free trial of Gale Virtual Reference Library

We have a free trial of Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) available 05/21/14 through 06/13/14.  This resource provides unlimited simultaneous access to thousands of electronic reference titles.  No checkout is required, and titles are available to download in PDF for offline viewing.  Check out this brochure for an overview of GVRL or click here to get started with the free trial.  Please share any feedback with Edward (HQ).

resource of the week: NC Health Statistics

Each year, Library Journal publishes a list of Notable Government Documents.  One document that made the list was the North Carolina Health Statistics Pocket Guide 2011.  This convenient pocket guide provides a demographic snapshot of North Carolina and how the state relates to the whole of the nation, as well as where it ranks among other states in overall health and health outcomes.

In addition to specific government documents, the article also provides a list of notable agencies in NC including:  NC Department of Labor, NC Office of Archives and History, NC State Center for Health Statistics, and UNC-CH School of Government.

resource of the week: Free Film Treasures

The following are some free resources for films:

• Acorn Media Group
• A/V Geeks
• The Prelinger Archive
• Europa Film Treasures
• National Film Board of Canada
• National Geographic TV
• NOVA
• PBS Video
• Snag Films

resource of the week: searching the invisible web

The internet is an iceberg. And, as you might guess, most of us only reckon with the tip. While the pages and media found via simple searches may seem unendingly huge at times, what is submerged and largely unseen – often referred to as the invisible web or deep web – is in fact far, far bigger.  How to Search the Invisible Web is a helpful guide that explains what the invisible web is and how to search it.  (thanks to Gretchen for sharing this resource)

it's all fun & games

The Mansion of Happiness (1843)

There's nothing like a good game night to get me smiling and laughing with friends or family.  The Library of Congress' Picture This blog recently posted A Look Back at Board Games, which features beautiful images of vintage gameboards (including the one to the left).  The gameboards are part of the Prints and Photograph Division's collections.  If you've never done so, check out loc.gov sometime and browse the vast number of digitized collections available--it's amazing!

just what is a reference question?

In an effort to clarify what is and what is not a reference question we give you the following examples. All locations should be differentiating between reference and technology questions:

Example 1. If you help patrons set up equipment in the meeting room for presentations using power point or video streaming. That should be counted as a technology reference question.

Example 2. If you are in the stacks and a patron asks you for help  finding an author and you take them to that author section then suggest other similar authors, that is a reference question.

Example 3. If they ask you were the nearest anything outside our grounds is and you show them on a map or give them specific directions to give them a phone number, that is a reference transaction.

Example 4. Patron needs help setting up email, getting on NC Jobs, responding to another job offer basic holding their hand off and on for 30 to 45 minutes. You count two technology questions (set up email and getting on nc jobs) and two career job reference questions (nc jobs and finding the tax form on their job site). You should have a total of four ticks.

Example 5. Patron requests information on the history of the Middle East. You provide in house book resources ( reference) and show them NCLive ( technology reference- you are showing them how to  navigate a resource only available online). You would have a total of two ticks for that transaction.

It is important for you to record these transactions accurately as possible. If you have any questions please direct them to your supervisor. Thank you.

resource of the week: CBPP

Since 1981, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has conducted research and provided analysis for state and federal fiscal policy and public programs.  The reports, which go back to 2006, cover public policy regarding fiscal issues, poverty, health, housing, social security, taxation, and welfare reform.