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Weekend Travel Reads

February 26, 2018August 26, 2014

By Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly

You’re going away for the weekend. You have a few hours to kill on the plane, or maybe in the car, and you love to read. You don’t want to think too much, though – after all, you’re on vacation! You need a book you can devour in a weekend. What’s it going to be? Here are some suggestions for quick, light reads perfect for vacation.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows (2008)
History buffs will find this short work of fiction (274 pages) a perfect vacation read. German-occupied Guernsey Island during World War II is the setting, and the characters are a lovable, eccentric group who form a literary club. A writer named Juliet is intrigued by their society, and joins them on Guernsey Island. Her letters detail her experiences with people who become true friends, and their struggles during the occupation of their home during the war.

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich (2014)
There’s something for everyone on this list! Fans of chick lit, gossipy style, and a little (ok, a lot…) of sexy romance will enjoy this quick read. Holly Brennan, a young widow, hooks up with a trainer to get her into shape. Of course, there is undeniable chemistry between them! This one is not recommended for a family car ride audio book! Load up your e-reader and bring a fan, because this one is hot, hot, hot! Perfect for the beach!

The History of Transcontinental Travel: The Unknown Horizon

October 11, 2018August 21, 2014

American Progress, by John Gast, 1872. Chromolithograph published by George A. Crofutt. Source: Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.

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.

Genealogy Tips to Handle the Pitfalls of Passenger Records

May 23, 2018July 15, 2014

By Michael Tepper

Researchers often run into problems when they are on the trail of an immigrant ancestor. The most common misconception about passenger lists is the belief that people had their names changed when they got to Ellis Island. In fact, immigrants did not change their names unless they applied for a change of name by deed poll at a courthouse or when they were naturalized. During processing at Ellis Island, officials had the actual ships’ manifests in front of them. They called each immigrant by name, according to the manifests, and often put a check next to the name after it had been called. So the passenger records are an exact reflection of the immigrants’ identities before they crossed the Atlantic, not after.

Michigan eLibrary Boosts Local Economy

May 23, 2018July 9, 2014

By Gale Marketing Research Team

In June 2013, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL), a service of the Library of Michigan, added three Gale online resources – DemographicsNow: Business & People, BusinessInsights: Global, and Gale LegalForms – plus a collection of business-oriented GVRL eBooks to their portfolio.

The decision to purchase business resources for Michigan resulted in funding proposed by the office of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as part of his “Economic Gardening” initiative to grow businesses in the state, which was then enacted by the Michigan state legislature.

Before MeL had these new business resources available, libraries had to buy their own. Many didn’t have the funds to do so, according to Deb Biggs Thomas, Michigan eLibrary & Outreach Coordinator at the Library of Michigan.

Chilton MARC Records Now Available

July 8, 2014July 8, 2014

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:

Resources for Curbing Kids’ Summer Weight Gain

February 19, 2019July 2, 2014

By Jacquelyn Goetz Bluethmann

Ice cream, popsicles, and other sugary snacks are certainly plentiful in the summer months, one of many factors for children being at a greater risk for weight gain during their time off from school. Research available from the National Summer Learning Association has shown this to be true. Without the structure of school, children gain weight two to three times faster in the summer months.

It’s a cause close to First Lady Michelle Obama’s heart and one of the main reasons the Obama administration launched its “Let’s Read. Let’s Move.” campaign. The campaign has the duel goal of curbing summer learning loss and preventing childhood obesity.

Enhancements to Gale Courses Admin and Reporting

July 2, 2014

We’ve been listening to customer feedback and based on your suggestions, we’re introducing a new and improved Gale Courses Information Center (IC), formerly known as the Online Admin Center (OAC)! The new streamlined IC dashboard will be available on July 14.

Benefits of the new IC include:

5 Simple Readers’ Advisory Best Practices

July 8, 2014June 24, 2014

By Kara Kugelmeyer

How do you discover your next read? I am always on the lookout for my next read. For me one of life’s sweetest moments is discovering a new title that I am sure will open up a new universe for me.

With thousands of books published each year and no way to read them all… sigh. Finding those trusted sources to recommend my next read is important to me. While there are a host of ways to find that next good book, I the best is to ask the original readers’ advisory service – public librarians.

Readers’ advisory (RA) is both and art and a science and practitioners support all formats: print, large print, eBooks, audio, etc., and of course all genres as well!

Special Savings on eBooks for Everyone in Your Community

July 8, 2014June 23, 2014

Over the past few weeks, we’ve highlighted various users in your community – Keisha the Goal-Getter, Jennifer the Caregiver, Connie the Beginner, and others. Your patrons’ interests are wide ranging and unique. And so is our extensive list of eBook titles! For a limited time, you have an opportunity to save on some of the most popular titles they want and need.

Find exactly the titles they need with 40% off regular prices when you order by June 26.

Upgraded User-Focused Interface for Literature Criticism Online

June 11, 2018June 18, 2014

Literature Criticism Online library resource

“The interface is as attractive as its capabilities are impressive.” Charleston Advisor

We listened to your students and researchers and have launched a new and updated interface with added functionality for Literature Criticism Online (LCO).

Since this new interface first launched as an optional upgrade last summer, many libraries have enjoyed the benefits of the new platform. Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers and users, as of July 7, all libraries who have purchased LCO will be upgraded to the new experience.