Friday, September 11, 1998

1:45:30 PM

For a bi-monthly wrap up of NOLA news and information, be sure to check out NOLA Notes!
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Writing
Winning Grants
9-17-98

You're Never
Too Old to Surf
9-22-98

Cataloging
Internet Resources:
Basic
Practice and Context
9-23-98

Desktop Categories

Humans Still in the Lead

Though we have seen several new reference initiatives online, the human touch is still important. Three current online services were put to a three question test and all failed, though not as miserably as you might think. The answers that were given contained some important clues to the future of online reference. The three services were Ask Jeeves, InfoPlease and Answers.com. Read the story. And be sure to check out the Reflinks project. Using a network of reference librarians to divide up the task of vetting sites is producing a rich resource.

No Sweat dot Com

Homework Central is a site dedicated to helping students locate information for homework assignments. It is divided up into three levels; 1st thru 6th grade, 7th thru high school and college and beyond. The site also contains an "Ask an Expert" email gateway and meta indexes for subject areas.

Have  Gyricon and Pencil Ready

The folks at Xerox's PARC facility have turned out some of the most creative innovations over the last twenty years; including the mouse, computer iconic interfaces and Ethernet. Now they are poised to unleash the power on print with electronic paper. This new technology will allow for a sheet of the stuff to have an electronic "ink" applied that can be erased and is highly durable. Read the story.

Items submitted by:
Kenneth S. Bell - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

Because last weekend was a three day weekend, I decided to go to the Canfield Fair, celebrate a friend's birthday, see a couple of movies, and catch up on some reading.  Here are some items I read that may be of interest to you.

Survey: Training Is Key For Gen Xers
(from The Vindicator, September 7, 1998, p. A2)

According to a Gallup survey, employer-sponsored training and education is a major attraction for Gen Xers looking for jobs.  And workers say they're more likely to stay with companies that invest in such programs.  They want computer skills, followed closely by training in communications and management skills.

"The U.S. alone spends something like $60-70 billion a year in workplace education and training and we thought it was about time to ask people who are receiving it if they are receiving any benefits," said Rich Wellins, senior vice president of the Pittsburgh-based Development Dimensions International, one of the three co-sponsors of the study.

Other survey findings:  70% of those who received no job training said they were satisfied with their jobs, compared to 84% of those who received at least six days of training.  And 80% said the availability of company-sponsored training programs was a factor in deciding whether to accept a new job or stick with a current employer.

Network Reads More Importance Into Books
(from The Vindicator, September 7, 1998, p. B13).

Starting Saturday, September 12, 1998, C-SPAN 2 will devote its entire weekend of programming to books, books, and more books.  The 48 hours of bibliomania will be called "Book TV" and the idea grew out of the popularity of "Booknotes," an author-interview program he conducts, and "About Books," a show featuring readings by authors.  It's primary focus will be nonfiction - history, biography, tomes on politics and public policy.

Once Book TV is launched, it will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and run until 8:00 a.m. on Mondays.  It will feature authors and editors discussing their books, tours of bookstores and libraries, an "inside look" at the publishing and bookselling industries, and call-in shows to discuss the world of books.  There will also be segments on children's books and on book clubs.

The Difference One Vote Can Make
(from American Association of University Women's Outlook, Fall 1998, p. 15)

Labor Day is over and political campaign advertisements on TV are in our future.  Although people are all tired of these ads by election day and many do not go to the polls, don't doubt for a minute that your vote can make a difference on November 3rd.  Here are some interesting facts:
In 1776 one vote gave America the English language instead of German
In 1960 John F. Kennedy won the presidential election by a margin of less than one vote per precinct nationwide.
In 1923 one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
In 1868 one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
(Source:  West Virginia State Election Commission)

Health is a Crucial Balancing Act
(from AARP Bulletin, September 1998, p. 5)

The Internet provides massive amounts of information on health related issues.  Some sources of interest:
AARP's website has several health publications under Getting Answers.  Their online Guide to Internet Resources Related to Aging provides links of interest to older adults.  The American Dietetic Association's Your Eat Right has links to dozens of other nutrition sites.  The Healthfinder site was developed by the Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) and has information on dozens of health conditions, health organizations and links to other useful sites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers health information for travelers and guidelines for immunizations.

A Plaque at the 152nd Canfield Fair

While going through the Arts and Crafts Building, I saw a needlepoint that read "I can only please one person per day.  Today is not your day.  Tomorrow is not looking good either."  I chuckled and will close this Desktop News article with that saying.

Items submitted by:
Millie Fry - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

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