Visual Thesaurus is now available on the iPad and iPhone

The iPad/iPhone version of the Visual Thesaurus starts just like the old one. Just type a word in the search box at visualthesaurus.com, and click "Look it up."


Here is a list of the platforms that will run the new version:
-iOS (the operating system for the iPad and iPhone)
-Supported browsers:
-Firefox
-Chrome
-Safari
-Internet Explorer 9

West Virginia State Rankings

Interested in knowing where West Virginia ranks in comparison to other states in agriculture, the economy, employment and labor, health, population and many other areas?  Take a look at State Rankings 2011: a Statistical View of America now available in the Reference Library.

New electronic resources added!

The Reference Library has added three new electronic encyclopedia to its collections.  Click here to explore.

Looking for grants?

The Foundation Directory provides information on the finances, governance, and giving interests of the nation's 10,000 largest grantmaking foundations.  It is arranged by state and then by foundation name.  The 2011 print edition is now available in the Reference Library. 

New Downloadable Audiobooks

Love downloadable audiobooks?  Then check out some of the new selections for May:






A Creed in Stone Creek
One Hundred Names for Love Harvest Moon
Blameless
Florida Roadkill
Twilight’s Serenade (Song of Alaska Bk 3)
Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality
Still Surprised: A Memoir of a Life in Leadership
Riders From Long Pines
Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica
Scorpia Rising: The Final Mission (Alex Rider, Bk 9)
Lemonade Crime, The (the Sequel to Lemonade War)
Una Palabra tuya (A word from you)
Las lagrimas del sol (The Sun's Tears)

Through NetLibrary choose from over 2,500 audiobooks of the latest best sellers, classics, award-winning authors. Download and play on your MP3 player or computer for three weeks at a time. IPods are able to play the MP3 versions (over 1,650 titles), while Windows Media Player and a compatible MP3 player will be needed for the entire catalog.



List of compatible portable devices (MP3 players)
AudioBook Center Help (includes estimated download times, software requirements and searching tips)
Helpful Tutorial on downloading and transferring audiobooks

The Library Commission has expanded Learning Express Library Resources to include basic computing courses!

Learning Express Computing basics online courses guide computer novices, step-by-step, through the fundamentals of using a computer and going online. This new service includes:

• Seventeen courses covering the fundamentals of computers and the Internet, from powering on and working from the desktop.
• Self-paced multimedia experience with narration, illustrations and demonstrations make grasping fundamental computing concepts easy.
• Information is presented in an easy-to-understand format so even those technically adverse can feel at ease.
• Accessible from any computer, 24 x 7

The getting started with computers sessions include:

• Roles of a computer
• Personal computer fundamentals
• Windows 7 basics
• Customizing windows and your desktop
• Application basics
• Saving and finding files
• Web browsing
• Printing
• Maintenance and security

 The getting started with using the Internet sessions include:

• What is the Internet?
• Surfing the Internet
• Using Internet search tools
• Using email, chat, and Internet phone services
• Using blogs, newsgroups, and other topic-based communities
• Using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Using web tools
• Protecting yourself online

 To use this services, go to WVInfoDepot.org and click on the Learning Express Library button.

WVInfoDepot.org Statewide Databases on Your Mobile Device

 The West Virginia Library Commission is pleased to announce that many of your favorite WVInfoDepot.org databases are now searchable though mobile devices. The EBSCOhost Mobile application is designed for the smaller screens of mobile devices—including iPhone, Blackberry, Android, etc.—and offers the most important features and functionality for searching, including:


• Searching the following statewide databases at once or separately: Magazine, journal and newspaper databases; Points of View; Consumer Health Complete; Kids Search (designed for grades 4-6); Searchasaurus (designed for grades 4-6); NoveList Plus
• HTML and PDF full text views of articles
• Limiting to types of articles and dates
• Image quick view
• Emailing articles
• Dedicated iPhone and iPad App coming soon

To get started, go to http://m.ebscohost.com/ in your mobile device browser. Contact the Reference Library for additional information.

Fire up your skills database workshop

When Thu, February 10, 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Where Library Commission Reference Library, Culture Center, Charleston

An interactive workshop series to introduce the Learn Express Library Test Preparation and Job & Career Accelerator databases available on WVInfoDepot.org.


For details contact Susan Hayden 304.558.3978 or susan.g.hayden@wv.gov

Gearing up for Black History Month, part 3

The Library Commission Reference Library collection has several databases to assist libraries and teachers in making preparations for Black History Month.  This week's featured database is

Major Acts of Congress
Analyzes 262 congressional acts from 1789 to 2002. Describes the law circumstances, issues, and subsequent history of the act.

Users will need to have a Reference Library card to access this resource.  Contact the Reference Library at wvlcref@wv.gov to acquire a library card or for more information about or accessing the databases.

Gearing up for Black History Month, part 2

The Library Commission Reference Library collection has several databases to assist libraries and teachers in making preparations for Black History Month.  This week's featured database is

Encyclopedia of African-American Culture & History
Covers all aspects of the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day through biographies, historical essays, and thematic pieces.

Users will need to have a Reference Library card to access this resource.  Contact the Reference Library at wvlcref@wv.gov to acquire a library card or for more information about or accessing the databases.

Gearing up for Black History Month

The Library Commission Reference Library collection has several databases to assist libraries and teachers in making preparations for Black History Month.  This week's featured database is

American National Biography Online
Profiles over 17,400 deceased individuals whose lives have shaped the United States including famous, not so famous, and infamous people from all walks of life from the earliest times to present day.

Users will need to have a Reference Library card to access this resource.  Contact the Reference Library at wvlcref@wv.gov to acquire a library card or for more information about or accessing the databases.

African American Studies Center

African American Studies Center documents contributions of African descents have made on America since their arrival in the 1600s. Includes history, biography, art, architecture, literature, women, study resources and encyclopedias focusing on African American heritage and lives.

This databases is only for Reference Library card holders. Contact the Reference Library for card information and database access.

December Featured Resource: Job Accelerator

Job Accelerator is  comprehensive and easy-to-use job search application that integrates everything needed to conduct a successful job search.

Caution, Batboy sightings may be on the rise

Check out e-WV for more information.

e-WV Where is ...?

Where is Braddock's Road? http://bit.ly/cHsIe6

Mothman in WV

It’s the Mothman @ e-WV http://bit.ly/93KLzq

WV Mine Wars

Interested in the Mine Wars?  Check out e-WV @ http://bit.ly/9loppz

Who was ... ?

Who was Matthew Arbuckle?  Find out @ e-WV http://bit.ly/dhPh6P

September Featured Resource

Search Hobbies & Crafts

Full Text

Contains full-text articles and other content for popular hobbies, crafts and recreation activities. Including full text articles for magazines and books, as well as access to videos and hobby profiles, this database offers detailed "how-to" instructions and creative ideas to meet the interests of virtually every hobby enthusiast.
Users accessing this resource will need to log-in using their Reference Library library card.

 

 

August Featured Resource

x

Available from the Library Commission Reference Library, home, or office.

Provides over 500,000 biographies for individuals from antiquity through today.
Click here to view the online tutorial.