Earth Portal describes itself as a "timely, objective, and science-based portal for environmental information. The three branches of Earth Portal set out to build a global collection of scholarly information regarding the earth and its environment. "Encyclopedia of Earth" is a free digital reference work developed by international scholars. "Earth Forum" is a moderated conversation space that allows us to converse with selected experts on issues of environmental science. "Earth News" distributes current, authoritative, nonpartisan, and science-based information.
The content of Earth Portal makes it a valuable information source. Users will find authoritative and scholarly conversation and information. They will also easily find the policies and processes by which the content is selected and evaluated, which will lead to increased information literacy in reflective users of this source.
Source: Internet Review in College & Research Library News June 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Green Patriot Debuts
Environmentalist author David Steinman has created The Green Patriot Web Site to teach Americans how to practice sustainability, and that all of our pro-environmental efforts will directly or indirectly strengthen our economy and national security, and build a safer and more secure future for our children.
Steinman also wants to connect Green Patriot environmentalists and shoppers with green consumer product resources so they can use their purchasing power to support businesses that have Green Patriot policies. "Emphasizing the importance of our purchasing decisions is part of our mission-as is helping you to find great patriotic companies intent on being Green Patriot leaders themselves."
Source: Socially Responsible Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association
Steinman also wants to connect Green Patriot environmentalists and shoppers with green consumer product resources so they can use their purchasing power to support businesses that have Green Patriot policies. "Emphasizing the importance of our purchasing decisions is part of our mission-as is helping you to find great patriotic companies intent on being Green Patriot leaders themselves."
Source: Socially Responsible Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association
Thursday, June 04, 2009
jUST OUT OF THE BOX
JUST OUT OF THE BOX!
NEW BOOKS EXHIBITED IN THE LIBRARY
ALREADY CHECKED OUT
Health Care Ethics: Critical Issues for the 21st Century
Outliers: The Story of Success
Outsider in Amsterdam
Resistance
Rethinking Substance Abuse
Seeing Voices
Validation Breakthrough
Pictures at a Revolution
Understanding Disabilities
Nothing About Us Without Us
New Disability History
Handbook of Disability History
Quickest Way to Navigate Blackboard
Curse as Dark as Gold
PICK UP SOME READING FOR THE WEEKEND!
NEW BOOKS EXHIBITED IN THE LIBRARY
ALREADY CHECKED OUT
Health Care Ethics: Critical Issues for the 21st Century
Outliers: The Story of Success
Outsider in Amsterdam
Resistance
Rethinking Substance Abuse
Seeing Voices
Validation Breakthrough
Pictures at a Revolution
Understanding Disabilities
Nothing About Us Without Us
New Disability History
Handbook of Disability History
Quickest Way to Navigate Blackboard
Curse as Dark as Gold
PICK UP SOME READING FOR THE WEEKEND!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Cradle to Prison Pipeline
Marian Wright Edelman's article on the Children's Defense Fund web site, "The Cradle to Prison Pipeline: America’s New Apartheid" opens with...
"Incarceration is becoming the new American apartheid and poor children of color are the fodder. It is time to sound a loud alarm about this threat to American unity and community, act to stop the growing criminalization of children at younger and younger ages, and tackle the unjust treatment of minority youths and adults in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems with urgency and persistence. The failure to act now will reverse the hard-earned racial and social progress for which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and so many others died and sacrificed. We must all call for investment in all children from birth through their successful transition to adulthood, remembering Frederick Douglass's correct observation that 'it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.'
"So many poor babies in rich America enter the world with multiple strikes against them: born without prenatal care, at low birth weight, and to a teen, poor, and poorly educated single mother and absent father. At crucial points in their development after birth until adulthood, more risks pile on, making a successful transition to productive adulthood significantly less likely and involvement in the criminal justice system significantly more likely. As Black children are more than three times as likely as White children to be poor, and are four times as likely to live in extreme poverty, a poor Black boy born in 2001 has a one in three chance of going to prison in his lifetime and is almost six times as likely as a White boy to be incarcerated for a drug offense."
