Vast digitizing project will put Harvard’s colonial archives online

Published on April 6, 2016 Harvard University has launched a project to digitize almost half a million items from its 17th and 18th century archives – the largest digitizing effort the university has ever undertaken. The letters, journals, documents and drawings tell the story not only of the nation’s oldest institution of higher learning, but … Read more

Help Yourself! Self-Help Books on GVRL

Posted on March 31, 2016

Originally posted in February 2016 by Library Journal

It can be hard to maintain a positive outlook and self image in a world that places so much emphasis on material wealth and physical beauty rather than how we feel and think. We underestimate the importance of learning to love ourselves as we are rather than the way society tells us we should be. The right self-help books can and do provide a wealth of information to help you on your journey to understanding and improving yourself on your own terms. Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) provides a collection of insightful guides to help you meet your goals and reach your full potential.

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Give Your Job Search a Boost Using GVRL

Posted on March 24, 2016

Originally posted in November 2015 by Henrietta Verma of Library Journal

Job seekers are some of your library’s most frequent users. They all seek the same goal—satisfying employment, quickly—but they have varying skills, educational levels, and different needs. One may need a part time job while his children are at school, for example, while another may be seeking leads on a high-level corporate position. Still others will be looking for internships and volunteer work that will enhance their résumé while they seek paying work. Among the thousands of books available on GVRL are many for those seeking a new job or a career change. See below for links to just a few of the relevant titles.

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Business Stats You Can Compare Anywhere, Anytime

Posted on March 14, 2016

By Tina Creguer

Jay, a brash, young entrepreneur in the competitive field of mobile gaming app development, is putting the finishing touches on his business plan.  He already has appointments with potential investors, and he’s scurrying to pull together all the information they’ll grill him on.  Foremost on their minds will be viability of this new business and understanding the competitive landscape. He knows who his major competitors are, but needs help finding consistent data that will help him compare market share and descriptions.

There’s good news for Jay, and for anyone searching for comparative business stats.

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Take Control! Finance Books on GVRL

Posted on March 10, 2016

Original article published in Library Journal on February 3, 2016

Many patrons are interested in gaining control over their personal finances. They want to learn about budgeting, taxes, and how to invest wisely. Some are actively seeking the best ways to dig out of dire financial straits but lack the funds to seek professional assistance. Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) offers a wide range of reference material that can guide library users through processes such as estate planning, investing for the future, learning about tax incentives to start a small business, or rebuilding or improving a poor credit score. No matter their fiscal situation, patrons will find what they need in GVRL. Check out some of the below titles!

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Getting to Know the Business of Business

Posted on March 4, 2016

By Tina Creguer

  • Jamie is a new marketing manager for her company. She needs to find detailed information on companies in her field and get up to speed quickly about the competition.
  • Ali is graduating with his MBA with a concentration in finance in seven months. He doesn’t want to wait too long to identify potential employers. He’d like to begin to pinpoint companies in the industries that interest him most.
  • George, a veteran business analyst, has been asked to conduct a full review of a few key competitors’ revenue and forecasted growth for the president to use in an upcoming board meeting.
  • Jorge is a high school student doing a project on Fortune 500 companies in his state. He’d like to find out when the companies were founded, what they make, and where they operate.

In every case, there’s one resource that can connect patrons to the information they seek: Ward’s Business Directory.

Read moreGetting to Know the Business of Business

Encyclopedia of Prescription Drugs: a “Comprehensive” and “Very Useful” Resource

Posted on March 2, 2016

Looking for consumer friendly information on the most commonly used prescription drugs? For all your questions regarding prescription drugs, turn to The Gale Encyclopedia of Prescription Drugs. Organized alphabetically and by drug class, this “comprehensive” resource includes in-depth information about each drug, such as classification, purpose, recommended dosage, side effects, and interactions.

In February, Booklist reviewed the Encyclopedia. Read what they had to say!

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Media Is Ubiquitous…So How Do You Find the Right Ones?

line of folded newspapers

Posted on February 26, 2016

By Tina Creguer

24-hour news cycles.  News radio, news reels, news websites.  Hard news that breaks via social media.  Some say that media has created information overload on all channels of communication – the internet, TV, radio, podcasts,…you name it.

Media just ain’t what it used to be.

So, given the exponential growth of media sources in the Information Age, when people need to connect with broadcast media and publications—the ones that are really appropriate to them, where do they begin?

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DK Eyewitness Travel Top Architectural Cities for 2016

Posted on February 23, 2016

Originally Posted by Helena Smith, DK Eyewitness Travel Blog

Steeped in history, effortlessly stylish, loud, or lavish – a city’s architectural highlights build its very character. From New York City’s geometric skyscrapers to the ancient wonders of Rome, discover some of DK’s Eyewitness Travel top cities for 2016 one fascinating building at a time.

Below are just the top three.

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Built by Association – Making Connections, Joining Forces

Posted on February 12, 2016

By Tina Creguer

Pop quiz. Are these organizations real or made up?

  • 1904 World’s Fair Association
  • Medieval Academy of America
  • National Clogging Organization
  • National Space Club
  • American Association of Independent Music (A2IM)

Read moreBuilt by Association – Making Connections, Joining Forces