It's a wrap!
I've felt a little bit like a detective the last few months, with all my sleuthing in the databases offered at the South Dakota State Library website. I've read pertinent information about the upkeep of my vehicle on Chilton; perused family records on AncestryLibrary; viewed fine art on CAMIO; skimmed a book about bulletin boards on EbscoHost; discovered new literary themes about my one of the favorite books on Gale Virtual Library; and tested my foreign language fluency on Mango. I feel as if my library toolbox has been refreshed! Not only have I tested out all these (and many more) wonderful databases, but I've also started using them more in my library jobs. I have consulted WorldCat a number of times for any cataloging questions I've had recently. In addition, I've referred teachers and students to World Book Online for research questions. I have also done research on some of my teen book club picks.
One of the Challenge's aspects I'm most excited about is beginning the blog. Blogging is something I've been meaning to try for a long time. The Challenge made me sit down and begin my blog -- no hemming and hawing about a potential blog name and theme. Just pick something and begin. Now that I've established Mrs. G's Library Nook, I plan to continue on. (You are all witnesses ...)
Thanks to the South Dakota State Library for a great challenge!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Who on earth am I?
I've always been interested in family history. I am a lover of stories, so I'm intrigued with the past, and how unknown members of my family tree figure into history. A few years ago, my mom traced some of our family roots back to the Mayflower. Subsequently, we took a vacation out to Plymouth, Massachusetts to experience in a tiny way what they did all those years ago. So when my assignment was to explore AncestryLibrary, I was just a little bit excited.
When I began searching for my own information, I was interested to see what popped up. It is just a tiny bit disconcerting to see all of your data before you on the computer screen -- a bit like looking into the mirror and seeing what others see for the first time. So when I found my own records, imagine my surprise when I discovered my birth date was not correct. The month and year were correct, but the date is one week off. Hmmm. I kept clicking and checking. Addresses correct? Check. Even addresses I forgot were listed. But my birth date? Still showing up incorrect. Anyone else have this issue?
Then I plugged in my great-grandmother's name. I clicked into the census records, and was able to actually view the handwritten census records from 1930 and 1940. There she was along with my great-grandpa, my grandma, and my great-uncle. Cool. When I searched for South Dakota pictures, I discovered many different items. Most interesting to me were the picture postcards. I found postcards from many of the buildings I mention when giving tours at the museum, including the Old Courthouse Museum itself. The postcard actually had a handwritten message, which was intriguing as well. It began, "I cannot do what you ask as I have not got the money." Hmmm. I wonder what that sister had asked that brother to do originally. There's a story there.
Then, on to HeritageQuest, which took a little bit of time to figure out. But once I started getting the hang of it, I found several relevant items: my grandpa's name in the 1940 census (handwritten, again -- cool!), and information on the school that was located near the farm where I grew up. All very interesting and definitely something I'd like to go back to when I have more time to research my family tree.
I've actually had some experience with the Sanborn Maps in my job at the museum. I had to do some research on a hotel no longer standing last year. I checked the different years available, then I took a look at how things changed over the years. One interesting thing I found was how fire damage was indicated on the maps. For this search I also took a look at Sioux Falls, as my hometown and my current town of residence are not listed in the database. I searched for the Court House on 6th and Main. It can be challenging to locate the exact address you are searching for, although, once I got into the swing of it, I was fine.
These different databases are invaluable for library patrons who may be searching for the roots of their family tree.
I've always been interested in family history. I am a lover of stories, so I'm intrigued with the past, and how unknown members of my family tree figure into history. A few years ago, my mom traced some of our family roots back to the Mayflower. Subsequently, we took a vacation out to Plymouth, Massachusetts to experience in a tiny way what they did all those years ago. So when my assignment was to explore AncestryLibrary, I was just a little bit excited.
When I began searching for my own information, I was interested to see what popped up. It is just a tiny bit disconcerting to see all of your data before you on the computer screen -- a bit like looking into the mirror and seeing what others see for the first time. So when I found my own records, imagine my surprise when I discovered my birth date was not correct. The month and year were correct, but the date is one week off. Hmmm. I kept clicking and checking. Addresses correct? Check. Even addresses I forgot were listed. But my birth date? Still showing up incorrect. Anyone else have this issue?
