Best Career: Librarian

Someone posted this link on the librarians in singapore group, so am replicating it here in case it gets deleted one day. Its "an apt description of a librarian and what librarians do! That's why I became a librarian - I learn something new every day and love going to work."

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By Marty Nemko
Posted December 11, 2008

Overview.Forget about that image of librarians as a mousy bookworms. More and more of today's librarians must be clever interrogators, helping the patron to reframe their question more usefully. Librarians then become high-tech information sleuths, helping patrons plumb the oceans of information available in books and digital records, often starting with a clever Google search but frequently going well beyond.

Librarianship is an underrated career. Most librarians love helping patrons solve their problems and, in the process, learning new things. Librarians may also go on shopping sprees, deciding which books and online resources to buy. They may even get to put on performances, like children's puppet shows, and run other programs, like book discussion groups for elders. On top of it all, librarians' work environment is usually pleasant and the work hours reasonable, although you may have to work nights and/or weekends

The job market for special librarians (see below) is good but is sluggish for public and school librarians. Nevertheless, persistent sleuthing—that key attribute of librarians—should enable good candidates to prevail.

That effort to land a job will be well worth it if you're well suited to the profession: love the idea of helping people dig up information, are committed to being objective—helping people gain multiple perspectives on issues—and will remain inspired by the awareness that librarians are among our society's most empowering people.

A Day in the Life. You work in a small municipal library, where you have to do a little of everything. You start your day by leafing through catalogs from online database publishers and book reviews in Library Journal to decide which titles to add to your collection. Next, it's out to the reference desk, where visitors regularly ask how to find something. Sometimes, it's esoteric; often, it's the bathroom. Later, you teach a class: an advanced lesson in Googling. Next, it's back to the reference desk, but you're soon interrupted by a group of boisterous kids, so you have to turn into schoolmarm: "You'll have to be quiet, or I'll have to ask you to leave." You end your day reading about "automated librarianship": data storage systems that let the public get needed resources without the help of a live librarian. Tomorrow, you decide, you'll start writing a grant proposal to develop a computer kiosk that will help patrons find health information.

Smart Specialty
Special librarian. All sorts of organizations need librarians, not just public libraries. They work for colleges, law firms, hospitals, prisons, corporations, legislatures, the military, and nonprofit agencies. In fact, special librarianship is the field's fastest-growing job market. Unlike public and university jobs, which require night and weekend hours, these jobs are mostly 9 to 5.

Salary Data
Median (with eight years in the field): $47,400

25th to 75th percentile (with eight or more years of experience): $42,800-$63,700

(Data provided by PayScale.com)

Training
The American Library Association offers information and links regarding training, including online options.
U.S. News rankings of library programs

Learn more
Department of Labor profile: Librarian
American Library Association
Special Libraries Association
Association of College and Research Librarians
Medical Library Association
American Association of Law Libraries
A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science by Patricia Shontz and Richard Murray (editors)
Straight from the Stacks: A Firsthand Guide to Careers in Library and Information Science by Laura Townsend Kane
What's the Alternative: Career Options for Librarians and Info Pros by Rachel Gordon

Why do we need a teacher librarian or a school library when we have the Internet?

[Galv speaks...]

Came across an interesting and relevant article when I was searching for MSc courses on the ALIA page. Though I've personally never wondered it aloud to myself, I'm sure it must come across some people's minds, now more than ever with internet access being so widely available and people becoming more internet-literate.

My favourite answers to the above question include:

• The Internet is so disorganised that it is time consuming to find good information.
• Thousands of citations, abstracts and full-text journal articles are not accessible to the standard search engines.
• Information on the Internet is free, but you get what you pay for.

I used to have doubts as to why my library feels the need to have a service where people can ASK! any question in the world, when there is such a thing as Google and other more recent offerings such as Wikipedia and Yahoo Answers. Well now I know why :)

Read the full article here.

A few questions

Dear librarian

My son, aged 6 loves to read books under the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park. We used to be able to find them in the children coummunity library located at the neighbourhood. But ever since these libraries closed down on April this year, we couldn't find much of these books on the shelf in SKCL and CSCL anymore. Could you advise on the following:

1. Do you know which book store carry the Junie B Jones series books?

2. Will the above series be put on sales in the coming library book sale next Friday at the Singapore Expo?

3. What other books could you recommand for children aged 5-7 years old?

4. I think my daughter who is 5 years old, is ready to move from picture books to more wordy books. What kind of books would you recommand for a start, to catch her attention?

5. Also, any recommanded DVDs for aged 5 - 7 years old.

6. Does library carry Nancy Drew and Edin Bytlon series?

Many thanks !

Thank you for your enquiry.

Please find below the response to your questions:

1. Do you know which book store carry the Junie B Jones series books?
The various book stores do not have have the title you mentioned in their catalogue on their web site. You may wish to call them directly to check if they stock the title. I have listed their website address and contact numbers:

MPH
Web site: http://www.mph.com.sg
Contact no.: (refer to this site for the numbers of the different stores)

Borders
Web site: http://borders.com.sg/home.asp
Contact no.: 6235-7146 (Wheelock Place); 6345-9796 (Parkway Parade)

Times
Web site: http://www.timesone.com.sg/
Contact no.: 6457-3280

Books Kinokuniya
Web site: http://www.kinokuniya.com.sg
Contact no.: 6737-5021 (Ngee Ann City store); 6337-1300 (Liang Court store); 6339-1790 (Bugis Junction store)

You may wish to know that the Junie B Jones series is widely available for loan at most public libraries.

2. Will the above series be put on sales in the coming library book sale next Friday at the Singapore Expo?
Unfortunately, we do not have any information on the titles that will be available at next week's library book sale.

