One website that our library can not live without is Bookmooch: www.bookmooch.com
Since we are a library with a very tight budget, this site allows us to mooch books that have been lost or damaged off of others. It is done on a points system. One receives points every time you donate a book and then you can use the points you earn to purchase books that are needed in our library. Since we are a library we don't have may books to donate but we receive numerous point donations from others, which are very helpful.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Wrap Up
My biggest discovery through the electronic resources challenge was the World Book resource and the Ancestry resource. These are both something that I personally found informative and that I feel will be very useful in our library. When promoting these resources I have a list of electronic resources that are available through the State Library and tell them that assistance is available accessing these resources.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
History & Genealogy Resources
When searching for myself in the Ancestry Library I didn't find anything with my married name or my maiden name, nor did I find my marriage license. But when searching for my grandpa I would all the addresses he lived at from 1993 till when he died. It also stated that he was in the US Navy and is buried at BH National Cemetery. I was amazed at the information that was given when searching for South Dakota in the "Photos and Maps". There were 319,195 births in SD from 1856-1903; 545,737 marriages in SD from 1905-1949; and 322,632 deaths in SD from 1905-1955. Very Interesting!! One can also find photos and maps for military, newspapers and publications, immigration and travel.
In Heritage Quest I searched Fall River, SD and had one result by George W. Kingsbury called "History of the Dakota Territory" that was dated 1915 and has 5 volumes.
Sanborn Maps- I couldn't find Edgemont so I clicked on Hot Springs and found the old hospital building that is now used for elderly housing and a clinic / swing bed place.
In Heritage Quest I searched Fall River, SD and had one result by George W. Kingsbury called "History of the Dakota Territory" that was dated 1915 and has 5 volumes.
Sanborn Maps- I couldn't find Edgemont so I clicked on Hot Springs and found the old hospital building that is now used for elderly housing and a clinic / swing bed place.
Monday, April 30, 2012
WorldCat
It seems lately we have processed a large amount of ILL, so I used WorldCat and looked up our last request "The Warrior Elite: The Forging of Seal Class 228" by Dick Couch. I found out that there are 681 libraries worldwide that have this book and the top library was Dakota State University in South Dakota! The call number for this book is 359.9, and when looking to see what else this author has to offer I found that he has about 40 other books. After clicking on the subject I was amazed that there was 895 other books on the same subject.
After searching "South Dakota" in OAIster I chose Government building at the Pine Ridge Indian Agency in South Dakota and when clicking on the access link I was given a very neat old picture of the government building that shows a samll collection of building that have horse drawn vehicles parked around it.
After searching "South Dakota" in OAIster I chose Government building at the Pine Ridge Indian Agency in South Dakota and when clicking on the access link I was given a very neat old picture of the government building that shows a samll collection of building that have horse drawn vehicles parked around it.
ProQuest
When looking through ProQuest I researched a medical condition I have called vascular malformation to find out a little bit more information about it. After typing in what i was searching for within minutes I had a large amount of information in minutes. From books to magazines, to scholarly journals, trade journals, reports and newspapers. I loved all the pictures that were available to help support the information that was being presented. I read through a scholarly journal on diagnosis and per-cutaneous management, and found out that my doctor was one of the references used when writing the journal.
After looking at everyone else blogs, I loved the wide variety of searches that were conducted. I learned a lot by reading others and it just goes to show you whats all out there.
When searching "Library" I found over 4000 publications related to libraries. There are also different ways you can view your findings, such as title and summery. This is a very useful database and can be used to research anything.
After looking at everyone else blogs, I loved the wide variety of searches that were conducted. I learned a lot by reading others and it just goes to show you whats all out there.
When searching "Library" I found over 4000 publications related to libraries. There are also different ways you can view your findings, such as title and summery. This is a very useful database and can be used to research anything.
Friday, April 27, 2012
SIRS Discoverer
1. When researching armadillos with the SIRS discoverer I was very impressed with the amount of information that came up. Quite a few pictures, lots of magazine articles, newspaper articles and even reference sources. Each researched topic has different reading levels for the different articles, and some articles even had materials and activities for kids to do that work on reading comprehension, math, and science.
2. "Database Features"
I was amazed at the amount of countries available in Country Facts. I again researched China and had a picture of their flag, and a map of China along with the population, history & government and weather. Country Facts also provides graphic organizers to help students organize the information they have read.
Maps of the World to me would be geographical maps, but this has maps on everything from slavery to animal habitats. I was neat to compare the maps from current times to the past in every aspect. This was one of my favorites because I am a very visual learner and this database is just that!
For my last feature I chose Science Fair Explorer and went to the recycling bin and read through the process of recycling and what happens to our old newspapers, bottles, cans, etc. Again this had great activities to use with the lesson, such as weekly labs, word searches, rebus puzzles, teaches new vocabulary and even has questions to test ones comprehension. I found it very interesting that is even gives statistics to support the advantages of recycling.