Then I plugged in my great-grandmother's name. I clicked into the census records, and was able to actually view the handwritten census records from 1930 and 1940. There she was along with my great-grandpa, my grandma, and my great-uncle. Cool. When I searched for South Dakota pictures, I discovered many different items. Most interesting to me were the picture postcards. I found postcards from many of the buildings I mention when giving tours at the museum, including the Old Courthouse Museum itself. The postcard actually had a handwritten message, which was intriguing as well. It began, "I cannot do what you ask as I have not got the money." Hmmm. I wonder what that sister had asked that brother to do originally. There's a story there.
Then, on to HeritageQuest, which took a little bit of time to figure out. But once I started getting the hang of it, I found several relevant items: my grandpa's name in the 1940 census (handwritten, again -- cool!), and information on the school that was located near the farm where I grew up. All very interesting and definitely something I'd like to go back to when I have more time to research my family tree.
I've actually had some experience with the Sanborn Maps in my job at the museum. I had to do some research on a hotel no longer standing last year. I checked the different years available, then I took a look at how things changed over the years. One interesting thing I found was how fire damage was indicated on the maps. For this search I also took a look at Sioux Falls, as my hometown and my current town of residence are not listed in the database. I searched for the Court House on 6th and Main. It can be challenging to locate the exact address you are searching for, although, once I got into the swing of it, I was fine.
These different databases are invaluable for library patrons who may be searching for the roots of their family tree.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Looking for WorldCat
I must admit, WorldCat is amazing. I do a limited amount of work on WorldCat here at the library -- mostly searching for inter-library loans for our patrons when we do not have what they need. So, while I am familiar with WorldCat, I am by no means proficient. What a great opportunity to play around and familiarize myself with features on WorldCat!
Looking for Alaska by John Green is on my mind (my personal book group meets in a week and a half and -- yikes -- I haven't started reading it yet!). I discovered 2,675 copies of this book worldwide on the first entry. And of course, the number one library on the list, is Siouxland Libraries. But the next library on the list is Augustana. A number of libraries in the state own this book. No big surprise there, as John Green books are hot right now. Class descriptors include LC: PZ7.G8233; PS3607.R4344; and Dewey: Fic; 813.6.
Now, OAIster is a database I've never even heard of, much less used. (My mind keeps picturing an open oyster -- or a bowl of steaming oyster stew!) I discovered it is a "Union catalog of digital resources". When I commenced my search of South Dakota, I found numerous entries of annual reports. Since I am a mother of school-age children, I decided to check out "Facts on Kids in South Dakota"; the report I zeroed in on was "Child Poverty in South Dakota, Part 2". The statistics, broken down into various categories and mapped out by county, were alarming. I wasn't as alarmed by my current county of residence, but more by my home county. Poverty rates for children 18 and under in 2008 were at 45 percent. I can see that OAIster is a great tool in locating statistics for a variety of needs.
I was introduced to CAMIO at Library Boot Camp last summer. What an amazing resource! When I typed in "Sioux", 63 items were available to view. The objects range from George Catlin paintings found at the Smithsonian American Art Museum to a pipe bowl housed at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A few of the other owning museums listed include the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Having worked as a museum interpreter for many years, I was particularly interested in viewing the various artifacts. Our museum was home to an exhibit of George Catlin paintings a few years ago. One of the neat features of CAMIO is the ability to view artifacts in high resolution -- which I did with several of Catlin's paintings. The detail really is quite astounding. I can see that CAMIO would be invaluable to a great many people, including -- but not limited to -- scholars, historians, teachers and artists. When adding the paintings to my favorites, I could then put them into a slide show, which would be beneficial in many ways.
I must admit, WorldCat is amazing. I do a limited amount of work on WorldCat here at the library -- mostly searching for inter-library loans for our patrons when we do not have what they need. So, while I am familiar with WorldCat, I am by no means proficient. What a great opportunity to play around and familiarize myself with features on WorldCat!
