised a family while helping to run a 100,000 acre ranch, turned a used hearse into a school bus, and learned to fly a plane. To help make ends meet, she also sold liquor from her back door during Prohibition, hiding the hooch under her baby son’s crib when the cops came to call!

Lily’s strong opinions and feisty manner landed her in trouble and often resulted in conflicts with those in authority. She advocated for those she felt hadn’t gotten a fair deal whether it was her female co-workers during World War II or the indigenous Havasupai Indians near the ranch. People either loved her or hated her but they always knew where they stood with her. For all her pragmatism, Lily was also a seeker, continually searching for what her father called her Purpose. That drive informed her life and enriched those who knew her.

Walls has painted a vivid portrait of a strong, indomitable yet fallible woman. Half Broke Horses will appeal to readers who enjoy biographies like Angela’s Ashes and West with the Night, novels like O Pioneers and The Stone Diaries, and authors like Fannie Flagg and Adriana Trigiani.

What free technological resources are available through the library for the disabled?

2010-02-23T14:33:00.003-05:00

We asked the Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) to answer the question. Librarian Tyson Fogel answered with the following information:

With regard to technology, the library has four adaptive technology workstations for walk-in patrons equipped with Jaws, Zoomtext, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and Kurzweil 1000 & 3000. We offer free one-on-one technology training that begins with an ability assessment and is then tailored to meet individual goals and objectives.

The library offers a large variety of books, magazines and newspapers available in audio, Braille, large print and digital formats that can be mailed directly to patron’s residence. A qualified team of librarians with specialties in reference, youth services, Braille, and adaptive technology is available to assist patrons with all of their information needs. In addition, The LBPH hosts a wide range of cultural, educational and youth programs such as book clubs, poetry workshops, art tours, and theatre. The library features a state-of-the-art adaptive technology lab with fully accessible computer workstations, and holds individualized computer and technology classes on a regular basis.

Also, we offer tours of the library and presentations of our basic services if anyone at LATI is interested. Contact information is available on their website.

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2010-02-22T11:31:00.000-05:00

Meet Michael Scott!
Digitization Supervisor &
Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage Coordinator
Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center

What do you do?
I am Digitization Supervisor and Coordinator of the Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage (MDCH) program. MDCH is a statewide collaborative digitization program headquartered here at SLRC. We partner with libraries, historical societies, museums, and other cultural heritage institutions to digitize materials related to Maryland's history and culture. We also provide access to digital collections from throughout the state at the MDCH website (www.mdch.org). Items in the online collections include historical maps, photographs, manuscripts, art work, rare books, and oral histories. In addition to working with outside partners, our department also digitizes rare and unique materials housed here at SLRC, such as items from the Edgar Allan Poe and H.L. Mencken collections.

How did you get here?
Like many people, I had quite a few different jobs before settling on a career path and getting my M.L.S. I started at SLRC as a reference librarian in the Fine Arts and Music Department, then was hired as MDCH Coordinator in October 2008. Before coming to SLRC, I worked at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
I really enjoy traveling and meeting people from a variety of libraries and cultural heritage institutions. It's interesting to see the unique collections that exist throughout the state, and to work with other institutions to develop partnerships.

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to like – but did?
Hmmm... let's see. Not too many come to mind. I once took a poetry class where we read a book called The Descent of Alette by Alice Notley. The entire book is essentially one long poem where the lines are segmented into phrases with quotation marks. It wasn't that I didn't expect to like the book, but it was quite a challenge at first to get used to the rhythm of the writing. In the end, though, I found it quite lovely and was glad I read it.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?
At the risk of sounding biased, I suppose I have to pick MDCH. It's a great program that offers a range of digitization services to partners, and provides the general public with online access to collections they otherwise might not know about or might have to travel some distance to see in person.

What do you do when you’re not reading?
I love movies, travel, and going to art museums. My husband loves indie bands, so we go to shows when we can. I'm also a big animal lover, and spend a lot of time walking with my two dogs, Henry and Sylvie, in my neighborhood in south Baltimore.

Review Thursday: Fiction Quick Picks

2010-02-18T09:47:00.000-05:00

Forensic Fiction: If You Like CSI....Then Try These

Virgin Lies by Roderick Anscombe. (2007)

After the death of their young son in an auto accident, forensic psychiatrist Paul Lucas is desperate to restore his faltering marriage to his wife, Abby. When Abby calls to say that an eight-year-old girl has been abducted from her agency, Paul rushes to help.

The Chemistry of Death by Simon Beckett. (2006)

Forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter moves to a rural British village hoping to escape his tragic past. Instead, the young widower is reluctantly pressed into using his crime-solving medical specialty when a serial killer begins to prey on local women.

Unnatural Selection by Aaron Elkins. (2006)

Forensics professor Gideon Oliver, known as the “skeleton detective,” accompanies his park ranger wife, Julie, to a conference on an island off the British coast. All signs point to murder when Gideon explores a little-visited Neolithic sight, and a not-so-Neolithic bone turns up.

The Fourth Sacrifice by Peter May. (2007)

A request from the American ambassador puts forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell’s imminent departure from China on hold when a series of execution-style decapitations claim a fourth victim, a Chinese-American man employed by the U.S. Campbell and Beijing deputy section chief Li Yan join forces on the difficult investigation.

Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs. (2006)

While supervising a dig of Native American burial grounds on the Charleston, South Carolina shore, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan stumbles upon a fresh skeleton among the ancient bones. Her old friend Emma Rousseau, the local coroner, persuades her to stay on and help with the investigation.

If someone expresses suicidal wishes/tendencies, what are resources that you could provide to the customer to help them?

2010-02-16T14:21:00.000-05:00

Although rare, sometimes librarians do get calls from people with suicidal tendencies. We should always treat each call seriously and give the person resources where they can get the help they need. The following resources are reliable, and are good ones to keep at hand for use in such situations:

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)

Suicide Prevention Lines

The biggest suicide prevention centers in the US are the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Both of these suicide prevention centers have suicide prevention hotlines. These suicide prevention hotlines are: 1-800-27-TALK and 1-800-SUICIDE. You may call these suicide prevention numbers from anywhere in the United States, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Concerned people are waiting to help.

If you are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.

Callers to 1-800-SUICIDE reach an AAS-certified suicide crisis center whose staff is highly trained in de-escalating crises and in performing appropriate interventions, particularly if a suicide seems imminent. Crisis centers maintain resource lists for human resources and services in their areas of operation which enables them to refer callers to mental health treatment and other services as appropriate.

Maryland Suicide & Crisis Hotlines website has a listing of suicide hotlines numbers from the State of Maryland. Broken down into Maryland counties, it also includes a few websites with additional information and resources for people who may need or may know someone who could use help.

The American Association of Suicidology has a list of local AAS-Accredited Crisis Centers for the State of Maryland and across the United States. Also includes additional information for people thinking suicide or people who want to help. Additional information includes Education and training, statistics, research and support groups.

Review Thursday: Books for Children

2010-02-11T13:25:00.000-05:00

The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline (2009)
Nancy Springer

When her mother disappears mysteriously, 14 year old Enola, runs away from home rather than be sent to a boarding school for “finishing” by her much older brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. She sets herself up in a rooming house and passes herself off as an adult, with the aid of a variety of disguises. Along the way she uses deduction, follows clues and solves ciphers as well as her brother, often beating him to the punch. The Enola Holmes Mystery series, the most recent of which is The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline, in which her deaf, elderly landlady is kidnapped, proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that Sherlock’s younger sister can take on Nancy Drew with one hand tied behind her back.

