The Allergies are Coming! The Allergies are Coming!

It’s that Time again! For many of us they come before the holidays, for others after the holidays and for the rest of us, whenever the weather changes. If you don’t know what I am talking about, today’s topic is Seasonal Allergies.

Some people solve the problem by keeping the windows sealed and never going out. Unless you are independently wealthy, this is not such a practical idea. Allergies are very patient. They know you have to open your door eventually and then they are in. There are various ways to fight back and enjoy the Spring and Summer (and even Fall).

Books:

Complete Allergy Book
by June Engel and Isolde Prince
Discusses allergies in general as well as some specific types: hay fever, asthma, food allergies, insect allergies, skin allergies, eye allergies, drug and vaccine allergies.
Call# 616.97 E

Allergy Information for Teens
by Karen Bellenir
"Provides basic consumer health information for teens on allergies, types of allergic reactions, testing and treatments. Includes index, resource information and recommendations for further reading "
Call# YA 616. 97 A

Allergy-free living : how to create a healthy, allergy-free home and lifestyle by Peter Howarth.
Call# 616.97 H.

There are also some good Internet Sites you might want to look at as well:

WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/
A huge health source that provides health information. Information is current and reliable.

American Accademy of Allergy, Asthma, and Imunology
http://www.aaaai.org/springallergy/
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is the largest professional medical organization in the United States devoted to the allergy/immunology specialty.

Health Central
http://www.healthcentral.com/
combines medically-reviewed original content from doctors, researchers and expert patients, as well as news, information, video and other multimedia content from leading authorities.

Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
More than 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers from Mayo Clinic share their expertise to empower you to manage your health.

What I Thought on Reading: A Child of the Depression

As I’m reading the book review journal, an article made me think. I would like to share it with you here.

It’s written by Will Manley and talks about what he has learned as a child of the Depression from his father. As the author thinks that the depression era has been gone forever, like the “black-and-white photography…but guess what? Those grim black-and-white photos from the 1930s, of haggard men standing in bread lines and skinny farm women looking at their babies with despair, are making the rounds again, 75 years later, in mainstream magazines and newspapers”. With so many questions regarding fixing the economy still unfolding, Will said we may find it helpful to learn some skills his father once taught him on “how to get every last drop of ketchup out of the bottle and how to bind soap slivers together so as not to waste a single flake”.

My parents visited me last spring and enjoyed the time here. One of my father’s favorite things to do is taking a walk. He has been doing this for about 10 years already. While he was with me, he increased his walk into twice a day. He was so impressed by how friendly and polite people are, and how clean and beautiful the neighborhood is. However, there is one thing that had been bothering him, which is why some people leave their door lights on during the daytime. I can explain pretty much everything to him regarding cultural and geographical issues, but cannot find the answer for this one.

Just a thought to share, and looking forward to hearing from you.

If anyone would like to find information on energy-saving, or reducing energy costs around your home, please consult the reference librarians. Here are some books selected:

Save Energy Save Money: do-it-yourself projects, tips, and ideas by the Family handyman, 2007
Call# 643.7 S

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by Alex Wilson and John Morrill, 1990-
Call# 644 W

Home Insulation : do it yourself & save as much as 40% by Harry Yost, 1991
Call# 693.832 Y

The Carbon-free Home : 36 remodeling projects to help kick the fossil-fuel habit by Stephen and Rebekah Hren, 2008
Call# 644 H

This Cold House : the simple science of energy efficiency by Colin Smith, 2007
Call# 697 S

Celebrate Valentine's Day, Let Reading Build Your Relationship

Having a romantic dinner, sending a dozen of roses, or buying a box of delicious chocolate… but what about checking out an excellent book in your library, and learn all the tricks and tips on building a relationship?

The Farmingdale Public Library holds a rich collection on this topic, and below are just a few examples:

The commuter marriage : keep your relationship close while you're far apart by Tina B. Tessina (2008)

The Secret laws of attraction : the effortless way to get the relationship you want by Talane Miedaner (2008)

Are you there vodka? It's me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler (2008)

Save the males : why men matter why women should care by Kathleen Parker (2008)

Laugh your way to a better marriage : unlocking the secrets to life, love, and marriage by Mark Gungor (2008)

Being happy being married : keeping love in your marriage by Lee Schnebly.

Men, women and relationships [sound recording] : making peace with the opposite sex by John Gray (1995)

Show and Tell

Happy New Year

When the Reference Department organizes their individual weekly displays, one of the first sources we go to is the Chases’s Calendar of Events book which is a guide to special days, weeks and months for the country and beyond. Sometimes we hit upon a display that would apply, sometimes not. It is a reference book so we recommend you come back to the Reference Desk and take a look. A lot of those special events are quite entertaining. It also contains anniversary birth & death dates for notable people.

Typical entries are as follows:

January 5-Monday: Alvin Ailey: Birth Anniversary

January 5-Monday: All my Children TV Premier

January 7-Wednesday: Nanakusa: Festival dates back to the seventh century and recalls the seven plants served to the emperor that are believed to have great medicinal value

January 7-Wednesday: I’m Not Going To Take it Anymore Day

January 8-Thursday: Show and tell day at work

January 11-Sunday: Cuckoo Dancing Week: (Jan. 11-17) To honor the memory of Laurel and Hardy whose theme “The Dancing Cuckoos” will be celebrated

January 11-Sunday: Golden Globes Award Show

A lot of these entries have contact information for more information.

So you see, what may appear random to you, the patron, is a well thought out display by the Reference team. Take a look at Chase’s and while you are at it. Check out our constantly changing displays.

You..the Patron

A funny thing happened the other night.

A very nice young gentleman came to the Reference Desk and asked for help. He needed some books for a paper at school. At the time he was just looking for a list of available books but not the actual books. I brought up a list and added the call numbers so when he came back he would know what we had and where they were located. He seemed amazed that I would do such a thing for him. I then brought up some databases he could look at and the merits of each. Once again, he seemed amazed.

This got me thinking. Those who become librarians or work in the library field do so because they enjoy working with people. If you come enough times, nine out of ten times we remember you and remember at least a little bit of your interests or hobbies. You become part of our library family. For those who feel bad about us coming with you to look for a book or books...don't be. This is what we do and what we enjoy doing.

And finally, for the kids and young adults who are afraid to approach us... don't be. If you have heard that we are mean and eat people, we haven't done that in many years. Come by and visit us at the Reference Desk. We look forward to meeting you.