Otis Library Reference Desk

The Otis Library Online Catalog

2011-12-20T11:45:00.000-08:00

Many people may have used the library’s OPAC to conduct a basic single field search for an item using a keyword, subject, author or title. However, the online catalog offers other search features worth exploring while you are using the OPAC in the library or when your searching from your home computer.The advanced search found under the Search options tab on the catalog home page allows you to search multiple fields simultaneously (author, title etc.) while choosing to limit your search to a specific library, material type (book, audio book, DVD), language and publication date. It also gives you the ability to sort the results you receive by date, title, or relevance.

The online catalog also allows you the opportunity to widen your search to all of the collections in the LION consortium using the drop-down menu on the catalog’s home page. Likewise you can limit you search to a specific library using the same drop-down menu. Using this same menu also gives you the power to exclusively search specific types of collections (Children’s, Teen, Adult, Music, downloadable E-books and audio books).Once you locate a specific item record, a book for instance, you can continue to refine your search for other books by using three other OPAC features, subject headings, tags and the other readers liked links. The Library of Congress subject headings included in the item record are clickable links to other topics that are directly related to the item’s subject. This is important search function for persons who are looking for multiple books within a specific subject area. Collecting books as research for a term paper might be an example of a good use of searching subject heading links.Tags are very similar in nature to subject headings and serve the same function of finding other items related to the subject area of your search. Tags are subject-based links that are based on the consensus choice of people who have read specific books and taken the time to classify them. Clicking on a specific tag will bring you to a larger list of titles within the same topic area of your search.The final search function appears at the bottom of every item record. It’s called “Other Readers Liked”, and is a group of books pertaining to the same or related subject material which can be used to extend your search if you choose. Selecting each of the title links takes you to the book’s OPAC record.Reference Staff

Black Friday Technology

2011-11-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

Black Friday Technology

Join us on Wednesday, November 9th at 6:30pm in the Community Room. Come in and learn about different technologies you might see during a Black Friday sale...like the iPad, Kindle, Nook, digital cameras, scanners, a few cell phones too.

Find out some of the terms that you can throw at the salesman to show them that you are a more knowledgeable consumer!

We will also show you what all of those little codes you see in flyer are good for!

QR Codes

Hope to see you there! Call 860-889-2365x109 (ask for Amanda) for questions.

O'Tis a Festival at Otis Library

2011-11-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

We are having a craft and book sale at Otis:

Saturday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Handcrafted items
Books from Bank Square Books in Mystic
Musical performances
Author Pearl Dexter - 11am
Author Wally Lamb - 1pm
Children's Crafts
Face Painting

The crafters will be spaced out all over the library and you will be able to wonder through at your leisure. There will be ample parking and a festive spirit! Think of our festival when you are planning to get some holiday shopping done with a homemade flavor!

Internet Archive: Digging up the Digital Past

2011-11-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for a Web resource with a deep collectionof cultural riches that are both eclectic, enlightening and free, you may wantto visit the Internet Archive (www.archive.org/).

Beneficiaries of the institutional support of the NationalScience Foundation, the Library of Congress and the Prelinger Archives as wellas the support of thousands of individuals; the Internet Archive is a digital library of Internet sites andcultural artifacts. The overall collection is comprised of approximately threemillion texts, over one million audio recordings (including 93,000 downloadablelive music concerts) and nearly 600,000 movies/videos.

One of the more intriguing aspects of this resource is the Wayback Machine, containing 2 petabytesof archived websites reaching back across the entire history of the Internet.Unlike other search engines, the WaybackMachine requires you to enter the URL of the page you’re trying to find.For instance, typing www.newyorktimes.cominto the search box will retrieve a “chronological map” allowing you access toan accurate snapshot of the website for a specific date of your choosing. Thisputs another powerful research tool at your disposal when you need to retrieveinformation from websites that change with great rapidity.

Text-A-Librarian at Otis Library

2011-10-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out our Text-A-Librarian service yet? Let me give you a little rundown on this...

We offer this new service called Text-A-Librarian. We figured everyone has a cellphone (well 83% of adults owns one in the USA) and approximately 75% of teens have a cell phone...so why don't we bring our question answering abilities to you?

You can ask all sorts of question, just like any of the questions you would ask us if you were standing in front of us or call us from your phone...like... What is the capital of Arkansas? or... Where do I go to renew my license? or... Where can I get articles for my English Lit paper due tomorrow?