The Cradle to Prison Pipeline campaign is a national and community crusade to engage families, youth, community leaders and institutions and those in power in every sector in the development of healthy, educated children. The Campaign advances policies that put children on track to productive adulthood and opposes those that criminalize children at younger and younger ages.
Source: ExchangeEveryDay May 27 2009
"Incarceration is becoming the new American apartheid and poor children of color are the fodder. It is time to sound a loud alarm about this threat to American unity and community, act to stop the growing criminalization of children at younger and younger ages, and tackle the unjust treatment of minority youths and adults in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems with urgency and persistence. The failure to act now will reverse the hard-earned racial and social progress for which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and so many others died and sacrificed. We must all call for investment in all children from birth through their successful transition to adulthood, remembering Frederick Douglass's correct observation that 'it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.'
"So many poor babies in rich America enter the world with multiple strikes against them: born without prenatal care, at low birth weight, and to a teen, poor, and poorly educated single mother and absent father. At crucial points in their development after birth until adulthood, more risks pile on, making a successful transition to productive adulthood significantly less likely and involvement in the criminal justice system significantly more likely. As Black children are more than three times as likely as White children to be poor, and are four times as likely to live in extreme poverty, a poor Black boy born in 2001 has a one in three chance of going to prison in his lifetime and is almost six times as likely as a White boy to be incarcerated for a drug offense."
The Cradle to Prison Pipeline campaign is a national and community crusade to engage families, youth, community leaders and institutions and those in power in every sector in the development of healthy, educated children. The Campaign advances policies that put children on track to productive adulthood and opposes those that criminalize children at younger and younger ages.
Source: ExchangeEveryDay May 27 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
CQ Researcher: Regulaing Fertility
Nadya Suleman, an unemployed, 33-year-old, single mother from Southern California, felt her six children weren't enough. Last January, after a fertility doctor implanted six embryos she had frozen earlier, Suleman gave birth to octuplets — and was quickly dubbed “Octomom.” Many fertility experts were shocked that a doctor would depart so far from medical guidelines — which recommend implantation of only one, or at most two, embryos for a woman of Suleman's relatively young age. Although multiple births often do result from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted-reproduction technologies, the number of multiples has dropped over the past few years, they point out. Other analysts note, however, that government statistics show a large percentage of clinics frequently ignore the guidelines on embryo implantation. In response, lawmakers in several states have introduced proposals to increase regulation of fertility clinics. Read the whole report on line (password protected)
Source: CQ Researcher Abstract
Source: CQ Researcher Abstract
Americans and Healthy Activity
"Yet another negative result of the bad economy: Americans are cutting back on healthy activities such as eating fresh foods and exercising regularly.
In a national omnibus survey of 1,000 people conducted in March 2009 by the American Heart Association:
57 percent said the economy has affected their ability to take care of their health.
32 percent have made a change in the last six months to save money, such as delaying preventive care appointments, not taking medications or skipping the dentist.
25 percent of those with gym memberships have cancelled in the previous six months.
42 percent plan to make changes in the next six months that may impact their health, such as buying fewer fruits and vegetables.
Results of the study spell trouble for Americans’ overall well-being and heart health in particular, said Timothy Gardner, M.D., President of the American Heart Association."
View the video here
Listen to the podcast here
Source: American Heart Association
In a national omnibus survey of 1,000 people conducted in March 2009 by the American Heart Association:
57 percent said the economy has affected their ability to take care of their health.
32 percent have made a change in the last six months to save money, such as delaying preventive care appointments, not taking medications or skipping the dentist.
25 percent of those with gym memberships have cancelled in the previous six months.
42 percent plan to make changes in the next six months that may impact their health, such as buying fewer fruits and vegetables.
Results of the study spell trouble for Americans’ overall well-being and heart health in particular, said Timothy Gardner, M.D., President of the American Heart Association."
