Behind the Bugs: The Story of Miss Humblebee’s Creator

By Tina Creguer

In 1954, a book publisher challenged Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) to write a book using 250 words identified as key words for young readers to learn and instructed him to “bring back a book children can’t put down.”  And indeed he did. His success in marrying learning, reinforcement, engagement, and fun in the seminal Cat in the Hat was unprecedented.  His revolutionary approach introduced children to a way of learning that brought together appealing, relatable characters with basic learning concepts.

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Introducing Business Collection: Business is Looking Up!

Library users who count on your library to support their business interests look for relevant, reliable content that’s accessible and easy to use. Well, thanks to upcoming changes to Gale’s business resources, they’re keeping the former and getting more of the latter.

Beginning August 7, PROMT, European Business ASAP, Business Index ASAP, Business & Company ASAP, General Business File, and Business International & Company Profiles will be automatically upgraded and replaced with Business Collection, a comprehensive, innovative new resource that incorporates their content With nearly 4,000 leading business and trade publications, this resource provides the coverage and depth your business information consumers need most. And it delivers this information on the newly reimagined InfoTrac platform.

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Product Update: Gale’s In Context

Posted on July 6, 2015

Over the past several weeks we’ve added and updated content in many of your favorite Gale In Context databases. Take a look what’s now available for your studies.

Biography In Context

July has new homepage spotlights including:

  • Harper Lee, whose much-awaited book Go Set a Watchman debuts on July 14
  • Dr. Seuss the well-known children’s author has a new book What Pet Should I Get releasing during the month of July
  • General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and America’s highest ranking military leader
  • Marta, the Brazilian soccer star who made goal-scoring history in this year’s Women’s World Cup
  • Raven-Symoné, known for her roles on “The Cosby Show” and the Disney Channel, and now ABC’s “The View,” where she is the newest co-host
  • New featured homepage video: “American History: Declaration of Independence”.

New portals that have been added to Biography In Context are:

  • Haifaa al-Mansour, Saudi Arabian filmmaker
  • Sarah Vowell, American author
  • Sonia Manzano, actress and writer for Sesame Street
  • Jordan Spieth, pro golfer and winner of the 2015 U.S. Open Golf tournament.

Read moreProduct Update: Gale’s In Context

New Reports and Enhancements to DemographicsNow

DemographicsNow Public Library Business Resource

Posted on June 30, 2015

Both DemographicsNow! and DemographicsNow! Business and People  have new tools and new EZ reporting great for start-ups and small business.

Enhancements to DemographicsNow include the following:

  • New EZ Report: Sizing Your Market— Calculates the market size based on geography selections and expenditure variables to see which local areas may have a need for a certain type of business.
    • User inputs up to 25 geographies and a customized Census Area Projections and Estimates (CAPE) variable tree with current year estimates and 5 year projections.
    • The output report contains:
      • Bar chart comparing the average expenditure ($) of user selected geographies
      • Number of households in the geography
      • Average expenditure per household
      • Market Size
    • Users can now save and upload report templates with custom variables.
    • Users can edit report titles that display on the preview screen and the downloaded version of a custom report.
    • Link to CAPE variables spreadsheet.
    • Thematic coloring default turned off.

Read moreNew Reports and Enhancements to DemographicsNow

Google Sign In and Tools Available within Gale In Context Resources

Posted on June 25, 2015

Exciting News! Now available through Gale’s In Context suite of products is the ability for students to seamlessly login using Google Account credentials. The Gale In Context products that will provide this new Google functionality include Biography, Canada, Opposing Viewpoints, Science, Student Resources, U.S. History and World History. Now a Google for Education* partner, this new relationship supports Gale’s efforts to evolve from a traditional library content provider into the ed tech space by providing the educational technology, instructional tools and content to help our users be successful in school, work and life.

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Another Take on Summer Reading and Gale Resources

By Tanisha Howard-Hall

As a Customer Success Manager, I’m always eager to see what types of programing and promotions public libraries have going on. Summer reading is no exception!

For Teens

Brentwood Public Library in Tennessee is offering ACT Boot Camps for teens this summer! The boot camp gives a jump start

Read moreAnother Take on Summer Reading and Gale Resources

Product Update: Gale’s In Context

Posted on June 12, 2015

We added new content and resources to some of your favorite In Context products. Take a look at what’s available:

Biography in Context
New homepages added that spotlight the following:

  • Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner
  • Napoleon Bonaparte, the French leader who suffered his ultimate defeat at the Battle of Waterloo (200 years ago this month)
  • Alex Morgan, an American soccer player heading to the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada
  • Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq
  • Edith Windsor, the woman who challenged the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013

Content Notes added citing the recent passing of Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Beau Biden, who lost his battle with brain cancer on May 30, 2015.

Read moreProduct Update: Gale’s In Context

New Titles Added to the InfoTrac Collections in May 2015

Posted on June 11, 2015

The titles below have been recently added and can be located in the mentioned InfoTrac product using Basic or Advanced Search forms. Titles can be found via Browse Publications within two weeks. For complete coverage information please see the product title lists.

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High School Equivalency Is Changing: Here’s How To Be Ready

the backs of students' heads as they take a test

Posted on June 11, 2015

When the GED test was introduced in 1942, it provided a pathway for people to find employment by proving proficiency in basic skills and knowledge. Military personnel who had entered service without completing high school found it especially helpful to establish credentials for joining a civilian workforce. The landmark testing series has undergone major changes over the last 73 years and remains a gold standard for alternative credentialing.

Read moreHigh School Equivalency Is Changing: Here’s How To Be Ready