On the technical side, we have set up new software to distribute Books & Bytes. It will make the delivery process much faster and easier. If you need to change the e-mail address that receives this publication, please visit our web site and do it through a simple form. (http://www.pbclibrary.org/booksandbytes.htm)

The most popular resource that the library system offers is our catalog. The library owns over a million items, including books, audio books, music CD’s, and videos. Records of these items are kept in our online catalog. Usually, it is a very simple to the find items you are interested in. But on occasion, search results may be baffling. To help, here are a few tips to ensure that you always find the items you want.

* Select your branch first! - When you start a search in our catalog, you must select a home branch. In the search results, items at your branch will appear first. To learn if other branches in the library system have that item, click on "Additional Holdings."

* No "The", "A" or "An" please - Drop these articles from your title. For example, a search for "The Great Gatsby" would be entered "Great Gatsby."

* Cut to the right - All searches are automatically truncated to the right. Meaning that a subject search for "cat" would produce results for "cats", "catacombs", "Catalin" and "cataloging."

* With authors, last is first - When searching for an author, enter the last name first, i.e. "Grisham, John."

* Spelling counts - Our catalog is not smart enough to figure out incorrect spelling. Double-check your search to make sure all the letters are in the right place.

* Keyword works wonders! - Sometimes, an author, title, or subject search just won’t do. For these occasions, use a keyword search. Some of the best keyword search results occur when you choose unique words. For example, to find all the Donald Westlake novels featuring the character John Dortmunder, type in the keyword "dortmunder."

* Keyword combines basic searches - In keyword, you can create a search that combines author, title, and subject information. For example, to locate all the stories about robots written by Isaac and Jane Asimov, use the search "asimov and robot."

* Be Boolean - Keyword searches work well with these Boolean operators: And, Or and Not. "And" searches force the two words on either side to be in the record, narrowing the search (i.e. "super" and "bowl"). An "Or" search looks for either word in the item record thus widening the search ("cats" or "dogs"). Words to the right of "Not" are excluded from the results, resulting in a narrow search ("python" not "monty").

1/ Can I reserve books online?

Answer: At present, it is not possible to reserve a book through our web site. However, you may call your local branch and reserve a book by phone. In the future, we hope to add the option of online reserving as we upgrade our catalog.

West Atlantic Avenue Branch is pleased to present its Third Annual Community Fair! The event will take place in the big Meeting Room at the branch, located at 7777 West Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. All are welcome and admission is free.

Join us and get involved with the community. Over 30 diverse groups and organizations will be represented, each of whom is looking for willing volunteers or members. Get to know the community you live in, and become a part of a worthwhile effort.

Once again, the Delray Medical Center will be offering free blood cholesterol screenings. Also, the Property Appraiser's Office will be on hand to demonstrate the quick and easy way to learn the purchase price of any house in your neighborhood! Raffles will be drawn on the half hour, and many County organizations will offer useful and timely information and flyers.

Come celebrate with us! For more information about West Atlantic Avenue branch, including directions, please visit:

Florida Governor Jeb Bush has declared February 2001 Library Appreciation Month, a time for library patrons throughout the State to express thanks to their local library. In his Proclamation Governor Bush praises libraries for "programs for children, families, adults and elders to enrich their understanding of the world"; making access to information more accessible through electronic networks; supporting a competitive workplace; and providing residents of Florida "entry to important research."

Palm Beach County Library patrons are being encouraged to visit their library in person or through the Web, and take a few minutes to express their appreciation in writing. Teachers in schools throughout the County are also urged to ask students to write brief essays to say why they think the library is important to them.

Send us your comments at: www.pbclibrary.org/lib-comment.htm

Read the proclamation at: www.pbclibrary.org/lib-appreciation.htm

5/ Dr. Bones in Belle Glade

Wed. Feb. 28, 3:45 p.m.

DR. BONES

"Dr. Bones" from the Boca Children's Museum will be coming to the Belle Glade Branch Library. She will be bringing bones and skulls and will discuss how forensic anthropologists determine a person's time of death and the age of old bones. For ages 8 and up.

6/ Next Month

Watch for an introduction to the InfoTrac collection of databases.