Personal Archiving for Digital Files

If someone asks you how you save your digital files or photos and you say "well, it's on my desktop", it's time to talk about how to really save your digital files.  I went to a technology conference recently and attended a workshop on personal digital archiving and found out very quickly that saving on your desktop is NOT really saving your files. It really is a scary thought for those of us who aren't tech experts. What to do?
The Library of Congress has a great website on personal archiving of digital files
http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/personalarchiving/
There are great tips on preserving digital photos, audio, videos, email and websites.
Some of us have worried for years about preserving family photos and other family paper documents.  And that is still a concern.  But now it seems everything is digital.  Our photos are on our computers, in our phones  or on our cameras which can all be lost or damaged.  Again, a scary thought for someone who has MANY albums of family photos but hasn't printed a photo in a decade.

Northfield and the Digital Public Library of America

The Digital Public Library of America ( http://dp.la/)  was launched on April 18 and includes digital collections from institutions like the Smithsonian, the National Archives, Library of Congress and the Minnesota Digital Library (which will serve as a “digital hub” for our region).  Instead of being a repository, the DPLA will be more of an “aggregator” of existing digital content and part of a movement to further digitize other special collections in the U.S.  The purpose of the DPLA is to bring together all of the riches of America’s libraries, archives, historical societies and museums and make them available to everyone for free. Initial funding of $5 million comes from the Sloan Foundation, the NEH and others.

 How does Northfield fit into the grand scheme of things?  The Northfield Historical Society has been submitting digital items to the Minnesota Digital Library (Minnesota Reflections) for some time now. A current search in DPLA for “Northfield, Minnesota” yields 792 hits.  It’s exciting that our little town is a part of this big effort.

 

On a side note, the Northfield History Collaborative, (of which the Northfield Library is a member) founded in 2007, began with a similar vision – digitizing and making accessible the records of Northfield history.  There is some overlap of what’s on the collaborative website (http://northfieldhistorycollaborative.org/)  and the Minnesota Reflections site (http://reflections.mndigital.org/).  

Check out all of these great websites for Northfield, Minnesota and U.S. history.

 

Hardy Roses for Minnesota Gardens

On Wednesday April 24 the Northfield Public Library welcomes Jim Beardsley of the Minnesota Rose Society.  Mr. Beardsley, who has been growing roses since 1980 and has 200 roses in his own garden, is a Master Rosarian and accredited Rose Judge for the American Rose Society.  He will present a program on hardy roses for Minnesota gardens.  This program is free and open to the public.  For more information or to make disability arrangements please call the library at 507-645-6606.

Hostas - No Longer the Green and White Plant that Grandma Had Around the Tree

On Tuesday April 16 at 7 PM  the Northfield Public Library welcomes Gregg Peterson of the Minnesota Hosta Society.  Mr. Peterson, President of the Minnesota Hosta Society will present a program entitled "Hostas - no longer the green and white plant that grandma had around the tree".  Hostas are one of the most favorite shade perennials and are definitely a favorite for Minnesota gardeners.  Come and discover what's new in the hosta world.  This program is free and open to the public.  For more information or to make disability arrangements please call the library at 507-645-6606.                                           

Local Employers in Northfield and Dundas

Attention Job Seekers!
A list of local employers in Northfield and Dundas has been updated and posted on our website at
www.northfieldmn.info. Click on "Services" and then "Business and Employment Resources".
The list is extensive and includes phone numbers and in many cases electronic links to website application forms.

Check out the other links on that page to other local and statewide job resources.

The Minnesota Workforce Center Newsletter is also linked on that page.

For more information call the reference desk at 645-1802.

Backyard and Small -Scale Poultry Workshop

 Just a heads up for those of you who attended our workshop last May (or anyone else interested in this topic)  on raising chickens in your backyard.  This workshop will be held at the Community Resource Center on March 26 at 6 PM.

U of MN Extension Offering Backyard and Small-Scale Poultry Workshop

 

ST. PAUL. (February 20, 2013)—The University of Minnesota Extension’s Small Farms Team is inviting those interested backyard and small-scale poultry to attend their new educational program packed with production and marketing information. The 3-hour workshop will be held on March 7 in Slayton, March 11 in Hutchinson and March 26 in Northfield. The program will start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m. at each location. The cost is $20.00 for adults (spouses and business partners $10.00) and $10.00 for students. A light meal will be provided and attendees will receive a copy of the workshop’s proceedings.

 

The program’s agenda is filled with multiple topics geared towards the needs of the beginning farmer, hobbyist or backyard producer and those who would like to raise birds on a small commercial enterprise. Presenters will discuss specifics related to local laws and ordinances, breed and species selection and management techniques. Additionally, marketing direct to consumers or supplying local coops, grocery stores, and restaurants will be covered. Whether for fun, profit or both, this workshop is for you! A complete agenda is outlined here:

·       Best Breeds to Fit Your Needs, and Where to Purchase

·       Proper Housing, Nutrition, and Predator Control

·       Processing Regulations/Food Safety and Handling

·       Economics and Marketing

·       Zoning ordinances for Urban and Rural Settings

 

Northfield – Tuesday, March 26 – 6:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center

1651 Jefferson Parkway

Northfield, MN 55057

Contact: Mike Donnelly, Extension Educator – donne099@umn.edu or 507-332-6165

 

Those who are interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register to assist with meal count and handouts; however walk-ins will be welcomed. To pre-register, please contact the Rice County Extension office at 507-332-6109 or email Mike Donnelly at donne099@umn.edu. For more information and to view the full view the full brochure, please visit http://z.umn.edu/2013smallfarmspoultry.

 

A full brochure for this program can be viewed at: http://z.umn.edu/2013smallfarmspoultry.

 

Visit Greece!

Jim May, Professor of Classics at St. Olaf College, will present a travelogue on Greece on Monday, March 18 at 7 PM at the Northfield Public Library. Jim is an author and scholar and has traveled to Greece over 30 times (including a stint as a rower on a replica of an ancient Greek warship around the Aegean Sea) and has led over 20 study travel programs there. Come explore this interesting country through a seasoned traveler’s eyes. This program is free and open to the public. Call 507-645-6606 for questions or to make disability arrangements.