View the video here
Listen to the podcast here
Source: American Heart Association
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Focus on Nursing Ethics
Nurses deal with difficult ethical issues, even dilemmas. They can sometimes be even more challenging than the physical care provide for patients. Take some time to explore this great collection of FREE articles addressing ethical issues in nursing practice. Lisa M. Bonsall, MSN, Rn, CRNP, compiled these resources to help define terms, give guidance and support, and generate discussion. This source includes information in these areas: general, specific areas of practice, end-of-life issues, personal moral dilemmas, and case studies.
(Written by Bonsall with minor revisions)
Lisa M. Bonsall, MSN, RN, CRNP
Clinical Editor, NursingCenter.com
(Written by Bonsall with minor revisions)
Lisa M. Bonsall, MSN, RN, CRNP
Clinical Editor, NursingCenter.com
Friday, May 15, 2009
New This Week
Make it a habit to check the Librarians' Internet Index every Friday morning here.
Every Thursday morning LII sends out a free newsletter, New This Week, which features dozens of high-quality websites carefully selected, described, and organized by LII's team of librarians. Topics include current events and issues, holidays and seasons, helpful tools for information users, human interest, and more.This is a web site you can trust! Below is the highlight on business this week.
Business New Monthly Data Series on the Employment Status of People With a Disability
This monthly series, which began in February 2009, provides "labor force data from the CPS [Current Population Survey] for persons with a disability." Includes employment rate, employment-population ratio, and other data for men and women 16 years and older. Also provides a FAQ and archived data starting with October 2008. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor.
URL: http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsdisability.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/28310
Every Thursday morning LII sends out a free newsletter, New This Week, which features dozens of high-quality websites carefully selected, described, and organized by LII's team of librarians. Topics include current events and issues, holidays and seasons, helpful tools for information users, human interest, and more.This is a web site you can trust! Below is the highlight on business this week.
Business New Monthly Data Series on the Employment Status of People With a Disability
This monthly series, which began in February 2009, provides "labor force data from the CPS [Current Population Survey] for persons with a disability." Includes employment rate, employment-population ratio, and other data for men and women 16 years and older. Also provides a FAQ and archived data starting with October 2008. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor.
URL: http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsdisability.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/28310
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Internet Access to Congressional Publications
S. Res 118: A Resolution to provide internet access to certain Congressional Research publications [Open Congress]
Though you as taxpayers fund the Library of Congress' Congressional Research Service, its useful reports on public policy issues are not released to the public unless outside groups like the Center for Democracy and Technology obtain copies and publish them. This bill would require that these reports be released online. You might also be concerned about HR 801, The Fair Copyright in Research Works Act, which would nullify the National Institute of Health's requirement that the research it funds be made freely available on the internet soon after its publication in professional journals.
Though you as taxpayers fund the Library of Congress' Congressional Research Service, its useful reports on public policy issues are not released to the public unless outside groups like the Center for Democracy and Technology obtain copies and publish them. This bill would require that these reports be released online. You might also be concerned about HR 801, The Fair Copyright in Research Works Act, which would nullify the National Institute of Health's requirement that the research it funds be made freely available on the internet soon after its publication in professional journals.
New Books Already Checked out
The following new books reported here yesterday are already checked out:
101 Boardroom Problems and How to Solve Them
Love Dare
Admission
Reflections From a Different Journey
Lavender Morning
Star Wars
Disciplinary Blueprint for the Assessment of Information Literacy
Practicing Catholic
101 Boardroom Problems and How to Solve Them
Love Dare
Admission
Reflections From a Different Journey
Lavender Morning
Star Wars
Disciplinary Blueprint for the Assessment of Information Literacy
Practicing Catholic
REQUIRED READING: Skilled Lab Workers Needed
"Staff Shortages in Labs May Put Patients at Peril"
Wall Street Journal May 13 2009
Click on article title for full text.
"Like the growing shortages of primary-care doctors and nurses, the shrinking ranks of skilled lab workers pose a potential threat to the safety and quality of health care, medical experts warn. Hospitals say it currently can take as much as a year to fill some job openings. And the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which certifies lab professionals, says average job-vacancy rates currently top 50% in some states. The group is lobbying for federal and state funds to keep some academic training programs alive and raise awareness of the problem.
