resource of the week: down for everyone or just me?

Ever wonder if a website is really down or just not working for you?  Meet Down for Everyone or Just Me?, a site that allows you to check just that!

resource of the week: ReadyRowan

Emergency and disaster situations can happen at any moment, day, or week.  Being prepared ahead of time is key to ensuring that our loved ones, co-workers, home, business, and property are protected to the best level possible.

When disaster strikes, the best protection is knowing what to do.  Rowan County has put together a great website, ReadyRowan, to help citizens be prepared.  On this site you'll find links to make a plan, build a kit, sign up for community emergency notification alerts, and more.

resource of the week: internet verification handbook

Although the Verification Handbook targets journalists, its tools and techniques of verifying information are certainly of value to information professionals and our users.  For more on this resource, check out Gary Price's InfoDocket article here.

resource of the week: downloadable art books

Browse and download more than 250 free art books through the Getty Publications Library or nearly 400 free art books from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Perfect for the serious researcher or the thrifty art lover!

resource of the week: help desk numbers

Jordan Minor writes: “Customer Support is theoretically there to help, but it too can be a disappointingly unpleasant experience. Websites may bury the 800 number, automated systems at the other end of the phone mishear words, and you spend most of your time either pressing buttons or shouting ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ at the phone. To help you avoid all that frustration, we’ve compiled a list of customer support phone numbers and tipsfor navigating to an actual person."  (PC Magazine, Dec. 5 appearing in ALA Direct, Dec. 11)

resource of the week: preservation websites

Have you backed up your favorite photos?  Your phone contacts?  Your tax documents?  These days, many items are born digital, meaning they don't have a physical presence.  Amy attended a Digital Preservation workshop at NCLA and has shared a few of her favorite resources she learned about:

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources -  Visit http://digitalpreservation.ncdcr.gov/ and click on "I create files" and look at the review on good file naming practices.  Click on "more resources" and then "who to follow" to see interesting blog links. (Alternatively, visit http://digitalpreservation.ncdcr.gov/whotofollow.html)

Library of Congress - Visit http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/personalarchiving/

resource of the week: library cat map

Ellyssa Kroski writes: “There are currently over 300 living resident library cats throughout the world, 200+ of which reside in the US according to the Library Cat Map. Library cats have been welcomed as rodent-killers since the early 19th century in Europe and even dating back to ancient times in Egypt in the libraries of temples. Here are six famous library cats, as well as resources to find out about many more.”  (iLibrarian, Jan. 9 appearing in ALA Direct, Jan. 15)  And yes, this one is dedicated to Marissa, Amy, Rebecca, and Carolyn.  : )