Moving Reminder

This Friday, December 4th, is our last open day here at One Capitol Mall. Effective December 7th, public access to the library will be restricted to the following:

• returning checked out materials
• filing documents with Document Services
• returning materials to the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
• email and phone reference services. This means that you can still call us at 501-682-2053 or use our Ask A Librarian form to ask reference questions. This service will be available as long as we have access to resources to answer questions.

The public access computers will not be available during the move. Nor may any materials be checked out.

Keep watching this blog for information about our reopening some time in late January or early February.

Thanksgiving resources

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and the Christmas feast is just a month away. If you are stuck for ideas, or want to do some research about the history of turkeys, check our databases. In particular, the Culinary Arts Collection includes 150 of the major cooking and nutrition magazines. Coverage includes thousands of searchable recipes, restaurant reviews, and industry information.

Have a safe and fun Thanksgiving!

Autumn facts

Here are a few facts about autumn, gleaned from our databases:

• "Though not as popular as spring, autumn has been a frequent subject of poetry since the classical Roman era, when certain conventions were established. Autumn, of course, has two aspects: it completes summer and it anticipates winter, it celebrates the harvest of the summer’s crops and it mourns the death of the year; it is, in Dickinson’s words, “A little this side of the snow / And that side of the Haze” (no. 131). " In A Dictionary of Literary Symbols. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/litsymb/autumn

• "English acquired autumn from Latin autumnus, partly via Old French autompne. Where Latin got the word from is a mystery; it may have been a borrowing from Etruscan, a long-extinct pre-Roman language of the Italian peninsula. In Old English, the term for ‘autumn’ was harvest, and this remained in common use throughout the Middle Ages; it was not until the 16th century that autumn really began to replace it (at the same time as harvest began to be applied more commonly to the gathering of crops). Fall, now the main US term for ‘autumn’, is 16th-century too." In Word Origins. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/acbwordorig/autumn
• From the Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, autumn is the :
  

• season of the year between summer and winter during which temperatures gradually decrease. It is often called fall in the United States because leaves fall from the trees at that time. Autumn is usually defined in the Northern Hemisphere as the period between the autumnal equinox (day and night equal in length), September 22 or 23, and the winter solstice (year's shortest day), December 21 or 22; and in the Southern Hemisphere as the period between March 20 or 21 and June 21 or 22. The autumn temperature transition between summer heat and winter cold occurs only in middle and high latitudes; in equatorial regions, temperatures generally vary little during the year. In the polar regions autumn is very short . . .

  The concept of autumn in European languages is connected with the harvesting of crops; in many cultures autumn, like the other seasons, has been marked by rites and festivals revolving around the season's importance in food production. Animals gather food in autumn in preparation for the coming winter, and those with fur often grow thicker coats. Many birds migrate toward the Equator to escape the falling temperatures. A common autumn phenomenon in the central and eastern United States and in Europe is Indian Summer, a period of unseasonably warm weather that sometimes occurs in late October or November.

We're moving!

It is official - the Arkansas State Library will be moving house. Our last day open to the public before the move will be Friday, December 4th. We will reopen at our new location, 900 W. Capitol, just down the road from our current address, sometime in late January or early February.

Any books that have been checked out can be returned before we close, or you can hold on to them, with no penalty, until we reopen

Check back here for more news and updates as they becomes available.

Halloween is coming!

Did you ever wonder about the origins of Halloween? Are you interested in cultural analysis of Halloween customs or movies? Well, we have databases that can help you fulfill both those needs, and many more.

For scholarly takes on Halloween, or other pop culture phenomena, try out the Pop Culture database. This collection provides useful information for any researcher in a social science, history, art, or liberal arts course. The collection is made up of 100 subject-appropriate periodicals, which are predominantly full-text.

For less-in depth, but still useful information, check out Credo Reference, a reference tool containing full-text entries from encyclopedias, traditional and bilingual dictionaries, biographies and quotations. That is where I found this description of the history of Halloween, taken from the Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary:

Halloween has its ultimate origins in the ancient Celtic harvest festival, SAMHAIN, a time when people believed that the spirits of the dead roamed the earth. Irish settlers brought their Halloween customs—which included bobbing for apples and lighting jack-o’-lanterns—to America in the 1840s.