3. What other books could you recommand for children aged 5-7 years old?
You may wish to try the following titles:

For 5 year olds
i) Yummy, yummy, yummy, food for my tummy / Author: Lloyd, Sam
Call no.: JP LLO
ii) The Pigeon finds a hot dog / Author: Willems, Mo
Call no.: JP WIL
iii) Papa pls get the moon for me / Author: Carle, Eric
Call no.: JP CAR
iv) Biscuit bear / Author: Grey, Mini
Call no.: JP GRE
v) Chimp & Zee / Author: Anholt, Catherine
Call no.: JP ANH
vi) That pesky Rat / Author: Child, Lauren
Call no.: JP CHI
vii) Can't you sleep little bear / Author: Waddell, Martin
Call no.: JP WAD

For 6 year olds
i) Heckedy Peg / Author: Wood, Audrey
Call no.: J WOO
ii) The squeaky door / Author: MacDonald, Margaret Read
Call no.: JP 398.2 MAC - [FOL]
iii) Wemberly Worried / Author: Henkes, Kevin
Call no.: JP HEN
iv) The giving tree / Author: Silverstein, Shel
Call no.: JP SIL
v) Knuffle Bunny / Author: Willems, Mo
Call no.: JP WIL
vi) Farley Farts / Author: Muller, Birte
Call no.: JP MUL

For 7 year olds
i) Chocolate Fever / Author: Smith, Robert Kimmel
Call no.: J SMI
ii) Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost / Author: Funke, Cornelia
Call no.: JS FUN
iii) Marvin Redpost series / Author: Sachar, Louis
Call no.: JS SAC
iv) Freckle Juice / Author: Blume, Judy
Call no.: JS BLU
v) Horrible Harry series / Author: Kline, Suzy
Call no.: JS KLI

4. I think my daughter who is 5 years old, is ready to move from picture books to more wordy books. What kind of books would you recommand for a start, to catch her attention?
Perhaps you may like to try Fairytales which have more words yet still able to catch her attention with colourful pictures. Fairytales can be found at the call number JP 398.2 or J 398.2. Apart from Fairytales, you can also try the "I Can Read!" or Orchard series. These books are for early readers, of A5 size and can be found at most libraries.

5. Also, any recommanded DVDs for aged 5 - 7 years old.
Here are some recommended DVDs:

i) Title Spectrum Connections Bounce. Routines! [videorecording] / Brandissimo! ; Rx Entertainment Media.
Publisher Santa Monica, CA : Distributed by Genius Entertainment, c2007.
Summary Making sense of the world takes a basic understanding of predictible daily routines. In this episode, Elizabeth and her music class sing and demonstrate everyday routines like cleaning up, going to sleep and staying safe. Through songs, quizzes and real world imagery, young viewers of all developmental levels can learn how to predict, comprehend and carry out daily routines. These important lessons are taught by music therapist Elizabeth Balzano and her bouncy, lovable friend Balloo.
Call no.: J AV 791.45 SPE
Available at NLB libraries

ii). Title Number concepts [videorecording] / Discovery School.
Publisher Silver Spring, MD : Discovery Communications : Distributed by Discovery Education, [2006].
Summary From prime and composite numbers, to fractions and decimals, to number models, introduce elementary students to more advanced properties and concepts of numbers.
Call no.: J AV 513 NUM
Available at NLB libraries

iii). Title Weather [videorecording] ; Volcanoes / a Cafe production for BBC Worldwide Americas, Dorling Kindersley Vision in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Publisher [Australia] : Nomad Distribution [distributor], [2006?]
Series Title Eyewitness DVD ; vol. 3
Summary Weather features images of weather events on earth and reveals the forces that create the turbulent atmosphere; and Volcano explores the terrifying destructive forces of earthquake and volcanic eruption.
Call no.: J AV 551.6 WEA
Available at NLB libraries

iv) Title Tao Shu the warrior boy. Wild about animals [videorecording] / Peach Blossoms Media with the participation of Media Development Authority Singapore ; produced by Tan Kim Han.
Publisher Singapore : Exclusively licensed and distributed by InnoForm Media Pte Ltd, c2007.
Summary In ancient China, a poor and humble family, the Foo family, runs an old run down teahouse. Everyone works hard to to keep the teahouse running and the little son, Tao Shu needs to take on more responsibility than the average boy his age. Through the many adventures that Tao Shu encounters, he and his sister, Ling Ling learn meaningful lessons in life. In this volume, we learn along with Tao Shu the strange and wonderful animals in the world.
Call no.: J AV 372.21 TAO
Available at NLB libraries

v) Title Backyard science. Series 1 [videorecording] / a co-production between Penguin Television and Beyond Productions Pty Limited.
Publisher [S.l.] : Force Entertainment, 2008.
Summary "Based on the best selling Dorling Kindersley book, Backyard Science is a fun and educational series for children aged 6-12 years. Ripping science out of the laboratory and hurling it into the real world, this program is for kids, by kids."--Back cover.
Call no.: J AV 507.8 BAC
Available at NLB libraries

vi) Title Animated tales of the world [videorecording] : England, Cap O'Rushes / Children's Television Trust International presents ; screenplay, Andrew Bannerman ; animators, Milana Fedoseyeva ... [et al.] ; producer, Renat Zinnurov ; director/designer, Galina Beda.
Publisher Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, division of Library Video Company, 2007, c2005.
Summary Video series of multicultural collection of folktales, which are told through storytelling and animation. This folktale from England tells the story of an aging father asking his three daughters how much they love him. The two oldest daughter's responses please him, but he is insulted by the response of the youngest daughter and quickly banishes her. Find out how this young woman, on her own, disguised in a hat and gown made of rushes, finds her true love and is reunited with her father.
Call no.: J AV 372.6 ANI
Available at NLB libraries

vii) Title Pocoyo and friends. Series one, Episodes 1-6 / a Zinkia Entertainment/Granada production ; directed by Guillermo Garcia & David Cantolla ; created by David Cantolla, Luis Gallego, Guillermo Garcia.
Publisher Singapore : Innokidz, InnoForm Media Pte Ltd, c2005, [2007]
Summary An animated show for pre-school children that uses an innovative blend of humour that helps toddlers discover and learn. The central character is Pocoyo, an inquisitive and fun-loving little boy, who with his friends Elly, the pink elephant, Pato, the shy yellow duck, Loula, his spotty dog and Sleepy Bird, sets out on a journey of discovery. Toddlers following Pocoyo in his adventures, are encouraged to watch, listen, laugh, dance and sing.
Call no.: J AV 649 POC
Available at NLB libraries

6. Does library carry Nancy Drew and Edin Bytlon series?
Yes, both titles are usually located on the "Popular Series" shelf of the children's section at the library. You can enquire with the Customer Service Counter if you need directions.

For all the above recommended books, you can check whether they are available at the library branch closest to you by first opening your internet browser to this URL: http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg

We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

What / Who / How

Dear Sir/Mdm,

3 Qs to ask you:

1. What/Who created light?
2. How does glow stick work?
3. How stored energy in wind, lakes and reservoirs can be converted into electricity?