Besides testing for deadly viruses and infections, lab technicians, who currently number about 300,000 nationwide, perform such vital tests as diagnosing heart attacks and identifying cancerous tumors. There is no firm evidence to link the growing shortage of lab professionals to an increase in errors or a national slowdown in getting results to patients. But to head off that eventuality, hospitals and professional groups are taking new steps to increase funding for training and to lure new recruits."
This is a must-read for the Goodwih Community!
Wall Street Journal May 13 2009
Click on article title for full text.
"Like the growing shortages of primary-care doctors and nurses, the shrinking ranks of skilled lab workers pose a potential threat to the safety and quality of health care, medical experts warn. Hospitals say it currently can take as much as a year to fill some job openings. And the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which certifies lab professionals, says average job-vacancy rates currently top 50% in some states. The group is lobbying for federal and state funds to keep some academic training programs alive and raise awareness of the problem.
Besides testing for deadly viruses and infections, lab technicians, who currently number about 300,000 nationwide, perform such vital tests as diagnosing heart attacks and identifying cancerous tumors. There is no firm evidence to link the growing shortage of lab professionals to an increase in errors or a national slowdown in getting results to patients. But to head off that eventuality, hospitals and professional groups are taking new steps to increase funding for training and to lure new recruits."
This is a must-read for the Goodwih Community!
Pharmacology Library Database News
Lexi-PAL Drug Guide, a source now included in Health Source Nursing/Academic database, provides access to up-to-date, concise, and clinically-relevant drug monographs for all U.S. prescription drugs, hard-to-find herbal and nutritional supplements, over-the-counter products and new and investigational drugs. Lexi-PAL Patient Advisory information covers over 1,000 generic medications, 100 natural products and 19 vaccines. Among the key benefits users will enjoy are: 1) increased currency, 2) a higher volume of qualified search results, due to the inclusion of EBSCO's abstracting & indexing functionality, and 3) a more streamlined presentation of drug information, making the interface easier to use. The Lexi-PAL content can be accessed in the Health Source database on and off campus by adding the search term lexi-pal to your search.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
New Books
These new books just arrived in the library:
Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Practicing Catholics by James Carroll
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
Art and Politics of Science by Harold Varmus
Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy
Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
Microcosm: E. Coli and the New Science of Life by Carl Zimmer
Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution by Richard Beeman
Reflections from a Different Journey by Klein and Kemp
101 Boardroom Problems and How to Solve Them by Eli Mina
Disciplinary Blueprint for the Assessment of Information Literacy by D. Warner
There are more on the way.
H1N1 Flu Resource Centre
The Lancet has partnered with over 40 Elsevier-published journals and 11 learned societies to launch a new H1N1 Flu Resource Centre for healthcare professionals at TheLancet.com. Developed by The Lancet editors, this new online information clearinghouse aggregates infectious disease and public health information from across Elsevier's spectrum of content.
To upgrade the level of expert analysis and advice on the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of the influenza A H1N1 (swine flu), The Lancet today announced the launch of its H1N1 Flu Resource Centre at www.TheLancet.com/H1N1-flu, a complimentary microsite for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals across the globe. Among the many H1N1-related websites, TheLancet.com's H1N1 Flu Resource Centre offers an unparalleled scope and depth of content.
Source: The Lancet
To upgrade the level of expert analysis and advice on the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of the influenza A H1N1 (swine flu), The Lancet today announced the launch of its H1N1 Flu Resource Centre at www.TheLancet.com/H1N1-flu, a complimentary microsite for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals across the globe. Among the many H1N1-related websites, TheLancet.com's H1N1 Flu Resource Centre offers an unparalleled scope and depth of content.
Source: The Lancet
Book for Admissions
We have a new novel in the library called Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz. Admission is at once a fascinating look a the complex college admissions process and an emotional examination of what happens when secrets of the past return.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Issues of Censorship in Wisconsin Library
Dismissal of Wisconsin Board Members Draws National Censure
The American Library Association has joined publishing and free-speech groups in condemning the West Bend, Wisconsin, common council for not reappointing four library board members after they failed to act on a citizens group’s call to restrict the availability of sexually explicit books. At its April 21 meeting, the council voted 5–3 to reject Mayor Kristine Deiss’s recommendation to reappoint the four library board members whose terms were concluding. It might be a good time to read the American Library Association Freedom to Read document. (This last sentence is my suggestion.)
Source: American Library Association Direct
The American Library Association has joined publishing and free-speech groups in condemning the West Bend, Wisconsin, common council for not reappointing four library board members after they failed to act on a citizens group’s call to restrict the availability of sexually explicit books. At its April 21 meeting, the council voted 5–3 to reject Mayor Kristine Deiss’s recommendation to reappoint the four library board members whose terms were concluding. It might be a good time to read the American Library Association Freedom to Read document. (This last sentence is my suggestion.)
Source: American Library Association Direct
New Additions to Credo Reference
Here are new additions to Credo Reference this week:
Penguin Dictionary of Biology;
Jablonski's Dictionary of Medical Acronyms & Abbreviations;
Marquis Who's Who in the World
Penguin English Dictionary.
These are full text, searchable online reference books accessible from the library web page in the list of databases under "Find Articles."
Penguin Dictionary of Biology;
Jablonski's Dictionary of Medical Acronyms & Abbreviations;
Marquis Who's Who in the World
Penguin English Dictionary.
These are full text, searchable online reference books accessible from the library web page in the list of databases under "Find Articles."
Web Site for Educational Materials
Gateway to Education Materials is a search engine site for teachers looking for Web resources targeted to specific academic subjects. The site’s resources are searchable by keyword phrases or users can browse the site’s catalogs. These sections are broken down by grade levels, subjects, or activity types. There are more than 50,000 educational resources available within the site’s domain, much of it provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Public Broadcasting Service, National Science Foundation and more than 700 other content providers. The site, sponsored by the National Education Association, also features a digitized database of academic standards from each state, allowing teachers to select resources that align with their content needs.
Source: Education Week Online: Digital Directions April 2009
Source: Education Week Online: Digital Directions April 2009
Keep Doors to Learning Open
As a growing number of schools temporarily close their doors in an effort to prevent the spread of swine flu, administrators are taking a closer look at the role of technology in delivering education during school closures.
Nearly 300 schools around the country had closed as of April 30 as a result of the flu, according to the Associated Press. States with closings include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. In addition, all high school sports in Texas and Alabama were suspended, according to Associated Press reports.
“Schools at all levels should be using this time to prepare for a possible swine flu pandemic, with online instruction being an important option to consider,” Thomas E. Chandler, the manager of technology and educational applications for the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University, said in an e-mail. “And if swine flu does not materialize as a major pandemic, having an online distance-learning plan in place will always be useful, in the event of the next [crisis]. This issue is not going away."
Source: Education Week Online May 1 2009
Nearly 300 schools around the country had closed as of April 30 as a result of the flu, according to the Associated Press. States with closings include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. In addition, all high school sports in Texas and Alabama were suspended, according to Associated Press reports.
“Schools at all levels should be using this time to prepare for a possible swine flu pandemic, with online instruction being an important option to consider,” Thomas E. Chandler, the manager of technology and educational applications for the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University, said in an e-mail. “And if swine flu does not materialize as a major pandemic, having an online distance-learning plan in place will always be useful, in the event of the next [crisis]. This issue is not going away."
Source: Education Week Online May 1 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo or the Fifth of May is a national holiday in Mexico commemorating the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which Mexican troops under General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the invading French forces of Napoleon III. Although the battle itself represented only a temporary setback for the French, the Mexicans’ victory against overwhelming odds gave them the confidence they needed to persevere until finally triumphing on April 2, 1867. Celebrate!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)