New & Noteworthy @ WHPLibrary

Thirty four patrons answered our question about their use of Social Media websites for our February 2010 survey. This was a much smaller set of responses compared to the 77 who answered our January survey, so it's apparent that there was some self-selection based on interest in or familiarity with the subject.

Question: How often do you use Social Media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube , Flickr, Shelfari, Kaboodle? Here are the results in rank order:

17 = Use at least one site as often as I can
12 = Use at least one site a few times a month
4 = Never heard of them or Never use them
3 = Try them out, but don't like them much

An overwhelming number of our respondents (80%) indicate that they use at least one site, "as often as I can" or "a few times a month". The most favorite social site is Facebook (18), followed by YouTube (10), with only a passing nod to Twitter (1), MySpace (1) and LinkedIn (1). One vote was cast for music sites, although no particular site was specified.

Interest in learning more about social media was directed mostly about Twitter (5) and Facebook (4). The West Hempstead Public Library has a presence on both Twitter and Facebook, but so far we have focused mainly on Facebook where we maintain Fan Sites for the Children's Room, the Teens, and the Main Library/Reference Desk. This is part of our effort to bring our products and services closer to our public and to interact with our patrons when and where they are most comfortable. Become a Fan, and let us know how we are doing!

Here are links to some other popular social media sites:
LinkedIn: a professional networking site used by jobseekers and human resource personnel. (example: search on "Bill Gates")
Shelfari: a social network for people who love books and sharing reviews about what they are reading and getting suggestions about what to read next. (example: Shelfari community). See also GoodReads.com, LibraryThing.com
Kaboodle: this social shopping site has been redesigned lately to allow online shoppers to search and discover products according to popularity among other shoppers in the Kaboodle community and consumers in general.
And finally, here's a guide to social media music sites.

Since the summer of 2005, Mary Eide has served at the West Hempstead Public Library as a Senior Connections Volunteer, offering information, advice, and referrals covering issues like Social Services, Medigap Insurance, and where to get a free flu shot.
Mary was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, grew up in Bay Ridge and worked as a foreign credit investigator as a young woman. After moving to Suffolk County, while raising a growing family, she found work in a doctor's office and stayed on for 25 years. She has also worked in the admitting office of Smithtown General and as a receptionist in a nursing home.
Mary got her training as a citizen community service aide in Suffolk County's Senior Connections program and served for ten years at the Middle Country Public Library. We were very fortunate when she moved to West Hempstead to be closer to her grandchildren, bringing her wealth of experience, knowledge, dedication, and compassion to share with us in our Senior Connections program, a confidential information and referral service sponsored by the Nassau Library System.
Mary has 7 children, 11 grandchildren ranging in age from 28 to 3 ½, and a one-year-old great-granddaughter. She enjoys volunteering and looks forward to chatting with you while providing this confidential service.
Mary is normally here in the library once a month on a Tuesday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Please check our calendar for specific dates.

The library is sponsoring three separate Defensive Driving Courses which can remove up to 4 points from your license and reduce your automobile insurance by 10 percent for a period of three years. Each course participant must bring his/her driver's license and checkbook (no cash accepted) when registering and attend all parts of the course to receive credit. Classes are held on the lower level in the Community Room and begin promptly.

DRIVERS OF ALL AGES: Instructor Mr. William Feeley will teach a Defensive Driving Course on Mondays, June 14 and 21 from 7-10 p.m. A $40 check, payable to Defensive Driving Program, Inc. is due at registration which begins on Thursday, April 1.

AARP: Mr. Charles Hlavenka will teach two driving courses for those 50 and older.
Checks must be made payable to AARP. If a participant presents their AARP membership card, the fee is $12. Non-members of AARP or those without their AARP membership card will be charged $14.

• AARP Course 1: Tuesdays, May 4 and 11 from 9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
  Registration for W.H. residents begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 20.
  Non-residents may register, space permitting, beginning on Tuesday, April 27.


• AARP Course 2: Thursdays, June 17 and 24 from 9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
  Registration for W.H. residents begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 3.
  Non-residents may register, space permitting, beginning on Thursday, June 10.

It seems that product recalls are becoming routine, and even our most trusted companies may be involved in bad business practices or come under question due to safety alerts or scams. What can the wary consumer do?

Here are some government websites to help you sort through all the scary talk.

Recalls.Gov (www.recalls.gov)
A "one stop shop" for U.S. Government recalls, with links for consumer products, food, medicine, motor vehicles, and more.

U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov)
You can check Recalls and Product Safety News, by the month, by product type or company name and even subscribe to an RSS feed for categories such as Child Products (including Toys) or Household Products, etc.

Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov)
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. Check these videos to learn about common scams and how to file a complaint.

New York State Consumer Protection Board (www.nysconsumer.gov)
The NY State site includes information on consumer debt, identity theft, home ownership and data security. There is also a kid's page and a kid's newsletter.

Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs (www.nassaucountyny.gov)
Find the Office of Consumer Affairs in the Agency Directory listings under the home page heading, "Departments," or by clicking on Agency Directory under the home page heading "Most Visited Pages." Call the main office in Mineola (516) 571-2600 or one of the other departmental numbers.

Author Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter Carol Higgins Clark will be at Barnes & Noble in Carle Place on Wednesday, APRIL 14 at 7 p.m. to promote Mary Higgins Clark's new book The Shadow of Your Smile. She will be reading and signing copies of the book. Contact the store at 741-9850 for information about wristband distribution and event guidelines. Barnes & Noble is located in the Country Glen Center, 91 Old Country Road.

Several popular authors will have new books coming out in April.

Keep a look out for a new mystery by Carol Higgins Clark called Wrecked. It is the 13th book in her Regan Reilly series and is due out on APRIL 13.

      

David Baldacci's new book, Deliver Us From Evil, is the second book featuring Shaw and Katie James. It is the sequel to The Whole Truth. It is scheduled for release on APRIL 20.

Eight Days to Live is the 9th book featuring Iris Johansen's forensic sculpture Eve Duncan. It is also scheduled for release on APRIL 20.

You can reserve a copy of any of these titles, or other books, at the reference desk or through your online library account.