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.

Ask A Librarian

Every so often I like to remind readers about the reference services available at the Arkansas State Library.  We are ready and willing to answer your questions, no matter how small or how big.  If we can't find the answer, we will do our best to find someone who can.  You can contact us by phone during office hours at (501) 682-2053, or any time by using our handy Ask a Librarian link, or by writing us at:

Arkansas State Library, Attn. Reference
900 West Capitol, Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72201

If you are feeling really ambitious, or just want to visit, you can also come to the library and speak to us in person.  Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. 

We generally answer questions within 24 hours, except during weekends and holidays.

Free Online Health Resources

Who doesn't like free resources?  Certainly not librarians - we love them. And we love to share them.  Today, I am sharing a few health-related resources.

The first is healthfinder.gov.  This site offers:

• Guides for healthy living that are quick and easy to use.
• Tools to help you stay healthy.
• An encyclopedia of over 1,600 health-related topics.
• The latest in health news.
• Ways to locate services and information such as finding a community health center or your local library.
• A listing of healthfinder.gov's most requested topics and popular searches.
• News and information in Spanish; and
• A calendar of special days, weeks, or months used to raise awareness of important health topics such as World AIDS Day or the Great American Smokeout.

You can check symptoms, get more information about medications you might be taking, and find a doctor, dentist, or other health practitioner in your area.

Next, letsmove.gov:  According to the website

Let’s Move! will combat the epidemic of childhood obesity through a comprehensive approach that will engage every sector impacting the health of children and will provide schools, families and communities simple tools to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy [by]

1. empowering parents and caregivers
2. providing healthy food in schools
3. improving access to healthy, affordable foods
4. increasing physical activity.

 There are activities for kids, facts, recipes and food plans, and much more.

The Arkansas Department of Health has a wide range of information about local programs for Arkansans, including links to in-home care programs and smoking cessation classes.

More Job Resources

Here are some links to job search resources from the Federal government:

Career OneStop (formerly America’s Job Bank): http://www.jobbankinfo.org/
A U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored Web site that offers career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses, and workforce professionals to foster talent development in a global economy

Workforce3 One, Department of Labor/Employment and Training: http://www.workforce3one.org/
An e-learning, knowledge sharing webspace that offers workforce professionals, employers, economic development, and education professionals a dynamic network featuring innovative workforce solutions.

Department of Labor/Employment and Training: http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/
U.S. Department of Labor website intended to assist the nation’s workforce professionals in serving the needs of workers and business.

Bureau of Labor Statistics Jobseeker resources: http://www.bls.gov/audience/jobseekers.htm
Statistics and information about a wide range of occupations and industries.

Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Small Business Administration: http://www.sba.gov/
An independent agency of the federal government created to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns.

FedJobs Career Center: http://www.fedjobs.com/
Federal job listing website that also includes a toolbox specifically targeted for federal job hunters, both first-time applicants and those already working in federal service.

Recovery.Gov http://www.recovery.gov/
The Federal Government website for information related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Job Seeking Resources at ASL

Here are some job-seeking resources available in print here at the Arkansas State Library:

How to say it on your résumé: a top recruiting director's guide to writing the perfect résumé for every job by Brad Karsh HF5383 .K378 2009

Finding a job after 50: reinvent yourself for the 21st century Woodward, Jeannette A HF5382.7 .W68 2007

Résumé magic: trade secrets of a professional résumé writer 3rd ed. Whitcomb, Susan Britton HF5383 .W46 2007

Federal resume guidebook : write a winning federal resume to get in, get promoted, and survive in a government job 3rd ed. Troutman, Kathryn K. JK716 .T73 2004

Writing and formatting a scannable resume [electronic resource] United States. Office of Disability Employment Policy. L 41.2:2004018495/[ONLINE] http://webharvest.gov/peth04/20041108024600/www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/ek99/resume.htm

The essential guide to business etiquette Chaney, Lillian H. HF5389 .C468 2007

The complete idiot's guide to the perfect job interview Dorio, Marc A. HF5382.7 .D62 2009

The everything get-a-job book : the tools and strategies you need to land the job of your dreams McKay, Dawn Rosenberg HF5549.5 .I6 M327 2007

Top 100 computer and technical careers : your complete guidebook to major jobs in many fields at all training levels
Farr, J. Michael QA76.25 .F37 2009 (Earlier edition also available as e-book)

Top 100 careers without a four-year degree : your complete guidebook to major jobs in many fields Farr, J. Michael HF5382.5 .U5 F375 2009 (Earlier edition also available as e-book)

Occupational outlook handbook (Online) United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics L 2.3/4:[ONLINE]
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm