Odum Library Blog » Reference http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:47:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 One in a Million Hearts http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/02/09/one-in-a-million-hearts/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/02/09/one-in-a-million-hearts/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:45:11 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=3207 Because February is American Heart Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)  have launched Million Hearts. This education and prevention program seeks to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years in the United States.  By making better choices about our eating, exercise, and other health habits, we can battle the epidemic of heart disease in the U.S.

Love Your Heart

Love Your Heart, courtesy of the CDC

The CDC urges smokers to Love Your Heart by giving up smoking, a leading contributor to heart disease.  You can even email a “Love Your Heart” greeting to someone you care about who smokes.

The Government Documents Collection at Odum Library offers many resources about heart disease and health, including this report on the Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research, and Treatment for Women Act, available here as an online PDF, in print, and on microfiche.

If you’re looking for a unique present for someone this month, nothing says “you’re on my mind” like a President Abraham Lincoln bobblehead, available from the Library of Congress gift shop.

Bobblehead of President Lincoln

Bobblehead of President Abraham Lincoln, courtesy the Library of Congress

 

 

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/02/09/one-in-a-million-hearts/feed/ 0 Tax Forms Have Moved! http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/01/30/tax-forms-have-moved/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/01/30/tax-forms-have-moved/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:37:51 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=3164 We have copies of federal and state of Georgia tax forms here at Odum Library, in the Reference area on the second floor.  This year the forms have a new location:  behind the Reference Desk all the way back to the southwest wall, in the Government Documents area. We can’t advise you on how to complete your tax return, but we can help you get to the forms,  instructions, and schedules.

Find links to commonly requested forms and publications, including fill-in PDF versions of federal forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ.  There you’ll also find accessible tax publications available in large print and Braille formats and answers to frequently asked questions.  All this information–plus more–is available from IRS.gov.

Remember that you can also e-file through the IRS web site.  It’s free if your annual income is less than $57,000, and you’ll find information there about electronic form complete and paid electronic filing.

At Odum we also have plenty of Georgia 2011 Individual Income Tax booklets that include 500 and 500EZ forms and instructions. To find online Georgia state income tax forms and further guidance, go to the Georgia Department of Revenue site.  If you need tax publications from other states, check out this interactive map provided by the Federation of Tax Administrators.

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/01/30/tax-forms-have-moved/feed/ 0 New Year, New Semester http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/01/10/new-year-new-semester/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/01/10/new-year-new-semester/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:56:52 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=3148 Welcome back to campus! Now that the semester has begun, what are your plans for living well in the new school term and year?

The most popular new year’s resolutions include getting fit, putting your financial life in order, and volunteering more often.  Find links to advice for achieving your goals, all courtesy of the government information site USA.gov.

Some people seem to be especially successful following their resolutions, judging from their long lives:  Healthfinder.gov explains why some people live to be 110 and older.  You’ll also find advice for managing stress more effectively, quitting smoking, and monitoring your health with online interactive tools.

The CDC  (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) will even help you plan a healthy menu and suggest a fruit or vegetable of the month for you!

Image of dried fruit, courtesy Centers for Disease Control

However you start off the new year, we’re glad you’re back here at VSU!

 

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/01/10/new-year-new-semester/feed/ 1 Holiday tips for the season http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/15/holiday-tips-for-the-season/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/15/holiday-tips-for-the-season/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:36:46 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=3111 No doubt many of us are done with work and shopping and ready to relax and just enjoy the holidays. If you’re not yet to that point–or even if you are–these holiday tips from various U.S. government agencies can help you save money, handle holiday chores, and brighten your season.

USA.gov is posting 12 Days of Holiday Tips that include buying safe toys, recycling, and avoiding weight gain. For help entertaining children as well as keeping the spirit of the season, see these Holiday Tips for Kids from Kids.gov.

The White House Historical Association, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, and various federal agencies offer commemorative holiday ornaments and souvenir and gift items.

Constitution tree ornament

Constitution Ornament available from the United States Capitol Historical Society

Suggestions for other gifts include annual National Park and Recreation Area passes; NASA souvenirs, toys, and apparel; official flags flown over the U.S. Congress; and the Library of Congress shop’s books, prints, apparel, and novelties for history and book lovers, where you can purchase this tribute to President Lincoln:

Bobblehead of President Lincoln, courtesy Library of Congress

This year’s White House holiday season theme is  “Shine, Give, Share,” in tribute to the U.S. military troops, veterans, and families.  You can view the White House’s holiday decor and watch online slide shows of current and past First Family celebrations, including First Family pets in the White House, and videos and photos of the 2011 National Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Finally, as Christmas Eve draws closer, remember that NORAD (the North Atlantic Aerospace Defense Command) lets you track Santa’s world flight in multiple languages. See these FAQs to learn the dimensions of Santa’s sleigh, how old Santa is, and more.  Admire the beauty of the night sky in this November 8 lunar eclipse photo, posted by NASA:

Lunar eclipse over North Carolina, copyright David Cortner

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/15/holiday-tips-for-the-season/feed/ 0 Remembering Pearl Harbor http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/07/remembering-pearl-harbor/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/07/remembering-pearl-harbor/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:45:42 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=3080 On December 6, 1941, Japanese aircraft bombed the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Today is  National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which annually marks the event that immediately precipitated the U.S. entry into World War II.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the declaration of war against Japan Dec. 8, 1941. Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration Still Picture Branch.

