Reference Sources

My first choice would also be Fantastic Fiction. 

Amazon.  When a patron does not have the correct title or is unsure of the author, I sometimes use amazon.com to search for the correct title or for a synopsis of the story.  I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for?  But, these are the only other websites I have used in the library to help patrons! 

Week 6 - Wrap Up

My biggest discoveries were Ancestry and World Book.  I did this challenge earlier in the year, and these are still my picks!  Love all the information that is available in both of them. 

2.  I was able to steer a young student to Learning Express earlier this week so that was valuable as well.  I will continue to share this information with co-workers and patrons alike.

Week 5 - Lesson 9 History and Genealogy Resources

1.  I used Immigration & Travel and then used Ship Pictures and Descriptions.  I edited the search to
"Titanic 2".  I got 936 results.  I found the sister ship Olympic.  The Olympic was in service from 1911 until 1934.  It cost $7,500,000 to build.  It served as a troopship in WWI.  It was withdrawn from service in 1935 and sold to British shipbreakers.  The scrapped hulk was finally dismantled in 1937.

2.  Having searched newspapers and publications for "Hindenburg", I got 319 results.  Searching using "dirigible hindenburg" I found 480 results.

3.  I searched "boks" and narrowed it down to "places" typing in Yankton County, South Dakota.  I got seven results.  None of the results really seemed to pertain to Yankton county. 

Week 4 - Lesson 7 WorldCat

1.  I started by searching Martin Luther, then narrowed the search using "juvenile audience", and choosing "not fiction content".  I came up with 2,060 results.  I noticed the results reflected Martin Luther KING rather than Martin Luther.  I revised my search to "Martin Luther Reformation" using the same limiters and ended up with 84 books and the "right" Martin Luther!  :)  I would recommend "Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World".   Brookings is the closest library that has this book available.

2.  I searched "graphic novels classic books".  I only "limited" my search to "books".  I ended up with 787 results.  I would recommend purchasing "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  Marvel Publisher

3.  I searched "My Fair Lady musical score".  I got 82 results, and further limited it to "scores" which dropped it to 56 results.  The selection I chose has an Accession No. of OCLC: 998214.

Lesson 4 - Proquest

1.  Lunar eclipse search:  I found 1,675 results for lunar eclipse.  After narrowing the search down to Christopher Columbus, the results dropped to 4.  The computer automatically changed the date range.  This could be helpful for patrons seeking information on a specific person and wanting the most up-to-date information available on the subject or person being researched.

1a.  I peeked in on Rhonda's Reads and Research blog and left a comment! 

2.  To help a patron find information on lotteries in different states, I would recommend they search "lotteries" and narrow the search using "location", including the states they are interested in finding the information on.

Lesson 2: Learning Express Library

1. For the patron who does not have his high school diploma, and wants to get a better job, I would recommend he use Learning Express and go to GED Preparation. I would also show him Job Search & Workplace Skills, Jobs and Careers, as well as Skill Building for Adults. That's four, but I think he could benefit from any and all of these choices, especially if he is undecided as to what he would like to do.

2. For the patron needing to improve her skills before applying for a different job, I would show her Skill Building for Adults and/or Job Search and Workplace Skills. Both options would give her information to boost her skills.

3. For the high school student coming in for help on his career report on nurses or pharmacists, I would direct him to Learning Express, Jobs & Careers. Under this he could go to Nursing and Allied Health, and then choose Career Guidance.

Lesson 3: World Book Online Reference Center

I chose Andersen's Fairy Tales. Special tools include printing, translating the text (very cool!), I viewed this using Arabic (such a beautiful alphabet), as well as the Norwegian language (because I'm Norwegian and thought it would be fun!) :) You may also choose to down load the e-book, e-mail sections, hear the text read aloud, and save to your research files.

This would be very valuable for our patrons who can not speak English, or who are trying to learn English, as they could either translate the text, or listen aloud and follow along with the words as the story is being read. Especially children who can not speak English, or are unable to read yet.