Truth Be Told: What is oil pulling and does it work?

does oil pulling work

By Harmony Faust

“Oil whatting?”

If that’s your response to the phrase oil pulling, you are not alone. What is oil pulling and why is everyone buzzing about it? First of all, it turns out that it’s not an alternative to fracking and has nothing to do with the environment. Based on the context clues provided in the various Facebook statuses and Pinterest pins I’d been seeing, I was able to gather it was a health fad of some sort. Not being much of a bandwagoner myself, I kept scrolling. 

Read moreTruth Be Told: What is oil pulling and does it work?

In Other News: The Masters

A look at a current news item through the lens of different titles available on GVRL.

By Michelle Eickmeyer

It’s that time of year again! Baseball season has opened at home for all MLB teams. The cherry blossoms are opening in Washington, D.C. Pedicure chairs throughout the country are filling up. And the Masters is on TV!

Oh, the Masters. As a golfer, this is my official start of spring. That longing to be swinging the sticks in warm weather. The jealousy for those watching in shorts and short sleeves. The weird thrill of hushed voices and low claps that only a golfer can understand. While the Masters is far younger a tradition than many other top tournaments, it is widely held as “the event” of golf.

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How Somers Library Uses Social Media

Social Media

By Valerie Herman

Social media offers an opportunity that intersects beautifully with the librarian’s role; after all, curating information and disseminating it to the public is what we have always done, but now we can do it faster, better, and more extensively.

Read moreHow Somers Library Uses Social Media

In Other News: Recalls

A look at a current news item through the lens of different titles available on GVRL.

By Susan Fishburn

What? Another recall? You hear about them on the news or see them posted online almost every day. We’ve seen recent recalls for produce, meat, toys, strollers, cars, and even laundry detergent (yes, those detergent pods). But how much do we know about recalls and where they come from? Whether it’s driven by the consumer or a company announces a voluntary recall, we need to make changes in our lives to accommodate for these failures.

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…April Fools!

By Carrie Stefanski

Gotcha, noddies! That’s what they call those who are tricked on April 1, in England. Although the Thorndike bathroom ad was an actual (ingenious) idea, Gale will not be using it at the next trade show. Some good ideas are best left as ideas, or, when timed right, April Fool’s jokes.

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Have Our Advertising Efforts Stalled? Share Your Thoughts on Gale’s Newest Campaign

Large Print Ad from Gale’s Thorndike Press

By Harmony Faust 

Gale has a long history of sponsoring different events and programs for our library partners at the various tradeshows we attend throughout each year. We love to throw a good party and often sponsor opening receptions, luncheons and of course, the busses at ALA Annual.

Read moreHave Our Advertising Efforts Stalled? Share Your Thoughts on Gale’s Newest Campaign

The Education Advantage in a Matter of Words

By Bethany Dotson

At the end of January, I had the unique pleasure to travel to snowy and frigid Chicago to interview Valerie Gross, President and CEO of Howard County Public Library (MD). We were there to discuss Valerie’s ideas, laid out most prominently in her book, Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage.

Read moreThe Education Advantage in a Matter of Words

Cash In: Your Beautiful Library Photo Contest

National Library Week

Libraries are beautiful—inside and out and they improve the lives of those who use them. In honor of National Library Week, let’s celebrate the value of libraries. Show how your library makes your community a brighter place and your library could win $2,500!

Now through Friday, March 28, 2014, submit a picture to any of the 5 categories below and your library could win big.

Read moreCash In: Your Beautiful Library Photo Contest

Oh, the places you will go, the things you will see at a PLA Conference!

Gale PLA Conference

By Carrie Stefanski

My first week on the job back in December, I was told to save the date for the 2014 PLA Conference and plan to stay to see David Sedaris. At that moment, I knew I made the right career move. My conference experience was everything I hoped it’d be and the conference itself was a whole lot bigger than I imagined. I had a couple conferences under my belt, but neither matched up to the greatness of PLA.

Read moreOh, the places you will go, the things you will see at a PLA Conference!

Transform your Community One Graduate at a Time

Career Online High School

By Kim Martin

Did you miss the buzz at last week’s PLA conference surrounding this groundbreaking new program? Career Online High School allows libraries to offer adults in their community the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate. Hear what all the fuss is about at our live webcast, Wednesday, March 26, 3 pm EST!

Read moreTransform your Community One Graduate at a Time