For the first query, may I clarify if you meant how light is created? If so, according to The World Book Encyclopedia, "all light comes from atoms. It is produced by atoms that have gained energy either by absorbing light from another source or by being struck by other particles". An atom with extra energy is said to be excited, and visible light is created when electrons within atoms in an excited state returns to a ground state (lower energy configuration).
However, if you meant to ask who created light, then the answer who have to be God (as made clear in the book of Genesis in the bible). Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.

Here are some books you may wish to refer to on light:

Title Light & sight / Jon Richards.
Author Richards, Jon, 1970-
Other Title Light and sight
Publisher New York : PowerKids Press, 2008
Call no.: J 535.078 RIC

Title Amazing light / Sally Hewitt.
Author Hewitt, Sally, 1949-
Publisher New York, NY : Crabtree Pub., c2008
Call no.: J 535 HEW

Title Exploring light / Carol Ballard.
Author Ballard, Carol.
Publisher New York : PowerKids Press, 2008
Call no.: J 535 BAL

Title Light, dark / by Julie Murray.
Author Murray, Julie, 1969-
Publisher Edina, Minn. : ABDO Pub. Co., c2007
Call no.: J P 535 MUR

You can check the availability of the above titles by opening your browser to this url: http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg.

For your second query, glow or light sticks use the same principle of light creation as mentioned in the answer to your first query, only that it makes use of chemicals to excite the atoms in a material. According to HowStuffWorks.com, the chemical reaction in a light stick usually involves several steps. A typical commercial light stick holds a hydrogen peroxide solution and a solution containing a phenyl oxalate ester and a fluorescent dye. The sequence of events when the two solutions are combined are as such:

1. The hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the phenyl oxalate ester, resulting in a chemical called phenol and an unstable peroxyacid ester.
2. The unstable peroxyacid ester decomposes, resulting in additional phenol and a cyclic peroxy compound.
3. The cyclic peroxy compound decomposes to carbon dioxide.
4. This decomposition releases energy to the dye.
5. The electrons in the dye atoms jump to a higher level, then fall back down, releasing energy in the form of light.
(source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/light-stick1.htm)

As for how the bending of the glow sticks causes the glow stick to 'glow', there is a smaller thinner vial within each glow stick that, when broken, releases the hydrogen peroxide solution it contains which then mixes with the phenyl oxalate ester and fluorescent dye. This causes a reaction which in turn causes the atoms to begin emitting light.

For your third query, you asked about wind and hydro-electric power. Windmills capture the kinetic energy in wind by making use of turbine blades. When these turbine blades start moving, they spin a shaft which leads from the hub of the rotor to a generator. The generator turns that rotational energy into electricity. The same occurs for water dams. When water is released from a dam, it flows through hydraulic turbines, producing electric power that is used in homes and industries.

In essence, generating electricity from wind and water is about transferring energy from one medium to another. The following books will provide a more in depth look into the subject:

Title Water power / Ian F. Mahaney.
Author Mahaney, Ian F.
Publisher New York, N.Y. : PowerKids Press, 2007.
Call no.: J 333.91 MAH

Title Generating wind power / written by Niki Walker.
Author Walker, Niki, 1972-
Publisher New York, NY : Crabtree Pub., 2007.
Call no.: J 621.4 WAL

Title Save energy / Kay Barnham.
Author Barnham, Kay.
Publisher New York, NY : Crabtree Pub., 2008.
Call no.: J 333.79 BAR

Title Future energy / Julie Richards.
Author Richards, Julie.
Publisher South Yarra, Vic. : Macmillan Education, 2007.
Call no.: J 333.7 RIC

Title The pros and cons of water power / Richard and Louise Spilsbury.
Author Spilsbury, Richard, 1963-
Publisher New York : Rosen Central, 2008.
Call no.: Y 333.914 SPI

Title Hydroelectric power / by Josepha Sherman ; consultant, Steve Brick.
Author Sherman, Josepha.
Publisher Mankato, Minn. : Capstone Press, c2004.
Call no.: J 333.91 SHE

We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

history of central asia and western China

Hi,

Can you please suggest some works for me to learn the history of central Asia (former USSRstates such as Kazakstan, Uzbegstan, etc) and of adjoining territories of China?

Thanks and regards,

Thank you for your enquiry.

You asked for resources on the history of central Asia. Here are some which we were able to find for you:

Books

Title Kazakhstan / Jim Corrigan ; [editorial consultant: the Foreign Policy Research Institute].
Author Corrigan, Jim.
Publisher Philadelphia, Pa. : Mason Crest Publishers, c2005.
Call no.: Y 958.45 COR
Available at Bukit Batok, Marine Parade, Queenstown, Sembawang and Toa Payoh Community Libraries and Jurong Regional Library.

Title The new Central Asia : the creation of nations / Olivier Roy.
Author Roy, Olivier, 1949-
Publisher London ; New York : I.B. Tauris Publishers, 2000.
Call no.: 958.04 ROY
Available at NLB libraries

Title Central Asia : the sons of Tamburlaine : Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Xinjiang / photographs and texts, Alain Chenevière, translated from the French by A.J.F. Millar ; editor in chief, Roger Sabater.
Author Chenevière, Alain.
Publisher Paris : Vilo International, c2001.
Call no.: q958 CHE
Only available at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library

Title Central Asia at the end of the transition / edited by Boris Rumer.
Publisher Armonk, N.Y. : M.E. Sharpe, 2005.
Call no.: 958.043 CEN
Only available at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library

My suggestion is to visit the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at Bugis, where you will be able to find a bigger range of titles on Central Asia on Level 7. Please refer to the shelf with the call number 958.

You can also check the availability of the above titles by opening your browser to this url: http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg.

Database

You can also access our eResources via our webpage www.pl.sg. You will need a digital library account for which you can register for for free. Click on eResources on the menu on the left of the page. Following which, click on eDatabases, then page 3 to find the database "Credo reference : history" (no. 28 on the eDatabase list). Using this database, I was able to find information on Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and others.

Other recommended databases you could explore include Encyclopædia Britannica online and Gale Virtual Reference Library.