Please remember to visit Odum Library’s first floor exhibit of materials about World War II in honor of all who have served in the armed forces, on display through fall semester.

GALILEO, the University System of Georgia Virtual Library initiative, offers links to resources about National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

USA.gov provides additional government material about Pearl Harbor and its remembrance, including links to photos, videos, and historical documents from the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

 

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/07/remembering-pearl-harbor/feed/ 0 Sea Turtle Power! http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/05/sea-turtle-power/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/05/sea-turtle-power/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:38:48 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=3071 A new publication from the U.S. Government Printing Office highlights the renovation of the Jekyll Island Historical Power Plant into the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

"Georgia Sea Turtle Center"

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is located in the renovated Jekyll Island Historic Power Plant.

Funded by grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and partnerships among the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, the Jekyll Island Authority,  and the Jekyll Island Foundation, the cleanup and restoration of the former power plant made the building safe and efficient for modern uses.

Find out about other Cleanups in My Community programs around the country, including Georgia.

If you’re planning to visit the Sea Turtle Center sometime, it’ll host a special visitor on December 17th.

Santa & the Sea Turtles

Santa will visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Dec. 17th

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/12/05/sea-turtle-power/feed/ 1 It’s the warm and fuzzy time of year…. http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/11/29/its-the-warm-and-fuzzy-time-of-year/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/11/29/its-the-warm-and-fuzzy-time-of-year/#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:33:09 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=3048 Now that the holidays are here, you’ll want to spend your cash on special items and events. But you still need to stay warm, even in South Georgia! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Georgia ranked 37th in energy expenditure per person in 2009. That’s $3,280.79 per person!

Energysavers.gov offers a lot of tips for saving energy, including in your home, your workplace, and your vehicle. You can download or order this information booklet, too!

Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home

If you’re wondering what the weather’s like here or someplace else in the U.S., Weather.gov lets you search by city and state name.

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/11/29/its-the-warm-and-fuzzy-time-of-year/feed/ 0 How many people . . . ? http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/10/31/how-many-people/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/10/31/how-many-people/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:25:35 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=2940 Oct. 31st, 2011, marks the official recognition of a world population of 7 billion people. Is that a scary thought?

According to the United States Census Bureau, the projected U.S. population today, based on 2010 Census estimates, is 312,530,196.  It’s estimated that our population has a birth every 8 seconds and a death every 12 seconds, for a net gain of 1 person every 13 seconds.

This map shows the nighttime distribution of our population in the United States and Puerto Rico:

Nighttime Map of the U.S. Population, courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations provides much more information about world population growth.

As we welcome our seven billionth world citizen, should we be concerned about population growth?  Yes, says the United Nations Population Fund, which sponsors the program 7 Billion Actions, A Global Movement for All Humanity. Learn more about global population, read stories of people who are trying to make a difference in their communities–and maybe even share your own story with the world!

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/10/31/how-many-people/feed/ 0 Constitution Day, September 17 http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/09/16/constitution-day-september-17/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/09/16/constitution-day-september-17/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:04:34 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=2886 September 17th is Constitution Day, the anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution in 1787.

Faulkner Constitution Mural

The Constitution, mural by Barry Faulkner, 1936, Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, National Archives, Washington, DC

Odum Library marks Constitution Day with an online exhibit of resources about the creation of the U.S. Constitution and Georgia in the days of the Constitutional Convention.

Be sure to visit the Government Documents display for Constitution Day 2011, located in the Odum Library 2nd floor Reference area, to see copies of the Constitution, Congressional hearings, and other documents related to the U.S. Constitution and citizens’ constitutional rights, including these government documents from our collection:

The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence

The 2004 Presidential Election: Provisions of the Constitution and United States Code

Hearings before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties of the Committee of the Judiciary:

Just click the above links to our GIL-Find Catalog to find these documents in our collection.

Valdosta State University will feature more observations of Constitution Day, including a roundtable discussion “Free Speech and Order on University Campuses in the United States,” open to the public, location, time, and date TBA.

 

]]> http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/09/16/constitution-day-september-17/feed/ 0 An Earthquake in Valdosta? http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/08/25/an-earthquake-in-valdosta/ http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/08/25/an-earthquake-in-valdosta/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:06:21 +0000 ecrogers http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/?p=2786 How likely is it that Valdosta would experience an earthquake?  Not very, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

Seismic Design Category (SDC) map of the Eastern United States

The Valdosta area is in white (SDC level A) on this map, which means we have “very small probability of experiencing damaging earth­quake effects.” FEMA provides this list of resources about earthquakes, including what to do after an earthquake.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) oversees federal research on earthquakes and offers maps of current earthquake activity and further information on this week’s earthquake in Virginia.

Valdosta is much more likely to experience the effects of a hurricane. Visit the current Hurricane exhibit from Odum Library’s Government Documents collection, located in the library’s second floor Reference area.  More online resources about hurricanes and other disasters are available in this previous blog entry.

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