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• 10-20-09 - WORKSHOP - Information Literacy Librarian Sara Tabaei attended a two-part special interest group presentation at METRO. The first topic presented was "Critical Thinking and Library Instruction in a low tech environment". Sharon Jarvis from the Schomburg Center of Research in Black Culture described how instead of using computer labs for library classes, students sit around a table and describe what they think their assignments are all about. The instructor then clarifies the assignment and describes it in more detail. This approach aims to make students think critically about their assignments, with no computers to distract students and thus provide an opportunity to focus more on their work and share their thoughts. Other ideas on how to spark students' critical thinking, such as coming up with alternate key words in different contexts, were explored. The second speaker discussed finding an appropriate desktop sharing software program where users can have library questions answered by a virtual consultation. Users become connected to the librarian's computer and as with a virtual class, they are guided through the library's website by the librarian on their own computer.

• 9-22-09 - NEW DATABASE - Gale Virtual Reference Library has added the following two additional titles: "The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health -  2nd ed." and "The Gale Encyclopedia of Senior Health: A Guide for Seniors and Their Caregivers."

• 9-1-09 - NEW BOOK - Judaica Cataloger Leiba Rimler's third book "Hosting without Boasting" has been published.