We’re excited to announce a new resource in the Digital Library, Artemis. With Artemis, you can search all these EBRPL literature databases at once, from one search box: Dictionary of Literary Biography Complete Online, Literature Criticism Online, Literature Resource Center, LitFinder, Scribner Writers, and Twayne’s Authors.
Artemis offers speed, convenience, and enhanced search features. Take a look and be a step ahead for next semester!
Have you tried Gale Virtual Reference Library yet? It’s a great eBook database in our Digital Library for all your reference needs. You can search by subject or keyword. The GVRL collection also includes an extensive list of titles in the “Complete Idiot’s Guide” series, including books on language learning, computer help, health, cooking, crafts, and more.
The books are available 24-7 and you don’t need to download them so they won’t take up any space on your computer or handheld device. All you need in order to access the collection is a library card and an Internet connection. You can even download specific chapters for later use as PDF files. Check out Gale Virtual Reference Library today!
Just in time for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s 75th Anniversary and the Library’s
celebration of all things historical that make up Baton Rouge, we will be hosting the 14th Annual Attic Treasures & Collectibles Event at the Main Library at Goodwood this Saturday, November 22. Now’s the time to raid your attic, closets, and garages for that interesting or antique art, toy, pottery, jewelry, rifle, war artifact, small piece of furniture, or other item of interest and see what the story is behind it and possibly what its value might be.
The free event will run 9 a.m.-1 p.m. this Saturday. Come for the antiques viewings, but stay for several other big events going on at the Main Library that day (more on that on our website and this blog later this week)! There is a limit of three items per person. Experts including Jack and Ann Hood – Jewelry; Bill Lee – Paper and Advertisements; Laurann Marino – Louisiana Gold and Coins; Pauline Robertson – Native American Items; Florence Crowder – General Items; Danny Brown – Civil War/ Military items; and Mark Denham – Armaments will be on hand to look at your collectibles and antiques. Call 231-3750 or visit our website and Facebook page for more information. Don’t forget to check our antique resources like the p4A Antiques Database (as used by the Antiques Roadshow), our Antiques InfoGuide, and the library catalog too. See you Saturday!
Sign up for these free webinars that will help you get the most out of our powerful ReferenceUSA database. Attendees will need an internet connection and a phone line to participate. Below are the rest of the dates through December in the Autumn 2014 series.
Search Essentials: The Basics of ReferenceUSA
Day/Date: Fridays (October 10 – tomorrow – and 17; November 7 and 21; December 5 and 18)
Time: 11:00 am (1 hour)
Designed for the patron new to using our database, this hour-long session will cover all the basics of getting started with ReferenceUSA. The training will cover the Four Essentials anyone, particularly anyone new to ReferenceUSA, would want to know in order to be successful using the resource. This is also a great opportunity for current users to learn some new tips, tricks, and techniques. Lots of time will be reserved at the end for questions. Click here to register for any of the session dates.
Uncovering the Hidden Job Market: Career Search Strategies Using ReferenceUSA
Day/Date: Wednesdays (October 15; November 5; December 3, 17)
Time: 2:00 pm (1 hour)
Attendees will learn how to use ReferenceUSA as part of their Career Searching Strategy. Included will be information on the importance of having accurate information for applications and resumes, creating engaging cover letters, assembling a network of references and referrers, finding key persons at a business to act as mentors, building datasets of potential employers based on skill set, work history, and preferences as well as how to prepare for interviews and interactions through thorough research. We will also explore the New! Jobs & Internship module which adds a new dimension to job searching. Click here to register.
Start, Manage, and Grow Your Business Using ReferenceUSA
Day/Date: Mondays (October 13 and 27; November 3 and 24; December 1 and 15)
Time: 2:00 pm (1 hour)
Entrepreneurs and business owners will learn how to use ReferenceUSA to find the mission critical information necessary to start, manage and grow a business. Topics include: • name search for business • locate hard to find vendors, both locally and nationally • locate subject manager experts and professional services • find investors, venture capitalists and angels • network with other businesses in your area or in your industry • develop relationships with related business for co-branding opportunities • understand community demographics • survey locations for expansion • conduct competitive analysis • plan delivery routes and service areas • source new employees
Click here to register.
ReferenceUSA Consumer & Lifestyle Data
Day/Date: Tuesdays (October 14, November 4, December 2)
Time: 12:00 noon (1 hour)
Ever wonder how marketers and advertisers ‘target’ specific messages to you? Find out how you access the same type of data for your neighborhood or city. Anyone who is interested in understanding the purchase preferences of a community will find this data both interesting and informative. Learn how to navigate this section of ReferenceUSA and then apply the data to your needs. Click here to register.
