Homework Help Resources at the Library

Hi All,

Imagine this scenario:  You are trying to complete your social studies report and it is 10:30pm on a Sunday night.  The report is due Monday morning and you need to find some encyclopedia articles for your report.

Are you going to panic? Are you going to 'freak-out' or stress out or worry yourself sick?

Nope.  No way.

Why?

Because you know that you can use your library.

That's right - you can use the library's online resources - WHILE YOU ARE AT HOME.

All you need is your handy-dandy library card and just visit the library homepage.  Click on this link and then click on the Research link at the top of the page.

Specifically we have a wide-ranging, comprehensive, current resource called 'Credo Reference' which contains dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedias, quotations, atlases, and more for students.  The number and variety of titles in each of the categories listed above makes this online database a great start for students to turn to when writing papers or essays for school.

Geography, history, social studies,biography, literature, poetry and more are just some of the subject covered in this all-encompassing database. You'll also find pictures, video, journal articles and current events related to the topic you are researching.

Students will probably get better grades - and spend less time doing research - when Credo Reference is used to help with school assignments.

Enjoy Credo Reference and if you have any questions, you can contact the library at 516-249-909 or, via email at falmail@nassaulibrary.org.

Regards,
Stu

Random Numbers - How Cool Is That?

 

Hi All,

In my world random numbers are cool.  Very cool.  So...let's start at the beginning.  The very beginning - and we'll go from there.

What is a random number?  Click on this article from Wikipedia which discusses the uses of random numbers and more.

Why are random numbers so difficult to generate 'randomly'? Well, the Wikipedia article also discusses why 'true' random numbers and pseudorandom numbers are so difficult to generate.

Click on this link from Random.org to generate your own random numbers to generate passwords, randomize lists, jazz scales and more.

Click on this link to learn about Random.org and how it got started. To get a perspective on just exactly what randomness and random number are, click on this link from Random.org.

Enjoy the random sites... :)

Stu

Happy 100th BirthdayTo the Erector Set!!!

Hi All,

Did you know that 2013 is the 100th birthday of the Erector set? I didn't either until I came across this article from the New York Times on Tuesday morning. Here's a link to the article entitled, '100 Years Later, Seeing the Influence of the Erector Set'.

I played with an Erector Set when I was a kid so the article had some passing interest for me. But then I began to dig a bit deeper...there are Ebay listings, Youtube videos and websites dedicated to Erector sets and their background.  Forthwith, a blog entry about Erector Sets.

Click on this link to get a perspective on the history of the Erector Set from Wikipedia. There are interesting quotes about the Erector Set - in particular this quote which is a great summary of the parts of the Erector Set:  "Erector consists of various metal beams with regular holes for assembly using nuts and bolts. Other mechanical parts such as pulleys, gears, wheels, and small electric motors were also part of the system. What made Erector unique was the ability to build a model, then take it apart and build something else (over and over)."  For a kid who has imagination, combined with creativity and a little bit of spunk and you have one of the world's great toys....

The Wikipedia article has 5 sections (each section links to the respective part of the Wikipedia entry) - so click on the links to your hearts content! History, Movie, Applications, See Also, and References.

Their Man Who Saved Christmas was a film based on the true story about the efforts of toymaker AC Gilbert to continue making toys during World War I. Click here for the link from Wikipedia. Click here for the movie review/link/details from the Internet Movie Database.  BTW, Jason Alexander (of George from Seinfeld fame) stars in the movie.

Click on this link for the official Erector Set website - note that there are lots of Games, Apps, Videos and a list of Where to Buy Erector Sets on the site.  For more 'unofficial video's that deal with Erector Sets, click on this link from Youtube - note that the first bunch of videos include topics as varied as 'Incredible AC Gilbert Erector Display', 'AC Gilbert Erector Sets 1960', 'Erector Sets and Other AC Gilbert Toys', 'Erector Set Commercial', and 'Noah's Erector Set Creation (music).  Cool stuff - here's the link!.

Finally, to get some background information and to find out what makes the Erector Set educational, click on this link from Ideafinder.  Cool stuff. And of course, enjoy your Erector Set!

Regards,
Stu

Spring+Warm Weather=Gardening Time

 
Hi All,

You might not be able to recognize it from todays' weather, but spring is here. Over the last few weeks we've been getting less rain and more sun in this area and that's great for backyard gardeners.  Central Nassau - and from what I hear from patrons at the reference desk - and our patrons are ready for a traditional spring that is full of warm weather, sunny skies and blooming flowers.  Bring it on!!!!

So, without further ado, I've found a really excellent gardening site called Treehugger.com. Click here for a link to the site. 


The site has an excellent article titled '10 Great Gardening Websites You Must Read' - which is basically a list of 10 high-quality, unbiased, current gardening websites.  One of which is 'Kitchen Gardeners International'.  Tabs on the homepage of the KGI site include 'Education', KGI Garden Planner and more.

Other sites that Treehugger covers include the Royal Horticultural Society, You Grow Girl, and Plants are the Strangest People.

Plants Are the Strangest People (aka PATSP) is a self-proclaimed 'long-winded but frequently humorous blog about houseplants or working in a garden center'.  The blog has been around since 2007 and is well-written, interesting and darn clever.  The clever part is self-evident from the tab entitled  'Praise for PATSP From Spambots'. 

And finally, indulge me for a shameless plug...here it goes.


Finally, the library is hosting a program on Thursday, April 18th at 6:30pm called 'How Does Your Garden Grow?'  The program will be held in Room E and we are expecting a large turn out.  So, be sure to register for the program ahead of time on the library Calendar of Events page.  Click here for the link to that page.

Here's to all your gardens blooming and for all your plants growing abundantly this Spring.

Enjoy the sites!
Stu

The Why Files...

Hi All,

You probably have heard of the 'X-Files' but have you heard of the 'Why Files?'  Yep - I didn't think so.  So what does the 'Why Files' do for you?

The site bills itself as 'The Science Behind the News' - and indeed that's just what the site provides.  On the first page of the site are articles about 'Roads" Helpful Here, Harmful There', 'Science Teachers: Hip Yourself to a Great Resource' and a link to 'Tornado Prediction'.  Interesting stuff to be sure.

But wait, there's more.

Click on this link for a page full of Classroom Activities. Teachers can get information about stem cells, learn about forensic science of bugs, maggots and DNA, and inquire about polar science. 

As usual, users can search the 'Why Files' using a search box at the right side of the of homepage.  And there is a section titled, 'In the News' on the homepage which covers current events related to topics in science.  Topics include the environment, endangered species, weather, geography, physics, biology, forensic science, archaeology, climatology, and more. 

Site usability is great - links go where they are supposed to go and the site itself is simple to navigate.  Site design is crisp, linear and attractive.

Enjoy the site.
Stu