Thursday, August 16, 2007

New Links on our web for the week of August 16, 2007 Books and Reading Blogging for a Good Book "This blog provides a book review every weekday, from librarians at the Williamsburg Regional Library (Virginia). Browse past reviews by reviewer and by subjects and genres such as literary fiction, nonfiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, young adult, and thrillers." (LII) ISBN Database " a database of books in different languages providing on-line and remote research tools for individuals, librarians, scientists, etc. Taking data from hundreds of libraries across the world ISBNdb is a unique tool you won't find anywhere else. " (WILT) Business Investopedia: 20 Investments "Brief discussions of the strengths, weaknesses, and uses of 20 investment options. Topics include annuity, common stock, corporate bond, life insurance, money market, mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds, mutual funds, real estate and property, treasuries, and zero-coupon securities. From Forbes." (LII) Government, Elections, and Law RSS Feeds, U.S. Bureau of the Census "The Census Bureau offers over 40 RSS feeds on general topics (e.g., "Latest Releases," "Tip Sheets") and specific topics ("Aging Population," "Poverty") as well as pocasts (check out "Statistical Abstract 2006")! RSS feeds allow you to easily keep track of content that may be updated frequently. The feeds provide headlines, link back to the source document, and provide brief description information." (FGI) Health Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) "The Michigan Commission for the Blind (a state government agency)provides state- and federally funded services to legally blind people of all ages in every county of the state, so that people who are blind or visually impaired can be independent and/or employed in the careers of their choice. Services are provided in-home, at week-long Mini Adjustment Program seminars held at various locations around the state, and at the residential MCB Training Center in Kalamazoo. Specific services include training in skills of blindness (such as using a white cane or dog, reading and writing Braille, getting around indoors and around town without vision, using kitchen appliances and cooking without vision, etc.), adaptive aids, and more. Business services are provided to businesses that employ people who are legally blind, so that qualified blind employees can find jobs and remain on the job. For more information, call MCB toll-free from anywhere in Michigan: 1-800-292-4200." The Brain Matters [Macromedia Flash Player] "Understanding how the brain works can be difficult, and understanding how brain disorders work can be equally as taxing and complex. One nice online resource for understanding both subjects is "The Brain Matters" site, created by the American Academy of Neurology Foundation. About a dozen brain disorders are covered within the site, including epilepsy, brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. For each disorder, visitors can learn about how the disorder works, its cause, its symptoms, and how it is properly diagnosed. For some visitors, the most helpful sections may be the individual "Patient Story" section, which gives visitors the opportunity to read about the personal experience of an individual who is living with one of these disorders. [KMG]" (SR) Disability Info.Gov from the Federal Government, includes "a state and local resources map, letting you find resources close to home." (RB) Holidays Women's Equality Day "Collection of links to material related to Women's Equality Day, celebrated each year on August 26 "to honor women's continuing efforts toward full equality. ... The 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was certified as part of the U.S. Constitution on August 26, 1920." From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs." (LII) Homework Presidents of the United States: Selected Images From the Collections of the Library of Congress "Collection of images of U.S. presidents from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. View images by president's name in alphabetical order or chronologically by presidential term. Also includes images of selected First Ladies. Includes details about each image, such as creator and date, and information about obtaining and using the images. From the Library of Congress." (LII) Functions Grapher [Macromedia Flash Player] "Discussing functions can be a tricky endeavor, but having a handy interactive way to talk about functions can relieve a great deal of stress. As part of the Mathematical Sciences Digital Library, this Functions Grapher application is designed to let users enter one or two functions. After doing so, users can trace along either one with coordinates shown dynamically changing at all times. The application was created by Professor Barbara Kaskosz of the University of Rhode Island, and it can be used by students in algebra, pre-calculus, or calculus courses. Of course, educators may wish to use it in their classrooms for illustrative purposes and they can also pass along to students who might find the very idea of functions and their operation a bit puzzling. [KMG]" (SR) BBC Country Profiles from the BBC "Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions." (LIB) Country Profiles "cultural, historical, and statistical Country information." (LIB) Countries of the World from Infoplease "Each Country Profile provides information on: Geography · Maps · Flag · History · Current ruler · Area · Population · Capital · Largest cities · Languages · Ethnicity/race · Religion · Literacy rate · Economy · Government" (LIB) United Nations Cyberschoolbus "Country at a