Archive Grid and CAMIO were my biggest discoveries. I was very impressed with the amount of information that can be found in Archve Grid. CAMIO was amazing. In rural communities art is appreciated but usually a substantial drive. To have access to these resources without leaving your community is invaluable.
In our library, I would like to develop a handout for patrons. A trifold handout listing each database and its primary function would be very helpful for both the staff and the patrons. The handouts available online for each database can be printed and available in a binder located by each computer. In addition to these ideas, the best form of spreading the news of the resource is through verbal encouragement from the staff. The staff will be trained to offer the appropriate database to patron requesting information not available in the library. The training for the staff will begin at our next monthly staff meeting. It would be very helpful to our library if the Library Challenge could remain available for training and review purposes. It would not be necessary to have the blog segment; however, to access the challenge for reviewing would be great. I would be interested in adding it to new employee training. There are so many valuable resources. Without revisiting the databases on a regular basis, the new information will be lost. To encourage and ensure constant review, I may put one database per week on the schedule. Each staff member would then be responsible for reviewing that database during the week it is listed. Thank you for taking the time to develop and implement the challenge.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sanborn Maps
In Sanborn Maps, I was able to discover a lot of history regarding Dell Rapids. I chose November 1893. Back in 1893 the street names were different. The numbered streets were names and LaDelle was LaBelle. The main street which is now 4th Street was named Pearl. I located the Dell Rapids Opera House which is still in use today. In fact, it has just been newly renovated back to the original design (or as close as could be replicated). The Dell Rapids Public School was located where the Public Elementary School is located today. There is a historical plaque commemorating the original school at the location.
I continued to search and chose 1911. I found all of the names for the now numbered streets. I also found the Baptist Church that is currently being used as the Baptist Church in Dell Rapids.On the 1911 map I was also able to locate the Public Library which is still the library in Dell Rapids today. I then searched 1927 and found that at some point between 1911 and 1927 the named east/west streets had been changed to numbered streets. It was during that time that LaBelle was changed to LaDelle.
This another database that can be very addicting. You find more and more reasons to research just a little more. Patrons will love using this database.
I continued to search and chose 1911. I found all of the names for the now numbered streets. I also found the Baptist Church that is currently being used as the Baptist Church in Dell Rapids.On the 1911 map I was also able to locate the Public Library which is still the library in Dell Rapids today. I then searched 1927 and found that at some point between 1911 and 1927 the named east/west streets had been changed to numbered streets. It was during that time that LaBelle was changed to LaDelle.
This another database that can be very addicting. You find more and more reasons to research just a little more. Patrons will love using this database.
Heritage Quest
In Heritage Quest, I used PERSI and searched for Laura Ingalls Wilder. I found an article in the periodical "True West". I clicked on the button to order the article. I was then directed to a form that would need to be completed and mailed with a check for $7.50. After the article is copied, it would be mailed to me and I would be billed $0.20 per page. In searching for Laura Ingalls Wilder, I discovered many other interesting articles. I then chose to search the Revolutionary War and found a seven page document on George Washington. It was an original document that had been scanned in and was as exciting to find as it was difficult to read.
This is a database I have never opened and researched in. I found it has valuable historical information on almost any topic a patron is interested. We have some young patrons very interested in Abe Lincoln. It would be great to get them started using this database. They would take their excitement to school and spread their enthusiasm!
This is a database I have never opened and researched in. I found it has valuable historical information on almost any topic a patron is interested. We have some young patrons very interested in Abe Lincoln. It would be great to get them started using this database. They would take their excitement to school and spread their enthusiasm!
AncestoryLibrary
AncestoryLibrary can be very addicting. As I searched my name I discovered there were four other people in the United States with my first and last maiden name. I then researched my married name and found my date of birth and the locations I have lived since being married. However, my current address is listed last as a previous address.
My quest for grandparents or great-grandparents in a census report was a little more difficult. I was unable to locate my paternal grandfather and grandmother in a census report. However, I was able to find my paternal grandfather's parents. I printed the page the listed my paternal great-grandfather and great-grandmother and their children. My grandfather is listed as one of the children. It is interesting to locate relatives. In doing so, new spellings for your name may be found as well as long lost relatives.
