Week 4 South Dakota Library Challenge

SIRS Discoverer
1. Challenge:   Look up armadillos (or your favorite animals) and discuss the results. Note if you find pictures and the various reading levels of the articles. (Remember, articles in SIRS Discoverer are selected, so you may not find something from yesterday's news.)

The animal I chose to search for was the tiger.   I wanted to pick something that I thought would produce some findings, yet something that would be interesting.   Multiple pages of articles showed up.  More than a thousand articles showed up.  I like how the tabs across the top of the page allow for easily narrowing the search and the color coded icons help you find the best suited article for your needs.  The colorful screen is easy to navigate and is a great resource.  In the library we only have so much space so having these resources available online is a huge benefit for patrons.  

 2. Some of the most useful features in SIRS Discoverer are the "Database Features" located on the right hand side of the window. Explore this section by:

• selecting a country in "Country Facts" and noting the information located there.
• selecting a map in "Maps of the World" and discussing a potential use.
• selecting one other area in "Database Features" and discuss the information located there.

I selected "Sweden" in "Country Facts."   I was given the basic facts about the county such as location, size and capital as well as major historical facts.  In addition there was much more information available through many articles.   Maps of the World gives us access to information that sometimes is hard to come by.  As I do a lot of genealogy research, I have had a need for such maps. 


SIRS Issues Researcher
1. Select a leading issue and discuss the information located there, noting the topic overview, research tools and articles.

I chose to research "capital punishment."   The topic seems to have been brought to the for-front here in South Dakota lately with an inmate recently being executed and another soon to be.   As I suspected a HUGE amount of information was available.  I liked the fact that you can choose between a quick search and an advanced search with the ability to narrow the search fields.   Many articles were available.   The research tools are wonderful.   I especially like the A to Z list which would be a huge help when selected a subject for a paper.   The top 10 was interesting, and I was surprised my capital punishment wasn't higher on the list.   My favorite tool was the Pro vs. Con.   I have always been interested in debate and imploring different sides of a topic. 

 2. Select "Curriculum Pathfinders" on the right hand side of the window and mouse over the course subjects, noting the range of topics covered. Pick your favorite subject and discuss the information located there.

When I explored the "Curriculum Pathfinders" and moved my mouse over the subjects, I noted just how many subjects had information available.  All major subjects seemed to be available.  I selected "health."   I first noticed a section highlighted in a blue box with research ideas.   Listed in the box were depression, obesity, Abortion, healthy diet and more.   I clicked on the topic, "Disease prevention."   A long list of web articles was listed.   I selected one that talked about Influenza.  With the large number of influenza cases this winter, and many questioning the immunization process I was interested in this article.   I was directed to the web site which offered  broad  information on the subject.   It gave the treatments, symptoms, etc.  

Week 3: South Dakota Library Challenge

Learning Express Library- 

1.  The first part of the week 3 challenge was to set up an account in the Learning Express Library and browse through the available exams that are available.   Setting up the account was fast and easy.   Navigation through the Learning Express Library was also simplistic and while I had looked at it on a few other occasions I was surprised at how much is actually available. 

2.  The second part of this weeks challenge was to choose 1 specific exam and to answer a few questions before advancing to the diagnostic page and viewing the answers.   I chose to do a "Data Analysis and Probability"test.    I answered half of the questions and advanced to the "score my test" option.   When viewing my test and the answers it was easy to see how helpful such a test would be.  Easy to use, not so long that a person can't complete them quickly and information easily available to learn from the answers.  

3.   When looking under the career resources tab and seeing how much information was available for a large variety of career paths.   I looked under "Caseworker" and found over 200 pages of information available.   I also noted under medical, teaching and nursing there was even more!    Resources were available with general information, preparation for entrance exams, preparation for occupational exams, military preparations and even ways to improve job searching skills.    I chose to explore the "Great Resume" resources available because this coming spring we intend to offer a course to patrons on the subject.  The information available was easy to maneuver with detailed step by step information.  It offered everything from what should be included, to what should not be included, its purpose, format and more.  

