Hi All,
So this is going to be a real library related post - no fluff whatsoever! Completely book related...
Simply put, the library is subscribing to a new databases and will help folks who want to find books. No - the database is not a card catalog. The database will help you browse titles, authors, subject, and more in very easy ways.
Books and Authors (denoted as BaA hereafter) helps patrons browse tens of thousands of books. Before I wrote this blog entry, I used BaA and let me tell you I was downright excited about the various ways patrons can search and find titles.
Some of the ways to search include:
a. title searching
b. author searching
c. genre searching - genres include a separate section for fiction and for non-fiction. Within the fiction genre you can search by Fantasy fiction, Historical fiction, Horror stories, Inspirational fiction, Mystery fiction and more... Within the non-fiction genre you can search by Business, Health/Medicine, Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, Technologies and Biographies.
d. expert picks wherein the user can use a drop down box to find recommended reading lists that were created by librarians and by subject experts - there is are a lot of lists for users to peruse!
e. Award Winners - like Bram Stoker Awards, Caldecott Medal Awards, Edgar Allan Poe Awards, National Book Awards, Pulitzer Prize and much more!
f. Who/What/Where/When searching is available also. Users have to fill in some information for this feature to work but it is very powerful - give it a try! When I chose Computer Expert for the 'Who' part of the search I got 507 results. When I chose Adventure for the 'What' part of the search I got 4483 results. BaA then very nicely combined these two results and came up with 1 titles that had both 'computer expert' and 'adventure'. Even better...I was able to view the 31 titles that had both search criteria. Cool beans!
Another feature of BaA is that users can save titles of books in a list format - which enables the user create his/her own personal Reading Room. Users can also write book reviews and rate books!!!!
BaA has other features, but by and large this blog entry covered the major ways that users can use the database to find books. If you have any questions, just call us at the library - 516-249-9090 and ask for the Reference Desk.
Regards,
Stu
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
School Supplies and Public Libraries
Hi All,
I was walking in a Staples this weekend and I saw signs advertising 'School Supplies'. The first thing that came to mind was, 'wow, this is early in the Summer to be advertising for school supplies...' Especially because school just ended in late June - roughly - and it is only one month later...
This got me thinking about the various school supplies that students will need this coming fall. Some of the items you'll need include: paper, pens, pencils, spiral notebooks, library card, erasers, calculators, book bags, rulers, and much more.
Did any of you catch that? Yep - you saw it. Right after 'notebooks'. Yes - now you see it - library card.
You Farmingdale library card really is a passport to riches. Besides for enabling you to take out books and magazines, you can take out music, look at online databases, get museum passes, take defensive driving classes, attend musical and artistic programs, and much, more - all by having you Farmingdale library card.
It is almost like the famed American Express card advertisment which said, 'Don't leave home without it." Of course they were talking about the American Express card but we're talking about your library card - it really is your passport to riches! Click here to visit the library website to see how you can use your library card today!
Let's see how much you can use your library card this year!
Regards,
Stu
I was walking in a Staples this weekend and I saw signs advertising 'School Supplies'. The first thing that came to mind was, 'wow, this is early in the Summer to be advertising for school supplies...' Especially because school just ended in late June - roughly - and it is only one month later...
This got me thinking about the various school supplies that students will need this coming fall. Some of the items you'll need include: paper, pens, pencils, spiral notebooks, library card, erasers, calculators, book bags, rulers, and much more.
Did any of you catch that? Yep - you saw it. Right after 'notebooks'. Yes - now you see it - library card.
You Farmingdale library card really is a passport to riches. Besides for enabling you to take out books and magazines, you can take out music, look at online databases, get museum passes, take defensive driving classes, attend musical and artistic programs, and much, more - all by having you Farmingdale library card.
It is almost like the famed American Express card advertisment which said, 'Don't leave home without it." Of course they were talking about the American Express card but we're talking about your library card - it really is your passport to riches! Click here to visit the library website to see how you can use your library card today!
Let's see how much you can use your library card this year!
Regards,
Stu
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Top 14 Reasons To Use Your Public Library
Hi All,
You might have heard of David Letterman - NBC's late-night television star - who has a television show. You might also know that he puts together a humorous top-10 list (which is usually very timely) every night...