A few things you need to remember though... 1.We won't write your paper for you and text it back. 2. We are live people...so if you text us at 4am we won't be answering until the next day. 3. We can put books on hold for you if you have a valid library card registered in our system.

So give it a try! We only get better with the more practice you give us!

Text OTIS to 66746 and follow the directions to get started.

More info here

Free E-Books (for your Kindle too!)

2011-10-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

With your Otis Library card you can check out e-books to your Nook, Kindle, iPad, tablet, smart phone or desktop! Here is a list of supported devices. Let me give you a relatively short rundown on the service...

1. You need a current, valid Otis Library card or one from the LION consortium Listed Here
2. To browse the current e-book offerings, which are constantly being updated, to see if they are of interest to you Click Here
3. There are a variety of help pages in the left hand column of the page.
4. There are a limited number of titles of each book, you may have to put it on hold because someone else may be reading it currently. You can limit your search to only ones that are available for checkout immediately.
5. Kindle has just been added to the service in the past couple of weeks. It appears that you do need to set up an Amazon account. It was very quick for us though.

Just a reminder...some of the items are audio books. Make sure you are downloading the proper format for your E-Reader. We have found through trial and error, that if you download a Kindle book to your Nook...it doesn't work!
If you need us to walk you through any steps have your Otis or LION Library card number handy. Call us at 860-889-2365 and press #2 for the Reference Department.

Enjoy!

Mobile Library

2011-05-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

Check out our Mobile Catalog!

Get on your smartphone to: see what items you have checked out, look up items, see fines and place holds. You will need your library card's barcode number to place holds.

Direct your phone's browser here: http://libanywhere.com/m/143

2011-03-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Otis Music Blog, Part 1

Here at the Otis Library, we have an extensive collection of classical music. To help get the rest of us up to speed in the genre one of our reference staff members is writing a series on the classical music collection that we house here. If you see any of the titles below and think, "hey, I want to try some classical because it sounds good" come on down to the library and pick up one...or two...or five!!!
(Guest blogger: John Paton; classical music aficionado)

The American Third Symphony

For some unexplained reason, the best American composers of the 20th Century, almost to a man, produced masterpieces when it came to the composition of a Third Symphony. Why this should be, cannot logically be explained, but simply accepted as a coincidental matter of fact. I certainly can’t explain why these same composers Second or Fourth Symphonies did not fare as well. But, for whatever reason, the Third Symphony of a great many American composers has judged as superior.
The list is extraordinary. Aaron Copland, Roy Harris, Howard Hanson, David Diamond, Walter Piston, William Schuman, Leonard Bernstein all produced great Third Symphonies. You could even add Charles Ives to the list although from a slightly earlier period. More recently, Philip Glass has produced another great American Third Symphony.
Many of these works do have one thing in common and that is a connection with the Boston Symphony Orchestra but that connection has no relationship to the curious fact of their all being Third symphonic efforts.
What is of interest to Otis patrons, is that most of these wonderful symphonies are available in the Classical CD collection. Best known is Aaron Copland, both as a composer and for the familiarity of his Third Symphony. In it, Copland incorporates his familiar, “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Using this as the basis of the final movement, it ushers in one of those wonderful “I know that!” moments that can make listening to music such a great experience. The William Schuman Third Symphony is a personal favorite having heard a stunning live performance of it with Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic who perform it on the Otis CD. There is no finer recording of this great work These recordings can serve as wonderful introductions to music whose composers, save Bernstein, may be unfamiliar to listeners.
The American Third Symphony: a great introduction to the greatest music ever produced by our finest native composers. Look for them and check them out; you’ll be happy you did..

2011-02-09T07:28:00.000-08:00

Tax Forms @ Otis

2010-11-30T10:21:00.000-08:00

Just a quick reminder...we will be getting the tax forms again this year!!! I know, you probably don't want to think about taxes yet....but like Ben Franklin said the only things "certain in life are death and taxes."

So, after the holidays have lulled you into a nice calm place... come visit us in January when you need tax forms and booklets. We will have tons!

Otis Library Local History and Genealogy Digitizing Project

2010-10-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Otis Library Local History and Genealogy Scanning Project

This is a small preview of scans to come in the near future. With the help from a grant by the Last Green Valley, we will be scanning many of our treasures and making them available online. Many of the photographs we have are of historic people and places in Norwich that we will need YOUR help to identify. Stay tuned for more things to come! Click here to visit our Facebook page to see some more images.

