What the library has to offer goes beyond just print books. We have many great books available in digital format for free. Visit our website to discover the online resources available to you at all times. Let’s look at the databases you can use with a Juniata County library card. Start on our website, https://www.juniatalibrary.org/programs-services/digital-resources. On our website, under the ‘Ask Us Anything’ section, I have created videos that show you how to use each of these databases.

EBSCOhost

Do you need a place to obtain research for a school assignment? You can search for thousands of eBooks, academic journal articles, magazines, images and more. You are able to narrow down your search results to a publication date range, as many classes require you to use resources from the last few years. Next, you can view the full text of your result and jump to a chapter or section, cite the source, and export it to Google Drive and other services. This is a gold mine for quality reference materials.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center

This database offers detailed repair guides for all types of small engines, as well as resources that support routine maintenance (tune-ups, brake service), and extensive repairs, such as engine and transmission disassembly. You can search for walk-behind mowers and weed trimmers, look each up by brand or specific model, and view their full manual as a PDF. You can print or download the PDF, too. These manuals are hard to find online. The manuals provide detailed information accompanied by graphics. You can check the type of oil and gas you should use with them, as well as information on the spark plug and more.

Auto Repair Source

This database offers accurate, authoritative, and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles. You can pull up information on a car and see images and details that are useful for ongoing maintenance, repairs, or simply understanding things like diagnostic trouble codes. You can look up what maintenance is needed based on the mileage range, such as what should be done at 50,000 miles. You can even easily print what you are viewing, so you can take it with you out to the garage.

Teacher Reference Center

A complementary research database for teachers, Teacher Reference Center (TRC) provides indexing and abstracts for more than 230 peer-reviewed journals. Subjects include assessment, best practices, continuing education, curriculum development and much more.

GreenFILE

A free research database covering all aspects of human impact on the environment. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles includes content on global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling and other related topics. Library Journal describes GreenFILE as “a welcome addition with its clear message of ‘focusing on the relationship between human beings and the environment’ with the emphasis on the ‘connection between the environment and disciplines such as agriculture, education, law, health and technology.'”

These resources are made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and through Library Access Funds administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, Governor.

Book of the week!

If you are going to read one book, give this one a try…

Broken by X. Fang

(New kids picture book: family, multigenerational, Asian American) ~ 48 pages for ages 3-7

In a nutshell: After accidentally breaking a relative’s treasured possession, a child worries about facing the consequences.

While playing with Mimi the cat, Mei Mei, a youngster of Chinese descent, bumps a table and smashes a cup belonging to Ama (Grandmother). Mei Mei runs off, terrified. But Ama isn’t mad; she blames the incident on Mimi and sets about serving tea. Will Mei Mei get away with it? No, Mei Mei’s guilty conscience makes enjoying Ama’s cake impossible, especially with Mimi’s accusing stares.

Mei Mei runs off to hide in the closet. When the youngster finally comes clean, Ama reveals that she has a talent for fixing things. She points out that “every patch and every repair tells a story.” Her favorite cup now has a rich story to tell. Fang’s digitally colored pencil artwork uses an innovative mix of compositions to advance the narrative’s emotional arc. Mei Mei’s vivid imaginings (“What if Ama yells at me? What if Ama kicks me out?”) are depicted in panels, while well-placed close-ups and dramatic perspectives capture the child’s inner turmoil with cinematic flair; an especially effective scene intercuts Mimi’s silently judgmental face with images of the cake.

Laudably, Fang makes room for both laugh-out-loud humor and moments of genuine empathy; rife with homey details, her softly rounded illustrations exude warmth.

Bottom line: A common childhood experience, conveyed with an uncommon mix of sensitivity, mirth and heart.

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Vince Giordano has been the librarian and director of the Juniata County Library since 2015.