·     JAN AGUIRRE, Specialist & Training Coordinator 

Polaris “Tip of the Week” 

Record Sets 

We are still discovering that record sets are being created without a library code at the BEGINNING of the record set name.

When you create a record set, please use your 3 or 4 digit library code at the beginning of each record set name. It makes it much easier for you to find all the record sets that belong to your library and it helps the CNS department identify which record sets belong to which library at a glance. 

In the example below, DRY should precede the record set name “new items july-2007”  

 

  In the example below, AUB should precede the 1t   NOT come after it.  

 

Also, don’t forget to delete the record sets you no longer use. Once you have finished with a record set, you need to delete it. Simply click on the black X at the top of the screen. This does NOT delete the records attached to the record set, just the record set it self.

 

 

·     LINDA BEINS, ILL/Reference Coordinator

RECYCLED REFERENCE

Please let me know by October 19 if you are interested in any of these donated reference books:

• American Book Trade directory (2006-2007)

• Art in America: 2004 Guide to Galleries, Museums, and Artists

• Book Review Index (2006) 3 vols.

• New York State Directory (2005/2006)

• Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money (2005)

• US Government Internet Manual (2004-2005)

 ILL
Mary Frank’s, MARA, idea to put the special loan date for out-of-system ILLs on the goldenrod book bands seems to be working very well. Thanks to all of you who are following the ILL procedures and calling FLLS for renewals. Your cooperation has resulted in noticeably fewer overdue out-of-system items.

 

DATABASES - Learning Express 

Libbie, CATO, mentioned to me that one of her patrons used Learning Express to successfully complete his GED  and is now working with the ASVAB material on this database as he prepares to enter the military.

Access this test preparation and career development database from www.flls.org → Electronic Databases → Homework Help (or Testing & Careers) → Learning Express.

On Learning Express, you can find:

Practice tests:

Academic: Advanced Placement  (Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English, European and U.S. History); ACT; SAT; GED; GRE; Health Careers and Nursing School; LSAT; MCAT; TOEFL ; Elementary, Middle and High School assessment and diagnostic tests

Civil Service: Border Patrol; Clerical Worker; Corrections Officer; EMT; Firefighter; Police Officer; Postal Worker; Treasury Enforcement Agent

Job-related: ASVAB; CBEST; Cosmetology; Nursing Aide; Real Estate 

E-books to improve vocabulary, high school mathematics, business writing, basic reading, writing and arithmetic and parental resources, such as,  guides to 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 8^th Grades; Basic Skills for Homeschooling; Homeschooling for the Gifted Child; and Getting Ready for the 4^th Grade Assessment Test.

The Job & Career resources assist job seekers in creating a cover letter and resume, preparing for a job interview, and offer career starter E-books for administrative assistants, computer technicians, cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood educators, to name a few.

I have received additional Learning Express bookmarks and some 8.5 x 14 posters to announce this new resource to your library patrons. Let me know how many more bookmarks and posters you would like. Call or email me if you would like help in exploring this new database.

 

LAST WEEK’S QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK were all related to Burma / Myanmar which has been in the news.

Who is Burma’s current head of state? Gen. Thein Sein (there are other variant spellings.)

What is the capital of Burma? Rangoon (Yangon)  but in November 2005, the ruling regime relocated the capital city from Rangoon to Nay Pyi Taw.

What is Burma’s unit of currency?  The Kyat – one kyat = .182 US $.

What countries border Burma? Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, and Thailand.

When did Burma become independent? Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; it attained its independence from the British Commonwealth on Jan. 4, 1948.

 

Is the correct name of this country Burma or Myanmar? The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) maintains strict authoritarian rule over the people of Burma. The SPDC changed the name of the country to "Myanmar," from Burma but the democratically elected but never convened Parliament of 1990 does not recognize the name change, and the democratic opposition continues to use the name "Burma." The U.S. Government likewise uses "Burma."

Sources

1.      U.S. Dept. of State Country Pages A-Z http://www.state.gov/misc/list/index.htm

2.      CIA’s World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

3.      New Book of Knowledge on Grolier Online accessed through www.flls.org → General Reference → Grolier Encyclopedias (a reasonable resource for school-aged children which reflects the 2006 change in capital)

 

THIS WEEK’S QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK  On Oct. 11 the Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to the British author Doris Lessing. Doris Lessing moved to England in 1949. A number of her novels take place in her childhood home of Sothern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

Where was she actually born?

Who was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature?

Who was the first Brit to win the Nobel Prize for Literature?