Some sad news--(due to budget cuts)

2010-09-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

In some of my previous posts and tweets @ct_referencelib on Twitter, I have mentioned our databases. Unfortunately, due to our lack of funding, the Otis Library has had to discontinue our subscriptions to Ancestry Library, JobNow Employment Guide, and Learning Express Career Guidance and Testing databases.

The loss of these databases really hits hard. The Ancestry Library was very heavily used and Otis was one of the few libraries in eastern Connecticut that had a subscription. The other two databases, also heavily used will be missed, especially, due to their nature and the current unemployment rates.

Obviously, we are not the only library or public entity to feel the pinch. It is very disheartening though when you have to tell someone that is newly unemployed or looking to take a practice test for an interview that, "we used to have this great database, but...". I do hope that things turn around quickly and we will be able to offer these services again in the future.

All is not lost though, we do have some great practice test books and we can show you some great websites where you can look for jobs and get employment information.

Happenings at Otis Library

2010-07-31T05:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry that it has been so long since I posted. The reference area has been extremely busy lately and we are trying to wrap things up for the furlough (August 16th-August 30th). This furlough is one way we hope to save a bit of money so that we can provide as many services as we can throughout the fiscal year without losing any more employees.

Some things to keep in mind for the next couple of months for the adults around the area...

1. We will have a resume writing workshop on Friday August 6th from 10:30 to 12:30. You must register for this free program @ 1(860) 889-2365 x100.

2. Starting up again in the fall we will be holding some more basic computer courses. These classes are aimed at the very beginner...we learn things like turning it on/off, keyboard and mouse basics, and much of the terminology that can be so overwhelming. Call me at the reference desk to check on the times. More than likely we will have classes Saturday afternoons (that's when the best parking is available).

3. We are having a very cool program featuring Barry Clifford, the National Geographic explorer who found the pirate ship Whydah. The program will be on September 11th, at 7:30 It is sure to be an incredible event and will help the library raise funds that it really needs.

4. If you are looking for an obituary from the Norwich Bulletin or a quick article search, we can help you with that. We have historical Norwich Bulletins on microfilm or in bound volumes. If you know the name and date we can show you how to use the microfilm readers or show you how to use our scanner so that you may have a copy. If you require us to perform the search for you, we do ask that you send $10.00 and all the information you have so that we may get it to you as quickly as possible.

A few other notes:

~We offer free Wi-Fi throughout the library. If you have a laptop you may sit anywhere and pick up the Wi-Fi. We ask that if you are bringing food that you keep it in the Media Room.

~The Library has been experimenting with cell phone policies. Currently we ask that you keep your cell phone conversations short and quiet. Better yet, you may bring that conversation outside or again into the Media Room (with the DVD's).

~We also have 16 public computers for your use. We do need a valid CT public library card to log you on with. Yes, we can log you in as a guest if you are here on vacation or just visiting.

~We have lists for the kids summer reading, elementary through high school (or we can find them if it is posted online). Many of these books are currently checked out, but you can always put them on hold or we can request to get them from another library. Call us at (860)889-2365 x108 or x109.

Hope you are enjoying your summer and we hope to see you visit the library soon!

Genealogy Stuff

2010-02-04T10:47:00.001-08:00

We have gotten some great new things all over the library and even in the Genealogy and Local History Room. These items from the Genealogy room can always be looked at on site, plus we do have a small collection of circulating items out of that room.

This Saturday, February 6th, at 1-2:30 we will be holding a Genealogy program called "Finding Your Forebears". We will explore the many resources offered through the Otis Library.

There is still time to sign up 860-889-2365 x108.

Holidays at Otis Library

2009-12-22T11:28:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season thus far. Don't forget to come down and grab some movies, books and magazines for you and the kids while you are home for school break.

FYI: We will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day!

There is also a Gift Giving Book Tree in the atrium. This allows patrons to help the Otis Library buy additional items for the library (tax deductible) and get a personalized nameplate placed in the book.

Don't forget to check out some of the programs happening here during school break and any other time of year!!

Happy Holidays.

Documentary on Jewish Farming in Eastern CT

2009-10-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

Please join us for a great progam.