In AncestoryLibrary I performed a search under "Photos and Maps" and type "South Dakota" in the keyword. I found close to 180,00 results with pictures. Most of the results are for yearbooks. I refined the search by putting Dell Rapids in for the location. This gave me no results. In addition to the pictures, there were almost 140,000 results for maps, atlases and Gazettes. Most of these results were in the U.S. Indexed County Land Ownership Maps.
In researching with AncestoryLibrary, I discovered there is more information than a person can possible research in just a couple of hours. I now understand how the genealogy researchers find themselves spending hours, days and years researching their family history. This is a valuable resource for all patrons. Although it can be purchased by individuals, it is an expense they could avoid by visiting their local library.
My quest for grandparents or great-grandparents in a census report was a little more difficult. I was unable to locate my paternal grandfather and grandmother in a census report. However, I was able to find my paternal grandfather's parents. I printed the page the listed my paternal great-grandfather and great-grandmother and their children. My grandfather is listed as one of the children. It is interesting to locate relatives. In doing so, new spellings for your name may be found as well as long lost relatives.
In AncestoryLibrary I performed a search under "Photos and Maps" and type "South Dakota" in the keyword. I found close to 180,00 results with pictures. Most of the results are for yearbooks. I refined the search by putting Dell Rapids in for the location. This gave me no results. In addition to the pictures, there were almost 140,000 results for maps, atlases and Gazettes. Most of these results were in the U.S. Indexed County Land Ownership Maps.
In researching with AncestoryLibrary, I discovered there is more information than a person can possible research in just a couple of hours. I now understand how the genealogy researchers find themselves spending hours, days and years researching their family history. This is a valuable resource for all patrons. Although it can be purchased by individuals, it is an expense they could avoid by visiting their local library.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Learning Express Library
This database in unlimited. It offers very valuable resources ranging from practice tests and resume writing to ebooks on numerous topics. Even those patrons who feel they are not computer literate will feel comfortable using this datebase.
I choose to start the PSAT practice exam. This was an excellent practice exam. This is no pressure to finish within a certain amount of time and the explanation on how the solve the problem is very easy to understand. Many students will find these practice exams very valuable. The other practice exams available make this database an excellent addition to all libraries. It is very expensive to purchase all these exams and keep them up-to-date. The Learning Express Library makes is possible to offer current practice tests to all patrons.
The job searching and workplace skills is a valuable asset to the database. We have numerous patrons who visit the library who are actively seeking employment. The resume writing is very user friendly and the process takes no time. I have not developed a current resume and found the process very encouraging. Many programs cause some frustration by the time you have completed the resume. This is very easy to follow and offers excellent tips as you progress.
The ebooks are great. I choose a book on alternative careers for teachers. It was very easy to maneuver within the text and the information very current. The font was easy to read and the program was again was very user friendly. There are many options within the book such as searching, viewing pages, go to a page number, view comments and attachments, print, save, share the document, and create a PDF. The cost savings for all libraries is tremendous.
I choose to start the PSAT practice exam. This was an excellent practice exam. This is no pressure to finish within a certain amount of time and the explanation on how the solve the problem is very easy to understand. Many students will find these practice exams very valuable. The other practice exams available make this database an excellent addition to all libraries. It is very expensive to purchase all these exams and keep them up-to-date. The Learning Express Library makes is possible to offer current practice tests to all patrons.
The job searching and workplace skills is a valuable asset to the database. We have numerous patrons who visit the library who are actively seeking employment. The resume writing is very user friendly and the process takes no time. I have not developed a current resume and found the process very encouraging. Many programs cause some frustration by the time you have completed the resume. This is very easy to follow and offers excellent tips as you progress.
The ebooks are great. I choose a book on alternative careers for teachers. It was very easy to maneuver within the text and the information very current. The font was easy to read and the program was again was very user friendly. There are many options within the book such as searching, viewing pages, go to a page number, view comments and attachments, print, save, share the document, and create a PDF. The cost savings for all libraries is tremendous.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
CAMIO (Catalogue of Art Museum Images Online)
The results for Paul Revere were 18 items created from silver or metal silver. Among the items were a wine quart, cream pot, sauceboat, goblet, sugar bowl, teapot, tankard, teaspoon, coffee urn, covered bowl, sugar urn, sugar basket, and a Sons of Libery bowl.
