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« January 2006 | Main | March 2006 »
Just when you thought you had enough to worry about, along comes Bird Flu, with its threat of a possible world pandemic. Here is a site that takes the threat seriously but calmly, and aims to inform thoroughly. It includes the current status of confirmed cases, with maps. It details the science of our understanding of this particular virus, J51N1, how it works, and how the world community is preparing for its possible spread.
Also referred to as pen drives, usb keys, thumb drives, and a host of other confusing names, USB flash drives have become a very common way to store files.
A flash drive is a small plug-and-play storage device similiar in use to a floppy disk, but with so much more storage capacity, and much more reliable.
A USB device uses your computer's USB port. On the library computers, these ports can be found on the right side of the display screen. All you have to do is plug it in, and use the shortcut on the desktop labeled "USB DRIVE (E)" to access it, just like you would a floppy drive.
If you don't own a USB drive yet, you can pick one up anywhere computer accessories are sold. Even the smallest capacity one (128 Megabytes) will hold dozens of floppy disks worth of information. If you are planning on storing documents on one, this would suffice. However, if you plan on storing larger sized items, like images or executables, you should plan on purchasing a larger one (1-2 Gigabytes). Prices can start at $15.00 and go up well over $100 depending on the storage capacity and design.
Many flash drives have a lanyard attached so that it can be worn around the neck, or has a hole in its casing so it can be placed on your keychain. In fact, they have become so popular, that you can get them shaped like just about anything. My favorite is the Cat Bar. But also noteworthy are the Mimobots, Sushi drives and the very impressive Swiss Memory.
Anyone who has lost a research paper because of a floppy drive crash will already start to see the benefits of using a USB flash drive. They are much more powerful, faster, and reliable. We hope to offer them for sale in the near future, just as we do with floppy disks now.
For a more in-depth look at USB flash drives, check out Wikipedia's extensive reference.
*NOTE: We cannot guarantee that all USB devices will work with our system. Devices from the following manufacturers have been tested: PNY, Kensington, Iomega, SimpleTech, Lexar, Verbatim.
Renewable Energy has been in the news a lot lately. In today's Grand Rapids Press there is an article about a Department of Energy official touring a 'green' Steelcase site in Gaines Township. When I did a search of the Michigan Electronic Library's website, I came upon numerous links for Renewable Energy and sources devoted to the subject.
When looking on the GRPL catalog under the subject Renewable Energy I came upon this book at the Van Belkum Branch entitled Gaiam Real Goods solar living sourcebook : your complete guide to renewable energy technologies and sustainable living. Of course if you are looking for information on how to use renewable energy at home I would suggest Natural home heating : the complete guide to renewable energy options
Welcome to the new Patron Tips section of the Atrium!
This is where our patrons can come to find useful tips and tricks on using our Internet and Catalog Stations. We'll be providing you with useful information on all the ins and outs of our software. We'll teach you about all the things you can do. For instance, did you know that some of our Internet Stations have CD burners? Did you know that most of our Catalog Stations also have Open Office installed? Do you need tips on how to use Open Office more efficiently?
If you have any suggestions on future entries, please feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you want to know!
In the meantime, please stay tuned! There's so much more to come!
Located right beside the Express books at the Main Library, we now have copies of some of the latest popular new films available for our walk-in patrons. Since patrons cannot place holds on them, there's a pretty good chance that a new movie will be available when you visit us. They have the same one week check-out period as other DVDs, so you don't have to worry about getting them back early. The collection is new and ever-growing, and it will become a blockbuster collection in the coming months!
Some of the Movies Recently Purchased
Some Upcoming MoviesWhile reading a NPR page today I came across a page called Read Any Good Books? It is a page devoted to book recommendations from the listeners of NPR. The recommendation currently posted is for the book Giants in the Earth by Ole Edvart Rolvaag. This is one of my favorite books as well, telling the story of Norwegian immigrants settling South Dakota during the late 1800's. My Norwegian grandmother would have been proud, but I digress.
