Shop the FOL Holiday Sale!!

I know this is an "upstairs" blog but I thought I would plug the Friends of the Library Holiday sale for this Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m..... downstairs in the library meeting room. This is mainly a booksale but the Friends will also be selling a 2010 Library Calendar, T-shirts, book bags, and some miscellaneous things such as Carousel Music Boxes and an OFFICIAL 2010 Olympic Jacket. So, while you are downtown doing your last minute holiday shopping, stop by the library and get a few more things. All proceeds support the library and its programs. That's a good thing. Questons? Call the library at 645-6606.

Genealogy Databases at the library

Have you thought about doing a family genealogy but don't know where to start? The digital age has revolutionized searching for family records. And with online forums and chat rooms, family historians are able to connect with potential relatives like never before. The Northfield Public Library has two electronic resources to help you get started.

Ancestry.com is the "Queen Bee" of online genealogy searching. With Ancestry.com you can search death records, obituaries, census records, church records, immigration records, ship passenger lists, military records, newspapers and more. Ancestry is available only in the library but the library has a dedicated computer for genealogy research. Sign up is on a first come first served basis.

HeritageQuest is available in the library and at home (go to http://www.northfieldmn.info/ and click on "Electronic Resources" - you will need your library card). Although HeritageQuest and Ancestry are very different, HeritageQuest offers the U.S. Census as well as family and local histories and revolutionary war records.

Here are six tips for getting started on your family history:

*Talk to every living member of your family. Take good notes or record the conversations

*Write up a basic family tree to see what you know & where your gaps are

*Document your sources - you won't have to look twice for something

*Freely share your information on message boards

*Don't give up - the information out there is endless and your never know what you'll find

*Check out Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest at the Northfield Public Library

If you have questions, call us at 645-6606 or go to http://www.northfieldmn.info/ and click on "Ask a Librarian".

Are you looking for work?

If the answer is yes... come to the library! We have lots of books just for people looking for a job. In addition to books we have a laptop computer dedicated to people looking for work. If you are filing for unemployment or redoing your resume you have access to this computer for a 2 hour block.

Here are a few titles we've recently added:

Amazing Resumes: what employers want to see - Bright - 650.14 BR

Rebound: a proven plan for starting over after job loss - Finney - 650.14 FI

Job-Hunter's Survival Guide - Bolles - on order

Get the job you want even when no one is hiring - Myers - 650.14 MY

10 Strategies for reentering the workforce - Ghilani - 650.14 GH

Minnesota Grantmakers Online

The library now has a subscription to Minnesota Grantmakers Online. If you are a nonprofit grantseeker, a grantmaker or a donor, you will want to come and check out this new resource. With MGO you have instant access to the web's largest and most comprehensive online database of Minnesota foundations and corporate grantmakers. You have access to more than 100,000 grants of $2000 or more awarded by Minnesota's largest grantmakers. The database is accessible ONLY in the Northfield Library. See someone at the reference desk to log on. For more information call the library at 507-645-6606.

Online Car Repair

Attention all you weekend car mechanics!!!
Did you know the library has an online version of the Chilton manuals? The library also subscribes to the print version but those volumes can only be used in the library. The online version can be accessed 24/7!! And unlike the printed version, Chiltonlibrary.com is updated on a regular basis, ensuring that users always have the most current information. Content includes:

* Detailed step-by-step service instructions on domestic and import vehicles
* Close-up photographs and illustrations
* Vacuum and wiring diagrams
* Troubleshooting and diagnostics
* Maintenance and specification tables.

Go to http://www.northfieldmn.info/ and click on "Electronic Resources". You need your library card to access from home.

Are you looking for a good book to read this summer?

If so, the library has some great electronic resources to help you out. Go to our website - http://www.northfieldmn.info/hfieldmn.info/ and look for "Reader's Resources".



Booknews - sign up for monthly email newsletters depending on your reading interests






Pearl's Picks - Get great book suggestions from Nancy Pearl - librarian, author of "Book Lust" and regular guest on National Public Radio.










Novelist - a mega database with tons of ideas of what to read next - author readalikes, award winners, book discussion guides. This resource links directly to the Northfield Library's catalog so you can find the book fast!!








Dearreader.com - join online book clubs and receive a 5 minute selection Monday through Friday from a chapter of a book. By the end of the week you will have read 2-3 chapters. A new book is selected each Monday. If you like the book check the library's catalog to continue reading.

How to be successful in your job search

Locally based Career Consultants Eileen Shimota and Sara Nagel Newberg conducted a great job search workshop at the Northfield Public Library on Thursday April 30. Key points mentioned during the workshop included a review of the most and least successful methods for locating jobs, how to write effective cover letters, a review of important guidelines for writing resumes, and preparing for the interview. At the end of the workshop, participants were invited to visit the new Small Business and Employment Resources area located on the 2nd floor of the library.

Did you know?

* One of the most effective methods for finding employment is person to person contact

* One of the least effective methods for finding employment is by responding to ads on the Internet, and in newspapers

* It is vital to develop a "commercial" about yourself. You have about 45-60 seconds in length to make your pitch.