We are following suit today with a top-10 list of our own: Top 14 Reasons To Use Your Public Library. We are adding the extra four because it is Summer and well, we found an extra four reasons - no reason to be stingy! Enjoy.
14. Oversize art books on many, many wonderful artists
13. Senior Connections - free help for Senior Citizens on a variety of senior-related topics
12. Summer Reading - it is going on now - has never been better! Check out the link for more information: Summer Reading
11. Excellent collection of new video releases on DVD! Click here to find new videos.
10. Photocopiers are located in the library so you can photocopy important documents.
9. Very fast and accurate service at the Reference Desk, Circulation Desk and Childrens' Desk.
8. We are open almost anytime that you need us to be open: Mon/Tue/Thu: 9am-9pm
Wed: 10am-9pm, Fri: 9am-6pm, Sat: 9am-1pm in Summer, Sun: Closed in Summer. Click here to find library holiday hours.
7. New books from the New York Times bestseller list!!! No need to spend money at Barnes and Noble or Borders! Click here to find new books.
6. Friendly reference librarians help you get an answer with every question you can imagine. Click here to find out about more reference department services.
5. It is air condtioned and cool in the library so when you sit down you are comfortable!
4. Inter-library loan materials: if the Farmingdale PL doesn't have the material, we can order it for you and we'll call you when it arrives.
3. Story Time in the Children's Room. 'nuff said it is a wonderful way to spend time with your child(ren).
2. Fantastic programs are presented almost every day of the year by the Adult department, Children's department, and the Young Adult department. Click here to find out what is happening at the library today: Calendar
1. All this resources and services are FREE at the Farmingdale Public Library!!! Click here to go to the Farmingdale Public Library website.
You might have heard of David Letterman - NBC's late-night television star - who has a television show. You might also know that he puts together a humorous top-10 list (which is usually very timely) every night...
We are following suit today with a top-10 list of our own: Top 14 Reasons To Use Your Public Library. We are adding the extra four because it is Summer and well, we found an extra four reasons - no reason to be stingy! Enjoy.
14. Oversize art books on many, many wonderful artists
13. Senior Connections - free help for Senior Citizens on a variety of senior-related topics
12. Summer Reading - it is going on now - has never been better! Check out the link for more information: Summer Reading
11. Excellent collection of new video releases on DVD! Click here to find new videos.
10. Photocopiers are located in the library so you can photocopy important documents.
9. Very fast and accurate service at the Reference Desk, Circulation Desk and Childrens' Desk.
8. We are open almost anytime that you need us to be open: Mon/Tue/Thu: 9am-9pm
Wed: 10am-9pm, Fri: 9am-6pm, Sat: 9am-1pm in Summer, Sun: Closed in Summer. Click here to find library holiday hours.
7. New books from the New York Times bestseller list!!! No need to spend money at Barnes and Noble or Borders! Click here to find new books.
6. Friendly reference librarians help you get an answer with every question you can imagine. Click here to find out about more reference department services.
5. It is air condtioned and cool in the library so when you sit down you are comfortable!
4. Inter-library loan materials: if the Farmingdale PL doesn't have the material, we can order it for you and we'll call you when it arrives.
3. Story Time in the Children's Room. 'nuff said it is a wonderful way to spend time with your child(ren).
2. Fantastic programs are presented almost every day of the year by the Adult department, Children's department, and the Young Adult department. Click here to find out what is happening at the library today: Calendar
1. All this resources and services are FREE at the Farmingdale Public Library!!! Click here to go to the Farmingdale Public Library website.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ice Cream, We All Scream For Ice Cream
We've all heard that favorite phrase before. And now that the hot weather is here, now is a great time for great ice cream.
But where to eat the best of the best ice cream in Nassau County? Indeed, you can go to the 'regulars' like Friendly's or Baskin-Robbins. And believe me, they are excellent!