The Lion’s Share (2009)
by Matthew McElligott

Before the lion gets his share of cake, the guests at his party eat it all. (Each eats half of what is passed on to them.) So ant offers to bake him another one. Not to be outdone, the other animals propose to “up the ante” by doubling the number of cakes put forward by the previous animal. The elephant ends up having to bake 256 cakes. Not only will young readers relish the absurdity of the situation, they will also inhale simple multiplication and fraction concepts. Ink and watercolor illustrations, enhanced with digital techniques, continually reinforce the mathematical theme. Early elementary grade teachers will appreciate being able to tie this in with other math focused titles such as Spaghetti and Meatballs for All!: A Mathematical Story by Marilyn Burns. Ages 5-8

Pharaoh’s Boat (2009)
by David Weitzman

When the Pharaoh Cheops died he needed a boat to guide him into the afterlife. This fascinating narrative effectively weaves together the history, texts, mythology, and customs of ancient Egypt, drawing readers in through the step by step processes used to build the vessel. The rediscovery of the actual boat in an archeological find and its reconstruction 4000 years later is detailed with great care. The final foldout pages reveal the pharaoh's boat in full restoration. Armchair archeologist as well as teachers with ancient Egyptian curriculum will gravitate toward this standout selection. This will complement such biographies as Tutankhamun: The Mystery of the Boy King by Zahi Hawass. Ages 9-12

What resources are available for homeschoolers?

2010-02-09T14:32:00.000-05:00

If you have customers who are interested in homeschooling, one of the most useful general information resources is the Enoch Pratt Free Library State Library Resource Center’s Home Schooling – Is It the Right Choice for You? how-to guide. This guide will assist a customer in deciding whether or not homeschooling would be a good choice for his or her child. It also offers coverage of laws governing homeschooling, curriculums and lesson plans, and Maryland-based homeschooling associations.

The Maryland State Department of Education’s Maryland Home Schooling page provides information, links, and a list of local home schooling coordinators. Another website with useful links is the Carroll County Public Library’s Teacher’s Toolbox web page of homeschooling resources. The Baltimore County Public School system has a nicely designed Home Schooling guide featuring current information on Baltimore County Public School home schooling procedures, frequently asked questions, and a list of useful web resources. The St. Mary’s County Public Library’s inviting Homeschooling page contains helpful links as well as a Homeschoolers’ Bulletin.

In considering homeschooling as an alternative, it helps to be able to talk with other parents who have had some experience in homeschooling their children. You’ll find links to various Maryland homeschooling groups at the State Library Resource Center’s Home Schooling guide, Carroll County Public Library’s Teacher’s Toolbox, Maryland State Department of Education’s Home Schooling page, and the St. Mary County Public Library’s Homeschooling web resource.

Review Thursday: Nonfiction

2010-02-04T13:42:00.000-05:00

Cook with Jamie: My Guide to Making You a Better Cook (2007)
Jamie Oliver

You may be familiar with Jamie Oliver from The Naked Chef on TV or his cookbook of the same name. Oliver has put together another cookbook only this time it focuses on teaching you how to cook. Recipes are organized by categories -- salads, pasta, meat, fish, vegetables, and desserts. The emphasis is on fresh and seasonal ingredients and Oliver provides great introductions to each section of the book.

Oliver introduces the book by explaining why he decided to write a cookbook for people learning to cook. It stems from his Fifteen cookery course for students at his restaurants. Throughout the recipes, Oliver gives great tips and advice on how to shop for ingredients as well as how to put the dishes together. Tips on knife skills, wine pairings, herbs and spices provide excellent insight for new and experienced cooks alike.

Blogs to Consider

2010-02-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

Keeping up with trends in libraries can be challenging, but the following blogs can help you keep up with what is going on in a variety of libraries! This is just a sampling of some great resources available -- more will be coming in the future!

Closed Stacks
A collection of librarians representing a wide variety of library environments -- technology, law, public, academic, and even a library student! Posts cover all kinds of topics from book reviews to discussion of library resources and customers. With wide coverage of the library world, this blog is a good read for any librarian.

David Lee King
David Lee King is the Digital Branch & Services Manager at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library in Kansas. He writes about a Web and Library 2.0 topics -- what is going on and what the future might hold!

Library Garden
Librarians from New Jersey with a variety of perspectives (academic, public, state, etc.) post on all things library related. From information on booksales to igniting your passion to technology for presentations, the Library Garden will provide you with interesting insights.

Review Thursday: Children's Fiction

2010-01-28T13:24:00.002-05:00

T he Switch (2009)
Anthony Horowitz

Thirteen-year-old Tad Spencer lives with his rich mother and father. He gets whatever he wants but Tad is unhappy. One night he wishes he were someone else. When he wakes up, he is Bob Snarby, a poor son of carnival workers. He soon wishes he is Tad Spencer again. Tad runs off to a fortune teller who informs him that he is stuck being Bob Snarby until January 13, 3216. Will he ever be Tad Spencer again? This book goes nicely with The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain.

Thank You, Lucky Stars (2008)
Beverly Donofrio

Ally is ready to start 5th grade with her best friend Betsy. They have been looking forward to the 5th grade talent show since kindergarten. Imagine her surprise when she spots Betsy with their enemy Mona! Ally discovers that Betsy and Mona are going to be part of a rock band for the talent show. The only girl interested in being friends with Ally is the new strange girl named Tina. Can the two of them put on a good performance for the talent show? Will Betsy be friends with Ally again? Pair this book with The Kind of Friends We Used to Be by Frances O’Roark Dowell.

The Year of the Bomb (2009)
Ronald Kidd

It’s 1955 and the United States lives in fear that Russia may decide to drop a few bombs. To escape the worry, Paul, Arnie, Crank, and Oz love to go see horror movies. They become excited when they find out that a new horror film called “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is going to be filmed in their hometown, Sierra Madre. They get to meet some extras on the set named Laura and Darryl. The four boys soon discover that Darryl is a government agent looking for communists on the movie set and at a nearby university. Should they help him or prevent him from falsely accusing people and ruining lives? For facts about the Cold War try The United States in the Cold War: 1945-1989 by Christopher Collier.

Tips for Weeding Your Collection

2010-01-26T10:45:00.000-05:00

Just like a garden, library collections need to be weeded of materials no longer useful, in order to make room for what the customer needs now. Weeding the shabbier materials also makes for a brighter more attractive collection. Remember, you don’t want a MUSTIE collection:

Misleading
Ugly
Superseded
Trivial
Irrelevant
Elsewhere

Take a look at the book Weeding Library Collections: Library Weeding Methods by Stanley Slote for more tips.

There are a number of Web sites available to help you formulate your policy and help with training. The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records has a useful guide which discusses weeding in depth.

The Alachua Country Public Schools offers a guide specifically for school libraries. The book Less is More : A Practical Guide to Weeding School Library Collections by Donna J. Baumbach is also useful.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has a manual for training in the art of weeding.

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2010-01-25T13:32:00.001-05:00

Meet Doug Skeen!

Library Associate

Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center

What do you do?

In addition to working on the telephones, answering Maryland AUN! chat, assisting walk-in customers at the Information Desk and the Public Computer Center, I do all the daily and weekly schedules for 21 full and part-time staff. Also I run the State Library Resource Center Tour that occurs twice a year in May and November. Finally, on an infrequent basis I assist the librarian at the Regional Information Center of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. This off-site facility is staffed by the Pratt Library.

