Selections

The newsletter of the Sarasota County Library System

~ September 2008 ~ Volume 3, Issue 5

Read Selections online each month or sign up here to have it delivered to you by email.

In this Issue:

• Local Library News
• Staff Picks
• National Library News
• Community Connection
• Events
• Featured Stories
• Featured Internet Sites
• Featured Database News
• Reference Question
  of the Month
• Volunteer News
• Your Feedback

This month's issue is brought
to you in honor of
Sarasota County's own
Sustainability Month,
National Hispanic Heritage Month
and Library Card Sign-up Month.

Staff Picks:

This month's picks were made by Sarasota County staff and community members for Sustainability Month.

National Library News:

Get the Smartest Card @ Your Library® September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and the library wants to make sure that your child has the smartest card of all--a library card!  Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. A library card has always been the most important school supply of all. Children can come to the library to get homework help and check out books, but they can also check out free music, DVDs and use the Internet to make after school life a little more fun. There’s a lot happening at your local library. A recent study by the American Library Association also showed that families use libraries to spend time together. Forty-four percent of survey respondents report taking their children to the library for this reason. Library Card Sign–up Month began in 1987 to meet the challenge of then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett who said, "Let's have a national campaign...every child should obtain a library card--and use it." Since then, thousands of public and school libraries join each fall in a national effort to ensure every child does just that.  For more information on how you can sign up for your library card, visit your local Sarasota County Library. See the library’s Web site at http://www.sclibs.net/Libraries/Hours.aspx for addresses, hours and phone numbers for all library locations.

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52 Ways to Use Your Library Card (1 for each week of the year) 1. Get to know your librarian--the ultimate search engine @ your library. 2. Update your MySpace page. 3. Research new job opportunities. 4. Find a list of childcare centers in your area. 5. Learn about local candidates for office. 6. Pick up voter registration information. 7. Check out your favorite graphic novel. 8. Pick up a DVD. 9. Get wireless computer access. 10. Participate in a community forum.  11. Find out how to navigate the Internet. 12. Prepare your resume. 13. Get new ideas for redecorating your house. 14. Get a list of community organizations. 15. Attend a lecture or workshop. 16. Hear a local author reading his/her latest novel. 17. Join a book discussion group. 18. Attend preschool story hour with your child. 19. Get homework help. 20. Look up all kinds of health information. 21. Research the purchase of a new car. 22. Trek to another planet in a Sci-Fi novel. 23. Call the reference desk if you have a question. 24. Research your term paper. 25. Learn about the history or your city or town. 26. Decide which computer to buy using a consumer guide. 27. Check your stock portfolio. 28. Borrow an audiobook for your next road trip or commute. 29. Use the library’s resources to start a small business. 30. See a new art exhibit. 31. Volunteer as a literacy tutor. 32. Find a new recipe. 33. Ask for a recommended reading list for your kids. 34. Make photocopies. 35. Get a book from interlibrary loan. 36. Enroll your child in a summer reading program. 37. Take a computer class. 38. Hear a poetry reading. 39. Read the latest fashion magazine. 40. Enjoy a concert. 41. Trace your family tree. 42. Check out a special collection of rare books. 43. Check out a legal question or issue. 44. Find out how to file a consumer complaint. 45. Learn about home improvement. 46. Borrow some sheet music. 47. Learn how to use a database or computerized catalog. 48. Find the latest romance paperback. 49. Pick up tax forms. 50. Connect with other people in the community. 51. Find a quiet spot: curl up with a book and enjoy. 52. Read a newspaper from another country or city. How do you use your library card? Let us know!: http://www.sclibs.net/comments.aspx

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Your Library In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage week. In 1988, the celebration of the cultures and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean was expanded to last from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Críticas Magazine creates an annual list of top choices for books and videos for Hispanic Heritage Month. See the entire list at Críticas  or find these suggested titles at your Sarasota County Library: For adults: -- Ayude a sus hijos a triunfar en la escuela secundaria y llegar a la universidad (Help Your Children Succeed in High School and Go to College) by Mariela Dabbah -- De cómo las muchachas Garcia perdieron el acento (How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent) by Julia Alvarez -- Nieve en la Habana. Confesiones de un cubanito (Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy) by Carlos Eire -- De nadie (No One's) Documentary on DVD For children: -- César Chávez. La lucha por lo justo (César Chávez: Fighting for Fairness) by Lila and Rick Guzmán -- My Name is Gabito / Me llamo Gabito by Yuliana Gallegos -- La velita de los cuentos / The Storyteller's Candle by Lucía González -- Tortillas and Lullabies / Tortillas y cancioncitas by Lynn Reiser

The Word on the Street We asked people around the library: Quick word association-- What are the first three terms that come to mind when you hear the word sustainability? Answers:   Recycle, reuse, reduce    Green, recycle, environment   Respect the earth!   Green, local agriculture, alternative energies   Eternity, earth, renewal   Future, eco-friendly, green   Green Building, wind power, mass transit

Featured Internet Sites:

Web Resources for Sustainability These sites were selected by the Libraries' Programming Committee: A favorite tip site: http://www.globalstewards.org/ecotips.htm State website on Climate Change: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/air/climate.htm Model site for sustainability: http://www.sustainableseattle.org/Resources Explanation for ecological footprint: http://www.earthlab.com/carbon-calculator.html Southern Alliance for Clean Energy: http://cleanenergy.org/ Roanoke Valley Cool Cities’ Coalition statement of purpose: http://www.rvccc.org/rvccc-mission.html Good go-to site for different sustainability activism ideas: http://www.newdream.org/about/campaigns.php Lester Brown’s site (author of Plan B 2.0): http://www.earthpolicy.org/ The scientific authorities on climate change: http://www.ipcc.ch/index.htm UF’s sustainability site: http://www.sustainable.ufl.edu/ Florida’s Wildlife: On the Frontline of Climate Change conference: http://www.ces.fau.edu/floc/sponsors.php Architecture 2030: http://www.architecture2030.org/current_situation/stop_coal.html Earthbox--how to grow vegetables without a garden: http://www.earthbox.com/ Search engine for local food growers: http://www.localharvest.org/food-coops/M17172 Sarasota Green Connection – list of local ‘green’ businesses: http://www.sarasotagreenconnection.com/green_pages.htm Sarasota’s Urban Forestry site: http://ww.scgov.com/urbanforestry.com Sarasota Network for Climate Action: http://www.sarasotaclimate.org/mission.html Sierra Club: http://www.sierraclub.org/ Environmental Defense Fund: http://www.edf.org/home.cfm Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/ VegSarasota (Going veg is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint!): http://www.vegsarasota.com/ Great resource explaining why a vegan diet has the smallest impact on our planet: http://www.vegan.org/about_veganism/environment.html Top 10 Easiest Ways to Green Your Office from Ideal Bite: http://www.idealbite.com/pdf/top10OP.pdf Florida-Friendly Landscaping from UF/IFAS Extension: http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/FYN/fyn.shtml Simple Things You Can Do Today (to save energy) from Co-op America: http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/caq/articles/ summer2008/LevelOne.cfm How to Green Your Community from Treehugger: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/how-to-green-your-community.php#top10 10 Ways to Green Your Home and Family from Shine: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/home/10-ways-to-green-your-home-and-family-155401/ School of Sustainability, Arizona State University Graduate and Undergraduate Programs: http://schoolofsustainability.asu.edu/ Consumer Consequences: Find Out If You Are Living a Sustainable Life from American Public Media: http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/

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Web Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month sites at FactMonster.com: http://www.factmonster.com/spot/hhm1.html Hispanic Heritage Month at Smithsonian Education: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/heritage_month/ Biographies of notable Hispanics and Latinos: http://www.biography.com/hispanic-heritage/ Hispanic Heritage Month 2008 information and statistics from the Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/ facts_for_features_special_editions/012245.html

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Featured Database News:

Read database descriptions from previous issues of Selections here and in the newsletter archives.

Reference Question of the Month:

As a child, my mom and grandma talked privately in front of me using what seemed like another language; they called it “Pig Latin.” I would like to do that now in front of my children. How do I learn to speak Pig Latin? Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable (found at 803 BRE in nonfiction and reference sections) defines “Pig Latin” as “a secret language used by children, in which any consonants at the beginning of a word are placed at the end followed by ‘-ay’. Thus ‘market’ becomes ‘arketmay’.” Words that begin with vowels may be translated by adding “-ay” or “way” to the end of the word: “eye” becomes “eyeway.” However, rules may vary slightly among groups--or families! Here are some interesting websites exist that describe Pig Latin: The Word Detective (scroll down almost to the bottom of the page): http://www.word-detective.com/032404.html Wikipedia article on Pig Latin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_Latin WikiHow: How to Speak Pig Latin: http://www.wikihow.com/Speak-Pig-Latin   Bonus: Did you know you can use Google's homepage in Pig Latin? Eckchay itway outway erehay!: http://www.google.com/intl/xx-piglatin/

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Your Feedback:

Would you like to see your picks in a future issue of Selections (instead of "Staff Picks")? Email** your picks to librarywebmaster@scgov.net. (Please put "My Picks" in the subject.) Or send them through the "Your Comments" page of the library website, write "My Picks" in the message: http://sclibs.net/comments.aspx. Any pick is a good pick! Please choose books or DVDs that the library owns so other readers may check them out. If you include a comment about why you chose your pick, please give your first name or initials. "Staff Picks" becomes "Your Picks" as soon as at least eight are received. Send in your picks today!   ** Important Notice Regarding privacy and e-mail.SB 80 effective July 1, 2006: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead contact this office by phone or in writing.

Volunteer News:

The Library Wants You as a Volunteer! Libraries merely exist with public funding, but they truly shine with the help of our volunteers. Former library employees, writers, gardeners, mothers, grandfathers, doctors, Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts and many others have devoted their time and energy to making the Sarasota County Library System flourish. The need for volunteers throughout the Library System is ongoing as the library evolves. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the volunteer coordinator at your library. Maybe the next new volunteer will be you!

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