Jerry Fischer, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, will be speaking at the Otis Library on Monday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Mr. Fischer has been recording interviews with Jewish farmers or the children of Jewish farmers for the past ten years, and has almost completed a documentary film on Jewish farmers in Eastern Connecticut for CPTV. He will show excerpts from the soon to be released film and discuss a variety of interesting aspects of Jewish farming endeavors and communal life, including the evolution of many farms into a variety of resorts. He will discuss the application of technology to transform marginal farms into profitable businesses, as well as the resettlement of many Holocaust survivors on farms in eastern Connecticut.

This event provides essential context to the exhibit “Geretenish (‘Harvest’): Gershon Camassar and the Jewish Agricultural Presence in Eastern Connecticut,” currently up in the Community Room through December 4, 2009. There will be adequate time after the presentation to view the exhibit. The library closes at 8:00 p.m.

This program is free and open to the public. The Otis Library is located at 261 Main Street in Norwich. For more information, please call (860) 889-2365, Ext. 128.

Banned Books Week at Otis Library

2009-09-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

While you might not be a "reader", here in this country, your right to read or not to read what you want, is being protected by your public library. Every year books are challenged or asked to be taken out of the public library collection for one reason or another. Most public libraries feel it is our duty to allow book and magazine readers, audio book and music CD listeners, and movie watchers to choose what they would like to partake of.

We hope that everyone in Norwich comes to the library to avail themselves of our collection and make suggestions for an addition to the collection that they might like to see. If we have what you like, great, we are doing our best to cover all interests.

I created my own fake book cover

2009-07-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to YABOOKNERD, I decided to create my own fake book cover...it was fun. She found the idea here.

Take a look see. And do one of your own.

Drop-In Computer Lab

2009-07-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

We will be having a Drop-In Computer Lab in the upstairs Meeting room at Otis Library for the next 6 Thursdays, except July 16th. If you need some help formating a paper, getting set up with an email account or any other hardware or software issue....come and see us.

We will do our very best to try to help you with your computer issue. You can drop-in anytime between 2 and 4. Hope to see you soon. If you have any questions give us a call at 889-2365 x109 or email us ref@otis.lioninc.org.

An interesting source for you to try

2009-06-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

Encyclopedia of Life

During the recent decades some of the world’s leading biologists have harbored a conceptual vision of a single comprehensive digital catalog of the Earth’s 1.8 million living species. The nascent stages of this catalog were unveiled in early 2008 when the Encyclopedia of Life (www.eol.org) made its online debut. It’s designed to be a flexible educational tool that will satisfy the information needs of the grammar school student and the university scholar alike.
At the moment there are 30,000 species pages of flora and fauna. These pages contain information about each species’ morphology, genetics, habitat, behavior and much more including color photographs and links to peer-reviewed articles and other associated websites and databases. All information contained within the EOL is authenticated by scholars within the scientific community. Their goal is to create one million species pages within the catalog during the next five years and to digitize a large portion of the available scholarly literature on biodiversity.
In an effort to build this catalog, the EOL is reaching out beyond academia to the general public. The EOL staff is inviting you to upload your best digital photos and videos to the EOL Flickr group site (www.flickr.com/groups/encyclopedia_of_life). So far over 24,000 photos and several hundred videos of a wide variety of species have been submitted by the general public. This is your chance to help build the EOL’s library of digital images with photos taken on your last trek through the Costa Rican rainforest or from your most recent stroll through a nearby state park. Also check out the website’s EOL Blog to stay up to date on the progress of this unique digital catalog.

Guest writer: Steve Fithian. Steve is a reference librarian here at Otis Library; recently finished with Library School.

The Yellow Wallpaper Movie and Book Discussion

2009-06-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Join us at the Otis Library on Wednesday, June 10th at 6pm to see the 1989 production of Charlotte Perkin Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper. Immediately after the film ends we will have a discussion on the film and text. The discussion will be led by Faye Ringel, PhD.

This link is the full version of The Yellow Wallpaper to read, offered through Project Gutenberg.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman lived in Norwich, CT from 1922 to 1934.

This event is free and open to the public...light refreshments will be served.

Please call Julie at the library 889-2365 x128 for more info.

Book Review: My Hope for Peace by Jehan Sadat

2009-05-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

This blog entry was provided by Bassem, at the Reference Desk. This book is currently on the Staff Picks shelf...come and see what else he is reading!