In the United States children go from house to house in costume—often dressed as ghosts, skeletons, or vampires—on Halloween saying, “Trick or treat!” Though for the most part the threat is in jest, the “trick” part of the children’s cry carries the implication that if they don’t receive a treat, the children will subject that house to some kind of prank, such as marking its windows with a bar of soap or throwing eggs at it. Most receive treats in the form of candy or money. But Halloween parties and parades are popular with adults as well.

Because nuts were a favorite means of foretelling the future on this night, All Hallows’ Eve in England became known as Nutcrack Night. Other British names for the day include Bob Apple Night, Duck (or Dookie) Apple Night, Crab Apple Night, Thump-the-door Night, and, in Wales, APPLE AND CANDLE NIGHT. In the United States it is sometimes referred to as Trick or Treat Night.

These and other databases are available to state employees for remote access. Please contact the Circulation Department for more information. The general public may use the databases for free here in the library.

Patents and Trademarks at ASL

The Arkansas State Library is designated a Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As a PTDL, The Arkansas State Library offers access to the following materials and services:

• Backfile Collections and Current Issues of Patents
• Official Gazette - Patents
• Official Gazette - Trademarks
• Reference Assistance and Referrals
• Patent Classification Research Instruction
• Supplemental Reference Materials
• Training Opportunities

While we do not file patent or trademark applications for you, and we cannot actually do any searches for you, we can show you where to go and the steps you will need to follow to file. We can also show you how to conduct a patent or trademark search (an essential step of filing for a patent or trademark), and provide additional resources to help you along your way. For any specific questions, you can call the library and ask to speak with a reference librarian (501-682-2053) or fill out an Ask a Librarian request.

What you can check out

Once you have your library card, you can check out books from our general non-fiction collection, as well as our various special circulating collections. These include:

• Arkansas Documents Information published by or for the Arkansas state government.
• Arkansas Collection Published materials about Arkansas, its history, and its people. Limited circulation.
• Arkansas Regulations The rules and regulations of Arkansas state agencies.
• Library Science Materials reflecting the current body of knowledge of the library and information science fields.
• Federal Documents Local access to publications from all three branches of the Federal government.

For more information about the Arkansas State Library services, check out our website.

You too can check out our books!

Active Arkansas state employees and Arkansas citizens are eligible to register for a library card with the State Library. Library cards must be applied for in person.

State employees must present the following:

• State ID badge
• Valid Arkansas Driver's License

Arkansas citizens must be at least 18 years of age, and present the following:

• Valid Arkansas Driver's License
• Recent bill or statement showing the applicant's current physical address

Checkout Rules:

• New borrowers are limited to 2 items their first checkout
• No more than 10 items at one time
• Limit of 6 books on a single subject
• Limit of 2 videos, 3 audio materials, or 1 set of language materials at a time

National Parks

This week, PBS is airing the Ken Burns documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea on stations around the country. If you meant to watch, and forgot, or couldn't get to a TV when it was airing, never fear! PBS has the episodes available for online viewing through October 9th. Just start at the website for the series and follow the links for viewing full episodes.

We will soon have the accompanying book available for checkout. In the meantime, we also have travel guides and other materials about the National Parks available in the library.

If the show is inspiring you to go out and visit some parks, or do some hiking, start at the U.S. National Park Service. There you will find maps, podcasts, photographs, and links to all of the national parks, including Little Rock Central High School and the Pea Ridge National Military Park.

Swine Flu Information

School has started again around the country, and swine flu cases are being reported everywhere. To keep yourself educated and up to date, check out the Centers for Disease Control website.

The Arkansas State Library also has health-related databases where you can find more information about keeping yourself healthy.

To try these and other databases, start at the database page on our website. For questions, please use the Ask a Librarian form on our website.

New databases at ASL part 3

Here are a few more of the new databases available at the Arkansas State Library.

