New & Noteworthy @ WHPLibrary

April is National Poetry Month!

In April of 2007, we celebrate the holidays of Passover and Easter with closings on Friday, April 6 and Sunday, April 8. A late opening is scheduled on April 19 for a staff meeting. On that day, the doors will open at noon. HAPPY SPRING!

Two Tramps in Mud Time (1936)

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.

by Robert Frost (1874–1963)
as quoted in Infoplease.com

Here are some reliable resources for classroom assignments related to biomes.

Some are Reference Books (for use only in the library). Others are Non-Fiction Books you can check out (Use the Dewey numbers to find them). Database links may be used in the library or from home to access resources such as Groliers New Book of Popular Science.
We have also included a select list of web sites. (Point to the links with your mouse to open the websites.)

Questions? Need help using these research tools? Call the reference desk (481-6591), drop in, or ask a reference librarian.

At a recent symposium, local academic and law librarians suggested the following sources if you need information on laws or the policies/issues behind legislation and court decisions:

www.law.cornell.edu
This website is sponsored by Cornell University Law School's Legal Information Institute and covers federal and state laws. You will find easy navigation and helpful links.
www.Findlaw.com
This commercial website provides background information on personal legal matters and can assist you in finding a lawyer.
www.nycourts.gov
This government website provides information on New York State courts. For a layman’s introduction to the NY court system, click on the COURT HELP link on the bottom row of the options.
http://www.ll.georgetown.edu/research/index.cfm
This resource, sponsored by Georgetown University Law School provides topical guides, legal research techniques and much more.

Of course, for serious personal legal issues, the best course is to seek legal counsel.

February 29, 2008 is a Leap Day, also known as Leap Year Day.

(photo downloaded from Leapzine.com)

Browsing the Internet is a great way to learn about both the science and the traditions associated with Leap Year. Using a search engine, like Google, when you enter the words "Leap Year" you get approximately 2,180,000 results, far more than most people would have the time to research. A quick review of the ten on the first page and a cursory look at the ten on the second page gives a taste of what can be found on the subject.

To help you focus your research, Google has included additional search terms at the bottom of the results page under the heading "Searches related to: Leap Year". Use these hints to modify your own search terms, based on your specific interests. For example, adding "trivia" to your search, reveals a set of appproximately 110,000 results or adding "traditions" reveals another 138,000 results.

The Yahoo search engine also provides related searches under the heading "Also try:..."

These are some of my favorite picks:

Leap Year 101 for an overview.
If you were born on a Leap Day, check out the Leapzine website and Leap Year Capital of the World.
Sadie Hawkins Day which is actually celebrated in November.
Online Conversion Calculator for figuring out which years are Leap Years.

Have you heard about our new Book-a-Librarian service?

Whether you need help tracking down consumer information, tracing your family roots, or exploring ideas on what to read next, we can help.

With our Book-a-Librarian service you may reserve a free 30-minute session with a professional reference librarian to help you navigate through the many informational resources available to you in the library, through our catalog, in our databases and on the internet.

Just fill out a Book-a-Librarian Request Form in the library or email or call the Reference Desk at 516-481-6591 to request the service. Each request will be given to a Reference Librarian who will schedule your personal appointment at a mutually convenient time

Book-a-Librarian appointments must be scheduled in advance and are restricted to West Hempstead Public Library cardholders.