Here’s the story: The State of Wisconsin’s contract with database vendors, which provided access to ProQuest and Ethnic NewsWatch, ended June 30.
But not to worry. The new contract provides an expanded version of EBSCOhost which will hopefully make your searching transition relatively seamless.
Just a few highlights of the new EBSCO: Besides the addition of copious full-text magazine and journal articles, there’s Newspaper Source Plus, (takes the place of most of the old Proquest newspaper search); Consumer Health Complete (includes news and reports on health issues); Auto Repair Reference Center (lots of info on over 33,000 vehicles from 1945-present); Coin Career Library (has easy-to-use resume builder and plenty of info for the college-bound, including a “College Finder” and ACT/SAT quizzes); Novelist K-8, (provides all the reading help you’ll need for the kids, including book descriptions, reviews, discussion guides, and articles).
Sadly, however, the current contract does not include online access to the Capital Times archive. The library is currently exploring options to rectify this matter.
Check out the long list of new EBSCOhost offerings and see what you can find. And, as always, ask a librarian if you need any help.
July 3rd, 2009
terrymc
The next time you’re in the neighborhood of the Pinney Branch Library, stop by and see our new micro-rain gardens! Two new rain gardens were planted alongside the library, which will capture roof runoff and be helpful in reducing flooding. The gardens add a touch of beauty to the area, and will hopefully attract birds and bees. Check out photos from the planting on Flickr.com - we’ll be adding more as our gardens grow! The gardens were made possible with funding from the Friends of the Madison Public Library, and are a part of the efforts of the Pinney Branch to “go green” and provide information and resources for sustainable living. Sustainable living resources are funded in part with a generous grant from the Madison Community Foundation.
July 1st, 2009
Alicia
In order to educate the community about the history and future of the Madison Public Library, the Madison Public Library Foundation has scheduled presentations of “The History of the Madison Public Library” to be shown at library branches this summer.
join us for one of the presentations of this video, written and narrated by Stuart Levitan, to learn about the history of the Madison Public Library, and how the Madison Public Library Foundation supports the library. The future of the library depends on individual support and community commitment - build your knowledge of your Madison resource at one of these presentation events.
- Thursday, July 16, 7:00 p.m. at the Hawthorne Branch
- Thursday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. at the Pinney Branch
- Thursday, July 23, 7:00 p.m. at the South Madison Branch
- Friday, July 31, 12:00 p.m. at the Central Library *
- Tuesday, August 4, 12:00 p.m. at the Meadowridge Branch *
- Wednesday, August 26, 12:15 p.m. at the Lakeview Branch *
- Monday, September 21, 7:00 p.m. at the Sequoya Branch
* Events marked with an asterisk are “Brown Bag Lunch and Learn” events - bring your lunch, and munch while you learn!
Interested in learning more? Visit “Stories from the Madison Public Library“, a history of the library written by Dr. Bob Kann in honor of the 125th year of the Madison Public Library. Or, check out a copy of Janet Ela’s Free and Public: One Hundred Years of the Madison Public Library.
July 1st, 2009
Alicia
All Madison Public Library locations are closed on Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day. You can still use the library when we’re closed: place holds in LINKcat, return items to our bookdrops, or use our 24/7 online reference service, AskAway. Have a safe and happy 4th!
June 30th, 2009
Alicia
Get ready for digital downloads! On Thursday, July 2, the Madison Public Library will be hosting the Digital Bookmobile, an immersive download experience inside a 74-foot, high-tech trailer,
at the Lakeview Branch Library. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., readers of all ages are invited to engage in digital downloading through interactive demonstrations and to experience Madison Public Library’s audiobook and video download service at this free event. We’ll also be serving free beverages, having a special preschool storytime at 1:30 p.m., and participants will have the chance to win one of two Creative MuVo MP3 players!
The Digital Bookmobile is housed inside an 18-wheel tractor trailer. This 74-foot community outreach vehicle is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile that has served communities for decades. The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, all of which help visitors explore the library’s download service and sample audiobooks, music, and video.
Take advantage of the download service 24/7 from the library’s website. From there, you can browse the growing collection of bestselling, new release, and classic titles, and check out a digital title with a valid library card. Once downladed, digital titles can be enjoyed on a computer or transferred to iPods, MP3 players and other mobile devices. Many audio titles can also be burned to audio CD.