Diversity Studies Collection: This collection explores cultural differences, contributions and influences in our global community. This set includes 150 full-text journals. Coverage begins in 1980.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues Collection: This collection of over 30 largely full-text journals aims to provide balanced coverage culture, covering such topics as gender studies, family and marital issues, health aspects, and many more. Coverage begins in 1980.

Religion & Philosophy Collection: Users of this collection can research different religions and philosophies and how they impact our daily lives. The collection is comprised of 250 periodicals, many of which are full-text. Coverage begins in 1980.

To try these and other databases, start at the database page on our website. For questions, please use the Ask a Librarian form on our website.

From Planting to Harvest

As we move into fall, it is time to harvest some crops and plant others. If you are a beginning gardener or a professional farmer, we have resources that can help you decide what to plant, learn when to plant it, and care for your crops throughout the year.

• Year-Round Home Garden Planting Guide: Produced by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension services, this booklet provides a quick and easy guide to planting for home gardeners in Arkansas. It is available on-line through our catalog, and in hard-copy at the library.
• For home farmers and professionals, the Agriculture Collection may also be of use. It is one of the databases that ASL has recently acquired. With broad coverage of agriculture and its related fields, this collection provides a comprehensive view of this growing body of knowledge. Comprised of nearly 200 titles, researchers will have access to current and authoritative content that spans the industry, from practical aspects of farming to cutting edge scientific research in horticulture.
• Another new database, the Gardening, Landscaping, and Horticulture Collection has resources for farmers, landscape architects, and biotechnologists alike, with this collection of nearly 50 journals focused specifically on key issues in gardening, landscaping, and other areas of horticulture. A fertile and growing collection, this collection includes content relating to both the practical aspects as well as the scientific theory of horticulture studies.

To try these and other databases, start at the database page on our website. For questions, please use the Ask a Librarian form on our website.

Find Your Roots

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is meeting in Little Rock this week for their annual conference. Yesterday, I had the pleasure to attend the Librarian's Day sessions and learn more about doing genealogical research in libraries. Although most of the documents necessary for doing in-depth genealogical research into Arkansas history are at the Arkansas History Commission, Arkansas State Library does have books to help guide beginning genealogists. Here are just two:

• The Genealogist's Companion and Sourcebook by Emily Anne Croom (CS 47 .C75 2003) - A guidebook to the numerous sources available to genealogists, including Federal Census records, county and courthouse records, and libraries. There is one chapter on documents unique to African-American genealogy and one chapter on Native American genealogy.
• Black Genesis: A Resource Book for African-American Genealogy James M. Rose an Alice Eichholz (CS 21 .R57 2003) - African-American genealogy poses some unique and difficult challenges, but Rose and Eichholz have provided and in-depth, state-by-state look at what documents are available.

In addition to books, there are now many genealogy websites that can facilitate your genealogical search. One of the most well known is ancestry.com. While you must become a subscriber to make use of all the features on the website, there are still many resources available for free. There are special collections for African-American and Jewish family history, as well as reference works and search tips.

We can help you find the books listed here to guide you, as well as others in our collection, and we can do some obituary searches. Take advantage of these and other resource to start searching your family tree today.

New databases at ASL part 2

Here are three more new databases to which the Arkansas State Library provides access.

Gale Psychology Collection: This set explores what makes people "tick" from childhood to death. This collection gives individuals a basic understanding of the study of the mind, emotions and how the human mind develops -- and diminishes -- over time. Provides access to 200 subject-appropriate full-text periodicals, including The Journal of Psychology, Clinical Psychiatry News, The Exceptional Parent, and Psychology Today.

Pop Culture Collection: This collection provides useful information for any researcher in a social science, history, art, or liberal arts course. It can also be useful for the general reader who is looking for articles from popular magazines. The collection is made up of 100 subject-appropriate periodicals, which are predominantly full-text. Titles include Allure, Atlantic Monthly, Jet, and Public Opinion Quarterly.

Nursing and Allied Health Collection: All aspects of the Nursing profession -- from direct patient care to health care administration -- are covered in this collection. Including nearly 400 titles, this collection's current and authoritative content will be of use to both professionals already working in the field as well as students pursuing a nursing-focused curriculum. Several of the titles included are Chemist & Druggist, Nursing Times, and ED Nursing.

