The Electronic Newsletter of the Palm Beach County Library System

Contents:
1/ Introduction to Books & Bytes
2/ Web Site Changes
3/ Useful Web Links Section Highlight
4/ Reader's Advisory Section Highlight
5/ In Next Month's Issue

1/ Introduction to Books & Bytes

Welcome to the January issue of Books & Bytes. This month we will focus on the big changes we made to the web site this month. We will explore another area of our Useful Web Links, the "Science & Mathematics" section. Finally, we will look at the "General Sites for Readers/Writers" provided in our Reader's Advisory.

We hope you enjoy receiving Books & Bytes. Please let us know what you think of our publication by writing to: webmaster@pbclibrary.org

2/ Web Site Changes

With the New Year came a few changes to the design of www.pbclibrary.org. We have reorganized the layout in order to make our resources more accessible to our users. Let us take a moment to point out the major changes.

One of the great features of our web site is the ability to quickly locate books and videos in our catalog. So we have placed the "Search the Library Catalog" menu in the top left-hand corner. To start a search, select your branch from the list of locations in the drop-down menu. Once you make a selection, you will immediately be taken to our "Catalog Search" page, with the holdings at your library displayed first.

Many people visit our web site in order to check due dates for items they have borrowed. We have made this easier to do with "Check your Library Card Account" at the top of every page. To access your account, enter your full library card number (i.e. D012345678) and your PIN. Unless otherwise specified, your PIN will be the last four digits of your telephone number. From your account page, you may check due dates, renew books, discover the status of your requests, and learn the amount of any fines you may owe.

If you are confused about any of the features in our catalog or library card account section, we have made help readily available. In the left-side column, you may access our "Catalog and Account" help pages. Provided in this section are steps on how to renew your books, a library card FAQ, and catalog search help. We hope these pages will answer your questions quickly. If you are still baffled, please e-mail the "webmaster@pbclibrary.org" for further assistance.

For our Spanish speaking patrons, we now provide important library information in Spanish. Our "Español" page provides an overview of library services, loan periods, and locations all on one easy page. We hope to add more information in Spanish on our web site over the coming year.

The World Wide Web is a constantly changing environment, so we endeavor to keep "www.pbclibrary.org" current and easy to use. Please pass along your comments and suggestions on how we can better serve you on the Internet. You may contact us at: webmaster@pbclibrary.org

3/ Useful Web Links Highlight

As a regular feature each month, we examine one section of our Useful Web Links. Our web directory is compiled by librarians who apply their knowledge and experience of the Internet to locate the best web sites for each topic.

Do you dream of space flight? Have you ever wondered how a photocopier makes copies? Are you working out Pi to the last digit? The answers to these problems can all be found in "Science & Mathematics"

Whether you are an aspiring scientist or simply want the answer to a question, our science links are for you. Information about the environment is available through "Envirofacts" from the EPA, while rankings of pollution problems can be found at "Scorecard," produced by the Environmental Defense Fund. Local news about your water supply is available at the "South Florida Water Management" web site. If Space is your passion, then check out NASA's home page and their "Human Spaceflight" center, or help in the search for life beyond Earth at "SETI." Or if you simply want to know how stuff works, check out "How Stuff Works" to find descriptions of technology from automobiles to photocopiers. Finally, "Science Made Simple" is a resource for all those who are scientifically-challenged.

Our math resources will help students and the general public crunch numbers faster. The "Eisenhower National Clearinghouse" provides curricula for grades K-12 and for professional development. For those who enjoy a good challenge, check out the "Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles" page for some classic and novel mind-benders. You can find a wide range of calculators to suit any need at "Martindale's Calculators Online Center." Finally, the "Math Forum" provides activities, resources, and person-to-person interaction to improve your math skills.

So if you have a science or math question, please take time to view the many offerings available in the "Science & Mathematics" section of Useful Web Links.

4/ Reader's Advisory Highlight

Looking for more information on famous and not "so" famous literature? Do you want to delve deeper into a genre? Or do you simply want to read a good book? As a regular feature each month, we examine one page of our Reader's Advisory. This month, we will explore our General Sites for Readers/Writers.

Book lovers of all types will find great resources in this section. "BookBrowser" provides over 2,000 reviews, reading lists, forthcoming titles, author information - plus sections on series and sequels and mysteries by region. "Booktalk" is the publishing insiders page with information about authors, publishers, agents, and bookstores. "Overbooked" is a web site which specializes in literary and genre fiction--annotated lists of fiction and mystery books, reviews, new books, hot links, and author information.

If writing is your passion, we have provided links to important writing resources. The "National Writers Union" is a trade union for freelancers: journalists, book authors, poets, novelists and business-technical writers. Dues are scaled depending on your income from writing. The "Painted Rock Writers and Readers Colony" provides online help for readers and writers--especially writers. This site contains writing and research classes, critiquing and editing, home page design and domain for authors, authors discussion groups, a research listserv, and the Rock magazine with editor interviews, author profiles, and articles on writing. Finally, "The Writers Guild of America" offers Lists of agents, advice for writers, negotiation help and a myriad of pertinent information for writers at this web site.

Whether you are an aspiring writer or simply wish to read a good book, take a peek at our General Sites for Readers/Writers section of Reader's Advisory.

5/ Next Month in Books & Bytes

Shake your family tree by exploring our brand new "Genealogy Research" service. Allow us to point you towards the tools you need to track down elusive names and birth dates.