Born to a Christian British mother and a Muslim father, Jehan Sadat, a life long activist for women’s rights and widow of the assassinated Egyptian president Anwar Sadat takes us on a tour of Egypt modern History.

Jehan Sadat talks about two dates in her life; the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States and 10/6/81 the day her husband was assassinated by Muslims fanatics because of the Peace Treaty he signed with Israel.

In My Hope for Peace, Mrs. Sadat draws a plan for waging real peace that takes place on three fronts: first, through the good offices of governments and international treaties as they negotiate treaties. Second, takes place on an interpersonal level, in our behaviors and actions toward our presumptive enemies. Third, takes place on waging peace within ourselves- in our intentions.
In this book you will read about a president and his wife that led Egypt toward peace with Israel after years of war. It is an excellent book to learn about the Camp David Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel from a very close reliable source, Jehan Sadat. It is the peace treaty that kept peace between the two countries since 1979 till today.

Jehan Sadat presents in her book; her vision and her husband’s to modernize Egypt and lead the country to prosperity. She talks about the history of women’s rights in Egypt in the last 100 years.

Mrs. Sadat corrects in her book some of the misconceptions of the west about the Middle East by giving a clear picture of social life, traditions and habits of Egyptians.

She gives us practical solutions of how the West and the East can reconcile and how the Muslims, Christians and Jews can live in harmony after years of hatred and enmity.

The book represents a personal hope for every man or woman who lost a close one and the life after the losing of dear ones as Jehan Sadat talks about her life after losing her husband and the changes that happened to her and her academic life teaching in Maryland University using that experience to illustrate the culture differences between Egypt and The United States of America.

"Peace is always treated as such an impossible goal, a utopian dream, but if regular people can cultivate the intention of peace- toward ourselves, toward the planet in which we live and the people with whom we share it- then insha’allah, God willing, we can achieve it."
Jehan Sadat

One Book, One Region 2009: Eastern Connecticut

2009-04-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

The One Book, One Region Eastern Connecticut selection for 2009 is David Benioff's City of Thieves.

The author will be kicking off the event on April 30th, at 7pm at the Mystic Art Center. Map here.

Below is a review from Booklist:

Booklist Review: In 1941, the Germans circled Leningrad, starving its remaining citizens. His mother and sister evacuated, 17-year-old Lev Beniov remained, heeding the call for every able-bodied man to come to the defense of his country. After being caught out after curfew, Lev is thrown in the Crosses, the notorious prison, and while waiting for what he assumes will be an inglorious end, a summary execution at dawn, he is joined by the gregarious, indefatigable, and literature-spouting soldier, Kolya, imprisoned for desertion. When their lives are spared, they are assigned the impossible task of acquiring a dozen eggs for the wedding of a colonel's daughter, a task that takes them into the company of cannibals and Einsatzgruppen, dreaded Nazi death squads. A high-spirited adventure, Benioff's second novel (following the 2001 debut, The 25th Hour), ostensibly an account of the author's grandfather—a quiet immigrant who sold his real-estate business and retired to Florida with his wife—takes more than a little poetic license. When Benioff tells his grandfather that a few things don't make sense in the narrative, his reply: "You're a writer. Make it up." -- Segedin, Ben (Reviewed 04-15-2008) (Booklist, vol 104, number 16, p31)

It is the hope of the One Book, One Region Committee that everyone in the region can read the book and hopefully join us for the book discussions and programs that will be held by local libraries and schools.

Check out the One Book, One Region website for more information.

Finished your term paper...and now you have to cite your sources? We can show you how!

2009-04-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of cool tools for students and others who may be faced with the tedious chore of typing up a list of citations for term paper bibliographies or other types of formal reports.

Knight Cite http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/ and Son of Citation Machine http://citationmachine.net/ both provide foolproof templates for easily creating perfectly formatted citations.Essentially, here’s how it works for both tools.

First, click on the formal “citation style” (APA, MLA, Chicago etc) you’ve chosen for your bibliography. Next, select the specific “resource type” (book, journal, web document etc) for each item to be included in your bibliography. Then type the information into the boxes provided (author, title, publisher etc) and click on the “submit” button. The citation tool creates a citation with accurate formatting and punctuation on the next page. Simply copy the citation and paste it into the Word document that will be your bibliography.

Incidentally, both of these tools can also be accessed from the Otis Library’s webpage under Resources and logging into ICONN.org with your library card’s barcode number. Then click on “Other Useful Resources” from the ICONN homepage and then “Citing Sources” to find both citation tools. Give them both a try and let us know what you think.