How did you get here?

I obtained my first library card when I was six at the Govans Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Fifty six years later I am still a card carrying member of the Pratt. Also for the last twenty six years I have been a full time staff member as well. Guess you could say that the library has in one way or another, been a part of most of my life.

What's your favorite thing about your job?

The variety and the challenges; I never get bored!

What's a book that you didn't expect to like - but did?

Harry Potter. Mostly I read non-fiction, though I do enjoy a well written mystery, particularly the works of P.D. James.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service or training?

That's easy to answer: the SLRC Tour! It's great to be a part of an event that brings together librarians from all over the State of Maryland.

What do you do when your're not reading?

I play the 'cello and I draw and paint. Music and art have been, are and will remain my passions. Bach and Bruegel rock!

Online Faxing

2010-01-21T13:10:00.003-05:00

Do you have customers asking you about faxing for job applications or any other reason? While it can be expensive to fax from a copy shop such as Kinkos or Staples, there are services online that will allow faxing online.

One easy to use service is called Fax Zero. Users don't need to register to use the service, but are limited to two faxes of up to three pages per day. Documents for faxing can be a Word or Excel document or PDF. Fax Zero is free to use.

Free Fax requires a person to register in order to use the site. Faxes can be copied and pasted or typed into a text box. Free Fax is, as the name implies, free.

Efax and MyFax include one-month free trials, but require registration before using and a fee after the first month.

I keep hearing about library mashups. What are they?

2010-01-19T15:38:00.000-05:00

Library mashups are one of the ways libraries are integrating more services into websites. According to Nicole C. Engard, a mashup is "a web application that combines data from more than one source into a single integrated tool." Library mashups have been used to add value to websites through music, commenting, video, and news.

One example of how the Maryland State Library Resource Center is using library mashups is Mapping the African American Experience in Maryland created by the African American Department. This site combines Google Maps with photos and information from the library’s collection illustrating buildings, sites, and historic districts relating to the African American experience in Maryland. Through these kinds of web services, library mashups help to provide innovative ways for libraries to connect patrons with information.

Program Help - Top Ten Resources

2010-01-19T15:20:00.009-05:00

This is the first in a series of "top ten" lists. If you are looking for resources to make 2010 the best year ever for your library programs, look no further! The websites in this guide discuss several aspects of programming.

Event$ "on the cheap": Keeping the "bottom line" in mind is important in these budget-conscious times. Here are several websites with programming ideas that are inexpensive or free.

1. Hudson Valley Library E-Z Program Database

This is a searchable database of free and inexpensive program ideas, created by librarians in New York. Ideas are searchable by cost range, topic, audience, and/or program type.

2. What's Your Story? Find it at the library.

From the state library of Montana, this list of programming ideas for adults includes forty topics. Each is discussed in detail, with a catchy title, possible subtopics, approximate program time, suggested types of speakers, and more.

3. Calendar of Teen Programming Ideas

This wiki by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, presents ideas for teen programming in a calendar format. Everything from national holidays to library-specific events like Teen Read Week gets its due in this resource with something for everyone.

Working the Crowd: Partnerships with other community organizations can benefit everyone involved. Look in your community for like-minded organizations, and approach them about working together.

4. Check your community's website for a list of organizations, like this one from Salisbury, MD.

Making Your Mark(er): Arts and crafts make-and-take events are great for children and teens. To cut down on costs, you can ask for donations of art supplies from community members (everyone needs to clean out their closets sometime!) or local stores.

5. Choose crafts that are inexpensive to make, like origami boxes. View the directions with pictures here.

Here are two great books with lots of inexpensive ideas for kids' crafts:

6. Kids' Crazy Concoctions: Different mixtures in this book include homemade Play-Doh and other recipes for art supplies that use inexpensive household ingredients.

7. EcoArt!: Earth-friendly art and craft experiences for 3 to 9 year olds: Suggestions for activities made with recycled or reusable materials turn one person's trash into another person's treasure.

Looking Ahead: Find out what made your program great, and what to do next. Use your most important resource to the fullest - your patrons! Here are some websites including ideas for questions to use in both planning and follow-up surveys.

8. For planning programs: Planning Programs Survey

9. To follow up after a program: http://www.slrc.info/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=42890

10. SurveyMonkey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/

SurveyMonkey is free, easy to use, and compiles survey results for you. If you prefer, you can use paper surveys.

Use what you learned from your patrons' feedback to make your next program even better. Good luck and here's to a fun and exciting year of great programs in 2010!

Review Thursday: Adult Fiction

2010-01-14T13:05:00.002-05:00

Yes, My Darling Daughter by Margaret Leroy (2009)

Four-year-old Sylvie is a puzzle. Besides her sickening fear of water and nightmares, there are her odd allusions to a house where she lived once, in a place she identifies with a magazine picture of an Irish fishing village in Connemara, far from the English flat where she has, in fact, always lived quietly with her unmarried mother, Grace. Sylvie’s oddities alienate their friends, cause daycare to expel her, force Grace to quit her much needed job, and--worst--make Grace feel harrowingly bereft of her own child. After other desperate measures, she agrees to take Sylvie to Connemara under the supervision of Adam, a Psychic Institute researcher who believes Sylvie experienced a trauma there in a past life. A Connemara cottage which Sylvie joyfully reclaims as “my house" belonged to a troubled woman named Alice who disappeared seven years ago with her daughter. To solve the mystery of Sylvie’s eccentricity, Adam and Grace must uncover the truth about Alice—a labor fraught with peril, since Alice’s foe lives on.

Though Gothic conventions flourish in the seaside episodes, Leroy’s psychological realism, especially in depicting Grace’s maternal distress and growing attraction to Adam, keeps the novel fresh and suspenseful, her musical prose and sensuous descriptions (tulips are “bright toy-soldier red,” and a store purchase goes into “lots of whispery tissue paper”) a constant delight. She resembles Daphne Du Maurier and Anne Rivers Siddons as vivid stylists who specialize in psychological anomalies and high-pitched drama.

What are some upcoming movies based on books? How can I keep up with this?

2010-01-12T10:53:00.003-05:00

There are many places you can check for upcoming movies; in the writing credits on these websites you can find out if the film is adapted from a book. These sites are not always complete, so it is worth checking more than one. Movie release dates are always subject to change, especially dates further in the future, so it is always good to check.

One site from a “book-centric” point-of-view is Book Reporter.com.

Film sites that are good to use, and link to more information about the films, include:

Variety Film Release Chart
As this is an entertainment industry newspaper, it is likely to be the most accurate the further one goes into the future, but in the basic listings, it won’t tell you whether the film is based on a book.

Internet Movie Database Coming Soon
Click on the title for more information, e.g. writing credits.

Three more films sites that include upcoming films listings, but are especially good for finding reviews, are:

And, finally, a good place to check for over 1,250 older films adapted from books, check Mid-Continent Public Library’s “Based on the Book”.

Some upcoming 2010 films based on books to look forward to include:

Alice in Wonderland (March 5)
Jonah Hex (June 18)
The Twilight Sage: Eclipse (June 30)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (November 19)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (December 10)

Vincent van Gogh: The Letters

2010-01-12T10:02:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the first digital collection review of 2010. "Vincent van Gogh: The Letters," sponsored by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, includes a total of 902 digitized and translated letters, both to and from van Gogh. Most of the correspondence is between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo. The letters show that van Gogh painted with words as well as he painted pictures. His vivid and lyrical descriptions of people, places, and even the weather, give us insight into his inner life, his art, his relationships, and the places where he lived and painted.

