FREE EBOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS

The MLA list-serve has had a lot of chatter recently concerning the plight of small libraries that can’t afford user download services. If you work in a library that’s in that boat, you should know that your patrons can access thousands of ebooks for free (legally) online:

LINK

And free audiobooks: LINK

NOTE: If your library does not offer free ebook, audiobook, and music downloads, your patrons may want to get an Annual User card at a library that does. I think they’ll find that the cost of an Annual User card is much less than the cost of purchasing access to the number of items they’ll be able to download in a year.

For example, a Mid-Continent Library Out-of-District Annual Card for residents of Missouri and Kansas costs $60. $60 will buy you approximately six new ebooks or three new audiobooks from an online vendor like Amazon.com. If you download just one ebook per week from Mid-Continent, that’s an annual savings to you of $460 ($520 - $60). If you download just one audiobook per week from Mid-Continent, that’s an annual savings to you of $980 ($1040 - $60).

From their website:

• The following options are available to persons living outside of the Mid-Continent Public Library service area:

o Out-of-District card -- New Out-of-District cards can be issued at any of our 30 branch locations. New Out-of-District cards will be issued only to Missouri or Kansas residents living outside the MCPL service area. You must be present to register for an Out-of-District card. There is a fee of $60.00 and the card is valid for one year. Cards about to expire or expired can be renewed in person or by mail, phone, or email.

More info here.

Mid-Continent’s guide to Digital Downloads:

LINK

OVERVIEW OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

Lots of information and images on the Navy History & Heritage Command website regarding the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor:

LINK

ICON

This site (International Coalition on Newspapers) maintains an international list of newspaper digitization projects:

LINK

PICKING UP THE PIECES IF YOUR COMPUTER CRASHES

I assume that you already back up your computer on a regular basis...

What should you do if you’re ever in that situation? Microsoft has some advice:

LINK

HOSPITAL SHIPS MATERIAL IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HEALTH & MEDICINE COLLECTION

Finding aid (1862-1952) for miscellaneous materials in the collection (many photographs, some artworks):

LINK

GUIDE TO COLLECTIONS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE

An online guide to the various collections maintained by the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM):

LINK

FREE WWII SEARCHING ON ANCESTRY.COM

Ancestry.com wants to help you commemorate Pearl Harbor and other events of World War II. All of its WWII databases can be searched for free now through 7 December 2011:

LINK

CENTRAL MISSOURI LIBRARY ENTHUSIASTS

Just a reminder about next week’s meeting!

The Central Missouri Library Enthusiasts will be having another Columbia meeting on Friday, December 9.

We will meet at 5:30pm at The Rome, located at 114 South 9th Street in downtown Columbia (next to Booches).

Please RSVP by December 8 so we have an accurate headcount.

If you have questions, email Abbie Brown or Darell Schmick.

In addition, we’ve set up a Facebook page for the group.

GENEALOGY GEMS

Not subscribing to this newsletter from the Allen County Public Library? Why not? It's chock full of great information, it’s easy to subscribe—and it’s free:

LINK

NOTE: Click on Genealogy Community on the top line, then EZine.

CHRONICLING AMERICA DIGITIZED NEWSPAPERS (1836-1922)

Finding aid of newspapers available on Library of Congress’s Chronicling America website:

LINK

REDHAVEN OUTLINE

If there’s something you need to keep track of, this free program can probably help you do it. As the creators state on their website, it’s great for:

 organizing notes
 making lists
 making lists of lists
 keeping track of research information
 preparing speeches and presentations
 developing the structure of research papers
 organizing computer shortcuts and favorite websites
 keeping records

LINK

OUR MILITARY HERITAGE

An online service offered by the Allen County Public Library. They’re providing biographical sketches, unit rosters, letters and diaries, photographs, and other documents for American wars from colonial times to the present day. Emphasis is Indiana regiments and veterans, but there is plenty of information on military units and soldiers from other states:

LINK

NOTE: Many photos of gravestones of soldiers who were killed in action.