glance" (LIB) Leisure Chokti "users can search for places to visit and check out actual amateur tours of the areas, podcasts, images and journal entries all about the areas attractions. Chokti also relies on RSS feeds to bring in information from different sites about the areas that users are inquiring about. Users can also submit their own content and share it with other fellow travelers." (DS) Teacher Resources Assessing-to-Learn Physics: Project Website "Based at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the Physics Education Research Group is committed to performing "rigorous research into science education, cognition, and learning." One of their more recent projects was the "Assessing-to-Learn Physics" initiative, which was designed to look at the ongoing process of learning physics in the classroom. As such, this site provides public access to a large library of questions and problems that can be used in the classroom. First-time visitors may wish to look over the "About" section, and then proceed to the "Items Library" section. Within this area, users can select an educational level, pick several keywords, and then look at the items that are returned from the database. If any of this is confusing or unclear, they should make use of the "Library Help" area, which usually can answer any queries that might come up about using the database. [KMG]" (SR) Functions Grapher [Macromedia Flash Player] "Discussing functions can be a tricky endeavor, but having a handy interactive way to talk about functions can relieve a great deal of stress. As part of the Mathematical Sciences Digital Library, this Functions Grapher application is designed to let users enter one or two functions. After doing so, users can trace along either one with coordinates shown dynamically changing at all times. The application was created by Professor Barbara Kaskosz of the University of Rhode Island, and it can be used by students in algebra, pre-calculus, or calculus courses. Of course, educators may wish to use it in their classrooms for illustrative purposes and they can also pass along to students who might find the very idea of functions and their operation a bit puzzling. [KMG]" (SR) The Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit-A Teacher’s Guide for Hands-On Mineral Education Activities [pdf] "What’s a mineral deposit? How is it formed? These and many other questions are answered between the pages of this useful and informative teacher's guide dealing with the life cycle of a mineral deposit. This 40-page guide was written by Dave Frank, John Galloway, and Ken Assmus and published first in 2005. Created under the auspices and direction of the US Geological Survey, the guide covers topics like the use of mineral resources in everyday life, and how minerals are mined. Within the guide, teachers can also make use of ten different activity-based learning exercises that can be used to educate students on basic geologic concepts and the processes of finding and identifying resources from any given mineral deposit. The guide is rounded out by the inclusion of an appendix of key terms. [KMG]" (SR) 11:38:57 AM     Book Reviews from Investigate Some Good Books participants What makes women happy by Fay Weldon: This book is a don't read. Fay Weldon gives bad advice in the book. She advises women to basically settle for less than they deserve. Anyone advising women to fake orgasms to keep a man happy and satisfied should not be dispensing advice nor should she even be writing books. Don't waste your time on this book. Buddhism for Dummies by Jonathan Landaw: Wonderful book on Buddhism. Easy to read and easy to understand. Anyone interested in Buddhism should read this book. It covers most aspects of Buddhism. Velveteen Principles for Women by Toni Raiten-D'Antonio: Excellent book. I recommend that women read this book. It's inspirational without being preachy or judgmental. It encourages women to be their best selves and to shatter the expectations that society can put on women. Dorothy Parker: What fresh hell is this? by Marion Meade: It's a great book. I found it to be to detailed and boring at certain parts. Overall, it gives a wonderful view of Dorothy Parker's life. Reading it makes you wish you too had hung out at the Algonquin Round Table. Borrow Trouble by Mary Monroe: Borrow Trouble is a perfect blend of two amazing stories by two talented authors. Mary Monroe really knows how to keep you wanting more. She took a simple vacation and turned it into something that can easily happen to anyone. Victor, on the other hand, kept my attention and painted a vivid picture. I felt as though I was there running right beside Baltimore each step of the way. Cat Pay the Devil by Shirley Rousseau Murphy: I did not get very far into this one. I like cats and the Lilian Braun and Rita Mae Brown cat mysteries, but cats that speak English to humans and read, use the phone? That's going too far for me. Daily Rate by Grace Livingston Hill: This book was so encouraging to me. It is a story of a young girl who struggles through until she is reminded that God promises to provide for us a "daily rate". Maris by Grace Livingston Hill: Maris Mayberry is supposed to be marrying Mr. Rich and Wonderful Tilman Thorpe, but when difficulties arise at home she discovers that God has a much better plan for her life. Acorna's Triumph by Anne McCaffrey: Ok, not great but I've read worse books. Malpractice in Maggody by Joan Hess: If you're looking for fun reading, Joan Hess and her Maggody series is a good choice. Invisible Prey by John Sandford: Sandford's books hold your interest to the very end. Good reading. 8:57:15 AM

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