Iowa and Authors

We maintain a list of Iowa Authors. Aren't you pleased? And here is how we define an Iowa author: " born in Iowa or ... lived here at least twenty years". So not just anybody qualifies. (Even if an author was born in Iowa we reserve the right to decide whether or not to list them). There's an Iowa Author whose name you probably would not guess. He worked at the University of Iowa in various levels of professorship from 1970 - 1986. So he was in Iowa when he wrote his first novel which became a HUGE hit and inspired several movies. The author is David Morrell, - tada! - and yes, Rambo was conceived in Iowa!!! First Blood was published in 1972 and Morrell has written many fine novels since. Here's your chance to read books by a very famous Iowa Author. David Morrell's books

Iowa Authors

Source: Biography Resource Center

Edna Griffin and the Bystander

The Des Moines Public Library owns copies of The Bystander, (sometimes Iowa Bystander) Central Iowa's African-American newspaper. Over the past few years publication has been off and on, but we have a solid run from 1894 to a few years ago, with some gaps. Our newspaper index picks up a grab bag of years before 1986, and here's what turned up when I did a search for Edna Griffin and looked at the information on the oldest article listed:

Photograph.
Publication: Bystander
Date: 1951 5 17
Title: Young Mother Has Many Interests
Subjects: Griffin, Edna
Page: 05
Column: 2

You just never know what you'll find. If you'd like to read this articles and others, microfilm of old newspapers are at the Central Library, 1000 Grand. Come on down!

Ah, the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Just when I think I have plumbed its depths completely they add more stuff. Now they have a handy-dandy list entitled How Long Will it Last?. An excellent question. Because I haven't a clue. As far as I know your refrigerator lasts as long as you do. Does this mean it breaks down when you have passed on? I guess I'll never know. Because the Old Farmer's Almanac does not address fridges. Here are a few answers to the burning question How Long Will it Last?.

Vinyl siding: 30 years.
Fiberglass tub/shower: 10-15 years.
Driveway, asphalt: 10 years.
Oak or pine flooring: lifetime. BINGO! All I'm saying is, don't buy my house when I'm 95.

For more, go to How Long Will it Last?

The Story of Edgar Sawtellle, a tragedy...for me

Ever read a book so good that when it ended badly you just wanted to throw it across the room? (You know I didn't do that. It was a library book, for Pete's sake) So The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. The characters are interesting and engaging and you like them very much. You want to meet them and have lunch in their house. You want to watch Edgar, who does not speak, put their dogs through elaborate training by use of sign language. These people endure catastrophe and pain and fear and pull themselves through and in the end.... Any fans of Sigourney Weaver's Alien movies out there? Remember the 3rd one, on the desert prison planet? 'Nuff said. Wouldn't have mattered so much if the book hadn't been amazing up until then. Sigh. I usually hate spoilers but could have used one this time. Does everyone else think the book is perfect the way it is?
The story of Edgar Sawtelle

Eyes and their limitations

How many times have you been to the eye doctor? About a zillion for me since I got glasses when I was 5. So that's 4 decades of this is one, this is two, this is one, this is two, and I can't tell the difference!!! So I just guess sometimes. I also usually couldn't tell if the red circle or the black one was darker and clearer. I want to be able to answer the questions. And the optometrists/opthalomologists are so nice. Even when they have to dilate my eyes and I can't see for the next 4 hours, I still like them. But the whole thing would be more fun if the eye charts had secret messages. Go on and make up your own. Custom Eye Chart

EbscoHost - Sciency Science

Academic Search Elite. The database of choice if you're doing research for college, or just on a subject that isn't covered heavily in general public publications - say the latest developments in string theory. Scientific studies are at the tips of your fingers! And thumbs! Such as:

The Proteasome Is a Molecular Target of Environmental Toxic Organotins
Environmental Health Perspectives; Mar2009, Vol. 117 Issue 3, p379-386, 8p, 1 diagram, 6 graphs

Six graphs. Are these people thorough or what? Didn't think you'd find that outside a university library, did you? Well, I didn't anyway. But that's the beauty of EbscoHost! It has information you can't even pronounce!

Source: Academic Search Elite via EbscoHost

EbscoHost: Healthy and Healthier

We have two, count 'em two, sources chock full of medical facts. Health Source: Consumer Edition and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. You can see the difference right away. Consumer Edition will provide explanations I can readily understand. Nursing/Academic covers more esoteric disorders. So if you want info on why your sinuses drive you absolutely nuts the Consumer edition is just the thing. If you want in-depth studies of acromegaly, dive into Nursing/Academic. By the way, acromegaly is a "disorder that is caused by chronic overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland and is characterized by a gradual and permanent enlargement of the flat bones (as the lower jaw)..." And I know this because both databases include Merriam-Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary. Bonus!

Information and graphic source: Health Source via EbscoHost

EbscoHost - Ebsco Animals

Now this is an exotic bird. The bateleur eagle, on its wingspan of five-to-six feet reaches speeds of 30 to 50 miles per hour with hardly a wingbeat. They weigh between 4 and 7 pounds and are known for tumbling, diving, rolling, somersaulting, and cartwheeling. The feathers around the head and neck are sometimes fanned, which makes the head look larger. (Seriously, it's like it's not a bird. I think it looks like a guy wearing a bird costume). This baby has a broad palate. She eats snakes, monitor lizards, rats, hares, fish, birds, and small antelope. Yikes. Look at those feathers! They don't taper at all and look so soft. I'm not saying you should try to touch one. Small antelope.

Source: Encyclopedia of Animals via Ebsco Animals
Photo Credit: Gerry Rowland

Your Host, Ebsco

This week we're going to take a stroll through one of the most comprehensive online sources your public library is likely to offer. We bring you EbscoHost. Tada! Ebscohost provides articles and information from various databases. When libraries talk about databases they tend to mean collections of data they have purchased that can be searched by subject, keyword, etc.. I say this because you'll be seeing the word 'database' often this week. The differences between these databases and what a search engine pulls up on the Internet are authority, accuracy and reliability. You can't wait to try it! Here's how to get to EbscoHost from home:

1. Go to our homepage at http://www.dmpl.org/

2. Click on Online Resources.

3. Click on Ebscohost.

4. Type in your Des Moines Public Library card number and PIN.

You're in! Whee! Pick a database, type in your search terms and go to town. A tip: on the left of the search screen you will find a box next to the words Full Text. Check that box. It ensures your search results will only include complete articles. And that's the way we like it.