Happy Thanksgiving

Trussville Public Library will be closed for Thanksgiving from Thursday November 26th – Sunday November 29th. We will resume normal hours Monday. The Book drop will be locked during this time and fines for items due during the closure can be waived upon request

Usborne Book Fair coming to Trussville Library!

You’re invited to the Usborne Books Book Fair at the Trussville Public Library Monday, November 30th through Wednesday, December 2nd.

All sales will earn free book for the library! What a great way to support  the library and get some great gifts for a special reader for the holidays…

If you can’t attend the book fair, you can also order online at

www.ubah.com/BF25495

To our out-of-county patrons:

Starting October 1st, 2009, all out-of-county library patrons will be charged a $50/year out-of-county fee for becoming a library card member of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, regardless of employment.

Previously, we were able to waive such a fee depending on if you were employed within Jefferson County; however, we are unable to do so from this point forward. For those patrons that already have a JCLC library card, this out-of-county payment will be due at the time your card will expire.

Remember that your library card is one of the most valuable cards in you wallet. By just borrowing 2 – 3 books or a few DVDs or CDs rather than purchasing them, you have earned back you $50/year fee! Also, your card gives you access to 40 library locations and their materials that can be delivered to any JCLC library locations of your choosing. Other advantages include: online reserves, downloadable audio books, online databases accessible at home or the library, and free internet access at 40 libraries (some also include Wi-Fi). 

If you have any questions, you are welcome to call us at 205-655-2022 during our normal business hours. For more information about the Jefferson County budget cuts, visit the links below:

http://www.jclc.org/

http://www.jclc.org/aboutjclc/newsreleases/20090916.aspx

Online Saftey Tips from Microsoft

Microsoft has developed a website devoted to helping people protect themselves, their children, and personal computer while online.

Various short films found on the website will walk you through situations pertaining to how you & your family should guard against online threats.

By visiting www.microsoft.com/protect, loads of useful information and online saftey tips will be at your fingertips.

Library 2.0

Our world is becoming more digital, compact, and versatile to make our everyday life more convenient. So why not the library?

Traditionally, libraries are known to be a safehouse of our community’s most treasured reading materials that must be respected by silence as you cross the library’s threshold. Well most of this is still true, but the library is slowly transforming into more of a community center as time goes by.

But don’t worry… the library’s focus will always remain the same. As stated on CNN.com : “Some books will still be around, they say, although many of those will be digital. But the goal of the library remains the same: To be a free place where people can access and share information.”

We offer more than just books, ya know: audiobooks on CD, downloadable audiobooks for iPod and MP3 players, Playaways (ready-to-go audio players), new & classic movies on DVD,  free internet & WiFi access, etc.

Many social groups have been created to gather people of all ages together to dicuss books or just to have a good time at our library. For example, Mrs. Laura, the Young Adult Librarian, offers various book clubs for the teens that also turn into Nintendo Wii competitions on special meeting days.

Of course, all of the library funding that is responsible for all the cool things we have to offer is from our local city government:

“In the United States, libraries are largely funded by local governments, many of which have been hit hard by the recession. That means some libraries may not get to take part in technological advances. It also could mean some of the nation’s 16,000 public libraries could be shut down or privatized. Schultz, of the Berkeley Law School, said it would be easy for public officials to point to the growing amount of free information online as further reason to cut public funding for libraries. Use of U.S. public libraries is up over the past decade, though, and many people in the information and libraries field say they’re excited about opportunities the future brings…” (CNN.com)

So as our country is experiencing the recession, a library institution is important now more than ever. Due to our free service, the number of library cardholders has increased dramatically and continues to climb. We are now becoming Library 2.0 – growing & transforming to meet the needs of society.

“There’s a Cat in the Library”…

Who knew that a small cat could have such an impact on so many?

Before Dewey was such a popular cat, he was sadly just a stray that was left in a library bookdrop in Spencer, Iowa on a winter night in 1988. Vicki Myron, the Spencer Library’s director at the time, found this small kitten and felt compelled to give it a home at their small-town library. He was named “Dewey Readmore Books”. 

Dewey made the library his home and extended the warm, “at-home” feeling to all of Spencer Library’s employees and patrons. For example, it was not uncommon to see a gentleman petting Dewey with one hand, while holding a newspaper with the other.

The former library director turned author has written two versions of the story about the beloved library feline: one in Adult non-fiction, the other as a Children’s picture book.

It is rumored that Dewey: the small-town cat who touched the world will be made into a major motion picture, casting Meryl Streep to play the part of Vicki Myron.

For more information about either Dewey books, call us at 205-655-2022

Have you tried a Playaway today?

Playaway is the newest format of audio, combining a wide variety of content with an easy-to-use player all in one small unit. After you check-out your Playaway, plug in your personal headphones and press play to start listening immediately! There is no need for a separate player since the entire book is tucked inside the player.

As you can see above, Playaways are convenient & very easy to operate!

 To find out more information about what titles we offer in Playaway format, search our online catalog or call us at Trussville Library at 655-2022!

More Job Search Help from Your Local Library

Getting Ready for Your Job Search

 

Gather past employment information to prepare yourself for filling out job applications. Reference USA database can assist you with this step. Look up past employer’s address, phone number, executive names, etc…

Update your resume & cover letter. To find library materials  that can assist you in preparing your resume & cover letter is 650.142. Online Resume Tutorials are listed below:

• http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/documents/resume/
• http://www.acinet.org/acinet/resume/resume_summary.asp

If you do not already have an e-mail address, you can obtain one using one of these free providers: Yahoo.com, Hotmail.com,  Google.com

Research industry information, career outlooks, qualification and salaries with the Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/oco/.

Expand your computer skills by taking free coupter classes at the Library. Contact your local library for further information.

 

Searching for Jobs Online

Jobs in Alabama: Alabama JobLink, Best Local Jobs, Craiglist Birmingham

National Job Listings: Career Builder, Monster, Simply Hired, Federal Job Listings

Prepare for Your Interview

• Research the targeted company/organization. Check the company’s website for its corporate history, mission statements, financial data, etc. Reference USA database can assist in finding information about the company’s corporate heirarchy, contact information competitor’s, etc.
• Understand the job & its requirements. Use the Occupational Outlook Handbook & the Career Guide Handbook to research the job and understand its requirements. Review he company’s job annoucements. For library materials, look under call number 331-702
• Reserach interview etiquette. Includes details of dress and appearance, knowledge of the location of the interview, what to expect, and protocols for follow-up. For library materials, look under call number 646.34 and 650.14 -650.144
• Review questions to ask the interviewer as well as potential interviewer questions. The call number for these library materials is 650.144