Scheduled power outage at SCLS

SCLS is having a generator installed on Thursday morning, November 6.  In order for the electrical work to be completed, all power to the servers at SCLS must be shut down.  This means there will be no access to the online catalog for the staff or the public from inside or outside the building.  There will also be no access to most library web pages since they are hosted on the server at SCLS.  There will be no Millennium access and Circulation will be using their offline software.  The power will be shut down at 7am and is expected back up by around 10:30 – 11:00 am.

Here at Sachem, we will still have internet access because we do not connect to the internet via SCLS.  Many other libraries will not have internet access, and we may get some of their patrons coming here to use the internet.  Our home page will be inaccessible, but we will still be able to access the rest of the internet.  However, all of the Suffolk E-Resources will be down as the web page is hosted by SCLS and the server that authenticates patron barcodes is also at SCLS.

We will put the Dewey books at the Reference Desk for shelf checks, and we can use Middle Country, Emma Clark, Copiague, Connetquot or Bay Shore-Brightwaters’ catalogs to get a general idea of what call number a book might have.  If you have any questions, please see me.  -Denise

Family Pictures, Then and Now

Some things never change.

http://pixdaus.com/single.php?id=93864

Parked Cars Power The Future?

“Imagine running a parking meter backwards and actually being paid to park your car. Along those lines, electric vehicles might one day make money for their owners by providing electrical storage for the nation’s power grid.”

File this one under – I’ll believe it when i see it.  full story

NoveList Plus

There are new URL for NoveList Plus, so if you have it saved as a favorite you should change it on all the terminals you use.

NoveList Plus  allows you to search nonfiction titles as well as fiction.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=novplus

Google: Groundbreaking Deal Benefits Libraries

“Google, the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers reached an agreement today with Google paying $125 million in licensing fees.  Libraries will be able to access Google’s online books in full for free, and individuals will have the opportunity to purchase selected texts in the future (including out-of-print books).  Free Public Library Access authorizes free, full-text, online viewing of in-copyright, out-of-print books at U.S. public and university libraries at no charge to the library or the reader, with added revenues to the rights holders through per page printing fees.”

“…will give users access to the complete text of millions of titles while compensating authors and publishers for the service…libraries in the U.S. will be able to offer terminals with full text access of millions of out-of-print books for free.”

Story at Gizmodo

Full details at Google Books

Scientific Explanation for Some Ghost Sightings?

 

23% of American polled by the Associated Pressthat report they’ve seen a ghost or felt a spiritual presence. 19% percent believe in the existence of spells or witchcraft, while 48% believe in  ESP.  Science may finally have an answer for some ghostly sightings.

Full Story

Scientists Build Most Evil Computer Program

Apparently having learned absolutely nothing from films like The Terminator, The Matrix and 2001: A Space Odyssey, scientists are actively creating the world’s most evil computer program.  Their goal is “to learn about evil and unlock the secret of human morality”.  Haven’t these scientists seen I, Robot?  Computers are inherently evil and will destroy as soon as they possess the power to do so.  Why help them by creating the ultimate evil program? It makes no sense.

Full Story

Make Your Own Art

I can’t quite explain what this application does, but it’s interesting and it makes art.

http://bomomo.com/

A mountain lion in town?? Oh my!

A mountain lion was not only spotted by our very own Brad Silverman, but Newsday reported that one was seen roaming through the Bayview neighborhood in Southold. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-licat255896417oct25,0,5882228.story

 So?  How can you protect yourself if this mountain lion comes your way?  Here are some tips:
1. Don’t run! This is the absolute worst thing to do, as it will show you as weak, and potential prey.

2. Make yourself as big and imposing as possible.  Spread your arms and flap them, yell and shout, and make it seem as though you are not a helpless human.

3. If a stick is nearby, by all means arm yourself. Pick up rocks (without turning your back),  If the mountain lion is showing signs of aggression, then do not hesitate to hurl a rock in its direction. If it is passively watching you, then do not throw the rocks. Continue to make yourself a large formidable foe however, so that the lion realizes that you are not helpless.

4. As you are doing this, you want to back slowly away from the lion. Do not turn your back on the mountain lion. If the mountain lion shows aggression at this point, again, throw rocks. Continue to wave and shout and make yourself LARGE. 
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/403917/how_to_protect_yourself_when_a_mountain.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_1791_survive-encounter-with.html

~SP

Shame on Kirkus!

A woman came up to me today with her self-published book.  She wanted to donate a copy to be added to our collection and pointed out that it was reviewed by Kirkus Discoveries.  Sounds impressive, but really, what I found out is that Kirkus Discoveries is a new service offered by Kirkus where you pay to have your book reviewed.  Kirkus points out on its website that Kirkus Reviews and Kirkus Discoveries are separate book-review services.  Shame on Kirkus for lowering their standards just to make a buck!  
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/kirkusreviews/discoveries/index.jsp

BTW… After reading the woman’s book, I found the brief Kirkus Discoveries review on the back cover to be quite generous and inaccurate.

SP