About INSPIRE

How many of you remember the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature?  This was a very important resource when I was in high school and college.  If I needed journal articles to support an essay I was writing, this was where I found the citations to help me find exactly the magazine or journal needed.  Today, a wonderful resource called INSPIRE does what these very hefty books did and much more.  Instead of finding the article in an actual journal, magazine or even on microfilm, INSPIRE allows the user to get the full-text article with just a few keyboard strokes and clicks of the mouse.  I don't know of any libraries that still own the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.  So if I use Google, which admittedly sometimes I do, here's what happens:  I am asked to "purchase a subscription," find web articles about everything except what I was looking for or the website I'm directed to is just plain confusing.  With INSPIRE, I'm 100% certain of getting reliable facts.  And often it's the ONLY place where I am able to find an answer to a questions I'm asked every day. 

But wait, INSPIRE is so much more than that.  There are ebooks available through INSPIRE.  Teachingbooks.net is part of INSPIRE.  Ever wonder how to pronounce a children's book author's name?  Teachingbooks.net has the answer and has many valuable resources related to books that teachers and anyone else who is interested may use.  I showed a video version of a book to boys and girls for summer reading from Teachingbooks.net. 

TERC (Testing, Education and Resource Center) is the place for practice tests such as high school equivalency, Scholastic Aptitude and many more.  When my son was in high school, I used it to look for college scholarships.  There are career tools as well that allow you to create a resume.

Within the INSPIRE databases you can find reliable sources for medical information, how to repair something in your home, identifying trees and MUCH MORE!  Seriously go to: http://zu8fr6nk5e.cs.serialssolutions.com/ and check it out.  (In case this link doesn't work for you, visit our website http://morg.lib.in.us and look on the left side of the screen for "Electronic Resources and Databases."  Then you may need to scroll down a little further and click on "INSPIRE.")

If cutting INSPIRE wasn't enough, there is a proposed budget cut that would all but do away with the genealogy department at the Indiana State Library.  Apparently some people think we can substitute Google Scholar for INSPIRE and Ancestry.com for the genealogy department at the Indiana State Library.  For further details about this you can go to:
http://wishtv.com/2015/01/30/indiana-library-faces-major-cuts-under-proposed-budget/
or
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B06auQOiuAbTQ1U3ZWpfenFJZUE/view?pli=1 where you will be able to find out more about the proposed cuts.

This all leaves me wondering how I will be able to find the answers to reference and genealogy questions I am asked every day.

submitted by Janice, Genealogy Librarian

FREE Medical Resources

You probably already know that you can come to the library and find books on diet, exercise, and health care, but did you know that there are online resources that are free to you as well?  These websites use plain language, are authoritative, with up to date medical information, and have no bothersome ads trying to sell you something. These sites are approved by your local librarian as being trustworthy and reliable! 

So check them out for the latest information on medicine and health care for you and your family.

 http://healthfinder.gov/  
"Healthfinder.gov is a Federal Government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .  Healthfinder.gov is sponsored by the National Health Information Center. 
When making decisions about your health, it’s important to know where to go to get the latest, most reliable information. healthfinder.gov has resources on a wide range of health topics selected from approximately 1,400 government and non-profit organizations to bring you the best, most reliable health information on the Internet."

 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
" MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.  You can use MedlinePlus to learn about the latest treatments, look up information on a drug or supplement, find out the meanings of words, or view medical videos or illustrations. You can also get links to the latest medical research on your topic or find out about clinical trials on a disease or condition."

Digital magazines and newspapers now available!

We have expanded our digital collection with the addition of OverDrive Periodicals at http://cidc.lib.overdrive.com. This new collection features over two dozen popular digital magazines and newspapers, including Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Family Fun and Guideposts, with more titles added regularly.  

Users can check out periodicals on the same digital library website where they currently borrow eBooks, digital audiobooks and streaming video titles.  All that is required is a valid library card and a NOOK account. Titles can be read via a NOOK tablet device or Free NOOK Reading App available for a multitude of smartphones and tablets.  You can check out up to three magazines at a time and keep them for a week.    For detailed instructions about downloading periodicals, click here.

The Morgan County Public Library partners with OverDrive, Inc. (www.overdrive.com), a global leader in digital media services, to offer digital magazines and newspapers, eBooks, digital audiobooks and streaming video titles.  