The database is free and very easy to use, despite its large volume of material that includes digitized versions of the original letters, translations into English, annotations, and bibliographical sources. The letters are searchable and browsable by time period, correspondent, or place. Browsing can also be limited to the letters that have sketches. Advanced searching allows the viewer to limit by source, including any combination of the original letters, the English translations, the annotations, and the bibliographical references. Hyperlinks within the letters provide easy access to cross-referenced terms. Clicking on a hyperlinked word or phrase in a letter brings up a list of additional letters that include that term.

This collection is a fantastic resource for anyone with an interest in van Gogh, from high school students to adults. For patrons looking for additional resources, the Van Gogh Museum maintains both a blog "written by" van Gogh that draws on the museum's materials, and an iPhone application called "Yours, Vincent" that provides access to van Gogh's letters on the iPhone or iPod Touch.

Review Thursday: Children's Nonfiction

2010-01-07T11:34:00.002-05:00

Home on the Range: John A. Lomax and His Cowboy Songs by Deborah Hopkinson (2009)

As a young boy John Lomax sang songs to make doing his chores easier. In his head and, later, on scraps of paper, he collected work songs, ballads and, in particular, the soothing songs that cowboys sang to quiet restless cattle. When he grew up, he went around the country recording the cowboy songs he remembered from his childhood. His tapes eventually formed the basis of the American Folklife collection of the Library of Congress. This is an engaging book with charming pictures and, let’s face it, inspirational tales for children about folklorists are few and far between. Recommended for young readers interested in the American West, vernacular music, or folkways.

You Wouldn’t Want to Be Sick in the 16th Century! Diseases You’d Rather Not Catch by
Kathryn Senior (2002)

Next time you have to go to the doctor, be grateful you live here and now. Before there was aspirin, there was trepanning, or drilling a hole in the skull to release evil spirits. This installment of the You Wouldn’t Want To series examines the world of one Nicholas Knight, a fictional barber surgeon in Tudor England. A frightening glimpse at the infancy of scientific medicine, this book shows how, from a medical standpoint, at least, Merrie Olde England wasn’t so merry. Some of the ideas and practices detailed here, such as the theory of humors, are amusingly absurd, while others, such as the use of medical leeches, are enjoying a new day in the sun.

How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly? by Steve Jenkins (2008)

If you’re a Jackson’s chameleon, you catch a fly with your tongue, which, as it happens, is half again as long as your body. Dazzling collages illustrate the various ways that animals solve survival problems like getting food, finding shelter, reproducing and caring for young. This is a thoughtful examination, in clear, simple language, of the concept of ecological niches. The science is solid but not dry and the illustrations, as always in a Jenkins book, are breathtaking.

One of my regular customers just got an iPod to use to listen to audiobooks, but doesn’t want to pay to download them. What can I suggest to her?

2010-01-05T10:49:00.000-05:00

According to the Audio Publishers Association June 2009 industry report, 21% of the market is downloading audiobooks. More and more people are listening to audiobooks on their MP3 players, iPods, and other mobile devices. Here are a few suggestions for downloading free audiobooks:

Free Classic Audio Books: Digital Narration for the 21st Century

This site provides free downloads for classic audiobook titles for both MP3 players and iPods. Audiobooks may be searched by title or author; however, the site does include a list of available audiobooks in no particular order. One of the drawbacks to the site is the advertisements.

Gutenberg: The Audio Books Project

Project Gutenberg was founded in 1971 by Michael Hart and has expanded to include free audiobooks. The audiobooks are available in two categories: Human-read Audio Books and Readings by Computers. The audios are searchable by title, author, language, and subject. If an audiobook is downloadable to an iPod, it will state: Apple iTunes Audiobook.

LibriVox

LibriVox was founded in 2005 by Hugh McGuire and provides free audiobooks read by volunteers. All of their books are in the public domain. In addition, Project Gutenberg is working with LibriVox, so you may see some ebooks listed under a particular title as well as audiobooks.

There are directions on the catalog page on how to download audiobooks using iTunes.

Maryland's Digital eLibrary Consortium

The Maryland Digital eLibrary Consortium is composed of sixteen public library systems throughout Maryland. The free audiobooks are available using your library card. In order to listen to the audiobooks, simply download the OverDrive Media software. Step-by-step directions are available under the Help link. The consortium also includes a list of supported devices.

Audiobooks are searchable by author and title. An advanced search option is also available to search: format, keyword, language, publisher, and subject. In addition, under the Browse Collections, there is an iPod Compatible Audiobooks! section to limit your search.

Primary Sources

2009-12-31T09:16:00.002-05:00

A student comes up to you one day while you’re at your library’s service desk and tells you that her teacher has asked her to locate and use primary sources in her history research paper. How can we help this student find the information she needs? Let’s start out by defining a primary source. Primary sources generally:

Refer to a first hand account or evidence of an event or topic
Use the words of the witness or the initial recorder of an event
Reflect the viewpoint of the observer as well
May be used to produce a secondary source

Examples of primary sources include autobiographies, diaries, letters, memoirs, photographs, archival records, recordings, speeches, and newspaper or magazine articles written at the time a specific event took place. To see online examples of primary sources, the Library of Congress has a page of Primary Source Sets which includes documents, letters, maps, photographs, and sound recordings. One of the best all-around resources on primary sources is the American Library Association’s Using Primary Sources on the Web. Another really useful online resource for understanding how to use primary documents is Making Sense of Evidence.

Finding Primary Resources in Print

Okay, so now that we know a little about primary sources, how do we find them? Let’s start with the library catalog. We can take the subject our customer is researching and add “personal narratives” when we type it into the search box. We can also use the more general term “sources” in combination with our main subject. Many libraries have reference sources that collect various primary source documents. An example of this is the 22 volume Annals of America, which, in its most recent edition (2003), provides a selection of American historical documents from 1492 to 2001.

Finding Primary Resources Using Databases

Are there databases we can use? Well, let’s look at a couple of databases available through Sailor. Gale’s DISCovering Collection is designed for middle and high school students and our student needs primary sources on slavery. Let’s go to the DISCovering Collection’s basic search screen and type in “slavery” as our subject. Before we hit the search button, let’s click the box labeled “Primary Sources” and then search. Voila! Here are more than 25 primary source documents including the Germantown Mennonite Resolution against Slavery from 1688.

Let’s try a more specific Sailor subject database, namely History Resource Center: US. There are two methods by which we can locate primary sources. We can search for our subject using the Basic Search module and, after the results turn up, click on the tab labeled “Primary Sources.” Or, we can select the Advanced Search module. Using the dropdown menu, we select “subject” and type in “slavery.” We then proceed to the dropdown menu for document type, select “Primary Document, and then click on “search.” Now we have a list of more than 170 primary source documents on the subject of slavery.