ReferenceUSA Big Data & Mapping
Day/Date: Tuesdays (October 14, November 4, December 2)
Time: 2:00 pm (1 hour)
Data Visualization is the next BIG thing in data. Going beyond static lists of information, ReferenceUSA can help you ‘visualize’ data elements on a map. Great for understanding how locations relate to each other or seeing densities within a specific area, the ReferenceUSA mapping tools give you a new and powerful way to better understand the landscape. Learn how to build a map to display results and how to manipulate the mapping tools to your advantage. Click here to register.
ReferenceUSA Historical Business Data
Day/Date: Wednesdays (October 15, November 5, December 3)
Time: 11:00 am (1 hour)
One of the essential requirements for planning for the future is to understand the past. ReferenceUSA has been compiling Business and Consumer data for many years and this data has been available in file format for advanced research projects. In response to the increased interest in accessing historical business information, ReferenceUSA has developed an innovative online tool for librarians, research professionals and library patrons to connect to
powerful information that presents a vivid picture of what the business landscape looked like in a given area at a given point in time. Click here to register.
What the REF! [NEW]
Day/Date: select Thursdays (October 16, November 6, December 4)
Time: 2:00 pm (1 hour)
Think you rock at using ReferenceUSA? Well this will be your opportunity to strut your stuff! We’ll give you access to a fully-loaded account and then present you with a series of challenging searches – then we’ll race to the results. The first to post the correct answer will be awarded the points for that round and at the end of the game, we’ll tally the points and crown the victor! And to the victor, go the spoils! You will need to be able to have the ability to manage two windows/tabs on your machine, one to view the webex site – where the questions will be posted, answers demonstrated and scores kept – as well as a tab or window where you can be logged into ReferenceUSA. While not required, it’s recommended you use the Computer Speakers (versus the phone dial in) for the audio …
Seriously considering adding a Trabek style ‘stache for the proceedings! Click here to register.
October is American Archives Month! Established by the Society of American Archivists in 2006, it is a collaborative effort by professional organizations and repositories across the country to 
highlight the importance of records of enduring value. Archivists are information professionals who assess, collect, organize, preserve, and provide access to information that has lasting value. Archives are similar to libraries, but instead of focusing primarily on books, archives hold a number of different types of documents and records, which can include photographs, directories, correspondence, scrapbooks, tickets, and all sorts of memorabilia.
Did you know the East Baton Rouge Parish Library has an archive? The Baton Rouge Room Archives, located on the second floor of the Main Library at Goodwood, is a repository of historic and modern pictures, maps, papers, oral history tapes, and memorabilia representing life in Baton Rouge. We also have a digital archive of photos, documents, and maps online you may access at any time.
In celebration of American Archives Month, the Baton Rouge Room is sponsoring a historical quiz on our website. Enter to win prizes by taking the quiz on our website. All the answers can be found in our digital archive so start exploring today!
Call 231-3752 or visit the Baton Rouge Room InfoGuide for more information.
Join us at the Main Library at Goodwood this Thursday, October 2, for a training session on an exciting new resource, Kurzweil 3000 Firefly. This assistive technology software converts text to speech for webpages and documents on your computer.
Visit the Kurzweil InfoGuide for more information on this resource that is available for home use with a web license you can get by calling your local library’s Reference Department. The software will be available on library computers in the near future.
The class is from 2-4 p.m. in the Technology Lab on the 2nd floor. See you Thursday!
Free tutoring programs are starting this month at several locations around the parish, including one of our library branches (Bluebonnet Regional)! See below for the full schedule. 
The Career Center at the Main Library at Goodwood is now offering expanded hours of service! Career Center staff are now available Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Career Center’s mission is to serve our community as a catalyst for the development of a career-resilient, self-reliant workforce.
The next program offered by the Career Center is a Sales Careers seminar:
Learn everything about sales careers! In sales one approach doesn’t fit all. Learn all about different approaches to sales and what sales jobs are really like. Master sales trainer Carl Herrick will share his tricks and answer all your questions.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Registration is required – call (225) 231-3733 or email anowak@ebrpl.com.
Sign up for these free webinars that will help you get the most out of our powerful ReferenceUSA database. Attendees will need an internet connection and a phone line to participate. Below are the rest of the dates through September in the “Summertime and the Searchin’ Is Easy” series.