Online

CIA - The World Factbook -- Kazakhstan
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kz.html

CIA - The World Factbook -- Uzbekistan
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uz.html


We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

FATS: Butter vs. shortening vs. margarine

Thank you for your enquiry.

You asked for some resources on food science for secondary school. Below are some resources which I hope you will find useful.

Books
Title McGee on food and cooking : an encyclopedia of kitchen science, history and culture / Harold McGee.
Author McGee, Harold.
Other Title On food and cooking
Publisher London : Hodder & Stoughton, 2004.
Call No.: R 641.403 MAC
Available at Jurong and Woodlands Regional Libraries (for reference only)

International dictionary of food & cooking : ingredients, additives, techniques, equipment, menu terms, catering terms, food science and outline domestic and production recipes / compiled by Charles G. Sinclair.
Publisher Teddington : Peter Collin, 1998.
Call No.: R 641.03 INT
Available at Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, Paris Ris Community Library, Tampines and Woodlands Regional Library (for reference only)

Title Essentials of food science / Vickie A. Vaclavik, Elizabeth W. Christian.
Call No.: R 664 VAC
Only available at Lee Kong Chian Reference Library

Title Nutrition and food science.
Publisher: London : Forbes Pub., c1970-
Call No.: R 641.105 NFS year 2005
Only available at Lee Kong Chian Reference Library

Title The cake book / Tish Boyle ; photography by John Uher.
Author Boyle, Tish.
Publisher Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley, c2006.
Contents Ingredients for cakes -- Cake-baking equipment -- Cake-making techniques, tips, and troubleshooting -- Cake decor -- Angel food, chiffon, and sponge cakes -- Pound cakes and coffee cakes -- Butter- and oil-based cakes -- Fruit-based cakes -- Flourless cakes -- Cheesecakes -- Mousse and ice cream cakes -- Meringue cakes -- Fillings and frostings -- Basic recipes and accompaniments -- Sources.
641.8653 BOY -[COO]
Available for loan at NLB libraries

You can check the availability of the above titles by opening your browser to this url: http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg.


Online
Enlightened Cooking: Butter vs Shortening in Baking
http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/04/butter-vs-shortening-in-baking.html

Cake making - Joyofbaking.com
http://www.joyofbaking.com/CakeMaking.html

Butter vs shortening - ChefTalk Cooking Forums
http://www.cheftalk.com/forums/food-cooking-questions-discussion/2630-butter-vs-shortening.html


We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

English Reading list for Primary 1 & 4 levels

Thank you for your enquiry.

There are many great books found at the library for P1 and P4 children. I have listed some popular authors of English books for these two age groups. To enable you to cast a wider net, I have also listed websites with reading lists for various age groups. I hope they will be useful to you.

English Books - P1
Allan Alhberg
Allan Ahlberg & Janet Ahlberg Bibliography
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/ahlbergbib.htm
Call no. at the library: JP AHL

Stan Berenstain
The Official Berenstain Bears Website
http://www.berenstainbears.com/
Call no. at the library: JP BER

Marc Brown
Marc Brown Studios
http://www.marcbrownstudios.com/index.html
Call no. at the library: JP BRO

Anthony Browne
List of titles written by this author can be found in the following website
http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/Anthony-Browne
Call no. at the library: JP BRO

Eric Carle
The Official Eric Carle Web Site
http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html
Call no. at the library: JP CAR

Mem Fox
All about Mem
http://www.memfox.com/welcome.html
Call no. at the library: JP FOX

Kevin Henkes
Homepage
http://www.kevinhenkes.com/
Call no. at the library: JP HEN

Eric Hill
Author of Spot the Dog
The Official Spot Website
http://www.funwithspot.com/
Call no. at the library: JP HIL

Leo Lionni
List of titles written by this author can be found in the following website
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/lionnibib.htm
Call no. at the library: JP LEO

David McKee
Author of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant
http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/childrens/elmer/home.htm
Call no. at the library: JP MAC

Marcus Pfister
Author of the popular Rainbow Fish
Marcus Pfister Biography
http://www.bravemonster.com/authors/marcuspfister.htm
Call no. at the library: JP PFI

Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss's Seussville
http://www.seussville.com/
Call no. at the library: JP SEU

English Books - P4

(Please see attached PDF)


You can check the availability of the books listed above by going to this website http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg/

Reading Lists

Kid's Source Online Reading List
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/RWNactivities/ReadingLists.html

Hedgehog Books
http://www.hedgehogbooks.com/gradelevel.html

More Reading Lists
http://www.bookspot.com/readinglists/

(All websites listed were last accessed on 16 June 2008. Please check the respective websites' main page for their terms and conditions for use.)

We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

Musicals

1) I would like to know why Les Misérables ( a popular musical ) is such a good story for a musical.
* Do not need to be too detailed
 
2) Phantom of the Opera
- When was it written?
- What is the story about?
- Who wrote and composed it?
- When was it first performed?
- What are some of the famous songs from this musical?
 
Thank You.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Like all great stories ever told, there are elements of history, struggles of war, good vs. evil, friendship and most importantly, love, in Les Misérables. Before it became a hit musical, it was a novel written by French author Victor Hugo. Its story is set in the 19th century and spans 20 years. The story focuses on the struggles of several characters, of which its protagonist is ex-convict Jean Valjean, who seeks to redeem his wayward past by doing good. He takes in the daughter of a dying prostitute, Cosette, but is haunted by his past in the form of an obsessive police inspector called Javert. The story traces his struggle through the French revolution to his eventual demise of old age.

The book was first published in 1862 and the musical opened in 1980 in Paris.

You can refer to the following web resources for more on Les Miz:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_%28musical%29
- http://www.lesmis.com (official website of the musical)
- http://www.napoleonic-literature.com/AgeOfNapoleon/E-Texts/Miserables.html (script for stage)
- http://www.answers.com/topic/les-mis-rables-musical?cat=entertainment
(last accessed 11 June 08)
*For the above weblinks, you are advised to click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing.

You can also refer to the following book:
Title Les Misérables : history in the making / Edward Behr.
Author Behr, Edward, 1926-
Publisher London : Pavilion Books, 1996.
Call no.: 792.642 BEH -[ART]


As to your second question on the musical Phantom of the Opera, here are the answers to the questions you asked:

- When was it written?
The novel by Gaston Leroux was first published in 1911. The silent horror film was released in 1925. The musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber was first staged in 1986
[sources: (i) "Phantom of the Opera, The," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008. 11 June 2008. (ii) "Andrew Lloyd Webber," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008. 11 June 2008. ]

- What is the story about?
It is about a ghost that inhabited a Paris opera house and his obsession with a young singer, Christine Daaé. The story is based on real events related to the Paris Opera House.

