January 2009 Archives
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in our recent InfoSoup survey! Your input is valuable, and we appreciate the time you took to let us know what you think. A total of 136 people of all ages responded to our questions, and the complete survey results can be viewed here.
We have added a new help video (a.k.a. screencast) to show you how to use the Saved Searches feature of InfoSoup. This feature allows you to save your favorite searches in your InfoSoup account, where you can then redo a search with the click of a link or tell InfoSoup you would like to receive an email when materials are added to the collection that match your search criteria.
Have a favorite author? Save an author search, mark your search for email, and you'll receive an email when items are added to InfoSoup written by that author. The email includes a link to InfoSoup, so you can check for availability and place a hold. It's a great way to sit back, relax, and let us do the work for you!
Here's the video if you'd like to take a look:
Have a favorite author? Save an author search, mark your search for email, and you'll receive an email when items are added to InfoSoup written by that author. The email includes a link to InfoSoup, so you can check for availability and place a hold. It's a great way to sit back, relax, and let us do the work for you!
Here's the video if you'd like to take a look:
Please take a few minutes to respond to our latest InfoSoup survey. We would like to hear what you think about the recent Help Videos (a.k.a. screencasts), the What's Simmering blog, and online programming. Your input will help us improve InfoSoup and the services provided with it.The survey will remain open until January 21st, and the results will be shared on the What's Simmering blog.
Thanks!
Check out our new page, Job & Career Resources. We've gathered links to Wisconsin job sites, local job centers, job search engines, career and salary information, career tests, and more. It's a great starting place if you or a loved one is looking for work. You can always find a link to this new page on our Research Tools & InfoSoup page under the heading "Language, Test, Study Skills, and Jobs."
Stories Without Words is a new booklist on the Family Page on InfoSoup. This list highlights some of the very creative artists/illustrators that tell wonderful stories though wordless or almost wordless picture books. Be sure to take a look at Lights Out and Hogwash by the ever inventive Arthur Geisert. Thanks to Sue from the Waupaca Area Public Library for sharing this list!
Curious what the main review sources are saying about what's being published these days? Try InfoSoup's More Read Feeds page to find recent reviews and news from sources like NPR, The New York Times, USA Today, CBS News, Nancy Pearl and more. When you see a blurb that interests you, just click on the title link to read the full article. It's a great way to find something new to enjoy!
Check out the latest reviews added to InfoSoup. You never know when you'll find
something you'd like to check out (or avoid)! If you would like to add a review
(or two or three!) to InfoSoup, view our screencast on Using Community Reviews in
InfoSoup for some help in getting started.
Fiction
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
No matter how quirky, Sarah Addison Allen has a way of making you see to the heart of her characters, their strengths and their weaknesses. And generally, you like (or love) what you see. Charming, funny, warm, but clear-eyed as well, this is a real winner!
Doomwyte by Brian Jacques (Redwall series)
This was an enjoyable book. I liked it and thought it was better than "Eulalia!". My only disappointment with this and all recent Redwall stories is that they really are more of the same. The names change, the plot line changes, but the basic elements, feasts, a quest, an enemy, riddles and songs doesn't change.
Nonfiction
It's a wrap: sewing fabric purses, baskets, and bowls by Susan Breier
Susan has done such a nice job with this book that I am finally BUYING it. The instructions are clear and concise and allow you to use up fabric instead of buying more. Unlike most quilting books (my passion), she has lots of different ideas so you can make more than one project and not have them all looking the same. Highly recommended!
Movies
Talladega Nights
The life story of a fictional NASCAR driver is supposed to be a spoof of the lifestyle around the track. This is not Will Ferrell's greatest moment. I found his acting somewhat leaden as he tried to milk some humor out of the flawed screenplay. There are a few funny lines and gags, but this movie is loaded up with lots that aren't just to fill it out to a full length movie. There have been many good spoofs made, but this is not one of them.
Catherine the Great
We may not have elected a woman president, but women have been great leaders for centuries. This DVD presents an enjoyable biography of one of the most important heads of state in the 18th century. She struggled with the dichotomy of democracy and absolute monarchy. She wanted to be modern but ruled with an iron hand. Well done and beautifully filmed in St. Petersburg and other Russian locations.
What have you checked out lately? Add a review in the comments.
Fiction
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
No matter how quirky, Sarah Addison Allen has a way of making you see to the heart of her characters, their strengths and their weaknesses. And generally, you like (or love) what you see. Charming, funny, warm, but clear-eyed as well, this is a real winner!
Doomwyte by Brian Jacques (Redwall series)
This was an enjoyable book. I liked it and thought it was better than "Eulalia!". My only disappointment with this and all recent Redwall stories is that they really are more of the same. The names change, the plot line changes, but the basic elements, feasts, a quest, an enemy, riddles and songs doesn't change.
Nonfiction
It's a wrap: sewing fabric purses, baskets, and bowls by Susan Breier
Susan has done such a nice job with this book that I am finally BUYING it. The instructions are clear and concise and allow you to use up fabric instead of buying more. Unlike most quilting books (my passion), she has lots of different ideas so you can make more than one project and not have them all looking the same. Highly recommended!
Movies
Talladega Nights
The life story of a fictional NASCAR driver is supposed to be a spoof of the lifestyle around the track. This is not Will Ferrell's greatest moment. I found his acting somewhat leaden as he tried to milk some humor out of the flawed screenplay. There are a few funny lines and gags, but this movie is loaded up with lots that aren't just to fill it out to a full length movie. There have been many good spoofs made, but this is not one of them.
Catherine the Great
We may not have elected a woman president, but women have been great leaders for centuries. This DVD presents an enjoyable biography of one of the most important heads of state in the 18th century. She struggled with the dichotomy of democracy and absolute monarchy. She wanted to be modern but ruled with an iron hand. Well done and beautifully filmed in St. Petersburg and other Russian locations.
What have you checked out lately? Add a review in the comments.