Friends of Otis Library Book Sale

2009-04-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

First of all, we really appreciate the Friends of Otis Library! The monies they raise really helps the library acquire some great items that we normally couldn't afford, like our microfilm reader in the Genealogy room. Every Friday you can see the Friends here sorting the donated books to put into the book sale. It is truly a monumental task judging by the amount of books we receive each week. (By the way...there are some really good books down there ready for the sale!)

The hours of the Friends of The Library Book Sale are as follows:

Friday, April 17, 2009: 10-3
Saturday, April 18, 2009: 10-3
Sunday, April 19, 2009: 12-3

Get here early for the best selection!

Connecting to you through various technologies!

2009-02-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

If you love trying new technologies like we do then we have a treat for you. You can connect to the Otis Library in MANY different ways.

First of all, lets go for the basics.
Our mailing address:

Otis Library
261 Main Street
Norwich, CT 06360

Phone: 860-889-2365

Email: ref@otis.lioninc.org

Instant Message:
GTalk: otisreference
Yahoo IM: otisreference

Website: www.otislibrarynorwich.org

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/otislibrarynorwich/

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/otislibrarynorwich

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Norwich-CT/Otis-Library/40100315676?ref=ts

Twitter:

Me http://twitter.com/referencelib
YA Librarian http://twitter.com/yabooknerd
Our Director http://twitter.com/taoiseach

Blogs:

YA Librarian http://yabooknerd.blogspot.com/
Director's Blog http://inlandlibrarian.blogspot.com/
Reference Desk http://otisreference.blogspot.com/

While this may seem extreme, we are just trying to find the best and easiest way for you to hear about what we are doing. And we love hearing from you.

The Library in Tough Economic Times

2009-02-12T12:22:00.000-08:00

If you have a story about how the library had aided you or helped you out in these tough economic times, Woman's Day magazine is running a contest. If any lady would like to discuss the positive impact the library has made, the essay contest can be found here.

If you want to see where your taxes go to when you support your library, check out this cool library calculator. We are definitely more than just books.

Tax Booklets and Forms at Otis Library

2009-01-17T06:54:00.000-08:00

If you are ready to do your taxes for the 2008 fiscal year, we have steadily been receiving the forms and booklets. If you want to come down to the library and pick up some forms, they are located on the right side of the entry way, down the stair and take a right.

Most of the Federal forms are also available online here

Most of the Connecticut forms can be found here

Job Of the Year: Librarian

2009-01-13T15:37:00.000-08:00

Did you know that US News and World Reports cited Librarian as the job of the year? The article found here cites that Librarian is the Career for 2009!

After reading the article, I was surprised at how many the details were true, (for me at least). During any given day, I could be ordering books, answer an in-depth research questions, teaching a basic computer class or finding books somewhere else in the state. Other days I may be running back and forth between copier problems or faxing a letter or proctoring a test. So far, there really haven't been many dull moments at the library.

All in all, being a librarian is a great job (IMHO), and I'm glad to come to work.

Library Calendar for Otis Library

2009-01-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for something to do around town in Norwich, don't forget to check the library calendar here

Every month there are new offering for children, teens and adults and most of the programs are free of charge.

Tracking Your Reading History

2008-12-18T07:57:00.000-08:00

Want to be able to look back on what you've read in the past? You can choose to track your library reading history by maintaining a confidential online reading list accessible only by you.

If you are like me, and can't remember that really awesome author you read last year...this would be a great help.

If this sounds like a service you might be interested in, go to http://catalog.lioninc.org/search
Then go to My Account and login. You can then go to the My Reading History choose to Opt In.

If you decide you no longer want to participate in this service you have the option to go into your account and Opt Out.

Happy Reading (and remembering what you read, too!)

Decorating the Library for the Season

2008-12-04T13:14:00.000-08:00

Come by the library and see the holiday decorations...the library is looking very festive. We have put up a winter village, christmas trees, window displays, bright lights and a menorrah.

Downtown Norwich is having a Holiday Window challenge, and this year the Otis Library hopes to win!!!

Wish us luck!

New Automotive Repair Database Available at Otis Library

2008-12-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce that Otis Library has purchased the Automotive Repair Resource Center (ARRC) database.