- Who wrote and composed it?
The music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe.

- When was it first performed?
The musical opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London on October 9, 1986

- What are some of the famous songs from this musical?
Angel of Music; Phantom of the Opera; The Music of the Night; All I Ask of You; Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again

Please refer to the following resources for more on the Phantom of the Opera
- http://library.ebonline.com/eb/article-9047888 (about Gaston Leroux)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_of_the_opera
- http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761598764/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera.html
- http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefEdList.aspx?refid=210003187
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_%281986_musical%29
(last accessed 11 June 08)
*For the above weblinks, you are advised to click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing.

You can also refer to the following books:
Title The phantom of the Opera / Gaston Leroux ; introduction by Anne Perry.
Author Leroux, Gaston, 1868-1927.
Other Title Fantôme de l'Opéra English
Publisher New York : Modern Library, 2002.
Call no.: LER

Title The complete Phantom of the opera / George Perry ; research by Jane Rice ; special photography by Clive Barda.
Author Perry, George C., 1935-
Publisher London : Pavilion, 1987
782.8107 PER -[ART]

You can check the availability of the books listed above by going to this website http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg/

We hope that the above has been useful to you.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

No straightforward answers here

Librarian,

Pls help:

a) Who invented the first computer?
b) Who invented cars?

Thank you

Thank you for your enquiry.

There are differing accounts on who invented the first computer, depending on what you mean by a computer. To some people, it can mean anything that helps you to do calculations, even if it is a mechanical machine. The first such machine that was considered by some to be a computer was invented in 1800s by Charles Babbage, called a 'Difference Engine' or 'Analytic Engine' (information from "An A to Z of almost everything" by Trevor Montague [2007], call no. 032 A). To others, a computer must be an electrical device. The first electrical machine, called Z3, that could be programmed was built by Konrad Zuse in 1941 (information from "The inside & outside guide to inventions" by Chris Oxlade, call no. J 608 OXL). We must of course remember that today's computers are much much smaller than those first computers.

In addition, sometimes, it is not a matter of who invented it and how but that someone had an idea and other people improved on it again and again till we have the machines we use today. So in a way it is a team effort spread over a long time. To learn about how computers have progressed to what we have today, do read the interesting books above and also take a look at this website: http://inventors.about.com/library/blcoindex.htm (last accessed 11 June 08). It has quite a detailed timeline of information on the people who invented different types of computers.

For more information on computers, you may find the following books useful:
1) Computer & Communication
J 004.6 COM

2) Computer by Anne Rooney
J 004.16 ROO

3) 101 fantastic things to do with your computer by Tony & Liz Wheeler
J 004.16 WHE

If you wish to find out more about inventors and other inventions,
1) Machines and Inventions by David Jefferis
J 608 JEF

2) Great Inventions: Everyday life by Paul Dowswell
J 609 DOW

3) 100 Great Inventors
J 608.72 ONE


As for your second question on who invented cars, this is another question to which there isn't a straightforward answer. As there were different forms of automobiles in the past such as those running on steam, gasoline or electricity, therefore there were also different times and people of which these were invented by. You may wish to visit this Library of Congress website to obtain some clarity: www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/auto.html

To give you an interim answer, the first petrol-driven motor cars were made possible by the invention of the internal-combustion engine in 1863. The first motor cars, produced during the 1880s by a German engineer, Karl Benz, were known as 'horseless carrieges’.

Source:
Transport / Nigel Smith, pg. 6 (call no. Y R STU q388.09 SMI-[TPT])

In the 1880s, German engineers Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler worked independently to produce the first petrol engine. In 1885, Karl Benz built his flimsy motorized tricycle, the first petrol-powered car.

Source:
Dorling Kindersley children's illustrated encyclopedia / [senior editor, Ann Kramer]. pg. 126 (call no. J R 032 DOR)

Here are some additional websites where you can find more information:
http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/Car_History.htm
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/dec96/844045821.Eg.r.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile
(last accessed 11 June 08)
*For the above weblinks, you are advised to click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing.

You may also check on the following titles available in the library:

1) Karl Benz / Brian Williams.
Call no: J 925 WIL

2) Great auto makers and their cars / Robert Italia.
Call no: Y 629.20922 ITA (Available only at Geylang East Library)

3) A history of cars / by David Corbett.
Call no: J 629.222 COR

4) The story of cars / Katie Daynes
Call no: J 629.222 DAY

To check on the availability of any of the above books in our libraries, please visit www.pl.sg and click on 'Search NLB catalogue' on the left sidebar.

We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

How many minutes does it take to reach space?

Thank you for your enquiry.

You asked how many minutes it takes to reach space. I assume you mean how long it would take to reach outer space on a space shuttle.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a space shuttle travels at a speed of approximately 5 miles per second (8.04 km) and 17,500 miles per hour (28,164 km/h). The distance between Earth's surface and space is 100 km, hence it would take a space shuttle only 12 seconds to reach space.

If you are interested to read more about spaceflight, you may wish to check out these resources:

Print
Title: Space and spaceflight / written by Harry Ford and Kay Barnham.
Author: Ford, Harry.
Publisher: London : Puffin Books, 1995.
Call no.: J 523 FOR

Title: Voyage through space / Peter Grego.
Author: Grego, Peter.
Publisher: London : QED, 2007.
Call no.: J 629.4 GRE

Title: Can we travel to the stars? : space flight and space exploration / Andrew Solway.
Author: Solway, Andrew.
Publisher: Oxford : Heinemann Library, 2006.
Call no.: J 629.4 SOL

Title: Journey into space / by Gerry Bailey ; illustrated by Steve Boulter and Jan Smith.
Author: Bailey, Gerry.
Publisher: Minneapolis, Minn. : Picture Window Books, 2005.
Call no.: J 629.4 BAI

Title: The astronaut's survival guide / E. Young.
Author: Young, Emma.
Publisher: London : Puffin, 2004.
Call no.: J 629.45 YOU

The availability of these titles can be checked via our online catalogue at www.pl.sg.