Finding Primary Resources on the Web

Our student informs us that she also needs to locate some web sites with primary sources. Let’s start with the State Library Resource Center’s How Did They Live: Exploring Daily Life throughout History guide. The section entitled Primary Sources on the Web provides ready access to several of the most useful repositories of primary source material covering ancient, medieval, and modern history. Other valuable web resources offering primary resources include:

American Journeys: Accounts of Early American Exploration and Settlement
American Presidency Project – documents relating to the U.S Presidency
Avalon Project at Yale Law School – important historical, legal, and political documents
Core Documents of U.S. Democracy – from GPO Access
Digital Schomburg – images and texts from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Making of America – Cornell University Library – primary source materials in American social history from before the Civil War through Reconstruction.
Women Working, 1800-1930 – digitized material from Harvard University’s library and museum

Citing Primary Sources

The American Library Association’s Using Primary Sources on the Web contains information on both evaluating primary source web sites and citing web sites. The Library of Congress offers a guide for teachers on how to cite primary sources on its Citing Primary Sources page. This site offers guidance on both Chicago and MLA style.

Using primary sources allows students to use their analytical skills and knowledge of history to better comprehend historical events and personalities. If you need any assistance in locating primary sources, please feel free to contact the Enoch Pratt Free Library/ State Library Resource Center.

What resources do you suggest for someone trying to improve their math skills?

2009-12-29T09:46:00.000-05:00

One very good set of books is the Barron’s E-Z series (which seems to have replaced the Easy Way series), for example Barron’s E-Z Math or Barron’s E-Z Algebra. The Teach Yourself Visually series has also started to publish books about math, including Teach Yourself Visually Algebra and Teach Yourself Visually Calculus. These book made their name by publishing easy-to-use computer books with full-color pictures showing each step in a process.

As far as web sites go, Maths Is Fun is one of the better ones. It’s a British site (hence “maths” instead of “math.”), and it has simple tutorials to teach people about all kinds of math problems. There are also worksheets and games to help you practice what you’ve learned. The site is geared toward children, but it works well for adults too.

One other great website is Purple Math, which was started by a former math teacher and has tutorials on algebra and word problems.

If you’re looking for more assistance on working with math problems for customers, check out SLRC’s Math for Librarians online course!

I’m interested in learning about award-winning children’s books beyond the Caldecott and Newbury awards. What other awards are there?

2009-12-22T11:26:00.003-05:00

The American Library Association’s Association for Library Service to Children awards the following:

Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award
The Arbuthnot award honors an author, critic, librarian, historian, or teacher of children's literature, of any country, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site.

Batchelder Award
The Batchelder Award is given to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.

Belpré Award
The Belpré Medal honors a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose works best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

Carnegie Medal
The Carnegie Medal honors the producer of the most outstanding video production for children released during the preceding year.

Coretta Scott King Book Awards
Given to African American authors and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions, the Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.

Geisel Award
The Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal honors the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature known as beginning reader books published in the United States during the preceding year.

John Steptoe Awards for New Talent
These books affirm new African American talent and offer visibility to excellence in writing or illustration at the beginning of a career as a published book creator.

Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production
The Odyssey Award will be awarded annually to the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States.

Schneider Family Book Awards
The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

Sibert Informational Book Medal
The Sibert Medal honors the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published during the preceding year.

Wilder Award
The Wilder Medal honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.

And last but not least don’t forget the Notable Children's Notable Lists! Each year the Association for Library Service to Children identifies the best of the best in children's books, recordings, videos, and computer software.

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2009-12-21T16:46:00.003-05:00

Meet Andrea Snyder!
Grants Collection Manager
Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center

What do you do?
I’m the assistant manager of the Social Science and History Department and the manager of the Grants Collection, which is a nonprofit resource center. I coordinate and teach a series of classes for nonprofits on fundraising and management issues both at the library and around the state.

How did you get here?
I had an epiphany my sophomore year of college that I wanted to be a librarian. It didn’t come completely out of the blue as I’d always been involved with various libraries but I had never thought about it as a career choice before then. Right after completing my MLS at the University of Buffalo I moved here to Baltimore to start working at Pratt. 6 years later I’m still here and loving it!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
I love the daily interactions I have with people. It makes my day watching a smile light up a customers face when they have the “a ha” moment.

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to like – but did?
Maus by Art Spiegelman was my first venture into graphic novels. I’ll admit that I went in with some preconceived notions about graphic novels but they were completely gone by the time I was finished.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?
I love that we take our trainings and programs on the road to libraries all over the state.
It’s great to be able to go out and actually meet the library staff around the state that you’ve been speaking to via e-mail & on the phone. I also learn a lot from the other libraries when I’m “out on the road” to bring back here to Pratt.

What do you do when you’re not reading?
Music is a big part of my life. I’m in a handbell choir and also play the violin. If I’m not doing something music you might find me watching a hockey game or plotting my next road trip to visit friends.

Thursday Review: Stopping Identity Theft

2009-12-17T10:16:00.003-05:00

Stopping Identity Theft: 10 Easy Steps to Security by Scott Mitic (2009)

Stop and think for a moment. We check our email constantly. We surf the Web daily. We stay in touch with friends and colleagues using social networking services. When we need an infusion of cash, we stop at the ATM machine. We pay for our purchases with a credit card. We use a medical insurance card for an appointment with our doctor or to pay for a prescription. Any of these situations could potentially provide an opportunity for identity theft.

Scott Mitic is the CEO of TrustedID, a company that specializes in identity theft protection. Mitic begins his book by focusing on how identity thieves acquire your personal information. Did you know that there are at least six items from your mail that a thief can use to steal your identity? Mitic’s first recommendation is that we obtain a copy of our credit report at least once a year and check it thoroughly for any unauthorized activity. Have you ever received an email from a foreign country informing you that you will be the recipient of a huge sum of money if you just respond with some personal information? Mitic discusses this and other email scams. He also covers the risks of both online and offline shopping. What should we do when we’re away on vacation? Are my kids at risk for identity theft when they’re using the computer? Mitic furnishes savvy advice for these concerns as well.

So what can we do if someone has stolen our identity? Mitic provides us with several essential first steps including freezing your credit, requesting fraud alerts from credit reporting agencies, and reporting the crime to police and financial institutions. He also points out that the more quickly we identify and respond to a case of identity theft, the less money we’re likely to lose in the long run. Stopping Identity Theft is an important book and essential reading for everyone living in the brave new world of technology and the Internet.

I heard on the news that the NAACP is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and I'm looking for information about them. What do you have?

2009-12-15T10:59:00.001-05:00

The NAACP is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year! In conjunction with national anniversary, the local Baltimore Branch of the NAACP is also celebrating its 97th anniversary. The Enoch Pratt Library is currently co-sponsoring an exhibit of the local branch’s memorabilia and photographs at our Central Library. After exploring the exhibit, you are invited to have a look at the exhibit booklet that presents a brief pictorial timeline of the branch’s history.

If you are looking more specifically for information on the national history such as the organization’s beginnings and global impact, one good place to start would be with the newly published NAACP 100: Celebrating a Century 100 Years in Pictures which gives a thorough and moving account of the organization through its images and words. The African American Department can also help with finding information in the vertical file and in our collection.

Thursday Review: Stone's Fall

2009-12-10T09:29:00.002-05:00

Stone’s Fall by Iain Pears (2009)

When journalist Matthew Braddock attends the funeral of Madame Robillard, a woman he had met many years ago, he runs into a lawyer who has been instructed to deliver a package of documents to him. For Braddock, the funeral and the documents bring back memories of the events of the time when he knew Madame Robillard, then known as Elizabeth, Lady Ravenscliff.