During these tough economic times some people might be more apt to try some car repairs, and we have a great resource that you can use from the comfort of your home! The database offers wiring diagrams, recalls, repair schedules and much, much more!

I have noticed there have been quite a few requests at the reference desk for the Chilton's or the Haynes manuals (which we still have). Hopefully, this new database, which is fully accessible from home will help DIY-minded people to diagnose and repair whatever ails their cars.

You will need your Otis Library card to login when you are at home. It will ask for the 14-digit barcode on the back of the card.

As always, if you have any questions on any of the services we offer, feel free to call us at the library @ 889-2365 x 109 or email us ref@otis.lioninc.org.

Local Painter Donates Paintings to Otis Library

2008-10-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

The Otis Library has accepted a very graious donation of five large paintings done by the Norwich native, Daniel Topalis.

Daniels says,"I hope that the viewer will question their own sensibilities from personal predjudices in these works". Both staff and patron comments on the added artwork through the library has been very complementary. We truly appreciate the donation from Mr Topalis, and the energy the artwork has lended to the library walls.

Otis Library Open on Saturday and Sunday

2008-10-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

Just in case you didn't know, Otis Library has re-opened on Saturdays from 9-5 and on Sundays from 12-4. So far, the library has been very quiet on these day. This is a great time to get some quiet reading done or do research for the projects that are bound to come up.

The Childrens room also has some exciting programs coming up on Saturdays, plus a Pumpkin Decorating Activity scheduled on October 26th form 1-3.

The Friends of Otis Library are also holding a book sale on October 17th, 18th, and 19th from 10-4. There is a wide varieties of materials, ranging from childrens materials through adults. Get there early, things move quickly.

Flickr Pictures

2008-09-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

We have added a collection of '38 Hurricane pictures on Flickr. You can find it here.

Hurricane Program at Otis Library

2008-08-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

Seventy years ago this September one of the worst hurricanes hit the Northeastern seaboard. They called it the Long Island Express. The Otis Library will be highlighting the anniversary of the '38 Hurricane with a program by Meteorologist Art Horn. He will be presenting the program "Hurricane: The Ultimate Storm". It is guaranteed to be an exciting program.

To reserve your spot for this program, please call 889-2365 x100.

PBS has an excellent website dedicated to the stories of the victims and a Teacher's Guide if anyone was interested in doing that as a lesson plan.

They also have some great pictures on the site of the Connecticut State Library.

If you have any pictures or stories about the Norwich, CT area during or after the '38 Hurricane that you would like to share or give to the library we would be interested in hearing from you.

Fine Free September at Otis Library

2008-08-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

Attention Otis Patrons:

If you are too embarrassed to bring back your long overdue items, don't wait any longer!!! Starting September 1st at 9am and ending September 30th at 8pm, Otis Library will wipe those nasty fines away! We don't mind it if you drop them off in the book drop at the library, or the drops at Marcus Plaza, Dime Bank or Meadow Plaza. (Anything due before 2006 must be returned in person to get them cleared off their records.)

If those long overdue items have been staring at you from under the coffee table or have just fallen out of your child's back pack from June---don't worry we will let you get away with it for free!

Well, there is one thing...they must be in good working order. If they are falling apart you will need to pay the piper, or in this case the library. We do have some exciting databases, programs and items that you might like to check out in the future...and it would be so much easier if you just bite the bullet and clean up your library card.

When You're Waiting at the Library

2008-08-18T15:47:00.000-07:00

A lot of times people come in to the library to kill time, have a meeting, or just use our public computers. Don't forget while you have some extra time on your hands we have a large magazine and newspaper collection. Newspapers include: The Day, The Norwich Bulletin, The Boston Globe, The Providence Journal, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

We have a list of the magazines here. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Just so you know, the newest issue of a magazine doesn't circulate, but the past issues do.

Introductory Computer Classes at Otis Library

2008-08-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

I have been asked quite a few times about why the library doesn't offers computer classes. Due to the interest and your suggestions, the Otis Library will be offering an introductory computer class. If the interest continues, we will hopefully be offering more computers classes, such as word processing, spreadsheets, internet, etc.

This two-part class will be offered on September 3 & 10 at 9-9:45 am. If you, or someone you know in Norwich, CT would like to learn more about the basics of computers you can register for the class at, 889-2365 x112. Or send an e-mail to: ref@otis.lioninc.org

The Perseids are in Norwich!

