Virginia Genealogists Need SWEM

By Joe Garonzik

The two-volume Virginia Historical Index (aka “Swem’s Index” or “Swem”), originally published in 1934, encompasses the contents of the following seven serial publications: “The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography” (VMHB),Vols. 1-38; the “William and Mary College Quarterly” ( aka the “William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine” W&MCQ), Series I, Vols. 1-27 and Series II, Vols. 1-10; “Tyler’s Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine” (TQ), Vols. 1-10; the “Virginia Historical Register and Literary Advertiser,” Vols. 1-6; the “Lower Norfolk County Virginia Antiquary,” Vols. 1-5; “Hening’s Statutes at Large,” Vols. 1-13; and the “Calendar of Virginia State Papers,” Vols. 1-11.

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Money Management How-To’s from Budgets to Estate Planning

Financial Planning help at the Public Library

Financial Resources Public LibraryAmy is nowhere near retirement age. But she’s determined to put together a solid plan that will allow her to retire early and travel.  She wants to learn more about investment options and learn some of the terminology, but she’s stymied. Should she put her money in the stock market, which seems a little volatile? Invest in real estate, which seems to be rebounding quickly?  Where to begin?

A recent study shows that only 40% of US adults keep a budget and track their spending. In fact, some 76% of American families say they live paycheck to paycheck, only have saved less than three months’ worth of expenses.The need for financial literacy and effective planning is enormous.

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Books in a New World

By Sandra C.  For my father, a man who came to this country battered by the Holocaust and hopeful that he could raise his children with the few resources he had, the public library was a true Godsend. He brought my sister and me here every Saturday, and it was among the musty shelves and … Read more

Libraries Saved Me

By Cathy B.  I am not sure if this is relevant to today’s issues, but in the 1950s and 1960s, during a tumultuous childhood and adolescence, three libraries and two librarians came to my rescue. The first was the Lowell Public Library in Lowell, Mass., where a favorite uncle was the adult librarian. He brought … Read more

A Volunteer’s Perspective

By Ariene G.  As I listened to Mozart’s Symphony #40, I realized that the library is like a musical theme repeated throughout my life. It began when I was a little girl, at my local Chicago library, and I eagerly joined the summer reading group. Fast forward to Penn. State University, where I was a student and a clerk in … Read more

Val Greenwood on Military Records

Military Ancestors

By Joe Garonzik

After 30 years and three editions, why is Val Greenwood’s Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy still the most respected genealogy textbook? It is clear, to the point, and authoritative, to be sure, but Greenwood is also extremely resourceful. The following illustration from one of its two chapters on Military Records is a good example.

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ChiltonLibrary Delivers Amazing New Features for DIYers & Pros

ASE Sample Tests and Labor Estimator Tool Now Available to Your Library Customers!

The ASE Technician Sample Tests available in ChiltonLibrary.com are short sample tests which provide a high-level assessment of overall readiness to pass an ASE certification exam. Patrons will gain a better understanding of their strengths and areas needing additional review. According to the National Institute for Automotive Excellence more than 300,000 automotive professionals nationwide have earned the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence and must renew their certification every 5 years. Tests may be taken any number of times.

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L-o-v-e the Library

By T.D.  I have very few memories of my mom taking me to the downtown library back home in Virginia. She says she used to take me there when I was in preschool, but after that, I don’t really recall spending time in any library. In high school, the library was there, but I only … Read more

Carolyn

By Chris H.  My name is Chris and I have worked at the Hagaman Memorial Library for the past 20 years. I have many library stories to share and could write pages and pages filled with memories. One story I’ll share is about the children’s librarian, Carolyn, who worked at the library for about 30 … Read more

Sexiest eBooks alive…or at least the most popular

iPad reading

Stealing a page from People Magazine’s popular annual feature, we thought you may be interested to know what’s hot in the world of eBooks. I mean, there’s no Adam Levine or Johnny Depp here, but you’ll find a listing of fascinating and informative resources that are in high demand across the country. Nearly as exciting.

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