To try these and other databases, start at the database page on our website. For questions, please use the Ask a Librarian form on our website.

New databases at ASL part 1

The Arkansas State Library has more than 130 databases available for use, on a range of subjects from agriculture to military history to education and business. Over the next few weeks I will be highlighting some of the newer databases. All of the databases are available for use in the library, and many are available to state employees at home or work through remote access. For more information about the database policies or to apply for access, visit the circulation page of our website.

The first database I want to share is the Culinary Arts Collection. According to the description on the database home page "The Culinary Arts Collection includes 250 major cooking and nutrition magazines as well as reference content from Delmar, Cengage Learning. Coverage includes thousands of searchable recipes, restaurant reviews, and industry information."

What does this mean for you? It means you can get recipes and other articles from such popular magazine as Real Simple, Redbook, Good Housekeeping and Natural Health, as well as research from scholarly journals, and food industry information from industry-specific magazines. For example, a search for "carrot cake" turns up 104 magazine articles and 6 news items. A search for "diabetes" returns 1970 magazine articles, 681 academic journal articles, 2 books, and 5661 news items. These results can then be narrowed down, depending on what you are looking for. You can also search specifically by publication, using the "Browse Publications" list. Many of the publications have articles available in full text, meaning that you do not have to go find the print copy.

To try this and other databases, start at the database page on our website. For questions, please use the Ask a Librarian form on our website.

Health Insurance Reform

Health insurance reform is a hot topic right now. Don't wait to get your news about it second or third hand - go straight to the source: this special White House page. There is a state by state feature where you can look up how your state would be impacted by proposed changes to health insurance.

For more information about specific insurance reform in Arkansas, go to the Arkansas Health Insurance Resource Center web page.

The Arkansas State Library also has many books on the subject of health insurance and health care. You can search the catalog yourself from our website for books and government documents or you can fill out the Ask the Librarian form.

Reference Services: Obituary Searches

Obituary searching is one of the many services that the reference staff of the Arkansas State Library perform for the public. We will search the Arkansas Gazette and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for patrons who provide us with a name and date of death. The search covers approximately one week following the provided date.

The Arkanas Gazette archives go back to 1889 on microfilm, and the Democrat-Gazette records are available through an online subscription from 1984 to the present.

Requests can be made in person, over the phone, and through the Ask A Librarian form on our website.

It's raining, it's pouring

The weather in Little Rock has been damp lately, to say the least. This has put me in a weather sort of mood, so here are a few resources about the weather that are available at the Arkansas State Library:

• Let's start off with the Macmillan Encyclopedia of Weather by Paul Stein (QC 854 .S74 2000). This covers the basics of the weather, everything from Acid Rain to Mesocyclones to Winter Storms and Zonal Flow. The writing is easy to understand, and there are lots of color photographs and other illustrations.
• Tornadoes are a definite possibility in Arkansas, so to learn all about them check out The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm by Thomas Grazulis (QC 955 .G74 2001). Using both the stories of historical tornadoes and current scientific data, Grazulis demystifies tornadoes at the same time as he debunks tornado myths and provides safety information for the reader.
• For up-to-date and up-to-the-minute weather data, check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For anyone interested in the weather, this is a great website to spend some time on. There are pages about current weather, information for teachers, government reports, and other news. At the library, we also have access to a subscription database of NOAA climatology data available for in-house use.

For these and other weather-related resources, check out our website and catalog.

Ask a reference question

Although the main mission of the Arkansas State Library is to serve state employees and public libraries throughout the state, we also have many services for the general public.

For instance, if you are a state resident, you are eligible to apply for a library card that allows you to check out books from our non-fiction collection. All you need to apply for a library card is a driver's license or other government-issued ID, and a second form of identification that has your address on it, such as a utility bill.

You don't have to have a library card to make use of the library, however. You are welcome to come in whenever we are open (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM) to use the computers, do research or ask reference questions. We have three full-time reference librarians to answer your questions, and if we can't answer the questions ourselves, we can usually find someone who can. There are several ways to get in touch with us:

• In Person: Walk in and ask away.
• Over the phone: Call our information desk at (501) 682-2053 and ask to speak to a reference librarian.
• Snail Mail: send requests to us at Arkansas State Library Reference; One Capitol Mall, 5th Floor; Little Rock, AR 72201
• Our on-line Ask A Librarian form. Simply fill in the blanks, and we will get back to you as soon as we have an answer.
  