2008-08-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Don't worry it is just a meteor shower! The Perseid's spark a lot of interest in the astronomical world. (Well at least I think the do). They have some really nice pictures at NASA. The picture below is also from NASA.
As long as there is little to no clouds, you should be able to see a good meteor show, but do try to stay away from the city lights. You can always check the Norwich weather here.

In my day Pluto was still a planet... which makes me wonder if all the books at Otis are up to date, and if we have taken out the "Pluto as a planet" references. Hmm, we'll have to see.

Anyway, for all of you Norwich residents who are looking for something to do between 2:00 am and 4:00 am on August 12th, go outside and see a meteor shower! Unfortunately, I can not tell your boss that you are excused from work because you are too tired from becoming astronomically educated.

Wireless at Otis Library

2008-08-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

If you have a laptop or PDA and your wireless connection is on the fritz; feel free to come by the library and use our open (and free) wi-fi connection. The connection is available from right out side the front door throughout the whole building. You are more than welcome to eat, drink and chat with your friends and use your laptop over in our Media Center. As you come in the front door the Media Center is on the left.

We also have a couple of study rooms that you can book at the reference desk (@ 889-2365 x108) for two hour time periods. These rooms would be great if you are studying for a big exam, or you have a group project and need to talk freely. The wireless is accesible in these rooms as well.

Norwich's Roses and Gardens

2008-08-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

Some of the best flowers are in bloom right now in August. It is the perfect time to pick up your camera and add some art to your walls. If you have forgotten all the camera techniques, (or didn't know them in the first place) the library has an extensive collection of books and magazines geared towards fine tuning your camera knowhow. We have the rose garden at Mohegan Park is in its final throws of summer.

This is also the time to freeze and can your picks from your garden. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers and more should be ready to be taken off the vines and put into some great recipes for dinner or put up for the winter. All recipes can be found in these books here.

Download Your Audiobooks with your Otis Library Card

2008-07-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

The Otis Library, in conjunction with our library consortium subscribes to a downloadable audiobook program. So... that means if you have a valid Otis Library card (or a card in the LION consortium) you can download some great audiobooks! They have the new Janet Evanovich, FEARLESS FOURTEEN and you can get put yourself on hold for BREAKING DAWN, the final book in the #1 bestselling Twilight Saga from Stephanie Meyers. Many of the titles can be sampled with chapter excerpts.

To start you will need to download some free software.

After you have installed the free software, you may browse the audiobook collection, check out audiobooks, and put others on hold.

They offer both children's and young adult titles, as well.

The best thing is NO FINES!!! (Well that and you can't lose it, or spill something on it, and the dog can't chew it!!!)

Genealogy and Local History Room at Otis Library

2008-07-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Reference Department, with much help from our Technical Department is going through our Genealogy collection and updating it. Well, updating in the sense that we are trying to make it more accessible to the people who are interested in Norwich and it's history. We have found some very exciting things, some great maps, interesting old newspaper clippings and some wonderful pictures of the area.

We also found some great items documenting the '38 Hurricane. Hopefully we will be putting together a display for everyone to see the items in our collection dealing with the hurricane.

Feel free to come on down and see what we have in our Genealogy room, it is filled to the brim with Norwich lore, and we would be more than happy to show you around.

IM Reference Services at Otis

2008-07-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

The reference desk is going to experiment with IM reference services. If you used either, Google Talk, Yahoo IM, or Meebo that you can get your reference questions answered online! Our user name at all three services is: otisreference.

We think this would be a great way to communicate and answer questions while you surf the internet. If you need help on you homework, or help finding a kitchen measure conversion, or if you have any other burning questions, write to us!

We can answer children's, teens or adult questions.

*Please don't ask any type of emergency questions (call 911 for that), or ask us to renew your library materials. You may renew your materials, ask for ILL's or ask us to put a book on hold for you at 889-2365 x108*

New York Times Best Sellers at Otis

2008-07-22T15:21:00.001-07:00

Did you know that we have a majority of the New York Times Bestsellers? Every week we highlight the items that Otis has on the bestseller list. We also have most of Oprah's bestsellers, as well. Come down to the library and see what we have on hand. If you don't see it on the shelf, feel free to ask us to put it on hold for you. If you don't have time to come down, give us a call at 889-2365 ext. 109 and we can put it on hold on your Otis or any other registered Connecticut library card.