The results for Sioux were 16 oil canvas paintings of Sioux in daily activities, a pipe bowl, gauntlets, bead work, items made from hides, and many more. The date each work was created, the type of art it is, the creator, and where it is located are some of the facts found on the reults page. Most of the works for the Sioux are found at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
I choose Picasso as the artist to search and this resulted in 849 of his works. The location would be very useful for anyone travelling to the location or planning a trip. This database would be exceptional when included in the lesson plans for courses studying art or history. It provides a method for students to explore the work of artists and study the art of different time periods without having the cost of a field trip. I should have used this a couple of months ago when a patron needed expamples of paintings for Rembrandt. We had a book with only two and he needed 10. Wow! He would have been so impressed by how easy it is to find paintings.
The subject I chose to search is Jesus. This resulted in many works so I narrowed it to engravings. The results page listed the works, the creator, title, subject, and description of each work. It also it has an option to view the work in high resolution full image when you click on a specific work. The favorites feature is a definite plus to the database. It allows the person searching the database to select the specific works. When he/she chooses to "view favorites" the works selected appear in the order each was on the results list. However, you can rearrange the works in the order you would like them, view a slide show, and even compare two works. You can also choose to put them on a webpage. These options are very easy to complete with the instructions given.
This database is great for learning and appreciating the works of artists. It would enchance any high school or college level course without additional costs.
The results for Sioux were 16 oil canvas paintings of Sioux in daily activities, a pipe bowl, gauntlets, bead work, items made from hides, and many more. The date each work was created, the type of art it is, the creator, and where it is located are some of the facts found on the reults page. Most of the works for the Sioux are found at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
I choose Picasso as the artist to search and this resulted in 849 of his works. The location would be very useful for anyone travelling to the location or planning a trip. This database would be exceptional when included in the lesson plans for courses studying art or history. It provides a method for students to explore the work of artists and study the art of different time periods without having the cost of a field trip. I should have used this a couple of months ago when a patron needed expamples of paintings for Rembrandt. We had a book with only two and he needed 10. Wow! He would have been so impressed by how easy it is to find paintings.
The subject I chose to search is Jesus. This resulted in many works so I narrowed it to engravings. The results page listed the works, the creator, title, subject, and description of each work. It also it has an option to view the work in high resolution full image when you click on a specific work. The favorites feature is a definite plus to the database. It allows the person searching the database to select the specific works. When he/she chooses to "view favorites" the works selected appear in the order each was on the results list. However, you can rearrange the works in the order you would like them, view a slide show, and even compare two works. You can also choose to put them on a webpage. These options are very easy to complete with the instructions given.
This database is great for learning and appreciating the works of artists. It would enchance any high school or college level course without additional costs.
Archive Grid
This data base is one that I may never have thought to use if it hadn't been for this challenge. When I did the search on Sitting Bull, I learned he was a leader of the Hunpapa Sioux. The card gave the three other names he is known by and the highlights of his life. I found it interesting that he toured with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show.
I tried to do a search on Houdini, Jesse James, Wild Bill Hickok, and Annie Oakley. Each of these had no material. I then chose to search Laura Ingalls Wilder. There were many sources to choose from. There were several books and actual letters of correspondence of Laura's family members. It was interesting to note that there were several links on the page. For instance, there was a lesson plan link and links to related topics. The citation for the source is also given on the result screen. When I clicked on the link on the family correspondence source, one of the letters was available to read. The source listed every topic the collection covers. Most of the material for Laura Ingalls Wilder is found at the Wisconsin Historical Society.
This is a great resource for those who are interested in the past, planning lessons, or writing reports. It is very easy to navigate and the information very credible. This again allows libraries to expand their resources. Libraries are able to offer additional sources of information with no cost to the patron and or the library.
I tried to do a search on Houdini, Jesse James, Wild Bill Hickok, and Annie Oakley. Each of these had no material. I then chose to search Laura Ingalls Wilder. There were many sources to choose from. There were several books and actual letters of correspondence of Laura's family members. It was interesting to note that there were several links on the page. For instance, there was a lesson plan link and links to related topics. The citation for the source is also given on the result screen. When I clicked on the link on the family correspondence source, one of the letters was available to read. The source listed every topic the collection covers. Most of the material for Laura Ingalls Wilder is found at the Wisconsin Historical Society.
This is a great resource for those who are interested in the past, planning lessons, or writing reports. It is very easy to navigate and the information very credible. This again allows libraries to expand their resources. Libraries are able to offer additional sources of information with no cost to the patron and or the library.
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