Arkansas State Job Resources Online

Times are tough, and finding a job can be difficult at the best of times. Here are some Arkansas-based online resources that may be able to help.

Job Aspirations: An online career resource center with links to other Arkansas job search websites, as well as to job resources in other states.

Arkansas Jobs: An employment website. Including job databases, for job seekers and employers. The site is part of the LocalCareers.com Network.

Arkansas Department of Workforce Services A comprehensive array of services for Arkansas employers and job seekers.

Arkansas Business Arkansas Job Listings (formerly Arkansas Jobs.com):
A free jobs board, this service links employers in Arkansas to job candidates.

Arkansas Job Link: A government-maintained database of available jobs throughout the state.

Arkansas State Jobs: Database of available Arkansas state government jobs.

Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center: The main portal for a wide range of small business information and advice.

Arkansas Business Portal: A listing of various business-related state government websites.

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.
  

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

If you are a hunter, fisherman (or fisherwoman), boater, or just an interested wildlife observer, you need to check out the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission web site.

This is your one-stop shop for hunting licenses, permits, and regulations. You can apply for permits and licenses on-line (2009 Deer season permit applications are due July 1st). Did you know that feral hogs are a nuisance animal, and can be hunted during open hunting season? The hunting page has information about them, and more.

The web site also has information for people interested in conservation and wildlife. See a bird you can't identify? Want to know what kinds of mammals are common in Arkansas? Want to know where to fish for Smallmouth bass? This web site will help you.

It also provides information about upcoming events and public meetings relating to hunting, fishing, boating and conservation.

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.
  

Flash Me!

Studying for tests can be a drag, even when it is for something as important as U.S. citizenship. Here at the Arkansas State Library, we have a couple of new tools to help beat some of that tedium: Flash Cards!

The naturalization test is one segment of the pathway to U.S. citizenship. For more information about the other steps, check out this brochure and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page (see link at the end of this post).

The civics portion of the naturalization test is an oral exam of 10 questions, taken from a set of 100 questions. To pass the test, the test taker must answer 6 of the 10 questions correctly. The questions are available at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page and in the new deck of Civics Flash Cards. Each card has one of the questions on one side, and the answer, along with a related picture, on the reverse. These cards can be used for individual study, or in a classroom for group exercises.

For the English language section of the naturalization test, the applicants must demonstrate an ability to read and write English by reading at least one out of three sentences correctly, and at least one of three sentences correctly. The flash cards for these segments of the test have all the vocabulary words that the student will be expected to know. Each card gives a word, then provides a place for the student to practice writing the word and to use it in a sentence. The words are not defined on the cards, so students will probably need a dictionary to make sure they understand the meanings of the words (we have dictionaries available at ASL too!).

For more information about the new naturalization tests and other immigration-related questions, head to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page.

Encyclopedia of Arkansas

One of the best sources of information about the state of Arkansas, its history and people is the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Curious about the history of Petit Jean State Park? Interested in the singer Lucinda Williams's connections to Arkansas? The Encyclopedia has information on these and many, many more topics. Here is a brief description of the website and its goals, taken from the About page:

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture Project strives to offer a definitive, comprehensive, and accurate record of the twenty-fifth state. The online version of the Encyclopedia is the first component of the Project. The online version of the Encyclopedia will be maintained and updated in perpetuity by the staff of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies.

It is a great place to start for students who need to do reports, or others just seeking facts. Each article has links to other, related articles, as well as a bibliography at the end. There are many pictures, maps and other resources available as well. Take some time to poke around and see what you can find. I promise it will be worth the time!

Database Spotlight: Sanborn Maps

In addition to its various print collections, the Arkansas State Library also provides access to a wide range of online databases. These are available to patrons free of charge on the in-house public computers, and can be accessed remotely by State Employees who have applied for remote access privileges.