* Cover letters are important.

*Follow FAKTA guidelines when writing a resume. Specifically Focus, Appearance, Key words, Transferrable skills and Accomplisments.

* It is better to over dress than under dress for an interview

* Rejection is a normal part of the job search process

*Searching for a job can be physically and emotionally draining. Look after yourself!

A sample of book titles in the Small Business and Employment Resources Area related to employment:

Gallery of Best Resumes for People Without a Four-Year Degree - 2009

Job Search Bloopers - 2008

What Color is Your Parachute - 2009

Vacationing close to home is a good thing

Would you like to take a summer trip but are wondering about the family budget? The library has LOTS of guidebooks to places within driving distance - ie the North Shore, the Twin Cities, Door County and other places in Wisconsin. We are highlighting some of those books this week in our stairwell display. We know budgets are tight and as always, the library is here to help!
Here are some sample titles:

Bicycle Vacation Guide: Minnesota and Wisconsin - 2008
Camping the North Shore: a guide to the 23 best campgrounds in Minnesota's spectacular Lake Superior Region - 2008
Wineries of Wisconsin and Minnesota - 2008

Riding out the Current Financial Storm

"Riding out the current financial storm" will be presented by Phyllis Onstad at the Northfield Public Library on Thursday, April 23 at 7 P.M. Onstad, U of M Extension Educator, will provide key strategies and tools to prepare for times when money is tight, you lose your job, or have suddenly reduced income. She will also share key resources both online and in the community that will assist people of all ages with a special emphasis for younger investors and job seekers. For more information please call the library at 645-6606.

National Library Week Tech Demos

Last day for tech demos!!!! Come down to the library today from 3--8 p.m. and get hands on experience with some really cool gadgets - Ipod Itouch, Sony ebook, Flip camera, a digital camera, GPS device and more. It's fun and free. Of course, it's at the library.

Colors for National Library Week

Celebrate National Library Week in a colorful way!!

If you're in the library this week and wearing the "right" color, stop by the circulation desk for a treat.

Monday - Blue

Tuesday - Red

Wednesday - Purple

Thursday - Green

Friday - Yellow

Saturday - Rainbow

Finding Jane

On Thursday April 16 at 7 p.m. , Rob Hardy, local writer and poet, will present a program at the Northfield Library (in the meeting room), called "Finding Jane: a Tour of Some English Literary Places." Come and see slides of England and hear about Jane Austen and other English writers. Refreshments will be served.

The New Laptops are Here!!

The library has acquired 3 new laptop computers purchased by the Friends of the Library. Two are on carts and can be checked out for two hours with a library card and a driver's license. They are wireless and can be used anywhere in the library. The third laptop is in our new Business Resource area. That computer is reserved for people needing to do job searches, resumes, filing for unemployment or business start up searching. For now there is no sign up for that computer - just use on a first come- first served basis. People are able to use this computer for 2 hours also. Our computers are a very popular resource here at the library so we are glad we can offer more computers for people to use, especially during busy times.

THANKS TO THE FRIENDS!!!!

Good programs coming in April!!

The library will be hosting 2 good programs in April - we'll do some more advertising later but wanted to let you all know now so you can get them on your calendars. On April 16 Rob Hardy, local writer and poet, will present a program called " Finding Jane: a tour of some English Literary Places". Come see some slides of England and hear about Jane Austen. It should be very interesting.

On April 23rd, Phyllis Onstad, from the U of M Extension Service will present a program called "Riding out the Current Financial Storm". She will provide key strategies and tools to prepare for times when money is tight, you lose your job, or have suddenly reduced income. The program is geared toward younger workers but will be of interest to all ages.

Both programs will begin at 7 P.M. and will be held in the library meeting room. For more information call the library at 645-6606.

LAST WEEK FOR HOT READS!!!!!

It's the last week to submit your titles for Hot Reads. We'll do one more weekly drawing on Friday Feb. 27 and end our program with a Grand Prize Drawing on Monday March 2. Remember, the more titles you have in the bowl the more chances you have for the grand prize........ A $25.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE OLE CAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hurry in to the library and get those titles counted!!

We've had a great response this year with 54 signed up!! Thanks to all who participated.

Business & Employment Resources

These are challenging times... especially with the economy. I would be surprised if most of us can't think of at least one family who hasn't lost their home or job. The library is trying to respond by stocking up on books, magazines and other resources to help those on the job hunt. We've moved these resources out of the main section of nonfiction books into an area near the computers called "Business & Employment Resources". We will soon have a laptop computer in that area dedicated to job searching. If you're in the library check out this area and let us know what you think.

Hot Reads for Cold Nights

It's that time of year again. Time to hunker down, be cozy and read lots of books!! Why not join Hot Reads (an adult winter reading program) and get your name in a weekly drawing for Chamber Dollars? The program runs now through Feb. 28. You get your name in the drawing for each book you read. There's no limit. The more you read the better your chances in the weekly drawing. Look for publicity about 2 upcoming programs - Hands on Craft night on Jan. 22 and an Ancestry.com class on Feb. 12.