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.