Looking for Alaska by John Green is on my mind (my personal book group meets in a week and a half and -- yikes -- I haven't started reading it yet!). I discovered 2,675 copies of this book worldwide on the first entry. And of course, the number one library on the list, is Siouxland Libraries. But the next library on the list is Augustana. A number of libraries in the state own this book. No big surprise there, as John Green books are hot right now. Class descriptors include LC: PZ7.G8233; PS3607.R4344; and Dewey: Fic; 813.6.
Now, OAIster is a database I've never even heard of, much less used. (My mind keeps picturing an open oyster -- or a bowl of steaming oyster stew!) I discovered it is a "Union catalog of digital resources". When I commenced my search of South Dakota, I found numerous entries of annual reports. Since I am a mother of school-age children, I decided to check out "Facts on Kids in South Dakota"; the report I zeroed in on was "Child Poverty in South Dakota, Part 2". The statistics, broken down into various categories and mapped out by county, were alarming. I wasn't as alarmed by my current county of residence, but more by my home county. Poverty rates for children 18 and under in 2008 were at 45 percent. I can see that OAIster is a great tool in locating statistics for a variety of needs.
I was introduced to CAMIO at Library Boot Camp last summer. What an amazing resource! When I typed in "Sioux", 63 items were available to view. The objects range from George Catlin paintings found at the Smithsonian American Art Museum to a pipe bowl housed at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A few of the other owning museums listed include the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Having worked as a museum interpreter for many years, I was particularly interested in viewing the various artifacts. Our museum was home to an exhibit of George Catlin paintings a few years ago. One of the neat features of CAMIO is the ability to view artifacts in high resolution -- which I did with several of Catlin's paintings. The detail really is quite astounding. I can see that CAMIO would be invaluable to a great many people, including -- but not limited to -- scholars, historians, teachers and artists. When adding the paintings to my favorites, I could then put them into a slide show, which would be beneficial in many ways.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
"Blizzard of Books!"
As winter seems particularly long this year, I decided to type in a search term of blizzard when exploring EBooks on EbscoHost. I was looking for history. But what I found was better. I work as a part-time librarian at my kids' school. My expertise is in books, not bulletin boards. So I'm always on the lookout for fun ideas on Pinterest for the library's bulletin board. Little did I know I'd find a valuable resource where I was least expecting it! When I typed in blizzard, one of the first searches I found was a "Blizzard of Books" bulletin board idea. The book I discovered was Bulletin Board Power: Bridges to Lifelong Learning. As I continued to peruse the pages of the book, I found multiple ideas to use in the future. This is one EBook I will be returning to.
The next item on the list was to check for books related to Constitution Day. I'll admit, I had a little bit of trouble with this one. The search turned up many books, but not necessarily titles that would benefit younger students. The one title I found to be appropriate for school-age kids was Colonies and Revolution. The book is labeled as juvenile non-fiction. Some other titles that may work in this situation are The Complete Idiot's Guide to American Presidents, The Civil Rights Movement, and The Constitution of the United States of America.
Finally, I did an advanced search, selected the publisher field, and typed in "Nebraska". The search resulted in 58 titles published by the University of Nebraska Press. I did variations on the advanced search, including searching for Nebraska as a subject. It brought up 4 titles, including Willa Cather's O Pioneers! (one of my favorite authors!).
As winter seems particularly long this year, I decided to type in a search term of blizzard when exploring EBooks on EbscoHost. I was looking for history. But what I found was better. I work as a part-time librarian at my kids' school. My expertise is in books, not bulletin boards. So I'm always on the lookout for fun ideas on Pinterest for the library's bulletin board. Little did I know I'd find a valuable resource where I was least expecting it! When I typed in blizzard, one of the first searches I found was a "Blizzard of Books" bulletin board idea. The book I discovered was Bulletin Board Power: Bridges to Lifelong Learning. As I continued to peruse the pages of the book, I found multiple ideas to use in the future. This is one EBook I will be returning to.
