AT&T Don't Text While Driving Documentary

AT&T has created this emotional documentary about texting while driving that will get everyone thinking about their own texting habits.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Reading from everyone at the Gail Borden Public Library!

WorkKeys and Workplace Skills

Elgin's Workforce Partnership is making headlines! Nearly seventy local employers recognize the National Career Readiness Certificate, evidence of Elgin's 1000 Workers Skills Initiative, which helps connect skilled workers with local employers. Read the full article from The Courier News.

Holiday Parties = Stains

Mr. Clean Sample Bottle, 1958
Originally uploaded by Roadsidepictures

With the holidays here it is time to have friends and family over to celebrate which also can lead to accidents involving punch and the carpet. So be prepared with the know how to clean up those stains quickly and keep the party going. Check out the handy information from these websites and books to keep your holidays stress free.

Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal
University of Illinois Extension

Stain Removal Ideas and Tips
About.com: Housekeeping

Crayola Stain Removal Tips
Crayola

Heloise Hints

Crossword

The first crossword puzzle was published in a supplement to the New York World on December 21, 1912. Take a look at why this little puzzle has become a daily ritual for so many people.

Cruciverbalism: A Crossword Fanatic's Guide to Life in the Grid By Newman, Stanley Author Lasswell, Mark Check Our Catalog Offering an inside look at the world of crosswords, this guide to life on the grid pulls back the curtain on puzzle-making itself, outlining the history of crosswords and showing how rules and mindsets of puzzle editors have changed over time. …More

Four-Letter Words: And Other Secrets of a Crossword Insider By Arnot, Michelle Check Our Catalog Crossword puzzle expert and champion Arnot has complied this irresistibly funand entertaining manual filled with fascinating facts, puzzle miscellany, andsurefire tips for puzzle solving. …More

Wordplay By Creadon, Patrick Check Our Catalog From the masters who create the mind-bending diversions to the tense competition at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, Patrick Creadon's documentary reveals a fascinating look at the addictive pastime. Creadon captures New York Times editor Will Shortz working with crossword puzzle builders, talks to celebrity solvers—including Bill Clinton and Ken Burns—and presents an intimate look at the national tournament and its competitors. …More

Manage Your Online Identity

Employers will often search for an applicant's name in Google, according to a 2009 study. You may be aware that employers can gain information about you, but how do you control it?  If you have a LinkedIn or Facebook profile those will likely be one of the top results. You may even want to create a LinkedIn profile to promote yourself online so that an employer does get a result from searching your name. Facebook also has privacy settings that can remove your Facebook profile from a Google Search.

Other than that, it is up to you as a job hunter to keep track of what is being said (or shown) about you online. Remove posted pictures you would prefer a potential employer not see. Also, don't be afraid to ask friends to do the same. For the sake of your job search, those unappealing snapshots from last year's holiday party have got to go! Want to see what employers are looking at? Just type your name into Google! Extra hint: try typing your email address into Google too!

RIP Delicious

News has spread fast about the end of the online bookmarking service Delicious. A screenshot of a Yahoo presentation shows that Delicious under the label of Sunset, along with AltaVista, Yahoo Buzz, and other Yahoo owned products.

Other bookmarking, note taking, and Internet clipping apps are clambering to take it's place. Evernote has already shared instructions on how to import your Delicious bookmarks into Evernote.

For all the Delicious users out there, what will you be using to organize your bookmarks?

Marketing Yourself

Are you prepared for a job fair? Think about presenting every aspect of yourself in a positive and confident manner. Think about these aspects: How are you dressed? How do you sound? How is your attitude and general demeanor?

Be prepared to give a 15-30 speech about yourself when making an introduction. Prepare 4-5 sentences about your professional life that explain who you are and where you are going. This speech shouldn't just be about your past job and job title. Think about your accomplishments, goals, and what you have to offer to a potential employer. For more information check out this article about elevator speeches: http://www.quintcareers.com/job-search_elevator_speech.html.

Website Wednesday: Become a Searching Pro

I have created a series of screencasts to demonstrate how use our library catalog Encore. If you haven't heard of screencasts before they are short instructional videos used to demonstrate computer skills. Videos are taken directly from the computer screen and an audio narration is included to show step by step instructions.


You can watch all of our Encore screencasts at the library's Classes and Training webpage.

Business Book Club

Discuss Drive by Daniel H. Pink on Thursday, December 16th at 7pm. Contact the Information Desk to reserve a copy of this title today!

Join us every third Thursday of the month to discuss popular business titles. You don't have to be a business owner or manager in order to enjoy these great books! For more information, please contact Melissa Ziel at mziel@gailborden.info or 847-289-5836.

Website Wednesday: TechCamp11, Gail Borden’s first technology day

Share your expertise with the Elgin area! Be a part of TechCamp11, to be held at Gail Borden Public Library on Saturday, March 12, 2011! We are looking for community members to give short presentations on topics including Video, Photo Sharing, Managing Your Online Life, Social Networking, Podcasting, and Blogging.

If you would like to be a part of TechCamp11 please contact Billie Moffett at bmoffett@gailborden.info or 847-289-5833.