New Books Feature in our Catalog

Thanks to the work of our Circulation Librarian, Jeff Kersey, we now have a feature in our catalog that provides a list of the new books that have been added to our circulating collection.  To access this list, visit our catalog, which can be reached from the Online Catalog link on Arkansas State Library home page.  Once on the catalog main page (which you can also use to find the books and government documents  in our collection), look for the New Book list in the menu (it is in the middle of the page).

 

The list will be automatically updated approximately once a month, so check back occasionally to see what is new.

Learn a Language!

You took a foreign language in high school, mostly because it was required, but you've forgotten most or all of what you learned. You want to go on a vacation to a country where English is not the primary (or secondary) language. You want to impress a potential date with your knowledge of their language.  All of these, and more, are reasons to learn a foreign language.  And the Arkansas State Library can help.

We have a number of language-learning tools available for checkout*, such as Take Off in Italian, a set of 5 CDs and a coursebook that can help you start to learn Italian today. Some of the language-learning tools in our collection cover Italian, French, Greek, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Japanese. To see if the language you want is available, check out our on-line catalog, or give us a call at (501) 682-2053.

*Subject to normal borrowing restrictions, of course. Check with the Circulation desk for eligibility if you do not already have a library card.

Reading about TV

If you can't get enough TV, but also want to find something good to read, here are a few books about TV to help you out:

• Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street by Michael Davis (PN 1992.77 .S43 D38 2008) Covering the 40 year history of Sesame Street, this book tells the story behind the scenes of the longest-running children's show on television.

• For fans of Julia Child, Rachael Ray, or any of the countless other television chefs, then Watching What We Eat: The Evolution of Television Cooking Shows by Kathleen Collins (PN 1992.8 .C67 C65 2009) may be for you. Collins "illuminates fow cooking shows have both reflected and shaped significant changes in American culture" (from the book jacket).
  

• The Elephant in the Living Room: Making Television Work For Your Kids by Dimitri Chistakis and Frederick Zimmerman (HQ 754 .T4 C545 2006) will help you learn how much TV is too much, how to decide which shows are appropriate for your child, and how to turn TV into a useful tool, instead of a faceless babysitter.

All of these books are available to be checked out here at the Arkansas State Library.

Don't throw your computer out the window!

We have all been there - the software changes on your office computer, and you can't figure out how to do the everyday things that are essential for your job. Don't get upset - get yourself over to the Arkansas State Library. We have a range of materials to help you adapt and grow, in spite of the new software. Here are three recently arrived titles:

• 2007 Microsoft Office System Step By Step by Joyce Cox et al. (HF 5548.4 .M525 C69 2008): This comprehensive book covers all of the big Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, Access and Outlook. Each section covers the basics of the new formats, as well as explanations of the various features.
• For a more in-depth look at some of the programs, the library has Create Dynamic Charts in Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and Beyond by Reinhold Scheck (HF 5548.4 .M523 S34 2009) and Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire by Cliff Atkinson (HF 5718.22 .A87 2008). Both of these books go into detailed demonstrations of the respective programs and the many new features you can use to improve your charts and presentations.
  
• Don't want to use a book, or need something a little more lively? The library also has a series of videos for Access, Excel, Word and Outlook. Ask a librarian for help finding these titles.
  

In addition to all of these, there are many other resources to help you tackle new programs without getting too frustrated (I won't promise perfections, since we are still dealing with computers!).

More energy saving suggestions

Following up on last week's post about solarizing your home, here are a couple more resources about energy conservation, both put out by the Arkansas Energy Office.

• Home Energy Projects: An Energy Conservation Guide for Do-It-Yourselfers (Ark Doc YA.E 14/67-8:H 65/2008): This booklet provides information and suggestions about energy saving projects that homeowners can tackle on their own, from insulating an attic, to weatherstripping doors and windows, to installing an insulating jacket on the waterheater. Easy to read and follow directions accompany every project.
• Smarter Architecture: Energy-efficient communities, building designs, construction techniques and materials in Arkansas (Ark Doc YA.E 14/67-8: S 62/2003): Highlighting projects around the state, including the Clinton Presidential Library and the headquarters of Heifer International that have been designed to save energy.This book doesn't give advice or tips to homeowners, but it is an interesting look at the various ways Arkansasan businesses and towns are working to conserve energy.
  