One of the interesting databases is the Digital Sanborn Map collection. This is a collection of fire insurance maps, some going back as far as 1867. According to the ProQuest information page "Sanborn maps are valuable historical tools for urban specialists, social historians, architects, geographers, genealogists, local historians, planners, environmentalists and anyone who wants to learn about the history, growth, and development of American cities, towns, and neighborhoods. They are large-scale plans containing data that can be used to estimate the potential risk for urban structures. This includes information such as the outline of each building, the size, shape and construction materials, heights, and function of structures, location of windows and doors. The maps also give street names, street and sidewalk widths, property boundaries, building use, and house and block numbers."

The Arkansas State Library has access to all of the Arkansas maps in the collection, including those for Little Rock, Arkadelphia, Hot Springs, Fayetteville, and Texarkana. For more information about how to access the maps, please contact the library or visit our website.

New State Library Services Website

The Reference, Circulation and Interlibrary Loan departments at the State Library have a new website. From it, you can ask a reference question, browse the catalog, or (if you meet the requirements) submit an Interlibrary Loan request. There are also links to our available databases, directions about how to apply for a library card, and other useful information. It is still a new site, so check back often for updates. Some of the pages we hope to develop are a list of new books, patent and trademark information (beyond what is already there), and information for job seekers in Arkansas. Please follow the links and take a look. If you have suggestions about pages you would like to see included, leave a comment below.

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.
  

How to Clean Stuff

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. For many of us, it is the time of year for cleaning house. Whether you need a refresher course for all those things your mother taught you but you ignored, or want to find new ways to clean to save money or to save the environment, there are resources available.

• If the clutter in your home is making it difficult to get started with spring cleaning, take a look at Clutter Control! Useful Tips for Getting Rid of the Mess, compiled by Susan Wright (TX 124 .C32 1999). Each chapter addresses a separate area of the house and the clutter found there. This is a short, quick introduction to cleaning out the mess.

• Once the clutter has been tackled and you want to start in on the actual cleaning and scrubbing, we have Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home: No-nonsense advice that will inspire you to clean like the dickens by Thelma A. Meyer (TX 298 .M42 2009) and Natural Cleaning for Your Home by Casey Kellar (TX 324 .K44 1998). These two books give general cleaning advice for the home, from washing the floors to making the bed and doing laundry.

• For advice about hard-to-clean objects, the Arkansas State Library has How Do I Clean the Moosehead? by Don Aslett (TX 324 .A7582 1989). In addition to the moose head in the title, Aslett answers questions such as "What's the best kind of scrub brush?," "How often should I empty the vacuum bag?," and "Is there an easy way to clean the ceiling?" The advice is given with humor and cartoon drawings, making this a fun ready about a messy topic.

• If you have a specific question and prefer using the Internet, try How to Clean Stuff. This searchable website has answers to a wide range of questions, provided by users. Readers can rate the advice on a scale of 1-5 stars and leave comments or addition questions.
  

For these and other resources, come by the Arkansas State Library. And have fun cleaning!

The Secret History of Art

The history of how a work of art came to a museum is often just as interesting as the piece of art itself. Here are two books from our circulating collection that delve into those histories:

According to Sharon Waxman in Loot: The Battle over the Stolen Treasures of the Ancient World, the history of major works of antiquity is often shrouded in politics, money and influence. In recent years, museums as revered as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the British Museum in London, and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles have been forced to return art and antiquities to the countries of origin. Waxman follows the often contentious histories, conflicts, and arguments that enmesh these and other museums today. If you are interested in antiquities or art, museums and the people who work there, this would be a good book for you.

The Caravaggio Conspiracy by Peter Watson provides a first person account of the illegal art trade in Italy. In an attempt to follow the flow or stolen art, Watson turned himself into an art buyer who was not particularly concerned with how the art he was acquiring arrived in his hands. Backed up by auction houses, dealers, policemen, and even a priest, Watson traced a stolen Caravaggio and then a work by the 15th century artist Andrea Del Sarto.

The Arkansas State Library also has other books on art, and art theft, including The Rape of Europa by Lynn H. Nicholas and Fake : the story of Elmyr de Hory ; the greatest art forger of our time by Clifford Irving.