In 1909 London, Braddock was employed by Lady Ravenscliff, the widow of the wealthy industrialist John Stone, who had just fallen to his death from his office window. On the surface, Braddock is meant to be writing a biography of John Stone. Discreetly, he is to search for the “never previously acknowledged” child of Stone’s mentioned in his will. However, what appears as a straightforward (though difficult) task is not what it seems to be. Braddock keeps uncovering important facts which had not been disclosed to him– the financial state of Stone’s empire is not nearly as solid as the shareholders have been led to believe, and there is evidence of shady dealings within it that were outside of Stone’s control. Also, Stone’s death looks like it may not have necessarily been an accident. Braddock slowly comes to find that he is being manipulated, as each layer he uncovers reveals more lies and secrets. In the end, all is revealed to him – seemingly. It will take two documents detailing two more eras - Paris 20 years earlier and Venice 20 years before that - before every part of the puzzle makes sense.

Like he did with his previous book An Instance of the Fingerpost, Pears has written an intricate historical novel for people who love literary fiction and also those who appreciate a really good mystery.

How can I promote Banned Books Week at my library?

2009-12-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

Banned Books Week is a national campaign that celebrates the freedom to read. It promotes Intellectual Freedom in schools and libraries throughout the United States. The Humanities Department created a How-to-Guide, Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read, to raise awareness of censorship and to support the freedom of choice. The guide contains information on banned and challenged books and ways to get involved.

The American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom is a great resource for display ideas, activities, free downloads, and links for other materials for Banned Books Week.

Another good resource is the Official Banned Books Week web site. Under the section titled, “What You Can Do”, you will find suggestions on contests, discussion forums, and films on books that are banned.

The How-to-Guide and websites will provide you with the tools necessary for a successful Banned Books Week at your library.

A customer is interested in graphic novels – where should I start?

2009-12-03T11:09:00.000-05:00

Over the last decade or so, the interest in graphic novels has exploded, and there’s been an equal increase in the number of published titles. Graphic novels aren’t just for super heroes anymore; they have grown to cover as may genres as found in any literature. So, when you’re helping a customer look for graphic novels, or even someone just looking for a good read, remember the wide range of options. You can find science fiction, horror, westerns, war stories, as well as autobiographical and literary graphic novels that are as emotionally complex and satisfying as works in more traditional mediums. There are also many long running series of manga, the Japanese term for comics, that are very popular.

When doing reader’s advisory it’s also important to take into account the customer’s reading level. As more and more styles and subjects are covered, there's been an equal increase in works with mature themes and art. Getting to know the titles will help you give good recommendations.

There are a lot of great graphic novels beyond the familiar names published by Marvel (Spider-man, X Men, Fantastic Four), and DC (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman). ALA also has a yearly list of the best graphic novels for teens. Check out the list below to learn about some of the best works out there:

500 Essential Graphic Novels : The Ultimate Guide by Gene Kannenberg
The 101 Best Graphic Novels by Stephen Weiner
The Librarian's Guide to Graphic Novels for Children and Tweens by David S. Serchay
Graphic Novels: A Genre Guide to Comic Books, Manga, and More by Michael Pawuk
Manga : The Complete Guide by Jason Thompson

Curious Librarian and Job Seeking

2009-12-01T10:50:00.000-05:00

Enjoy this video giving advice for job seekers!

What are some tips for creating fiction booklists?

2009-11-24T10:43:00.000-05:00

Annotated book lists are an important tool for readers’ advisory work. They are an excellent way to promote and market your library’s collection and to provide reading suggestions to library customers. Here are some tips to get you started:

Choose a topic for your list that reflects reader interests. Identify the intended audience.
Choose a topic that is broad enough so that you have an adequate number of titles for the list.
May sure that you have enough copies of any title that you are considering for inclusion on the list.
Annotations should focus on the story line and on the book’s appeal to the reader.
They should be written in the active rather than the passive voice.
Annotations should be brief, concise, and descriptive. They should pique the reader’s interest in the title.
Eighteen to twenty-four titles is a useful number of titles to include.
Include no more than one book by an author.
If you own a title in print as well as in other formats like CD, Playaway, or downloadable e-book or audio Mention the variety of formats that you have available in the annotation.
For each annotation include the author, title, publication date, number of pages, and the call number or location in your collection. Arrange the annotations in alphabetical order by author.
Choose a catchy title for your list that will arouse the reader’s interest in the books that you’ve chosen.
Proofread your list carefully. Enlist the aid of a co-worker who hasn’t seen the list previously.
Use your completed list as a basis for a book display. Include the list with the display.
Make sure to include your list on your library’s Web site to increase the audience for the list.

You can find an extensive list of booklists, both fiction and non-fiction, on the Pratt Library website under Pratt Recommends Booklists.

Who are the People in Your State Library Resource Center

2009-11-23T09:02:00.001-05:00

Meet John Damond!

Business, Science, and Technology

Department Manager

Enoch Pratt Free Library/

State Library Resource Center

What do you do?
I’m the manager of the Business, Science, and Technology Department at SLRC, and I’m also the measurement coordinator for the Library. The people who fund us have begun asking for different types of information on how we serve the public, and I am the person whose job it is to research, recommend, and coordinate the collection of new types of statistics.

How did you get here?

I worked in bookstores for many years before I decided to go to library school. I realized that I enjoyed helping people find information (many bookstore customers were using this giant chain store as a library), so becoming a librarian seemed like the ideal career move (though I’m still waiting for Bob Dylan to call me up and ask me to go on tour with him).

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

As a librarian, the most rewarding thing I do is give someone a GED study guide or finding information about a disease or disorder a customer has been diagnosed with. I like helping people in general, but cases like this are extra special. As a manager, I enjoy developing and implementing new ideas as well as assisting new staff grow and develop their library skills.

What’s a book that you didn’t expect to like – but did?
I can’t think of a specific title that fits this description. I did, however, have an experience when I read a book that I thought would be okay but turned out to be extraordinary. In 1992 I had the opportunity to go to Amsterdam, so I thought it would be neat to take a copy of Anne Frank’s diary to read on the plane to get me in the mood. Well, after reading the book and visiting her hiding place, I became totally obsessed with her story for several years, and I now have an entire shelf of books devoted just to Anne Frank and her family. Don’t start me talking about it, though, because I won’t shut up.

What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?

When I first started working at SLRC (in the late 1900s), one of my tasks as the New Guy in the department was answering reference questions from county libraries through MILO. It allowed me to explore all the nooks and crannies of this huge library collection, and it reminds me of the show The History Detectives on PBS. I still love getting difficult or weird questions and wading through all of our sources to find an answer.

What do you do when you’re not reading?
I’m a musician, so I play music a lot. I’m in an African drumming group, and I’m involved in a band with two other SLRC librarians (called the Footnotes), which plays concerts in library branches around Baltimore.

I have a customer who wants to do research in old newspapers. How can I find out what is available at the State Library Resource Center?

2009-11-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

The web page of the Periodicals Department of the State Library Resource Center (SLRC) is a good place to start!

Scroll down the page until you see the heading "What We Have." Under that heading click on "Newspapers." If you are doing local newspaper research scroll down the page until you see the heading "Local Newspapers on Microfilm." You can search Baltimore City Newspapers by title or dates of publication. These tables are completely up-to-date and accurate. You can search the SLRC collection of other Maryland papers from around the state by title, by county, and by city. These tables are currently being updated. They are for the most part accurate, but I would give a call to the SLRC Periodicals Department (410-396-5451) before arriving there just to verify that a particular paper in a particular date range is indeed on the shelf.

If you are doing research using historical papers from out-of-town, look under the heading "Out-Of-Town Newspapers on Microfilm."