4.   For the final part of this weeks challenge, we were to search a term in the search box for a skills improvement or career topic in which we are interested.   I tried a number of searches before my attempt at "Law Enforcement."  Law Enforcement exams are of interest to me now as my son will be finishing up his education and getting his degree in the field this spring.   I paged through the eBook called, "Reasoning Skills for Law Enforcement Exams."   It was 191 pages and was filled with a ton of information that I can see being helpful to my son.  

Week 2 South Dakota Library Challenge

I was so excited to see the Chilton Library become available online and have referred many patrons to use it.  We have had patrons come into the library looking for a vehicle manual who are excited to hear they can access the information from their shops, etc.  The challenge is convincing them to go through the steps to get a state library card.  It provides resources for many vehicle models back as far as 1940. 

1.  Our challenge was to look up the maintenance schedule for our own vehicle.  I drive a 2013 Ford Fusion. When looking up the maintenance schedule it asked me many specifics that I really wasn't even sure of.   Once I got through the specifics it gave me a list which included all the regular things from brake checks, fluid checks,  to tire rotations.  I thought maybe it would be more interesting on a bit older vehicle so I looked up our 2004 Avalanche.  I found much information was available.

2  It gave a list of bullions which involved many little things from troubleshooting the navigation to inside lights flickering.   I glanced through the list but haven't had a problem with any of them.   The last bulletin posted about the Avalanche was about the tow and haul mode.   We use this vehicle to pull our camper so I was interesting in the message but a more careful look showed it not to be a problem.  

3.   When looking under the repair tab I found a HUGE amount of details were available including diagrams for clarity.   The information was specific and easy to navigate.  



Mango Languages is a resource I have wanted to use but just haven't  had time to do it yet.  I would love to learn to speak Swedish and Norwegian which would be beneficial in my hobby of genealogy research.   Mango Languages has 60 languages to choose from.  

1.   I shoes Swedish for my challenge and completed lesson 1.   I love it.   It is a great balance of visual and audio for ease.  It moved slowly and was repetitive for a deeper learning.  I was most appreciative of the cultural customs it added.  It explained that in Sweden it is not customary to put a hand forward for a handshake when meeting.   That would be very useful information if traveling to Sweden.  I now can say "hello, how, stand, it, etc.   More importantly...."tack" for the lesson 1 on my quest to speak Swedish.  

2.  The second part of our challenge was to answer how a Vietnamese student who wants to improve their English could benefit from using Mango language.  I think one way would be to use the translator for phrasing.   The English language uses many unusual phrases.  The "use English" tab offered specifically learning English if you speak Vietnamese.  Basically the option worked the same as when I was trying to learn Swedish and would be equally beneficial.  

Tumblebooks is the electronic resource that I have used the most prior to this challenge.  From the moment I first saw it...I was hooked.   Children's books, available free to children with animation is a great thing.   It offers picture books as well as chapter books.  My favorite part is that it also offers puzzels and games for the kid's interaction.   When working in the library I am often asked if we know the AR point values for books.    Tumblebooks even offers that information. 

1.   Our challenge was to select and try a book, and give our impression.   I selected "Scaredy Squirrel."   It was a cute little story with life lessons about fear.   As always I loved. it.   I love that it gives the  option of pages automatically turning the pages OR you can go at your own pace and read it to the child yourself.   I think for parents there is a time and a place when both would be convenient.  

2.   Our challenge was to try a video or puzzle and give our impression.  I chose a video of the Biography of Benjamin Franklin.    I hadn't used the video option before this challenge and think children will love it.   Again...I think there is a time and place where the video option will be a perk.   Children love videos.  

3.  Question:  To whom will I promote the Tumblebooks eRecourse. That is easy.  It is perfect for anyone who has children in preschool or lower elementary.   I have enjoyed Tumblebooks with my own grand-daughter.   

Week 1c South Dakota Library Challenge

World Book Foreign Language Edition  is based on the World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia and makes information available in both a Spanish Language Version and a French Language Version.   