2. "Database Features"
I was amazed at the amount of countries available in Country Facts. I again researched China and had a picture of their flag, and a map of China along with the population, history & government and weather. Country Facts also provides graphic organizers to help students organize the information they have read.
Maps of the World to me would be geographical maps, but this has maps on everything from slavery to animal habitats. I was neat to compare the maps from current times to the past in every aspect. This was one of my favorites because I am a very visual learner and this database is just that!
For my last feature I chose Science Fair Explorer and went to the recycling bin and read through the process of recycling and what happens to our old newspapers, bottles, cans, etc. Again this had great activities to use with the lesson, such as weekly labs, word searches, rebus puzzles, teaches new vocabulary and even has questions to test ones comprehension. I found it very interesting that is even gives statistics to support the advantages of recycling.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Learning Express Library
Where do I even begin??
Learning Express Library is loaded with tons of very useful information! The test would be very useful for everyone. I loved the explanation it gives as to why or why not it was that choice and then it tells you the section and/or subsection the question is from so if there is any misunderstanding you know where to go and look.
When researching "Job Search and Workplace Skills" I chose "Creating a Great Resume". Before you even begin it gives you an overview of the course so you know what you are getting into before you even begin. This is such an easy resource to use because it walks you through every step need to compile your own resume, and you can even download it to use.
The eBooks are so convenient, just one click and they are at your fingertips within minutes and didn't cost a thing. When looking for eBooks I searched for firefighting and had numerous eBooks, practices tests, and courses in minutes. I even shared this with my husband who found it very interesting and is something he will share with his fellow firefighters for future references and testing.
Learning Express Library is loaded with tons of very useful information! The test would be very useful for everyone. I loved the explanation it gives as to why or why not it was that choice and then it tells you the section and/or subsection the question is from so if there is any misunderstanding you know where to go and look.
When researching "Job Search and Workplace Skills" I chose "Creating a Great Resume". Before you even begin it gives you an overview of the course so you know what you are getting into before you even begin. This is such an easy resource to use because it walks you through every step need to compile your own resume, and you can even download it to use.
The eBooks are so convenient, just one click and they are at your fingertips within minutes and didn't cost a thing. When looking for eBooks I searched for firefighting and had numerous eBooks, practices tests, and courses in minutes. I even shared this with my husband who found it very interesting and is something he will share with his fellow firefighters for future references and testing.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
World Book Online Reference Center
WOW!!! I am in love with the World Book Reference Center!
I researched China, and was shocked at all the wonderful resources that the reference center leads you to. We have a lot of patrons that are into history and geography the of different areas of the world and this touches on everything. I think one of the most valuable pieces of information for my patrons will be the list of others sources and optional e-books that are available. Whether it be a magazine or getting a book through inter-library loan. Most of my patrons are not comfortable with technology or computers and love holding a book, so this is something I can use to help them explore online resources but yet have a list of other sources to utilize as well.
I am excited to be able to share this with my patrons!
I researched China, and was shocked at all the wonderful resources that the reference center leads you to. We have a lot of patrons that are into history and geography the of different areas of the world and this touches on everything. I think one of the most valuable pieces of information for my patrons will be the list of others sources and optional e-books that are available. Whether it be a magazine or getting a book through inter-library loan. Most of my patrons are not comfortable with technology or computers and love holding a book, so this is something I can use to help them explore online resources but yet have a list of other sources to utilize as well.
I am excited to be able to share this with my patrons!
World Book Online Info Finder
What a great resource!
I again researched manatees and found a large amount of information right at my fingertips. When comparing the two, the world book online info finder offers more in depth details whereas the world book online for kids gives the basic information. The info finder explains the three different types of species, several characteristics about manatees, describes what they eat and how they reproduce. It also uses a wider vocabulary than world book online for kids and then gives you the option to click on any word to have it defined for you. They both give the children the options to have the article read to you or translate it into another language. This resource will make writing a research paper a breeze, but it is also fun to just sit down, explore and learn!
I again researched manatees and found a large amount of information right at my fingertips. When comparing the two, the world book online info finder offers more in depth details whereas the world book online for kids gives the basic information. The info finder explains the three different types of species, several characteristics about manatees, describes what they eat and how they reproduce. It also uses a wider vocabulary than world book online for kids and then gives you the option to click on any word to have it defined for you. They both give the children the options to have the article read to you or translate it into another language. This resource will make writing a research paper a breeze, but it is also fun to just sit down, explore and learn!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
World Book Online for Kids
Growing up we did projects to try and help save manatees, and ever since I have been in love with these creatures. So I searched MANATEES and read a great article that is very age appropriate. This online resource has ton of extras such as: can be read aloud to the kids, has great pictures and videos for the children to observed the animals in their environments, and can be translated into multiple languages.
Manatees live in the Amazon River and Caribbean Sea and along the coasts of northeastern South America, southeastern United States, and western Africa.
I have the privilege to go the elementary school each week as an outreach program and read to the children. I can now extend my outreach to show kids what great resources are available online as well.
This is a big hit for my kids, the love when I do my homework now!
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