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.

Take a Hike in Arkansas, part 2

In the previous post, I promised some guidebook suggestions for camping and canoeing, so here we go.

Devil's Den State Park, Butterfield Trail

If you are a car camper who prefers to sleep in a tent, you may want to check out The Best in Tent Camping: The Ozarks by Steve Henry. He covers campgrounds in both Arkansas and Missouri, rating each for beauty, noise, privacy, security, spaciousness, and cleanliness. Each description also has a short description of activities at the park and the surrounding area.

Mount Nebo, from the trail, looking up

If you want to include some fishing along with your hike, Arkansas is a good place to be. In Ozark Highways: Twenty-Seven Day Trips for Hiking and Fishing, Louis C. White covers some of the lesser-known streams in Arkansas and Missouri. Each entry includes directions to the trails and descriptions of the streams or rivers.

Arkansas also boasts many opportunities for canoers and kayakers. A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks by Tom Kennon is a good place to start for boaters. The entries contain descriptions of the rivers, possible conditions, the best time of year for runs, shuttle information, and difficulty levels.

Take a Hike in Arkansas, part 1

View of the Ouachita Mountains from Petit Jean State Park

Arkansas's state nickname is the Natural State, and is it ever appropriate. According to the Department of Parks and Tourism website, Arkansas has 52 state parks, 6 national parks, and 2.9 million acres of national forest. Spring is a great time to get out and explore the state - it isn't too hot yet, and the bugs are at a minimum. Here at the State Library, we have many books that you can use to plan a trip, whether you want to go for a day, or a weekend, or something longer.

Bloodroot flowers

Spring is prime waterfall time here in Arkansas, and Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls Guidebook will help you find some of the best. Ernst is the foremost authority on hiking in Arkansas, and his guidebooks are wonderful resources, no matter your level of hiking ability. For each waterfall hike in the book, he includes the length, difficulty, descriptions of the trail, a beauty rating, and a photograph of the waterfall looking its best.

If you aren't up for strenuous hiking, but still want to get outside and enjoy Arkansas, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids & Families by Pam and Tim Ernst may be the right guidebook for you. These hikes are all 3 miles or less, and, according to the authors, "kid-tested and Granny-approved." As with all the other Tim Ernst guidebooks, each trail includes a map, description, and difficulty rating.

For more information about any of the State Parks, check out the Arkansas Tourism website.

Up next, books for tent campers and canoers.

Get ready for disaster

Image from http://www.meteorologynews.com/2008/06/08/june-8th-national-tornado-day/ Credit: Fred Smith

Do you live in an earthquake zone? Tornado Alley? Blizzard-ville? On the Hurricane Coast? Do you live on the planet Earth?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should be prepared for a disaster. Mostly, we don't like to think about the bad things that could happen, because they scare us, shake us out of our comfortable lives and remove any pretense we might have that we are safe.

But when disasters strike, we are better able to survive and adjust if we have a plan. The government has put together a comprehensive web site to help you put together a plan and an emergency kit that could just save your life.

For example, you should have enough water and food for every person in the household for 3 days. If that food is in cans, don't forget the can opener! Also, if you have pets, you should also make sure you have enough food and water for them as well. If you take medications, try to have a supply of those stored or handy.

What else should you have? Check it out at Ready.gov.

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.

Welcome to ASL Ref Dogs!

Welcome to our new blog! We hope to sniff out lots of interesting tid bits and dig up lots of new and old information to share with you. Hang around the yard and maybe we can help fetch a bone or two for you.

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.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Arkansas State Library Reference Blog! This will be a place for the reference librarians of the Arkansas State Library to post about new books here at the library, interesting and useful reference materials, patent and trademark tutorials, and anything else Arkansas Library related. We hope you check in often to see what we have in store for you.

The Arkansas State Library is here to serve as the information resource center for state agencies, legislators and legislative staffs, to provide guidance and support for the development of local public libraries and library services, and to provide the resources, services, and leadership necessary to meet the educational, informational and cultural needs of the citizens of Arkansas. As reference librarians, we are here to answer your questions.