Check out photos from the Digital Bookmobile’s stops across the country on Flickr. The Digital Bookmobile is operated by OverDrive, Inc., a subscription database of audiobooks and videos. Love audiobooks? Sign up for our Audiobook e-newsletter and get updates on all the newest and hottest titles available from Madison Public Library!
June 25th, 2009
Alicia
This year, the Fourth of July will be extra special: visitors will once again be allowed to climb up to the crown on the Statue of Liberty, which has been closed since September 11, 2001. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has announced that 30 visitors per hour will be guided to the top of the crown—which probably translates into a long wait for tourists and others looking for the stellar view of New York City and New York Harbor that can only be obtained from our most recognizable national monument. Can’t make it up all those steps? Celebrate Lady Liberty with a book from the library.
June 25th, 2009
Molly
Beat the heat, enjoy something good to eat, and have some fun this summer at lunchtime activities at community centers and libraries around the city! On the East side, the Goodman Community Center, located at 149 Waubesa Street, offers free meals and events for kids five days a week. Kids under 18 are invited to attend a free lunch and recreation period, held Monday through Friday, June 22 through August 21. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., with open supervised recreation in the gymnasium from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. (Children 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult or sibling aged 10 or older). Teens 12 - 18 years old can stop by the Lussier Teen Center between 3:30 and 6:30 for a free supper, and are invited to stay for recreation and activities until 9 p.m. (No meals will be offered on July 2 or 3.)
The Meadowood Neighborhood Center, located on Raymond Road right next door to the Meadowridge Branch Library, is also offering a summer drop-in lunch bunch for kids 3 to 17 years old, Monday through Friday, June 22 through August 14. (No lunch on July 3.) In addition to lunchtime fun, Meadowood offers many fun and free community activities for kids and adults of all ages - check out their summertime program schedule.
The Madison Public Library is also hosting Lunch Bunches, and there are still openings for the group meeting at the Lakeview Branch, starting today at noon! Bring a sack lunch and the librarian will do the rest! Food, fun, and stories for kids in grades K - 5: munch your lunch while librarians read aloud! Register online or call 246-4547 for the series, Wednesdays, June 24 - July 29. The South Madison Branch Lunch Bunch begins on Tuesday, July 7 at noon and runs through the 28th - register online or call 266-6395.
June 24th, 2009
Alicia
The Local Materials area of the Central Library contains materials about Madison, Dane County & Wisconsin history — past and present. These materials include books, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings, maps, government documents, newspaper and periodical indexes.
New books are continuously added to this collection, including Coop by Michael Perry and Democracy in Print: The Best of the Progressive Magazine, 1909-2009 by Matthew Rothschild. Find a complete list of new titles added on our Local Materials Booklist. For more information about local history, see our recommended internet sites on Madison and Dane County history and our Research Guide to Local History.
June 22nd, 2009
Molly
Have you already gotten a great start on your summer reading? Summer Library Program and Teen Reads reading prizes will be available for pickup starting Friday, June 19th!
For every five books or hours read, up to 20 books/hours, participants receive a prize package, which can be picked up at any Madison Public Library location. Prizes include stickers, painting supplies, coupons for free pizza, baseball games, plus your choice of a free book and more! Teens will also have the opportunity to be entered into a drawing for a college scholarship from EdVest! Check out the complete listing of prize packages for kids and teens. Prizes available while supplies last, so get reading!
Haven’t registered yet? Stop in your local Library to pick up your reading log, or sign up online for the Summer Library Program (preschool through 6th grade) or Teen Reads (7th through 12th grade).
June 18th, 2009
Alicia
Are you looking for help writing a resume? Perhaps you’d like some pointers on how to find and apply for jobs online? Starting Thursday, June 25, the Madison Public Library, the Madison Senior Center, and the UW-Madison Writing Center will be offering bi-weekly workshops for job seekers at the Central Library.
Trained personnel will help interested individuals write resumes and cover letters, use credible job search websites, apply for jobs online, and establish free, web-based email accounts for job search contacts. Job seekers will have a one-on-one session devoted to their particular needs.
Sessions will be offered on Monday and Thursday afternoons, 1 - 4 p.m. through the first week in August. Reduced hours are available through November. Interested job seekers may register for half-hour training sessions by calling 266-6350. Drop-ins are welcome and will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.
See our Resources for Jobs and Careers, or our Resources for the Unemployed. The Madison Public Library also offers writing assistance and computer training classes.
June 17th, 2009
Alicia
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