The Merck Manual for medical reference will no longer be updated in print form, but a link to the website will be made available under RPL's online tools under the Health category. There is no registration requirements, nor advertizing, and the site offers infographics, health trackers along with pill identifiers and drug interaction checkers. The site has a consumer and professional option, but patrons will probably garner more benefits from the consumer site.
ScienceOpen is an open access resource for scientific research articles that now has over 10 million articles. ScienceOpen gives the ability to search for topics, see related articles, and also browse collections including topics such as stem cells, microbial health, and cancer therapy. Registration is requested, but not required to view articles.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
From stuff-braries to anonymous surfing
Public libraries have been rethinking their futures as a part of their communities. The redefinition of the public library continues in many different avenues. The NY Times has a great article about various special collections being developed around the country: These Public Libraries Are for Snowshoes and Ukuleles, Everything from cooking implements, sport and leisure equipment to scientific tools are being checked out to patrons now. Telescopes, sewing machines, and fishing rods are all things people find useful, but use infrequently enough to make them great examples of this movement.
“They realized that the way you best serve your community is to look like them,” ... “For some, that means 3-D printers. For others, it means fishing rods.” Which begs the question of what does RPL's community "look like"? These special lending libraries also bring up a host of additional concerns and questions, such as maintenance, tech support, breakage, and replacement, all above and beyond initial funding.
A different option for public libraries is to embrace and explore the role as a place for the sanctity of free speech and privacy. New Hampshire has the "First Library to Offer Anonymous Web Browsing" but this was later shut down by Homeland Security. Whether or not this practice becomes commonplace or not, it is an interesting use of available technology. It is yet to be seen whether these trailblazers are creating avenues down which RPL will travel in the future. Much depends on what our community and patrons decide they want, which is ultimately the deciding factor.
“They realized that the way you best serve your community is to look like them,” ... “For some, that means 3-D printers. For others, it means fishing rods.” Which begs the question of what does RPL's community "look like"? These special lending libraries also bring up a host of additional concerns and questions, such as maintenance, tech support, breakage, and replacement, all above and beyond initial funding.
A different option for public libraries is to embrace and explore the role as a place for the sanctity of free speech and privacy. New Hampshire has the "First Library to Offer Anonymous Web Browsing" but this was later shut down by Homeland Security. Whether or not this practice becomes commonplace or not, it is an interesting use of available technology. It is yet to be seen whether these trailblazers are creating avenues down which RPL will travel in the future. Much depends on what our community and patrons decide they want, which is ultimately the deciding factor.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Financial Literacy Resources
Finances and budgeting are skills that often elude the savviest of folks. Here are some wonderful free and trustworthy resources for patrons to to navigate the often murky world of money management.
NCUA's Consumer Resources is a list of government sites to inform and educate on such topics as retirement planning, saving for college, mortgages, loan calculators and credit report investigations.
MyMoney.gov is another financial information clearinghouse of government websites and information for consumers.
CreditSmart by Freddie Mac is an online free course in credit building and maintenance. As may of us know, credit is vastly important for people to attain the lives they want. The ability to acquire reliable vehicles, safe and affordable housing, and finance higher education can depend on credit history.
OCC: Financial Literacy Resources The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (The Department of the Treasury) has the most exhaustive list of resources, including such topics as investing, elder financial exploitation, housing, resources in Spanish, and small business financing
And in other news: the ALA's Facebook page was hacked over the weekend. The story proves that librarians have the very best senses of humor. The page has been restored to the rightful hands now.
NCUA's Consumer Resources is a list of government sites to inform and educate on such topics as retirement planning, saving for college, mortgages, loan calculators and credit report investigations.
MyMoney.gov is another financial information clearinghouse of government websites and information for consumers.
CreditSmart by Freddie Mac is an online free course in credit building and maintenance. As may of us know, credit is vastly important for people to attain the lives they want. The ability to acquire reliable vehicles, safe and affordable housing, and finance higher education can depend on credit history.
OCC: Financial Literacy Resources The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (The Department of the Treasury) has the most exhaustive list of resources, including such topics as investing, elder financial exploitation, housing, resources in Spanish, and small business financing
And in other news: the ALA's Facebook page was hacked over the weekend. The story proves that librarians have the very best senses of humor. The page has been restored to the rightful hands now.
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