Online
Spaceflight, last accessed from Wikipedia on 30 May 08 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceflight
NASA Human Space Flight, last accessed from NASA on 30 May 08 at http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/home/index.html
Spaceflight Now, last accessed on 30 May 08 at http://spaceflightnow.com

We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

Safety Precautions

Hi,
 
I like to know
 
1) What are the safety precautions one can follow for home and office in the event of earthquake?
 
2) What are the natural disasters that are found in Nanjing, China?
 
3) What are the specific safety measures for each natural disasters that are found in Nanjing, China?
 
Thank you.

Thank you for your enquiry.

(1) According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the following are precautions to take in the event of an earthquake:

• When tremor occurs:
- Keep calm and take cover under a desk, table or against interior walls. Stay away from windows, outside doors or walls, display shelves and anything that can fall and hurt you, such as lighting, furniture or fixtures;
- Do not rush for the exit which may start a stampede;
- If you are outdoors, stay away from buildings and overhead electrical cables. Remain in the open until the tremor stops;
- Do not use candles, matches or other naked flames during and after the tremor, as there might be a gas leak; and
- If driving, stop quickly and safely and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under trees, buildings, bridges, overpasses or overhead electrical cables.

• After vibrations have stopped:
- Do not touch any damaged electrical wiring. Report any gas leaks;
- Give help to those who are injured or who require assistance. Call the Police or SCDF if necessary; and
- Check your home for any structural defects and alert relevant authorities such as the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and HDB Essential Maintenance Service Unit.

In addition, here are some more precautions culled from various websites:

• During an earthquake:
- The most important thing is to remain calm.
- If you are indoors, stand in a doorway or crouch under a desk or table, away from windows or glass fixtures.
- If you are outdoors, stay away from objects such as light poles, buildings, trees and telephone or electric wires which could fall and injure you.

• After an earthquake:
- Check for injuries in your family and in the neighbourhood. Seriously injured persons should not be moved unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. First-aid should be administered, but only by someone who is qualified or has a working knowledge of first-aid.
- Turn off appropriate utilities. Do not use matches, lighters or open flame, appliances or electrical switches until you are sure that there are no gas leaks.
- Keep battery-operated radios and listen for emergency bulletins.
- Be prepared for additional earthquake shocks.

(2) Due to its sheer size, China is one of the countries most affected by natural disasters. Disasters such as drought, flooding and earthquakes have occurred in parts of China before and no particular state is especially prone to any specific form of natural disaster. I was not able to find any information on natural disasters that have occurred in the city of Nanjing in history. However, as earthquakes are much more common along fault lines, you may be interested in this web resource which maps seismic activity : neic.usgs.gov/neis/epic/epic_global.html (choose "Generate Map" under the Select Output Type field and "Significant Worldwide Earthquakes" under Search Parameters)
You can also find out more about earthquakes in China from the US Geological Survey website at earthquake.usgs.gov

Here are some resources on Nanjing that you may wish to read up on:
Print
Title Nanjing and the lower Yangzi : from the past to present / text and photos by Eric N. Danielson.
Author Danielson, Eric N.
Publisher Singapore : Times Editions-Marshall Cavendish, c2004.
915.1 DAN -[TRA]

Online
- Nanjing. (2007). In Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition [Web]. Retrieved May 20, 2008, from http://www.bartleby.com/65/na/Nanjing.html
- Nanjing. (2008). In Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008 [Web]. Retrieved May 20, 2008, from http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761573209/Nanjing.html
- Nanjing. (2008). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved May 20, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanjing

We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please take some time to fill in the survey below. You may also contact us again if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

Killer Litter

Originally asked on 06/04/2008:

Hey Librarian,

I would like to have some newspaper articles (Singapore) on killer litter, animal abuse, robberies / theft, vandalism - all happening @ HDB corridors / void decks.

I need these as additional resources for my P3 pupils who will be writing a situational composition exercise on Thursday (10 April), so I need them asap.

Thanxxx yah..

Thank you for your enquiry.

There are quite a few articles on vandalism, animal abuse, killer litter and etc at HDB corridors / void decks. Below are two of them. For more examples, you may like to access the Factiva database listed under "eResources" -> "eDatabases" -> "News" at the National Library Board website (http://www.nlb.gov.sg). In order to access the Factiva database, you must be a digital library member and you can sign up for it by selecting "Register your account" at the NLB homepage.

[1]

Singapore
Battling the killer litter menace
Jessica Cheam
739 words
5 December 2006
Straits Times
English
(c) 2006 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

Shortly after the town councils pledged to intensify efforts against killer litter last week, The Straits Times joined senior property officer Stella Wong on her rounds as she identified dangerously placed objects and issued stern warnings

IT WAS an accident waiting to happen.

A long bamboo pole, tied to a corridor railing with a flimsy piece of string, hung precariously from the fourth floor of Block 276, Bukit Panjang Road.

'Potential killer litter! So dangerous,' exclaimed Madam Stella Wong, on her daily inspection as a senior property officer for Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.

In plainclothes and trainers, Madam Wong, 37, marched up the stairs to the door of the HDB resident: 'Auntie, can you take down the pole outside, please? If that falls, someone walking below will surely get hurt.'

'So sorry,' said the elderly resident, shocked at the visit from The Straits Times team who accompanied Madam Wong last Thursday. 'This is only our first time. My husband put it out just for a day to dry clothes. We thought there was no harm.' .......


[2]

KITTY KICK AND CLICK SPARKS OUTRAGE
Teh Jen Lee
1355 words
25 September 2006
The New Paper
English
Copyright 2006, Singapore Press Holdings Limited

Man lures cat, then kicks it while friend catches act on handphone video

THE scene opens with a man in dark glasses walking along an HDB void deck, his feline victim trailing innocently a few steps behind him.The man turns and beckons to the black-and-white cat, then bends down to stroke it.

All this while, the person filming the act on a handphone camera gives out directions much as a director of a real film would.

He is heard saying 'slowly, slowly' to the man in the video. Then, he says what sounds like 'get ready', and then 'okay'.

The horror unfolds in a matter of seconds.

The man in the video gives the cat a vicious kick as if it is a football. Both men burst out laughing as the cat flies into the air and lands a few metres away. .......



We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

Hainan and Hokkien people

Originally asked on 06/04/2008:

can you tell me what holidays do hainan and hokkien people clebrate?
what special customs do hainan and hokkien people follow?

what foods do hokkien and hainan people eat?
can you send the reply to me by today
thank you very much!!!