The next item on the list was to check for books related to Constitution Day. I'll admit, I had a little bit of trouble with this one. The search turned up many books, but not necessarily titles that would benefit younger students. The one title I found to be appropriate for school-age kids was Colonies and Revolution. The book is labeled as juvenile non-fiction. Some other titles that may work in this situation are The Complete Idiot's Guide to American Presidents, The Civil Rights Movement, and The Constitution of the United States of America.
Finally, I did an advanced search, selected the publisher field, and typed in "Nebraska". The search resulted in 58 titles published by the University of Nebraska Press. I did variations on the advanced search, including searching for Nebraska as a subject. It brought up 4 titles, including Willa Cather's O Pioneers! (one of my favorite authors!).
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Living the Dream!
I'm a prairie girl at heart. Need to know a tidbit about Laura Ingalls Wilder? I'm the go-to person among my co-workers and friends. So when I checked out the the Gale Virtual Reference Library recently, I naturally went to Literary Themes for Students: The American Dream and found a piece devoted to Little House on the Prairie. Well, that certainly made my day!
In perusing the piece, I discovered a factoid I was not aware of: because of anti-Native American attitudes depicted in the book, Little House on the Prairie has been banned in some libraries and classrooms. What?!? While I did experience a small amount of stress that my beloved Little House may have been banned, I did find myself relating this information on to anyone interested enough to listen.
As I investigated further in the volume, I found an essay on Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall". After visiting Frost's home (and woods!) in Franconia, NH, a couple of years ago, I am particularly interested in his poetry. One little tidbit I picked up was that the proverb, "Good fences make good neighbors" was not invented by him.
Oh, if only I would have had these resources available to me when I was writing all those English papers in college! But now I know how to direct others toward these fabulous resources.
As I sit here -- on the first day of March -- I'm watching yet more snowflakes float down from the sky. Winter has indeed dragged on long enough. And while I feel as if many of us may be starting to rise from winter's slumber, I got curious about Vitamin D deficiency. So I did a search in the Gale Virtual Reference Library. Yes -- just what I thought -- lack of sunshine can cause a Vitamin D deficiency in some people. But I also found out that a lack of certain foods and milk may also cause the deficiency. If left untreated in kids, rickets can occur. In adults, it is called osteomalacia. Both of these terms basically mean there are defects in the bones. It's a good thing spring isn't too far away. I did also take the opportunity to test out the listening feature on this article. I feel listening would be especially helpful when reading an article with unfamiliar terms.
I'm a prairie girl at heart. Need to know a tidbit about Laura Ingalls Wilder? I'm the go-to person among my co-workers and friends. So when I checked out the the Gale Virtual Reference Library recently, I naturally went to Literary Themes for Students: The American Dream and found a piece devoted to Little House on the Prairie. Well, that certainly made my day!
In perusing the piece, I discovered a factoid I was not aware of: because of anti-Native American attitudes depicted in the book, Little House on the Prairie has been banned in some libraries and classrooms. What?!? While I did experience a small amount of stress that my beloved Little House may have been banned, I did find myself relating this information on to anyone interested enough to listen.
As I investigated further in the volume, I found an essay on Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall". After visiting Frost's home (and woods!) in Franconia, NH, a couple of years ago, I am particularly interested in his poetry. One little tidbit I picked up was that the proverb, "Good fences make good neighbors" was not invented by him.
Oh, if only I would have had these resources available to me when I was writing all those English papers in college! But now I know how to direct others toward these fabulous resources.
As I sit here -- on the first day of March -- I'm watching yet more snowflakes float down from the sky. Winter has indeed dragged on long enough. And while I feel as if many of us may be starting to rise from winter's slumber, I got curious about Vitamin D deficiency. So I did a search in the Gale Virtual Reference Library. Yes -- just what I thought -- lack of sunshine can cause a Vitamin D deficiency in some people. But I also found out that a lack of certain foods and milk may also cause the deficiency. If left untreated in kids, rickets can occur. In adults, it is called osteomalacia. Both of these terms basically mean there are defects in the bones. It's a good thing spring isn't too far away. I did also take the opportunity to test out the listening feature on this article. I feel listening would be especially helpful when reading an article with unfamiliar terms.
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