Staff Picks: Arlington
What are APL staff members currently reading, watching, listening to or recommending?
The Fishing Librarian (and other staff) pick out their favorite current reads
We've asked our staff to share what they’re currently reading, watching or listening to. What we ended up with is a very eclectic list of books, movies, audiobooks and music. These are cumulative lists that we’ll add to all year long.
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Playing makes you smart!
As you might expect, we at Arlington Reads love to see you and your little ones exploring the library shelves and taking home an armful of books to enjoy together. We know that you are your child’s first, most important teacher, and that reading to your child often helps him become an enthusiastic lifelong learner. But we also understand the value of play! According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, “Play is an important vehicle for developing self-regulation as well as for promoting language, cognition, and social competence… Children of all ages love to play, and it gives them opportunities to develop physical competence and enjoyment of the outdoors, understand and make sense of their world, interact with others, express and control emotions, develop their symbolic and problem-solving abilities, and practice emerging skills. Research shows the links between play and foundational capacities such as memory, self-regulation, oral language abilities, social skills, and success in school.”
Maintaining a fresh supply of engaging, age-appropriate toys doesn’t have to be a financial burden; the library can help! You know we have books and DVDs, but did you know that your library also has Read It Again! Kits? Each include a story and one or more props (maybe a puppet or some other related toy), all ready for some fun and meaningful play! Call to see what’s available near you, or next time you’re visiting the library, ask the children’s services staff.
~Dezra Loving
Arlington Reads AmeriCorps VISTA
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Changes to the GED-the new 2014 test
The GED will be updated in 2014. Several of the major changes are discussed below.
-Change: Instead of completing a paper exam, students will complete the test on computers at certified testing locations. (Remember, you can never get an official GED off the internet!)
-Implication: Test-takers will need good computer skills, such as using a mouse and keyboard.
-Arlington Reads’ support: The Arlington Public Library will continue to provide free computer classes to patrons.
-Change: Instead of focusing on high school equivalency only, the new test will designate test takers as being prepared for college or for the workforce.
-Implication: Test-takers may be able to pass different levels of the test. One test-passer may pass at a level indicating they are ready for college-level course-work, while another may pass at a level indicating they are prepared to enter the workforce. If a test-passer passes at the workforce level, he may need to retake the new test if he would like to show he is ready for college.
-Arlington Reads’ support: As we learn more about the new test, we will attempt to prepare students to achieve their specific goals. Whether a student is working on their GED in hopes of entering the workforce or in hopes of going to college, we will try to provide them with what they need to succeed.
-Change: Instead of five sections (math, science, social studies, reading, writing), there will be 4: math, science, social studies, literacy.
-Implication: There will be more small writing pieces. Before, students completed one 4-5 page essay in the writing section. In the new test, there will be more writing questions throughout the test, requiring shorter and longer responses.
-Arlington Reads’ support: The GED preparation program will work to prepare students for these writing requirements.
Learn more about the new GED test coming in 2014 by visiting the GED testing resources website.
Visit the Arlington Reads website to find out more information about our GED program and other services.
~Catherine Wilson, Arlington Reads GED Coordinator
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Career and Job Searching Resources
Searching for a job can be extremely stressful. Almost all jobs are posted online and it is rare to find a job that accepts paper applications. This can help the job searcher because it allows them to view and apply for several jobs quickly. However, it also means each job gets more applications-so the job searcher needs to know how to make themselves stand out. The library has compiled a list of resources to help you perfect your resume, find a job and ace the interview.
The library also offers access to physical resources such as internet computers, copiers and a fax machine (at the central location only). Resume workshops and computer training are also offered at the library. Please check the calendar to see dates and times.
You may be thinking of starting your own business-the library can help with that too. The Central library houses the Arlington Funding Information Center. There you will find information from funding a non-profit to incorporating a small business.
If you have questions about these resources or need help accessing them, please ask your local library staff. And good luck finding the perfect job!
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Why Teach English? Example 3
There’s a brand new bottle of Buttermilk Ranch salad dressing in my fridge that hasn’t been opened since it was bought three months ago. I asked my dad, who has a limited understanding of English, if he knew who bought the salad dressing. “I did,” he said in Vietnamese. “I wanted mayonnaise to use with my hamburger, but didn’t see the salad picture. It’s not for hamburger.”
So. Volunteer to teach English, and save people like my dad an extra trip to the market for a bottle of mayonnaise.
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Why Teach English? Example Two
In one English class, I went over what to do when you don’t feel well. I asked my ESL students what they do when they have a headache. “Go to the doctor!” Then I asked what they do when they have a stomachache. “Go to the hospital!” Or if they sprain an ankle. “Go to the hospital!” I thought it was cute because they were using phrases they had just learned. Until...
My parents speak limited English, so I usually speak to them in Vietnamese. That weekend, my dad got a bad stomachache. My mom asked me to call the ambulance for my dad. I asked her what’s wrong with him.
“He said his stomach hurts,” she told me.
“Did he take any medicine yet?”
“We don’t have medicine.”