Thank you for your enquiry.

Below is some information on Hainanese and Hokkien holidays or customs. Do note that they are not specific to people in Singapore. People from different dialect groups in Singapore are more likely to commemorate major Chinese customs such as Lunar New Year, Qing Ming and Mid-Autumn than they are the customs below which are practiced by native communities.

Here are some Hainan holidays/customs:
- Junpo festival : a festival for Han people to worship Madam Xian, a politician and national heroine who devoted her life to the development of local agriculture and economy
- Sanyuesan festival (also known as Coconut festival) : This takes place on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month of the year. Traditionally a festival meant for young Li & Miao men and women to sing, dance and celebrate life and love. An annual event at which the island province's coconut-associated cultural heritage and ethnic habits and customs are displayed
(source: http://www.sunnysanya.com/hainan_island/Hainan_Island_Culture_Festival.asp & http://www.chinareview.com/culture/festivals/hainan-coconut-festival/index.html)

The worship of Tian Gong or the Heavenly God by making offerings to the supreme deity on the ninth day of the first month in the lunar calendar is an example of a typical Hokkien custom.

Typical Hainanese food includes:
- Hainanese chicken rice (an assemblage of "white" (ginger and garlic) poached chicken and rice steamed in stock and chicken fat, served with cucumber, broth and dipping sauces)
- Hainanese western food
- Mutton soup
(sources:
- http://www.hainan-world.com/dir/hainanfood.html
- http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2003/yax-313.htm
- http://kuali.com/flavours/review.asp?file=flavours/2003/3/3haina&sec=flavours )

Typical Hokkien food includes:
- Hong Bak (braised pork in black soy sauce)
- Bak Ku Teh (stewed pork in herbal broth)
- Popiah (crepe roll filled with shredded vegetables)
- Hokkien mee (yellow egg noodles, typically served with prawns)
- Gnor Hiang (meat & shrimp roll)
(sources:
- http://kuali.com/flavours/review.asp?file=recfeature/2003/9/19hokki&sec=recfeature
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokkien_noodles
- http://food.rumspace.com/2007/07/08/beng-thin-hoon-kee-hokkien-restaurant/ )

*For the above weblinks, you are advised to please click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing.

We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

Cost of National Library building at Victoria Street

Thank you for your enquiry.

You asked about the cost of the National Library building at Victoria Street. The following was taken from the Factiva database:
"This building has a $203 million price tag, including interior design. That is about a third of what it cost to build the $600 million Esplanade."

Full text:
Saturday Special Report
A - Z Guide to the new National Library
Adeline Chia
1459 words
2 July 2005
Straits Times
English
(c) 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
A SPANKING new tower bordered on three sides by busy roads, the National Library Board's new headquarters at Victoria Street looms large amid the backpacker hostels, Housing Board blocks and the two-century-old buildings of North Bridge Road.
Staring up its 16 floors of glass walls, bespectacled bookworms would be stumped - whither the scholarly dust, the bookish stuffiness?
The slick, state-of-the-art facade of the headquarters is a sure sign that some change is afoot at the National Library, a much-loved institution in a country which has a literacy rate of 94 per cent.
But no need to hotfoot it down to the city centre when the new library throws open its doors onJuly 22.
We have sneaked a few peeks to bring you this bumper guide - including tips on what to look out for from its rooftop on a clear day.
AtmosphereNix your images of stuffy libraries where absent-minded academics pore over small print.
On all seven storeys of its reference library, there is mood lighting which - get this - changes colour from red to green to blue to cyan and magenta - every 15 minutes. Open-air gardens scattered all over the buildings are also lit by romantic warm light. But no hanky-panky, please.
Blockbuster This building has a $203 million price tag, including interior design. That is about a third of what it cost to build the $600 million Esplanade.
Command centreNo idle chit-chats around the water cooler at this new hub of knowledge. NLB's head honchos have their offices on Level 14 of the building.
Drama mama You will get more than just theatre scripts here as the National Arts Council's Drama Centre has moved here from Fort Canning.
Occupying Levels 3 to 6 are a 614-seat theatre, a 120-seat black box and a long bar on Level 3.
The theatre has air-conditioning vents under every seat. But worry not about having a Marilyn Monroe Seven-Year Itch moment - these vents produce a very gentle draft.
EclecticThe library's climate-controlled Rare Materials Collection on Level 13 is a showcase of antiques, housing its oldest publication, The History Of Trauayle In The West And East Indies, from 1577.
There is also a letter written by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.
Readers must write to the NLB to seek permission to view the rare materials - and handle them gently, with gloved hands.
Freebies
The NLB is inviting stalls to hand out freebies at its open-air plaza on the ground floor. Suggestions for such goodies include ice cream, yoga crash courses or bookmarks. All in the name of enticing bookworms to drop by more often.
GreenThere are 14 gardens in this building, where lush foliage covers a third of its total area. You can curl up in one of its two huge Zen gardens at Levels 5 and 10 and sink your teeth into that great read you just borrowed.
Everything here is so eco-friendly that the Building and Construction Authority has awarded the NLB top green honours: the Platinum Award for the Green Mark Scheme.
HappeningIf you thought the slick and classy library@esplanade and library@orchard were hip, you have not seen nothing yet. Swop literary gossip with a friend over coffee at Hans cafe. Or just cool your heels while waiting for a poetry recital or mini-concert to begin at one of the many exhibition venues.
Plus, there is the gorgeous rooftop Pod, a glass bubble with a 360-degree view. On a clear day, look southwards and you will see Indonesia.
IntergalacticWander about the massive, pristine-white structures at the vents plaza on the ground floor and feel like an extra in a Star Wars instalment. A far cry, certainly, from its red-brick predecessor at Stamford Road which was, sadly, demolished last March after 44 years.
JumboSpace, space everywhere. This new 58,000 sq m head-quarters is five times the size of the old one at Stamford Road, or the size of about 600 four-room HDB flats.
K-shapedIf you were flying by in a helicopter, you would see that this building is actually K-shaped from the top - thanks to two main blocks connected by covered walkways.
The larger library block houses the Lee Kong Chian reference library. The curved second block, which houses the gardens and commercial tenants, forms the arc of the 'K'.
Look-seeIf this guide has whetted your appetite for more, surf www.nlb.gov.sg for a virtual preview of the building at Virtual Flythrough, created by Singapore Polytechnic students.
My precious Dubbed the NLB's crown jewel, the seven-storey Lee Kong Chian reference library - spanning from Level 7 to Level 13 - is a treasure trove of 500,000 items ranging from country market reports to ultra-rare books on Malayan flora from the 19th century.
Nostalgia The St Andrew's Cross was literally ripped from the Stamford Road library entrance and recast in the new plaza on the side facing Victoria Street.
O Captain, My Captain Ahoy! Sail the South Seas with China's Admiral Zheng He, the gallant Muslim maritime hero, on the 600th anniversary of his maiden voyage to these parts. NLB's Zheng He and Maritime Asia Exhibition on the ground floor will showcase his contributions to economy, religion and technology in the region from Aug 13 to Feb 10 next year.
PostersRemember those 'Small Family, Happy Family', 'Be a Gracious Singaporean' and anti-spitting government posters of yore? These retro slogans are all on display in its Singapore and South-east Asian collections for you to better understand public policy changes over the years (or just for a giggle).
The collection includes political manifestoes, videos of past political rallies and records of election results.
Quiet alarms On top of the screaming ones, that is. There are strobe-lighting fire alarms for readers who are deaf, thanks to the input of seven focus groups which suggested that the NLB should install them. Vox populi rules - on this count.
RecycleIn its basement nestled amid bamboo trees is a 5,000-brick wall built from the remnants of the old Stamford Road library. Companies can buy a piece of history by commissioning sculptures from other salvaged bricks. Those with cash to spare can also bag a commemorative bookmark and a chunk of the Stamford Road HQ brick for $10 each, which goes to charity. Click on www.comchest.org.sg
Sunscreen Giant intelligent window blinds scroll down automatically when the sunis low enough in the sky to sneak past the fixed shades, usually around 4.30pm.
The building's lights also switch off automatically whenever there is enough daylight for one to read without squinting.
Triple joy Talk about a study to die for. At Level 11, there is a triple volume library floor with a book wall almost 6m high housing the Singapore and South-east Asian collections.
Underground You can now get your reading fix at the Central Lending Library in the basement, where 134,000 books, ranging from the arts to business management, are yours for the picking.
Remember to check out its collection of award-winning literature in all four languages.
Vertigo Stand at The Pod's edge on Level 16 and peer down a dizzying height of 102.8m to road level. Aiiiee!
But you will get to do so by invitation only. Someone tried to book it for a wedding, but the NLB said no. There is talk it may be used as a viewing gallery for the National Day fireworks.
Even the toilets have this killer view - they have glass walls so you can scan the horizon.
Wired Check out the NLB's enlarged Digital Library at www.nlb.gov.sg for digitised rare material. Coming soon: An expanded list of more than 40 online databases, such as the Bibliography of Asian Studies, Factiva and the NLB-owned Singapore Infopedia, which tells you all about the nation's roots. Log on at the NLB's computer terminals for 30 cents a minute or bring your laptop and surf wirelessly for free.
X-treme shelvingThere is a total of 15km of bookshelves in this building, which is roughly the length of the Central Expressway (15.5km).
Yesteryear Reading in Singapore goes back a long way, if you go by the permanent exhibition of library heritage from the 1800s on Level 10.
Zephyr
Hang on to your hats - its ground floor plaza is designed to be a wind trap, channelling air between the building's two blocks so that it is replete with zephyrs, or gentle breezes.

