By Ryan Lee Price
“As to the riding qualities of the Jeep, a chiropractor should be standard for each car.” —Charles “Harry” PayneChiltonLibrary
Baby, You Can Drive my Car
Posted on April 18, 2016
By Mary Kelly
One of my favorite databases to play with is Gale’s Chilton collection. Not because I am a car person. (To me a car is a giant purse on wheels.) Not because as a librarian it is the easiest way to do car repair reference (which is very true). The Chilton database is more like my own personal marriage saver. This is because I have been married to an auto engineer for more than thirty years and car vocabulary is constantly the lingua franca of our household. This arrangement is great since I really don’t have to worry about car stuff. However, I do have to listen to all sorts of talk about cars. I am also told (in great detail) about car maintenance issues and why it is important.
Chilton is my personal car vocabulary resource/translator for about 75% of our conversations. (Yeah, this database is bookmarked for me.) It helps me explain my car problems to the Engineer husband, followed by criticisms of my general lack of car knowledge and failure to follow regular maintenance schedules. This discussion is usually punctuated by people shouting and swearing. (Note: The current version does not include any definitions for the accompanying swearing associated with car repairs. Perhaps Chilton’s can consider adding swear words as a “feature” in future releases, until that happens, you are on your own.)
ChiltonLibrary Now Mobile Responsive
Posted on January 27, 2016
This enhancement increases accessibility and improves usability of the product so that it’s easy for users to navigate on any device. The change happened within the product and no action is required for libraries.
Announcing Audio Component in ChiltonLibrary
Posted on June 10, 2015
ReadSpeaker text-to-speech technology is now available in the Repair and Bulletin/Recalls sections of ChiltonLibrary. ReadSpeaker® is the worldwide leader in online text to speech and its functionality lets users hear the article read out loud, as the words spoken are highlighted on the screen.
ChiltonLibrary: Highly Recommended and “Makes Users Happy”
Tune up your patron’s auto repair know-how!
For reliable car repair information, turn to Chilton, the car-care experts for more than 100 years. Find the most up-to-date coverage for almost every year, make, and model. Only available online!
- Save time and money with do-it-yourself car repairs
- Access 24/7 from library, home or on-the-go
- Look up recalls and service bulletins
- Find estimated labor time
- Prepare for ASE mechanic certification with test prep quizzes
In April, both Library Journal and Booklist reviewed ChiltonLibrary. Read what they had to say!
Read moreChiltonLibrary: Highly Recommended and “Makes Users Happy”
The History of Transcontinental Travel Part 2: Wheels and Wings
By Ryan Price
In October of 1893, General Roy Stone, a Civil War hero and roads advocate, was appointed to be in charge of the new Office of Road Inquiry (ORI) within the Department of Agriculture. With a budget of $10,000, ORI promoted new rural road development to serve the wagons, coaches, and bicycles on America’s dirt roads.
Read moreThe History of Transcontinental Travel Part 2: Wheels and Wings
It’s All about Horsepower for Gearhead Patrons
By Ryan Lee Price
The 305 cubic-inch engine in the Koenigsegg One “megacar” is capable of producing 1,360 horsepower from its gas-powered V8, propelling the 1,360-kg car to a top speed of 280 mph in 20 seconds. That’s a lot of power, and one can’t help but to imagine 1,360 horses hitched to the front of the $1.5 million car attempting to pull it up to 280 mph. However, in either guise—engine or horse team—1,360 horsepower represents the work of a lot of horses, and to understand how the term has been applied to cars, we have to go back about 100 years before cars were even invented.
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.
Read moreChiltonLibrary Delivers Amazing New Features for DIYers & Pros
The History of Transcontinental Travel: The Unknown Horizon
By Ryan Price
John Gast was a painter based in Brooklyn when he was commissioned to paint this picture for George Crofutt, a publisher of a popular series of western travel guides. The images Gast put to canvas represent a historical timeline of transportation technologies up until 1872 when the painting was completed. The Indian travois, the covered wagons, Pony Express, overland stage and the three railroad lines are not only progressively pushing one another forward (from East to West) but also driving the indigenous inhabitants — buffalo, bear and Native Americans — almost literally off of the painting. In the wake of this expansion are the tall ships in the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Columbia (a personification of the United States) guides the way, holding a schoolbook in one hand while stringing telegraph wire with the other. The imagery is a vivid and dynamic telling of not only the history of westward expansion but the future of it as well.
Read moreThe History of Transcontinental Travel: The Unknown Horizon
Chilton MARC Records Now Available
Gale is committed to helping your library boost patron usage of its products. To assist with online discovery, Chilton MARC records are now available for download at support.gale.com.
Once MARC records are in place, the library user will be directed from their catalog search to the Chilton landing page where they can select the appropriate year, make and model of interest.
To download Chilton MARC records, please follow these simple steps: