The sky turned green

News from the Digital Library of Georgia:

Explore the dramatic story of “The 1936 Gainesville Tornado: Disaster and Recovery” at the Digital Library of Georgia (DLG) – now substantially expanded and enhanced through completion of the second phase of a collaborative digitization project with the Hall County Library System and the Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection, as part of Georgia HomePLACE.

The initial phase, completed last year, provided online access to a digitized version of original historical film depicting extensive storm damage in Gainesville from the severe 1936 multi-funnel tornado strike, generally regarded as the fifth deadliest in U.S. history. An interactive map provided geographically-based access to selected film clips for which shooting locations have been identified.

The recently completed second phase adds a multi-media online exhibit to tell a more complete story covering both the tornado strike as well as the extensive recovery effort afterwards (including the important role of President Franklin D. Roosevelt). Website visitors can follow the exhibit narrative sequentially through chronological stages (tornado outbreak, damage and destruction, relief and rescue, rebuilding) or alternatively drill down to specific information about any particular aspect of the disaster or recovery. The exhibit integrates selected clips from the film footage, related still images (photographs and
postcards) from the Hall County Library Historic Photograph Collection and the Vanishing Georgia collection, and dramatic quotes from eye witnesses.

To accommodate the more complex selection and presentation of digitized historical materials, DLG also redesigned and enlarged the project website, which now includes separate tabbed sections for the exhibit, primary sources, the interactive map, and additional resources (archival, reading, related links). The project is supported with federal LSTA funds administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

-kls

Career Advice for Those Who Don't Like to Read Books

Okay, let's admit it, not everyone likes to read books. There are a lot of reasons for this, which we shall not digress into at this juncture.

The growth of graphic novels, books that present their content in a format similar to comic books, is in part due to the preferences of some to not read traditional books. Even so, those who choose not to read or are uncomfortable doing so may find that they still need the advice and help that is available through books. This may be especially true of many of our students, who often seek guidance as to their future and their future career.

A solution has presented itself. The library has a copy of the book 'the Adventures of Johnny Bunko: the Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need.' This book is a career/work/life guide, but one that is presented in the format of a graphic novel. The book may be a career guide solution for those of you who don't want to read through a 'normal' book about careers or work choices. The book's website claims that you should be able to read the book within an hour. The graphic style of the book is manga, a Japanese format that is quite popular with younger readers in the United States. The website has other information about the book, including a brief trailer for the book, done in the anime style (which is animated manga). The book may offer some brief tips about career paths and choices while holding your attention with its unusual style.

JWF

Ping, whoosh, shush, ping, whoosh

What is that sound?
Did it come from the left front, the right front, the back left, the back right, under the hood.....
Is it rhythmic or sporadic?
Can the car make that sound for anyone but me?

When the automobile works, it works very well.
When it doesn't - oh my!

Fortunately most automobiles work very well with just the minimum of maintenance. What do you need to do to keep your vehicle running well? If you purchased a new car, the owners manual gives hints and tips. If you purchased from a large dealer they may send letters or e-mails reminding you when routine service needs to be done. What if you didn't buy a new car? How do you keep up with those oil changes, etc?

We purchased Auto Upkeep : Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair 2nd edition [TL 152 .G6387 2007]by Michael E. Gray and Linda E. Gray. The Preface notes:

Auto Upkeep : Basic Car Care, Maintenance, and Repair is an introductory book that is intended to provide individuals with the knowledge to make economical decisions and take preventative measures to enhance the overall satisfaction of being an automotive consumer

Auto Upkeep is used by some as a textbook. The Gray's provide links both in the text and online to resources pertaining to each chapter (manufacturers, oil companies, etc).

Don't forget that Auto Repair Reference Center in GALILEO has the Chilton manuals for most vehicles. You remember how to get the password to use GALILEO at home?

Prevent odd and unusual noises from emanating from your vehicle by keeping up with the routine maintenance and care! We have print and online resources to keep you moving.

-kls

And their job was?

Labor Day always reminds me of the hymn "Come Labor On". I think about all the people who've worked to make our lives better. I started wondering how I could find statistics about how many people did a certain job at a certain time.

I played with Ancestry.com (Library edition) in GALILEO. It's not able to sort by job but then I got distracted. You know how it is to get distracted while online.

I typed in Scott Joplin as a person to search for- I'm not sure why I thought of Scott Joplin but there you go. He shows up in the 1880 Texas census as Going to School, in the 1900 Missouri census as Musician, and then in the 1910 NY census as a Musician Composer! This little be of searching helped flesh out what I "know" about Scott Joplin.

You may only access Ancestry.com through GALILEO on campus but it is a very intriguing primary source for any content area not just for your own personal genealogy.

-kls