You can access Factiva via NLB corporate website at www.nlb.gov.sg. Follow the steps below:

Click on eResources
Click on eDatabases
Under Titles, click E - I
Browse down and look for Factiva.com

As for rental rates for NLB facilities, you can refer to this link: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/CPMS.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=LibraryGuide#facilities

We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.

How much effort do we need to be a teacher?

Thank you for your enquiry.

There is no easy or correct way to answer your question. The amount of effort needed to be a teacher is very much dependent on the individual and other factors. For example, one may argue that teaching in a kindergarten requires more effort than teaching in a university due to having to run after the children all the time and taking care that they do not hurt themselves. However, the university lecturer may in turn argue that teaching in a university requires more effort as they are preparing young adults for the real world and have to ensure that their skills and knowledge are up to date and that they are not passing on the wrong information. The amount of effort an individual puts into his work would also differ from person to person depending on factors such as how committed he or she is to the job, how much time the person has, or whether the person is aiming for a promotion and so on.

In general, teaching is considered much tougher now than it was, say, 20 years ago. Teachers have a set of restrictions they have to abide by in order to carry out their profession. They can no longer enforce corporal punishment as a means to discipline and parents have in turn spent more time at work and less with their children, both instances which has resulted in a new generation of unruly and disrespectful kids. There is also the pressure of ensuring that their students perform well so that the school would in turn do well enough to get a good position on the annual school ranking exercise.

Therefore, there is no doubt that teaching is an arduous task. Please refer to the following resources should you be interested in further reading.

Books
Title 1000 best new teacher survival secrets
Author Brenny, Kathleen
Publisher Naperville, Ill. : Sourcebooks, c2005.
Call No. English 371.1 BRE

Title How to survive your first year in teaching
Author Cowley, Sue
Publisher London : Continuum, 2003
Call No. English 371.102 COW

Title The call to brilliance : a true story to inspire parents and educators
Author Brown, Resa Steindel.
Publisher Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Fredric Press, c2006.
Call No. English 371.0420973 BRO

Database
Saturday Special Report
Teaching - it's all about giving kids wings to fly
891 words
1 September 2007
Straits Times
English
(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

Saturday Special Report
Because of the children
1183 words
25 August 2007
Straits Times
English
(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

President's Award for 4 inspiring teachers
Jane Ng
572 words
31 August 2007
Straits Times
English
(c) 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

ST Forum
Satisfaction from seeing students succeed in life
252 words
12 April 2005
Straits Times
English
(c) 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

ST Forum
Lighten their load before more quit
302 words
26 March 2005
Straits Times
English
(c) 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

You can access Factiva via NLB corporate website at www.nlb.gov.sg. Follow the steps below:

Click on eResources
Click on eDatabases
Under Titles, click E - I
Browse down and look for Factiva.com


We hope that the above has been useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance.

Thank you for using the ASK! service.