Put That Sun to Work

It is officially summer now, and the sun is out in force here in Arkansas. At times, the sun and heat can seem awfully oppressive, but one way to feel better about them is to put them to use! Here are three books that can help you do that:

• The Homeowner's Guide to Energy Independence: Alternative power sources for the average American by Christine Woodside (TJ 163.5 .D86 W674 2005) is an introduction to the many ways consumers can cut their reliance on fossil fuels and save money at the same time. Many of the suggestions are inexpensive to implement (use a clothesline to dry laundry, instead of the dryer), although Woodside does discuss pricier options like solar panels and how to build your own backyard stream power plant.
• Solar Power Your Home for Dummies by Rik DeGunther (TH 7414 .D45 2008) covers all the aspects of solar power in an easy to understand format. Along with discussions of a variety of possible projects, which ones can be done by a do-it-yourselfer, and when to hire an expert, there is a section on financing the projects.
• For a more in-depth look at solar power and sustainable living, check out Solar Living Source Book by John Schaeffer (TJ 810 .G35 2008). Covering far more than either of the previous books, this comprehensive volume "will be your most important tool in turning your dream of energy independence into a delightful daily reality." While you may not be interested in going that far, the ideas Schaeffer provides can help reduce your footprint, and lighten the load on your pocketbook.
  

Help Navigating the U.S. Immigration Maze

Last week I highlighted the nifty new set of flashcards for the U.S. citizenship test that we have here at the Arkansas State Library. This week I will add a few more resources to help with the legal immigration process. All three books are written by Ilona Bray, J.D., an attorney with many years of experience in immigration law, and are designed to help cut through the tangle of bureaucracy and the confusion that comes with it. They are published by Nolo Press, an excellent source of legal information for the layperson.

• U.S. Immigration Made Easy (KF 4819.6 .B74 2009): A comprehensive guide to U.S. immigration law that covers the myriad questions and situations that arise in the legal immigration process, including eligibility, the many types of visas available, and when you need a lawyer.

• Becoming a U.S. Citizen: A Guide to the Law, Exam & Interview (KF 4710 .Z9 B73 2008): Once you have become a legal resident there are still many hurdles to becoming a citizen. This book covers the entire naturalization and citizenship process, providing advice and information, starting with eligibility. Bray discusses the myriad situations that may pose difficulties for applicants and recommends remedies where available.

• Fiance & Marriage Visas (KF 4819.85 .B73 2008): A more specific guide than either of the previous books, directed as the specific complications that arise when immigration and citizenship are due to marriage.
  

Are you hungry for something to read?

We have had a lot of new books arriving at the Arkansas State Library recently. Here are three titles you may want to check out:

• New Orleans Cuisine: Fourteen Signature Dishes and Their Histories edited by Susan Tucker (TX 715.2 .L68 N49 2009). A collection of essays and recipes, this book is a veritable gumbo of history, anthropology and gastronomy that comes together to provide a satisfying meal for the reader. Each of the 14 chapters focuses on a specific signature food of New Orleans, from Sazerac, red beans and rice, to, yes, gumbo.
  

• A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg (TX 649 .W588 A3 2009). This is the sort of book that you read over and over again, and recommend to all of your friends. Wizenberg started writing a blog several years ago about her life and about food and how the two intertwine and quickly gained a legion of readers, including one who would go on to be her husband. Many of the chapters are expanded blog entries, and all of them contain mouth-watering recipes. Two thumbs up from the staff!

• Greasy Rider: Two dudes, one fry-oil-powered car, and a cross-country search for a greener future by Greg Melville (GE 197 .M45 2008). OK, this one isn't strictly food related, unless you count the fry-oil, but don't let that stop you from reading. The author and an old college buddy set out to drive from Vermont to California in an old Mercedes powered by used French fry oil. Along the way they investigate green and sustainable technologies.
  

Resources for Students with Disabilities

The Arkansas State Library has a wide range of materials available for the public and for educators, including resources that can help students and teachers improve educational opportunities for students with disabilities. I was alerted to one website recently by a patron, and was prompted to find others. Here is that website, along with another informational publication and two books that are available here at the library.

• The DO-IT website from the University of Washington. DO-IT stands for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology, and the program "serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment." The website provides information about the programs and camps offered for students, as well as links to the many free publications for students, parents and educators. There is so much information hidden behind the plain website front (designed to be easily read by people with visual impairments) that I can't even begin to go into it all here.

• As a government repository, the Arkansas State Library gets copies and access to all the publications put out by the federal government, including those for students with disabilities and educators who serve them. One of these is Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities. This is available on the internet, or through our catalog. This particular pamphlet focuses on the civil rights of students with disabilities who wish to continue their education by going to college or other postsecondary educational programs.
  

• If you are visual impaired, and have decided to go to college or another educational program, Funding for Persons With Visual Impairments by Gail Ann Schlachter and R. David Weber is a good starting place. This book provides a list of scholarships, fellowships, loans, grants, awards and internships that may be available to you. Some of the funding sources are location specific, such as those offered by the various states, while others are open to a wide range of applicants. Some of the sources are also available for deaf or deaf-blind students.