The SLRC Periodicals Department has microfilm reader/printers that you can use to read these papers. The staff will be happy to teach you how to operate these machines.

I’ve never read a science fiction book. What do you recommend to get to know the genre?

2009-11-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

Science Fiction is such a popular genre that staff members of the Fiction and Young Adult Department have created a How-To Guide, Out-Of-This-World Reading: Science Fiction and Fantasy, on that subject!

In the guide we discuss the different subgenres of both science fiction and fantasy and give links to the websites of authors writing in them. We also include links to web resources for authors and series, readalikes, online fiction, book reviews, and directories of where stories and novels can be found. The “Best Books” section is especially helpful for people beginning to read in the genres. In that section there are lists of award winners, the classics in the genres, and reading suggestions for everyone from the novice to the science fiction expert.

Happy reading!

A student needs to write a book report. What resources are out there to help them format it correctly?

2009-11-10T10:16:00.002-05:00

Book report writing can be pretty daunting for the students new to it. There are a number of Web sites to help them. Remember that Maryland AskUsNow! offers help for students 24/7!

The Student Guide to Book Reports created by the Lakewood (Ohio) Public Library gives a clear, step by step explanation of the book report process. Also, the OWL (Online Writing Lab ) at Purdue University has a section designated helping students in Grades 7-12 with their writing.

How to Write Book Reports by Dawn Sowa is an excellent paper resource on the subject.

Review Thursday: Non-fiction Audiobook

2009-11-05T10:06:00.000-05:00

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women & a Forty-Year Friendship by Jeffrey Zaslow (2009, unabridged, 11 sound discs)

Jeffrey Zaslow is a Wall Street Journal columnist and co-author of the Last Lecture. In 2003, he wrote a column titled Moving on: Staying in Touch: One More Thing That Women are Better at Than Men. He received hundreds of responses but one email sparked his interest and inspired him to explore the 40 year friendship of 11 girls from Ames, Iowa.

Zaslow’s book captures the trials and tribulations of their enduring friendship while interspersing factual/statistical information regarding the differences between male and female friendships, father-daughter relationships, and the purpose of relationships.

Although the book has photographs, the girls are easily distinguishable with Andrea Gallo’s voice giving each one her own persona. The narrator is clear and even paced with a pleasant tone.

For audiobook clubs, I would recommend listening to both Rebecca Well’s The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women & a Forty-Year Friendship for an interesting comparison and discussion.

This audiobook may be previewed on Audible.com or Barnes & Noble.

Sailor Database Review: Gale Virtual Reference Library

2009-11-03T10:09:00.002-05:00

Gale Virtual Reference Library makes available online the full text of 25 great reference sources. The list of sources available in the Sailor database are:

Africa: An Encyclopedia for Students , 4v, 2002
American Decades , 10v, 2001
American Decades Primary Sources , 10v, 2004
American Eras , 8v, 1997 history
Ancient Civilizations Reference Library , 3v, 2000
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990 , 2v, 2004
Chemical Elements: From Carbon to Krypton , 3v, 2006
Colonial America Reference Library , 6v, 2000
Countries and Their Cultures , 4v, 2001
Early Civilizations in the Americas Reference Library , 4v, 2005
Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion , 3v, 2005
Encyclopedia of Food and Culture , 3v, 2003
Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World , 2v, 2004
Encyclopedia of Religion , 2nd ed., 15v, 2005
Encyclopedia of World Cultures , 10v, 1996
Encyclopedia of World Cultures: Supplement , 2002
Endangered Species , 2nd ed., 3v, 2004
Environmental Encyclopedia , 3rd ed., 2v, 2003
Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World , 4v, 2002
Middle Ages Reference Library , 5v, 2001
Middle East Conflict Reference Library , 4v, 2006
Renaissance and Reformation Reference Library , 6v, 2002
UXL Encyclopedia of Biomes , 3v, 2000
UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances , 5v, 2006
Witchcraft in America , 2001

The entire list may be searched by keyword or the search maybe limited to a specific source. A description of each source is available by clicking on the title. For each source, you also have access to an e-index—just click on the appropriate entry and you will go directly to the page with that information.

This database is perfect for those customers who are searching for information on a specific subject and cannot get into the library to access these sources normally available only in print form.

Review Thursday: Quick Picks Nonfiction

2009-10-29T10:15:00.001-04:00

Do you have customers that are looking for information on how to get into the health care field? Here are some quick picks to help them investigate their options.

Workplace Readiness for Health Occupations by Bruce J. Colbert (2006)

Assess your current work skills to determine goals and create a plan for success in the work world. Chapters on communication and the job search will be useful to first time job seekers.

The Everything Guide to Careers in Health Care by Kathy Quan (2007)

Learn about the wide variety of health care careers available, including occupational areas most in demand, training needed, and how to determine what area is best for you. The job search process is also detailed.

Careers for Health Nuts & Others Who Like to Stay Fit by Blythe Camenson (2004)

Showcasing a variety of careers for individuals interested in health, this book covers a wide range of health related careers such as personal trainers, occupational therapists, and dieticians. Information on salaries, working conditions, and opportunities for professional advancement are also included.

Sailor Database Review: World Book Online Reference Center

2009-10-27T11:15:00.000-04:00

For years, one of the essential ready reference print sources, World Book Online Reference Center takes it a few steps further. There are four versions available, which enable different ages to access information that is appropriate for all ages and ability levels.

World Book Kids: based on World Books Discovery Encyclopedia, this version offers easy-to-read articles, images, web sites, selected and edited for the younger elementary school age group. Also included are many interactive games, activities, and teacher resources.
World Book Student: the redesigned and upgraded version of the World Book Online Reference Center. This version is aimed at the elementary and middle school student and contains all the articles from the World Book Encyclopedia (print version), a biography section, a dictionary and atlas, an extensive multimedia collection, as well as many editor selected web sites. There is a great section called How To Do Research which discusses research skills for students and also research skills for educators. Students can save the content from any search results page by checking the box next to the item and clicking on “Save to My Backpack.”
World Book Advanced: Designed for high school and college students, this version contains much of what is in the World Book Student version plus thousands of ebooks (both fiction and nonfiction), a primary source database, pathfinders and more. The student can search for information in the fully integrated single search mode, or can opt for the advanced search and limit their search to ebooks or primary sources, etc. There is a citation builder available, and all searches can be saved to My Research.

Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos: This is the Student Discovery Encyclopedia in Spanish. It is organized so information can be found by clicking on the first letter of the article title.

Review Thursday: Children's Books

2009-10-22T09:20:00.002-04:00

The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster by David Conway (2009)

Little Miss Muffet is not only bored with her nursery rhyme, but she can do without the scary spider. To add a bit of variety to her life, she sets off to see if she can find a new rhyme that will suit her better. Instead she wreaks havoc on, among others, “Hickory Dickory Dock”, “Sing a Song of Sixpence”, and “Hey, Diddle Diddle”. None of them agree with her idea of a comfortable, painless, classy rhyme and the ensuing chaos sends her back to her tuffet. This will appeal to sophisticated Mother Goose graduates (1-3rd grade) who will appreciate a parody of familiar Mother Goose rhymes or for those who might be in need of a lesson in the grass not always being greener on the other side.

The Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel (2009)

Taking the advice of a runaway tortilla, three little tamales escape before they get eaten at the local Texas restaurant. Building their homes out of, respectively, sagebrush, cornstalks, and cactus each has a run in with Senor Lobo. Just as in the original, The Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf gets his just desserts and the audience gets a nice sampling of Spanish words, defined in a glossary at the beginning of the book. Variants such as this one keep folklore vibrant. They are extremely useful to teachers looking for multiple versions, as well as just being a flavorful addition that begs to be shared with a group.