“You can get some at CVS or something.”
“You can buy stomachache medicine there?”
“Yeah.”
“Can you go get some? I don’t know how to buy them.”
And a trip to the hospital was saved.
But then it hit me. My students didn’t keep saying “Go to the hospital” or “Go to the doctor” because they just learned those phrases. They did it because they don’t know enough English to go to a store and buy the medicine they need. Medicine’s confusing enough for native English speakers. I can’t imagine how intimidating it is for a non-English speaker.
So. Volunteer to teach English to adults so that one day they can help themselves at the drug store instead of calling an ambulance.
~Ann L.
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Resource Spotlight: ReferenceUSA
On Tuesday, March 6, a representative from ReferenceUSA will come to our library and will provide you tools to use this invaluable resource. ReferenceUSA has eight databases that can help you:
- locate sources of funding
- find new business opportunities.
- research executives & companies worldwide.
- track down addresses and phone numbers.
- find new articles for research.
- locate out-of-town companies.
- profile a neighborhood, city or state.
- search for jobs, by location and industry
U.S. Businesses
Use this module to search for comprehensive, accurate and up to date information on more than 13.5 million U.S. Businesses. Data is telephone verified and updated monthly. Use the more than 3 dozen search selections to create custom queries. Results link to individual profiles for each business containing essential information.
U.S. Standard White Pages
With more than 89 million U.S.listings, this module gives you access to people all over the United States. Records are continuously updated against the USPS National Change of Address and Delivery Sequence File (DSF) to be the most current source for residential listings available. Records include maps and key demographic data.
U.S. Consumers / Lifestyle
Searchers use the Consumer / Lifestyle data to understand the buying habits of groups of consumers. Drawn from a variety of sources the results are a blend of purchase preference information with household and census type data.
U.S. New Businesses
Updated on a weekly basis with information from a variety of sources, the U.S. New Business module is the ideal resource for anyone wanting to connect with businesses in their start up and early phases of development.
U.S. HealthCare
Profiling more than 1 million physicians and dentists, the U.S. HealthCare database gives researchers a unique look at a doctor’s practice. Essential information includes the doctor’s specialty, age, medical school attended, year of graduation and hospital affiliation.
U.S. New Movers /Homeowners
Each year 15% of the country’s population moves to a new location. Each week ReferenceUSA adds more than 300,000 New Movers/ Homeowners to this module. Search using key data elements including Residential Details, Mortgage Details, Confirmed Homeowner status and Move Distance.
Canadian Business
The Canadian Business data module is one the most robust information sources of Canadian business information available. Researches create custom searches using criteria from a list of search options and results link to profiles of more than 1.5 million businesses.
Canadian White Pages
Records are 100% publicly sourced to comply with Canadian privacy laws and contain information on more than 12 million Canadian households.
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Why teach English? Example One
I was recently shopping at a 99 cents store, when a Vietnamese lady walked up to me and showed me a birthday card. She pointed to a phrase and asked “What does this mean?” in Vietnamese.
I took a look at the card and told her “It means, ‘to my wife.’”
She looked surprised. “I sent a card that says ‘to my wife’ to my friend?” she said.
“I hope it was a close friend.”
“Well, that’s awkward.”
So. Volunteer to teach English as a Second Language, and save a woman from that awkward moment when she realizes she called her friend her wife.
~Ann L.
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Conquering the Computer
In today’s digital age, it is more important than ever to have good computer skills. Job applications, government program applications, tax filing-all are becoming increasing online only. Luckily, Arlington Reads and the library offer several programs that can help.
Every month computer training classes are held to help with basic computer skills, internet/email, Microsoft Word, Excel and occasionally PowerPoint. Some of these classes are even available in Spanish. Check out our calendar to see exact dates and times and to reserve your spot in the class.
If you struggle with keyboard and mouse skills, we have a class for you too. Arlington Reads just started up a keyboarding class. It meets every Thursday from 5-6:30pm until March 29. Feel free to drop in-registration is not required. However, registering for the class is the only way to guarantee there will be a lab computer available for you.
There are also several different ways to practice these skills online at home. The library subscribes to a database called Learning Express that has some tutorials on Microsoft products. You will need your library card to access it and a library staff member can help set you up with an account. There are also many free websites where you can practice your mouse and keyboarding skills. Typingweb and Typeonline are some examples of free keyboarding websites and Mousing Around is a good site for practicing your mouse skills-puzzle sites are also a good place to practice mouse skills.
As always, if you have any questions about our computer training or want to register for a class, feel free to contact a staff member at your local library.
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Get your child ready to read!
How do you get your child ready to read? PBS helps answer that question with their Launching Young Readers series. This series can be viewed free online and offers tips, tools and techniques for parents. And best of all-Fred Rogers from the neighborhood is the host!
The library is also an excellent place to teach your child early literacy skills. We have a variety of age appropriate storytimes designed to teach an early love of reading. We even have a special hour-long Wee Reads storytime that teaches parents tips and techniques to use with their child at home. Hope to see you and your child soon!
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