Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween!
Interested in the history and traditions of Halloween, particularly in the U.S.? Take a look at the Library of Congress' "Today In History" Halloween link and learn more through words, pictures, and sounds.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Tech Corner: Microsoft's Patch Tuesday
This occurs on the second Tuesday of each month, since, inevitably, with most software there will be a problem, so an update or a security patch to fix the problem is necessary. Fortunately, most of us are not affected by these problems since the patch has been prepared before the potential virus, hack, or leak has been released to the masses. If you are a Microsoft product user, be sure to turn on the “Automatic Updates” feature so that your computer security will be up to date.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Internet Social Networking - An Overview
In today’s world, social communication is more than talking with a friend at lunch or on the phone. Social networking using the internet has become very popular with the advent of such sites as Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo! 360°, and BlackPlanet.com.
These sites offer free access to building your own webpage where you can meet new people and to stay in touch with family and friends. You can post pictures, messages, create your own blog, and much more. Access and security levels may vary as to how you set up the parameters for logging into your page.
There has been much controversy about these sites and how they are used. Log on to the library website and click on “Find Articles.” Choose any one of the resources under the “Magazines & Journals” link and type in the search term “social networking.” Look at a few of the articles. What are they saying about social networking? What do you think are the pros and cons of this particular use of technology?
These sites offer free access to building your own webpage where you can meet new people and to stay in touch with family and friends. You can post pictures, messages, create your own blog, and much more. Access and security levels may vary as to how you set up the parameters for logging into your page.
There has been much controversy about these sites and how they are used. Log on to the library website and click on “Find Articles.” Choose any one of the resources under the “Magazines & Journals” link and type in the search term “social networking.” Look at a few of the articles. What are they saying about social networking? What do you think are the pros and cons of this particular use of technology?
Learn Something New with Library Displays!
Every month, the library displays books and other information concerning a specific holiday or event. For the month of October, we are showcasing Teen Read Week (Oct. 15 - 21) and reading in general. Recent displays have been on the following:
Banned Books Week
During Banned Books Week (Sept. 23 - Sept. 30) libraries, bookstores, and avid readers may chose to promote the freedom of reading materials that have been banned do to their content. Such books have included: Animal Farm; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; and Fahrenheit 451 – a story about banning books! Today there are numerous websites promoting the freedom to read and books that been banned. Here are a few: Loyola University Chicago Libraries, The Online Books Page, & the American Library Association.
According to the American Library Association website, “Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.”
Hispanic Heritage Month
In the United States, Hispanic culture is celebrated with Hispanic Heritage Month from Sep. 15 through Oct. 15. Originally it began as the week starting with Sept 15 (passed by Congress in 1968); then in 1988 the celebration was extended to month (31 days). This month is in honor of a number of Independence Day celebrations including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all on Sept 15th, Mexico on the 16th, Chile on the 18th and many more days of honor throughout the month. Here are some links that will provide with more information: Smithsonian Education, Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and Biography Channel.
9/11
September 11, 2001. Five years ago the people of the United States experienced a horrible tragedy that irrevocably changed our world view. Where were you that day? Do you remember the moment you saw what happened? How did this event affect your life? Since it occurred, the library has added many items to the collection so that you may learn more on the subject of terrorism and related issues. Take a look at the following Special Report from NewsBank.
Banned Books Week
During Banned Books Week (Sept. 23 - Sept. 30) libraries, bookstores, and avid readers may chose to promote the freedom of reading materials that have been banned do to their content. Such books have included: Animal Farm; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; and Fahrenheit 451 – a story about banning books! Today there are numerous websites promoting the freedom to read and books that been banned. Here are a few: Loyola University Chicago Libraries, The Online Books Page, & the American Library Association.
According to the American Library Association website, “Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.”
Hispanic Heritage Month
In the United States, Hispanic culture is celebrated with Hispanic Heritage Month from Sep. 15 through Oct. 15. Originally it began as the week starting with Sept 15 (passed by Congress in 1968); then in 1988 the celebration was extended to month (31 days). This month is in honor of a number of Independence Day celebrations including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all on Sept 15th, Mexico on the 16th, Chile on the 18th and many more days of honor throughout the month. Here are some links that will provide with more information: Smithsonian Education, Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and Biography Channel.
9/11
September 11, 2001. Five years ago the people of the United States experienced a horrible tragedy that irrevocably changed our world view. Where were you that day? Do you remember the moment you saw what happened? How did this event affect your life? Since it occurred, the library has added many items to the collection so that you may learn more on the subject of terrorism and related issues. Take a look at the following Special Report from NewsBank.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Future of the Internet
The Pew Internet and American Life Project has done a survey of internet leaders, analysts, and activists regarding how the internet will look in 2020. For a summary of their opinions, click here.
You can also find a video clip of Lee Rainie discussing these findings on the Lehrer NewsHour on September 26, 2006 here and at the above link as well.
According to their website, "the Pew Internet & American Life Project produces reports that explore the impact of the Internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life. The Project aims to be an authoritative source on the evolution of the Internet through collection of data and analysis of real-world developments as they affect the virtual world." Support is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
You can also find a video clip of Lee Rainie discussing these findings on the Lehrer NewsHour on September 26, 2006 here and at the above link as well.
According to their website, "the Pew Internet & American Life Project produces reports that explore the impact of the Internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life. The Project aims to be an authoritative source on the evolution of the Internet through collection of data and analysis of real-world developments as they affect the virtual world." Support is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
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