Extra!  Extra!  Read all about it!   

This week's Library Blog features newspapers online.

There are quite a few websites out there that say you can search old newspapers for free.  But if you want to read the article you must have a subscription or fill out a lengthy form practically giving away your first born child.  Yes, I exaggerate.  I just find it frustrating when I cannot get the information I want without jumping through several hoops and usually including a somewhat hefty fee.

But there are a couple places that will allow you to search old newspapers that have been digitized and are available online.  The first one is administered by The Library of Congress and can be found online at: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ . You can search newspaper from 1836 to 1922.  Granted they don't have every single newspaper that was ever printed. However, I was able to find an obituary for a great great grandfather.  It's possible to narrow your search by choosing a location and a time frame.  Try it and see what you can find.

Google has a newspaper archive but, sadly, they are no longer adding to it.  What they have already done is still online and free at http://news.google.com/newspapers.  I have tried it and found out that my father was a "secretary" of an organization.  I sure hope someone else took minutes because his handwriting was nearly indecipherable!

If you are doing family history research these two websites are great places to start.  Take some time to try them out and let me know what you think.  And if you know of any other searchable free newspapers that are digitized online, please let me know.  I'm always on the lookout for new places to do family history research.

Janice
Genealogy Librarian

Basic Computer Skills Classes

Do you or someone close to you need help learning how to use a computer?  Register now for our new computer classes beginning in January 2015.  You can register by calling the Main Branch at (765)-342-3451.  Class size is limited to six people for a period of six weeks in order for you to get the individual instruction you need.

Beginning January 14th we will meet every Wednesday evening from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and classes will end on Wednesday, February 18th.  You can take this beginners class as many times as you need until you have a good grasp on beginning computer concepts.  Over the course of six weeks you will learn the basic parts of a computer, how to use the keyboard and mouse, connecting to the internet, and creating an email account.  No prior knowledge is required.

The schedule for 2015 is:

1/14/2015 to 2/18/2015
3/11/2015 to 4/15/2015
5/6/2015  to 6/10/2015
7/1/2015 to  8/5/2015
8/26/2015 to 11/25/2015

There will be no classes in December.  Class size is limited and registration is required.

So pick up a brochure at any library branch and call to register!

Christmas is on its way.

It is getting close to Christmas, just 17 days away. If you are like me, there are many things left to be done. My family just put our tree up over the weekend. The library is well decorated with the Festival of Trees here at Main, but if you get a chance come visit one of our other locations and see the Festival of Tree entries out at the branches.

I have been enjoying all the new Christmas books that have been coming into the library. We have both fiction and nonfiction Christmas books that will be coming into the system clear though and probably even after the holidays. So stop in and see what’s new or check out the Wowbrary scroll at the top right of our webpage. I personally can say that I love the new cookbooks with all the candy and cookie recipes. I often find new things to make or should say want to make. Time is always running out for me. I have been making candies, but haven’t made any fudge yet. I need to get going with a few batches of cookies also.

My family looks forward to all the baking and homemade goodies they get each year. I am not the shopper, but I do enjoy making small presents that are useful and I try to make something that each person on my list will like. I get some ideas from the internet, but I also use books to find the majority of my new projects and patterns. A few weeks ago I had 10 books come in from other Evergreen libraries just for that purpose. If you enjoy crafting or making treats, then surf our catalog and get some new ideas. If it is too late for this year, then start planning for next year. I have.

Christmas at the Library

The Christmas season is coming into full swing for most of us. Whether you're looking for a new recipe, fresh decorating ideas, craft projects for the family, or books and DVD's to get into a celebration mood, the library has a wealth of materials to meet those needs. You will find displays of seasonal titles at all of the Morgan County Library branches, and the catalog should help you find almost anything else you're looking for.

The Festival of Trees is underway. The theme this year is Songs and Carols. Most branches have trees on display that have been decorated by local groups (classes, scout troops, businesses, etc.) with a wide range of styles and materials. The Wamona Girl Scout Troop 2371  decorated the tree shown above and on display at the Waverly Branch. Trees will be on display throughout the month of December. Patrons may vote for their favorite trees for 25 cents per vote, or 5 votes for a  dollar.

Be sure to check out the library calendar for craft programs and activities at the branches this month.

Happy Holidays!

Chuck