 1.   We were instructed to check out the visual dictionary in the language of our choice and look up an animal.   I chose to use the World Book Spanish Language Version because in our area we have a large number of Spanish speaking workers therefore making it a useful resource in our Grant County Public Library.   I don't speak any foreign language, and not knowing what to expect I decided to search for a very basic animal like a cat.   This provided a challenge for me because I don't speak the languages getting around and even my cat searches were not productive.    I do think we have patrons who would find this resource available to them in their native language as being useful.

2.   We were instructed to go the  World Book Spanish Version and look into an article and listen to it read aloud.  Again, I can see this tool being very beneficial to a person who is just learning the language and by hearing it read would be able to try to comprehend what he hears.   Not only does a person need to learn to speak a language but they need to learn to understand it when they hear it. 

Week 1a South Dakota Library Challenge

World Book School Edition has four sections;  Kids, Student, Advanced and Discover.

1.  The challenge instructions were to search for a mammal of choice, find a picture and information on its habitat using "World Book Kids."  I chose to search for "monkey."   What is more fun than a monkey?    It brought up 35 articles related to "Monkeys" with very basic information such as type of monkey, a picture and where type each is native. "Monkeys are small mammals that often live in trees."  

2.  In order to evaluate the functioning of "World Book Kids" with "World Book Student" I did the same search to compare the findings.  In the student version my monkey search produced 157 articles as well as additional information such as web site links, research guides, tables and maps.  The information in the articles provides more details although were still quite basic.  I can see this version being a great fit for upper elementary and Jr. High students, but think many high school students would gravitate to the quick and easy functioning as well.

3.    The challenge instructions were to search for a county while using "World Book Advanced."  I chose to search for "Sweden" in honor of my Swedish ancestry.  In addition to the 318 articles it also gave many additional links to related information on the sides including a list of primary sources.   I have a person interest in Sweden and quickly was lost reading through the many articles.   In addition to the "Tools" such as allowing highlighting, printing, and emailing, I liked the link stating, "Facts in brief about Sweden" which was located front and center when I clicked on an article.  This information could be useful to a student who needed to complete an essay and needs expand research or even a patron looking for information before traveling.

4. Surprisingly, I was most interested in the "World Book Discover."  The last few years, we have seen more and more people in our community who have a language barrier and those numbers are expected to rise.   With the ability to browse by basic topics supported by visuals it will give those with a limited English vocabulary the ability to research and have access to information that other wise may not be available to them.   The translating tool will be very useful for them as well.   I like the way its set up for browsing by a basic topic leading into sub categories.
   

Week 1b South Dakota Library Challenge

World Book Online Public Library Edition has 3 sections:   Kids geared to elementary age children, Info-finder for grades 5-9 and Reference Center good for high school and adults. 

1.   We were instructed to go to the "WB Online for Kids" and search for a mammal, find a picture and info on its habitat.  Easy enough.  I choose to search for dolphin.   First impression as I opened the page was that it looked appealing and simplistic.   I had to click on the science projects link and see what was available there before I even did my mammal search.   Having just worked with the science themed Summer Reading Program I was especially interested and felt it would be of interest to many of our young patrons.  My dolphin search produced 21 articles, 4 pictures and 9 videos.   I think many children would love the videos.  Articles gave very basic information yet enough to inform and more importantly to peak more interest.  


2.   We were instructed to go to the "World Book Online Info Finder" and complete the same search.  At a glance it was obvious more in-depth information would be available on the info finder than the kids version.  The Science project link still remained but a newspaper link, biography links and research tools were also conveniently located.  My search now returned 75 articles and a list of other sources too numerous to mention.

3.  Using the "World Book Online Reference Center" we were research for a country...notice info available on the sidebars.   I chose to look for "Norway."   I HUGE amount of information was available.  I really like that the information that is available is separated into categories for easy access.  I love that it lists online books available and feel that patrons will really like that feature. While an article tends to lend bits and pieces of information...the books will offer a more complete arranged sequences of information.