• The materials at the Arkansas State Library also include resources for students with learning disabilities. The Complete Learning Disabilities Directory from Grey House Publishing has contact information and short summaries for thousands of associations, newsletters, publishers, products & services, and websites directed at students, parents and professionals. The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities from The Princeton Review has information about colleges in each state that have accomodations for students with learning disabilities, including the admissions policies and services available. Both of these books are available in the reference section of the library for in-house use.
  

Cruising Guides

Spring is here, or arriving, and your thoughts may be turning to vacation. If you are considering taking a cruise for that vacation, the Arkansas State Library has just received two new books that may be of interest to you.

The first is Cruising: All Questions Answered by Douglas Ward. For cruising neophytes, this book offers advice and information about how to choose your destination, the various cruise lines, how to book a cruise, how to save money on the cruise, and what to do once you are on board. There are hundreds of full color photographs in the book, many maps of destinations, and a ship comparison chart.

Ward has also written a more in-depth guide to many of the cruise ships themselves: Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2009. The introduction contains much of the same information as the previous book, but the bulk of the books 688 pages are devoted to detailed reviews and overviews of the many cruise ships in the industry. Each review includes a summary of the ship's size and accommodations, crew/passenger ratio and so on, as well as a score and star rating. The various dining facilities, accommodation options, entertainment, and fitness options are explored in more depth for each ship.

Employment Resources at ASL

Times are tough right now, and many people are looking for work, or looking for a stable career. There have been many stories in the news lately about how public libraries can provide help to these people. Well, I am here to tell you that the public libraries aren't the only ones who have job-hunting resources - we here at the Arkansas State Library also have many ways to help. Here are just a few of the new books we have received recently.

• 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs by Laurence Shatkin and Best Jobs for the 21st Century by Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin. The lists of jobs in these books come primarily from the U.S. Department of Labor and statistical projections. Each job has a summary of the education or training required, potential annual earnings, beginning wage, earnings growth potential, amount of growth, approximate number of annual job openings, the percentage of self-employed in the field, and percentage of part-time positions. Each job is further analyzed to include information such as the geographical areas of the country where these jobs are in highest demand, the work environment, and so forth. The top five recession-proof jobs according to Shatkin? Computer systems analyst; Network systems and data communications analusts; Network and computer systems administrators; Registered nurses; and Teachers, postsecondary.

• The Big Book of Jobs from McGraw Hill Publishers and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. A comprehensive look at jobs and occupations available today, covering most industries. This book also includes a section of job searching advice such as how to write a cover letter, how to look for a job, and interview tips.

• Job-Hunting Online by Mark Emery Bolles & Richard Nelson Bolles. Once you have found a career or field you are interested in, how can you find one of those jobs? Today, there are more ways of searching for jobs than ever before. This book provides pathways and tips for searching, working on your resume with web tools, and much else.

• The Career Chronicles: An Insider's Guide to What Jobs are Really Like by Michael Gregory. Gregory provides insider information of a wide range of professions, based in interviews with people in those positions. Aimed primarily at college students, The Career Chronicles could also be useful for anyone considering a change of jobs or careers.

• The Book of U.S. Postal Exams & Post Office Jobs by Veltisezar B. Bautista. The comprehensive guide to getting a job at the U.S. Post Office, this book covers mail carriers, mail sorters, and other positions. The majority of the book is practice exams and tips for each type of exam.

These are only 6 of the many titles that we have about jobs and careers. We also have access to databases, online resources and much more.

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide

Are you interested in astronomy? Do you want to set up a telescope in your backyard, but don't know where to begin? If so, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson & Alan Dyer may be the book for you. It is arranged into three sections: Choosing Equipment for Backyard Astronomy; Observing the Celestial Panorama; and Advanced Tips and Techniques.

Part I: Choosing Equipment for Backyard Astronomy covers your various options for viewing the night sky, including what you can see with binoculars and how to choose the right telescope and accessories. The telescope section is extensive, and includes options for all ranges of experience.

Part II: Observing the Celestial Panorama is an introduction to the various phenomena that can be observed in the day and night sky, including eclipses, planets, and meteors. It also has a chapter on how to choose a viewing location, and how to evaluate that sight for light pollution.

Part III: Advanced Tips and Techniques delves into the world of digital astrophotography using digital single-lens-reflex (DSLR) cameras, camera and telescope alignment, and cleaning the optics. The book also has an atlas of the Milky Way at the back, as well as several pages of additional resources.

This book is aimed primarily at astronomers who already have some experience with sky-gazing. The most useful sections will undoubtedly be those about selecting and setting up your own telescope.

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is available to Arkansas State Library cardholders for borrowing.