Do you want to be better at answering difficult reference questions? Learn the art of the reference interview and how to ask the right questions to delve into the heart of what the customer really wants to know.
Try the HALS Reference 123 course. It's a set of three web-based training modules designed for staff who are new to reference work, those who would like a refresher, or for reference trainers. This course is designed for you to work at your own pace.
Start today!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The Reference Interview
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Alternative to Custom Guide
Ever tried to log on to the Custom Guide database to teach yourself a computer program, but it wouldn't let you? Unfortunately, only a certain number of users are allowed on Custom Guide at the same time. Don't fret! There is another alternative, a tutorial website called:
GCF Learn Free
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/
It offers free, interactive tutorials for anyone who wants to improve their technology, literacy, and math skills.
Did I mention there is a Spanish version, too? http://www.gcflatino.org/
Try it for yourself and promote it to the customers as well.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tax form questions
Due to popular demand, the IRS houses prior year tax forms, instructions, and publications back to 1980 on their website. http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=98339,00.html
Please be aware that some of the older forms are print only and not “fill-ins.” Also, some forms are “information only” forms and are not usable if printed from the website. These forms can be ordered over the phone by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
Customers can also order a copy of their processed tax return by phone, mail, or online. http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=110571,00.html
Please note, it is FREE to request a transcript of this information, but if you want the original copies, you will have to pay a fee. Also, the free transcripts currently only go back 3 years.
If a customer requests us to print forms that will have to pay $.25 a page, but if they order by calling the number above, the forms are FREE.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Statistic resources, online and at the library
Statistics are available on a variety of subjects, such as health, weather, crime, population characteristics, labor and employment, etc. The following is a list of resources that will help you find this information.
Quick Tip: Always check the source of the statistics, how the numbers were collected, what the date range of the data covers, and who collected the data to make sure you are using them correctly and understand their meaning.
Print resources:
- Florida Statistical Abstract - contains economic an demographic data for Florida by city and county. REF 317.59 FLO
- Statistical Abstract of the United States - a yearly publication from the United States Bureau of the Census contains both government and non-government statistics about social and economic conditions, usually on the national and state levels, but also including some international statistics. It's also available on the Web, viewed in Adobe Acrobat format.
- FEDSTATS - contains statistical information produced by over 70 federal government agencies. Example: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of the Census, National Center for Education Statistics and Internal Revenue Service.
- Department of Treasury - stats on public debt.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - all kinds of labor stats. Can find information on inflation.
- Economic Report of the President - overviews the nation's economic progress using text and extensive data appendices. These stats go back a number of years.
- National Center for Educational Statistics - collects, analyzes and makes available data related to education in the U.S. and other nations.
- Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics - statistical information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Learn how to use the Ancestry database!
Want to learn more about the Ancestry Database and be able to help customers with their genealogy questions? Ancestry.com provides training webcasts you can watch at your leisure.
Start with First Steps #1: Getting Started at Ancestry.com.
Summary: New to Ancestry.com? Join Juliana Smith, editor of the Ancestry Weekly Discovery e-newsletter, in this introductory course and learn how Ancestry.com can assist you in your family history journey. Learn how to navigate the site, search for your ancestors in the more than 30,000 collections on Ancestry.com, and start an online tree to organize your finds.
Also check out their Article Archives to develop your research skills and learn new search tips.
Never used Ancestry? It's the Library's most popular genealogical database that customers can only access at the Library. Check out our genealogy page!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Free ebooks and audiobooks for eReaders
Osceola Library System is getting the service called Overdrive which supplies ebooks and audiobooks to check out. In the mean time, customers can use the following websites to download free ebooks and audiobooks.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
New Business and Career Resources
The Florida Electronic Library is offering new business and career resources.
The titles are:
A-Z of Careers and Jobs
IQ and Aptitude Tests
Ready-made Job Search Letters
Successful Interviewing and Recruitment
Ultimate Interview
Ultimate Job Search
American Buyers: Demographics of Shopping
Green Property
The Growing Business Handbook
How to Understand Business Finance
Winning New Business
To access these ebooks, click here for the direct link. If the link doesn't work, go to www.flelibrary.org
- Click on "Reference Books" in the middle of the page
- Click on "View all resources in Gale Virtual Reference Library"
- Once the library opens up, pick the section you want to browse, or type in the title of the book you want.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Open Access Journals
Open Access Journals are publications that do not charge readers for access. Open access promotes increased usage and has a higher impact because more people can read them.
A website called the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) makes it their business to collect all open access journals and house access to them on one website.
Browse their journal collection and see what you can find. Search for a journal or article!
It's all free and you don't need a Library Card.
Check it out today at www.doaj.org
Friday, April 15, 2011
User Guides for eReaders
Lost your manual for your eReader? Did you know that you can find a copy on the Internet?
Normally, companies post the manuals for all your favorite electronic devices on the internet. All you need to do is open up Google and type a few keywords, such as "Kindle user guide" and it pops right up.
Here links to the manuals for popular eReaders.
Color Nook - manuals are on the right.
Nook - manuals are on the right.
Kindle
Sony eReader - simply select your series and model.
Kobo
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Need help with Library displays?
Check out Flashlight Worthy, a website that contains over 400 lists of handpicked book recommendations on hundreds of topics.
You'll find lists like:
Coming-of-Age Novels That Rocked My World
Literary Pen Pals -- Books of Letters
Run, Zombies Ahead! Books if You Love the Undead, or Are the Undead
What New Yorkers Read on the Subway
Picture Books with African-American Protagonists
You can also contribute your own list, if you'd like.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Searching Tips
A few tips on searching in Sirsi Workflows:
-Substitution: Use the ? symbol to substitute a missing character. For example: “wom?n” will pull “woman” or “women.” The same goes for user searches such as “Darr?n” will pull “Darren” or “Darrin”
-Truncation: The $ symbol is used to truncate search terms. When truncated words produce too many variations, a partial list is retrieved. For example, “Lil$” will pull up “Lily” or “Lili” or “Lilie”
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
SMS (Short Message Service) alternatives
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Discontinuing What Do I Read Next Database
The State Library recently added a new Reader’s Advisory database, Books & Authors. A link may be found on our website on the Database page under the Books & Literature heading. Books & Authors is a tremendously valuable and easy-to-use resource. Even so, if you need help navigating, check out their help section.
The Osceola Library System also subscribes to Novelist Plus which contains reviews, read-alikes and other Reader’s Advisory tools for fiction and nonfiction young adult, adult and children’s reading material.
With the addition of Books & Authors, the State Library is discontinuing access to What Do I Read Next?
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