If you are looking for a good book to read there are several places to go. I would try one of the following:
This is just a start, but please share some other ideas of where to find that elusive next book!
I saw this article in the Grand Rapids Press on Sunday. I do not believe we will be attempting anything like this in the near future. But, if you are having problems in the affairs of the heart you could try Love smart : find the one you want, fix the one you got by Dr. Phil Mcgraw, though I did like this title How to get a date worth keeping : be dating in six months or your money back. Happy Dating!
Join us on Sunday as we continue to celebrate African American Heritage month with a taste of live music from Kevin Murphy, a taste of the creative genius of Paul Collins, a taste of the literary vision of author Fred L. Johnson, a taste of the intellect of historian Randal Jelks, and a taste of scrumptious food from Sandmann's, Off the Hook and Jamaican Dave's restaurants. Also browse displays and exhibits that highlight the African American experience. The event runs from 1:30PM to 4:00PM. Free and open to the Public and parking is free. Call 988-5400 for more information.
We had an entry about the 2006 Michigan Notable Books a few weeks ago. But now the list has been officially announced last week. At least two of the authors are from the Grand Rapids area. GRPL's very own Chris Byron was the winner for the book Vintage Views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey Region! The full list is below.
You may have seen Michael Brown, former head of FEMA, recently fielding questions at hearings of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security. Now the House's Katrina Report is available online (all 379 pages of it). Entitled "A Failure of Initiative: The Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina", the special House report contains detailed information gathered from the investigation into the preparation and response by local, federal agencies, as well as the charitable organizations that came under fire.
The Right Place Inc., a regional, non-profit economic development organization whose mission is to promote area economic growth, has just come out with the top employers within the West Michigan Area. The following companies are the top ten of the largest employers in West Michigan.
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Congratulations to Grand Valley State University's very own Ander Monson!
He is a faculty member in the Writing Department at the University and author of the book Other electricities : stories. His book has just won the 2006 Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize. He has also been featured on NPR and in the New York Times Book Review.
The Winter Olympics started last week.
So far the USA has won 4 Gold and 2 silver medals. Want to learn more about the Winter Olympics? Come into the Grand Rapids Main Library and see this title The complete book of the Winter Olympics by David Wallechinsky and Jaime Loucky.
I have been fascinated with the Arctic all of my life. Just something about the region of the world has always drawn my attention.
Today I was reading the NPR site and noticed an article about a book entitled the Reindeer People by Piers Vibetsky. It tells the story of the Eveny nomads who inhabit Northeastern Siberia in the Verkhoyansk Mountains and of how the author has studied them for the last two decades. Just to let you know that this part of Siberia has been called the coldest place on Earth with temperatures reaching -96 degrees Farenheit. Here at the Grand Rapids Main Library we own this title, so put it on hold today!
Wondering what your neighbors are reading? The following titles are the top ten titles on hold for GRPL patrons. Put a hold on one or all of them today!
S is for silence by Sue Grafton.
A million little pieces by James Frey
Predator by Patricia Cornwell
Mary, Mary : a novel by James Patterson
At first sight by Nicholas Sparks
Light from heaven by Jan Karon
The camel club by David Baldacci
On the run by Iris Johansen
Teacher man : a memoir by Frank McCourt
Every breath you take : a novel by Judith McNaught
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Today is Groundhog's Day and Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter! How did Groundhog Day start? Why the Groundhog you ask? According to the book Holiday Symbols and Customs Groundhog Day originated with the Pennsylvania Dutch who brought the custom with them from Germany to America. From these settlers there is a club in Pennsylvania devoted just to Punxsutawney Phil. Hope you enjoy your six more weeks of Winter!
President Bush gave the State of the Union Address last night. If national politics interests you I would look at the library's links on the Federal Government. Then again you could look at the National Democratic Party, or try the Republican National Committee.
If you are wondering how President Bush's speech measures up you might want to look at these videos of past presidents and their speeches
Ronald Reagan, the great communicator