Mascot to the Rescue by Peter David (2008)

Sixth grader Josh Miller is obsessed with the Captain Major comic books, and not only because they are so exciting. He has begun to notice that everything that happens to the superhero’s Mascot happens to him. When he finds out that Mascot is going to be killed off in the series, he stops at nothing to try to reach the creator of the Captain Major series so that he can save Mascot and, he is convinced, his own life. The clever design incorporates different typefaces to relate Josh Mascot’s adventures and includes comic pages within the text. Perfect for comic/graphic novel fans who are being pushed (by adults) to read novels, this is a rip-roaring page turner that no boy (and few girls) will turn down.

Sailor Database Review: Health & Wellness Resource Center

2009-10-20T15:22:00.005-04:00

Looking for an overview of Marfan Syndrome for a school assignment? Have a friend who is looking for alternative treatments for her migraine headaches? Need to know the possible side effects of that new drug you started taking? Have a student looking for case studies on bipolar disorders?

Kate Niemcyzk, the consumer health librarian at the Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center, reviews Gale’s Health & Wellness Resource Center to see if it can help you answer those questions and others. The database is crammed full of useful information While it has great information, it also comes with some problem areas.

The Home page gives you a variety of ways to search. There are both tabs and boxes. The most comprehensive search is to use either the “Advanced Search” tab at the top or the “search” box. A search in either of these places will bring up results divided by source: magazines and journals, videos with their text, drug & herb information, and overviews from books. In search, you can limit to full-text articles, consumer information and refereed publications.

Problem Area: The results displays are limited to only 10 items per page. Any items you mark on a page to be kept will be lost unless you “Update Marked List” before you leave that page—even if it is to read one of your hits on that page.

The “Diseases and Conditions” tab allows you to alphabetically access the wonderful overviews found in the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. The entries are arranged in a useful way for assignments: definition & description, causes & symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & prognosis.
Problem Area: There don’t appear to be any “see references”. For example, I was looking for high blood pressure, and did not find it. I found any entry for hypertension. There wasn’t anything telling me at high blood pressure to “see” hypertension.

The “Alternative Medicine” tab allows you to alphabetically access the overviews found in the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. These articles include much of the same information as the articles in Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine with the addition of alternative medicine’s view of the cause. Both traditional allopathic treatments and alternative/complementary treatments are included.

Problem Area: Again, no “see references.”

Drugs & Herbal Remedies can be searched through either a box or tab. Typing in an herb, prescription or over-the-counter drug by generic or brand name, brings up a list of hits from mostly print sources clearly showing their publication dates. The sources include Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer, Drug Information for Consumers from PDRhealth.com, and The PDR for Herbal Medicines.

Problem Area: A search by drug name usually brings up a long list of mostly irrelevant hits (but the relevant hits will be at the top.) The results displays are limited to only 10 items per page. There is no “fuzzy” search, so if you spelled the name wrong, it will not offer you any alternative spellings.

The Health & Wellness Resource Center also includes a dictionary (which unlike the dictionary in MedlinePlus, does not offer alternative spellings if you don’t get any hits), a directory of hospitals, organizations, journals, and programs, a list of trusted Web sites, and a list of health assessment tools and calculators.

I expect to most often use the overviews in the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine and the Search function. Many times the overviews in the print version of the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine have been perfect for both students working on assignments and for people just starting to research their own newly diagnosed condition. The Search function will be useful for people who are interested in looking for articles or doing more in depth research—both students who need more than an overview and customers looking for information about a disease or condition for personal reasons.

Thursday Reviews: Young Adult Sci-Fi Quick Picks

2009-10-15T16:46:00.003-04:00

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer (2004)

Escaping from a cruel orphanage that uses children as test subjects, Cosmo Hill has a near-death experience during which he sees strange blue creatures which seem to feed on the life force of humans. He is then saved by a group of people who call themselves the Supernaturalists and have taken on the task of trying to eradicate the blue “parasites” to protect the city.

Escape from Memory by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2003)

Thinking she has nothing to hide, Kira lets her friends hypnotize her at a party and suddenly remembers herself fleeing a war-torn country with her mother, who is speaking a strange language. Now that these memories have been revealed, Kira and her mother are in serious danger.

Flip by David Lubar (2003)

Underachiever Ryan and his perfectionist twin sister Taylor find alien disks in the woods, which when used properly give them the power of famous people from the past. This results in a lot of fun but ends up getting them into more trouble than ever.

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini (2004)

Considered a dweeb at school and ignored by the girl of his dreams, Jeremy Heere receives help from a “squip”, a supercomputer in pill form that gives him constant instructions on how to be cool. He quickly becomes popular but finds that having a computer bossing him around has a definite dark side.

Sailor Database Review: Discovering Collections

2009-10-13T12:13:00.000-04:00

Discovering Collection is a Thompson Gale database aimed at middle and high school students. It is designed to introduce students to the strategies for conducting research and obtaining reliable information on a topic. The database provides aggregated links to full text sources on a broad variety of topics. The overwhelming majority of returns are articles generated specifically for this database or for other proprietary Gale resources.

Students can explore a subject either by following one of six “topic trees” (Cultures, Geography, Literature, Science, U.S. History, World History), or, alternatively, by performing basic or advanced searches. The basic search returns results using both keyword and subject searches, and the advanced search offers greater precision through the use of Boolean operators. Even basic returns can be limited by content level and content type. Articles in the database are available in written form or as audio MP3s. Discovering Collection would be useful for students who are required to do research on topics for which paper resources are limited and who are not permitted to use internet resources.

Review Thursdays: Quick Fiction Picks

2009-10-08T16:33:00.001-04:00

Even Money by Dick Francis and Felix Francis (2009)

Ed Talbot, a bookmaker working the English racing circuit, is shocked when a stranger introduces himself as Ed’s father – who Ed had been told died 30 years ago. When Ed witnesses his father’s fatal stabbing, he finds himself in a race to save his own life.

Woman with Birthmark: An Inspector Van Veeteran Mystery by Hakan Nesser (2009)

Swedish Police Chief Inspector Van Veeteran and his team are bewildered by the murder of a man shot twice in the heart and twice below the belt. Their frustration increases when a second victim suffers the same fate.

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (2009)

It’s 1937 in Shanghai and sisters May and Pearl are leading lives of glamour and freedom. All that changes abruptly when their father announces he’s arranged marriages for them with Chinese businessmen who live in California.

Sailor Database Review: Kids Infobits

2009-10-06T10:24:00.001-04:00

Kids Infobits is a Thompson Gale database aggregating links to information in a variety of knowledge domains. Sources include online encyclopedia entries, entries in almanacs and other ready reference resources, articles in periodicals such as Highlights for Children or Science News for Kids, and entries created specifically for Kids Infobits. The database is intended as a tool to teach elementary school students the rudiments of online research and to provide vetted sources of factual information.

Kids Infobits would be useful for students who are required to do research on topics for which paper resources are limited and who are not permitted to use internet resources. Topics can be browsed from hierarchically arranged pages of topics (e.g. People → Scientists and Inventors → Niels Bohr) or searched by both keyword and a controlled vocabulary subject guide. The advanced search page provides an opportunity to gain Boolean search skills, but no explanation of Boolean operators for the uninitiated.