Here is a link to the nearest Friendly's - just insert your zip code at the top of the page and you'll get a list of local Friendly restaurants for your ice cream. Click here for your local Baskin-Robbins
Okay, now that we've got that straight, where would you go for some specialized ice cream? It just so happens that there was an article in 'American Towns' that discussed this very issue. AT is a local newspaper publisher and the article came from the Long Beach edition of the paper back in early June 2010. Here is the link: Best Ice Cream in Nassau County
Some of the ice cream parlors included: Krisch's in Massapequa, Itgen's in Valley Stream and Mitchell's Restaurant in Oceanside. Finally, you can visit Gooseberry Grove in Oyster Bay and Harry's Confectionary in Glen Cove.
Please note that we have not tried any of these ice creameries (well, actually, I have tried Bollinger's in Farmingdale and it was scrumptious!) but we would love to have a taste testing. In this long, hot summer the idea of ice cream sounds fantastically cool!
So, we hope you enjoy your ice cream, but please not we are not endorsing any of these ice creameries since we got their names from the aforementioned list.
That being said - enjoy!
Regards,
Stu
PS: Click here for a recipe book that you can find at the library dealing with how to make frozen treats during the year - the link is here.
But where to eat the best of the best ice cream in Nassau County? Indeed, you can go to the 'regulars' like Friendly's or Baskin-Robbins. And believe me, they are excellent!
Here is a link to the nearest Friendly's - just insert your zip code at the top of the page and you'll get a list of local Friendly restaurants for your ice cream. Click here for your local Baskin-Robbins
Okay, now that we've got that straight, where would you go for some specialized ice cream? It just so happens that there was an article in 'American Towns' that discussed this very issue. AT is a local newspaper publisher and the article came from the Long Beach edition of the paper back in early June 2010. Here is the link: Best Ice Cream in Nassau County
Some of the ice cream parlors included: Krisch's in Massapequa, Itgen's in Valley Stream and Mitchell's Restaurant in Oceanside. Finally, you can visit Gooseberry Grove in Oyster Bay and Harry's Confectionary in Glen Cove.
Please note that we have not tried any of these ice creameries (well, actually, I have tried Bollinger's in Farmingdale and it was scrumptious!) but we would love to have a taste testing. In this long, hot summer the idea of ice cream sounds fantastically cool!
So, we hope you enjoy your ice cream, but please not we are not endorsing any of these ice creameries since we got their names from the aforementioned list.
That being said - enjoy!
Regards,
Stu
PS: Click here for a recipe book that you can find at the library dealing with how to make frozen treats during the year - the link is here.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Rotten Tomatoes!!! Movie Reviews and More
You don't need us to tell you that it is hot, hot, hot outside! Well, for sure it is; so how about staying
inside and watching some cool movies (get it?)
But, alas, the question arises, 'what movie should I rent or watch?' Very good question dear patron!
Have we got an answer for you! Just hop on over to a website called, 'Rotten Tomatoes' at
www.rottentomatoes.com (or click this link) and you can find reviews from hundred, possibly thousands of movies.
Reviews are written by regular folk in addition to real, live movie reviewers. Interesting stuff to be sure, but be sure to read the reviews with a bit of skepticism since the reviews might or might not be occasionally biased.
That being said, the site also has information about the movie you are interested in. Users can also find information about movie celebrities, find trailers and pictures of movies and talk to other 'Rotten Tomato' community members. Finally users can search for current movie showtimes and locations in real time. Cool stuff for the really hot days of summer!
Enjoy.
Stu - Reference Librarian
inside and watching some cool movies (get it?)
But, alas, the question arises, 'what movie should I rent or watch?' Very good question dear patron!
Have we got an answer for you! Just hop on over to a website called, 'Rotten Tomatoes' at
www.rottentomatoes.com (or click this link) and you can find reviews from hundred, possibly thousands of movies.
Reviews are written by regular folk in addition to real, live movie reviewers. Interesting stuff to be sure, but be sure to read the reviews with a bit of skepticism since the reviews might or might not be occasionally biased.
That being said, the site also has information about the movie you are interested in. Users can also find information about movie celebrities, find trailers and pictures of movies and talk to other 'Rotten Tomato' community members. Finally users can search for current movie showtimes and locations in real time. Cool stuff for the really hot days of summer!
Enjoy.
Stu - Reference Librarian
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