Search Essentials: The Basics of ReferenceUSA
Day/Date: Fridays (July 11 (today), 18; August 8, 15; September 5, 12, 19)
Time: 11:00 am (1 hour)
Designed for the patron new to using our database, this hour-long session will cover all the basics of getting started with ReferenceUSA. The training will cover the Four Essentials anyone, particularly anyone new to ReferenceUSA, would want to know in order to be successful using the resource. This is also a great opportunity for current users to learn some new tips, tricks, and techniques. Click here to register for any of the session dates.
Start, Manage, and Grow Your Business Using ReferenceUSA
Day/Date: Mondays (July 14, 28; August 11, 25; September 8, 15, 29)
Time: 2:00 pm (1 Hour)
Entrepreneurs and business owners will learn how to use ReferenceUSA to find the mission critical information necessary to start, manage and grow a business. Topics include: • name search for business • locate hard to find vendors, both locally and nationally • locate subject manager experts and professional services • find investors, venture capitalists and angels • network with other businesses in your area or in your industry • develop relationships with related business for co-branding opportunities • understand community demographics • survey locations for expansion • conduct competitive analysis • plan delivery routes and service areas • source new employees
Click here to register.
Uncovering the Hidden Job Market: Career Search Strategies Using ReferenceUSA
Day/Date: Wednesdays (July 30; August 13, 27; September 10, 17)
Time: 2:00 pm (1 Hour)
Attendees will learn how to use ReferenceUSA as part of their Career Searching Strategy. Included will be information on the importance of having accurate information for applications and resumes, creating engaging cover letters, assembling a network of references and referrers, finding key persons at a business to act as mentors, building datasets of potential employers based on skill set, work history, and preferences as well as how to prepare for interviews and interactions through thorough research. We will also explore the New! Jobs & Internship module which adds a new dimension to job searching. Click here to register.
ReferenceUSA Consumer & Lifestyle Data
Day/Date: Select Tuesdays (August 26, September 9)
Time: 2:00 pm (1 hour)
Ever wonder how marketers and advertisers ‘target’ specific messages to you? Find out how you access the same type of data for your neighborhood or city. Anyone who is interested in understanding the purchase preferences of a community will find this data both interesting and informative. Learn how to navigate this section of ReferenceUSA and then apply the data to your needs. Click here to register.
ReferenceUSA Big Data & Mapping
Day/Date: Alternating Tuesdays (July 29, August 26, September 30)
Time: 2:00pm (1 hour)
Data Visualization is the next BIG thing in data. Going beyond static lists of information, ReferenceUSA can help you ‘visualize’ data elements on a map. Great for understanding how locations relate to each other or seeing densities within a specific area, the ReferenceUSA mapping tools give you a new and powerful way to better understand the landscape. Learn how to build a map to display results and how to manipulate the mapping tools to your advantage. Click here to register.
ReferenceUSA Historical Business Data
Day/Date: Alternating Tuesdays (July 15, August 12, September 16)
Time: 2:00pm (1 hour)
One of the essential requirements for planning for the future is to understand the past. ReferenceUSA has been compiling Business and Consumer data for many years and this data has been available in file format for advanced research projects. In response to the increased interest in accessing historical business information, ReferenceUSA has developed an innovative online tool for librarians, research professionals and library patrons to connect to
powerful information that presents a vivid picture of what the business landscape looked like in a given area at a given point in time. Click here to register.
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of a great new piece of assistive technology at East Baton Rouge Parish Library! It’s a software called Kurzweil 3000 Firefly and it will convert text to speech for webpages and documents on your computer. In the coming months, it will also be installed on library computers at all of our locations.
In order to get started at home, visit the Kurzweil InfoGuide and click on the Using Kurzweil at Home tab. Click the download link for your operating system: Windows or Mac. Follow the prompts to install on your computer. Remember you want to install the “Web License” version. You will need to call the Reference desk at 231-3750 or your local branch to have your account set up.
Not only can you download it to your computer, you can also use the Kurzweil Firefly iOS app for screen reading on the go. You can scan or save files to your account and access them from the Firefly app. There’s also a Firefly Web App which can be accessed by visiting www.fireflybykurzweil.com. Whenever you scan or upload a file, it is available to you to read on your Kurzweil account and you can access it either through the software or by using one of the apps.
For more information, please check out our Kurzweil InfoGuide to learn more about this amazing new technology, available now at your local library.