Full service ConsumerReports.org is now available through KCLS. Use it in our libraries or from anywhere you've got web access - all you need is your KCLS library card.
The Bellevue Jazz Festival is back! And one of the highlights of this year's festival is the appearance of the Mingus Big Band. Charles Mingus was one of the most creative, wide-ranging and tempestuous of jazz bassists and composers, and although he is now long gone, his band lives on.
Mingus' own groups, often called "Jazz Workshops" could be cacophonously bluesy or the hardest swinging of the avant-garde and his influence and impact only gets larger every year.
The Mingus Big Band is one of those rare 'ghost bands' which seems to have absorbed all the crucial lessons from its late leader and should rock the house on Saturday, May 23.
Still want more? Check out all the Mingus music you can listen to via our newly expanded database, Music Online.
My favorite trick with the library's ProQuest database is that I can search by author for articles: do a search for your favorite essayist, like David Sedaris or Sarah Vowell and there's no need to wait as anxiously for their next anthology!
African American Song provides streaming music from 16,000 historical tracks in African American musical traditions. Because the music streams and is not downloadable, the interface is very easy to use.
Find music by your favorite artist, a particular instrument, a genre, or a time period. The folks from African American Song have also created great themed playlists such as Washboard Bands, Blues Sirens, and Boogie-Woogie.
While most of this database's content is music, there is helpful text. Scans of original liner notes accompany many tracks, and themed playlists offer a short history of the theme.
Take a look, and listen to same great American roots music while you work on your computer!
KCLS databases offer a helping hand for career exploration and resume creation. The Resume Builder database allows you to create impressive resumes and coverletters . You just need your library card and an email address to get started. There are many other career-related databases that are also accessible from the KCLS website. Also, Worksource of Seattle-King County lists resources for job-hunters and can connect you to one-on-one help.
We have many exciting programs happening this week for job seekers, please check out our Look to Your Library events
Tips for applying for jobs online:
| When times get tough, look to your library for information, ideas and inspiration. Find much more at Look To Your Library......especially now! |
The first step is often to apply for unemployment benefits. The Washington State Employment Security Department website has a step-by-step guide to help you through this process. Looking for a new job is usually the next step, and Worksource of Seattle-King County has many resources for job-hunters. If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for special services related to finding a new job.
Part of the stress of job loss is the uncertainty of how to adjust to a reduced income. The University of Minnesota Extension has prepared a helpful publication that deals with both the emotional and financial issues related to income loss. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides an online guide to avoiding foreclosure.
Our Just Laid Off? page also has links to some online resources that are accessible through the KCLS website, including WOIS/The Career Information System, a source for career information that is specific to Washington State. In this single location, you can find job descriptions, educational requirements and salary estimates for a wide array of careers. If you are considering additional schooling, WOIS has a section on educational programs, as well.
Naturally, the library has many books to help you manage the loss of your job, including Suddenly Unemployed: Encouraging & Practical Steps for Finding a Job or Career Match: Connecting Who You are with What You'll Love to Do. Search our online catalog or check out the ready-to-view searches on the Just Laid Off? page for inspiration.
| When times get tough, look to your library for information, ideas and inspiration. Find much more at Look To Your Library......especially now! |
How in the world do you find just the right person to contact in the kinds of companies you want to work for or sell to? And how do you research your competition if you want to open a small business? Reference USA to the rescue! This is KCLS' most frequently used database and has been for more than five years now. It is THE goldmine for connecting with companies, getting names and info for sales leads and generating mailing lists. The library has paid your subscription to this valuable database for you!
The initial screens can seem intimidating - you'll see that you can choose from a number of options and searches. As with a lot of things on the computer, let's ignore most of it and just concentrate on what we need. Today we'll walk through a common question librarians get asked about. Say you're a salesman (or looking for a job!) and want to identify mom-and-pop hair salons in the Bellevue, WA area. You need to target a specific industry, business size and geography and the Yellow Pages just doesn't give you enough tools to do this - but take heart! It's easy with Reference USA.
