What do the colors of the Irish flag represent?

The Irish flag was introduced by Thomas Francis Meagher in 1848. The green represents the Irish people, most of whom most are Catholic. The orange color represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century most of whom are Protestant. The white in the center represents the peace between the two groups. Thomas Meagher on the meaning of the Irish flag said, "The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between the Orange and the Green; and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in heroic brotherhood."

* Be sure to show your Irish spirit and love of the library while the library marches in the 53^rd annual Friendly Son’s of Saint Patrick Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday March 11^th.

Source: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/europe/ireland/flag.shtml

Which U.S. President had the most children?

John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States from April 4, 1841 to March 4, 1845 fathered more children than any other president. With his two wives, Tyler fathered 15 children. He had eight children with first wife Letitia Tyler and seven children with his second wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler.

Source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_president_had_the_most_children#ixzz1n4PFq5pU

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www.twitter.com/wwlibrary

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When was Black History Month first celebrated?

Black History Month, which acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of African American culture, and people, started in 1926 as “Negro History Week.” Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week. Dr. Woodson, whose parents were former slaves, graduated from high school at age twenty and went on to earn a PhD from Harvard. While there he was disturbed that history books ignored the African American population, so he established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, the Journal of Negro History and launched Negro History week on Feb. 12, 1926. The date was chosen to acknowledge the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States who helped abolish slavery, and Frederick Douglass, a leader in the abolitionist movement. In 1986, Congress officially designated February as National Black (Afro-American) History Month.

Source: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html

The Chinese New Year begins on January 23rd. What animal is represented this year and what does it mean?

Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese holiday. The Chinese celebrate with parades, festivals, feasts and parties to celebrate the end of the winter season and the start of spring. The Chinese Year of the Dragon is in 2012. Astrology is very important to the Chinese and the dragon is one of their most important symbols. The dragon is one of the twelve animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac, and is considered the luckiest year. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represented an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate symbol signifying success and happiness, bringing luck to all those born in a year of the dragon, and to everyone in 2012!

Source: http://www.about-sichuan-china.com/year-of-the-dragon.html

What is the history of the nutcracker?

Since the beginning of time, nuts have been a large part of the food supply, and therefore ways of opening nuts had to be created. Early civilizations opened nutshells with stones if they were too hard to open with teeth. The oldest known metal nutcracker dates to the third or fourth century B.C. Iron nutcrackers were first used in the 13^th century and brass nutcrackers were used in the 14^th and 15^th centuries. At first, these metal nutcrackers were hand shaped, but in later centuries, hot metals were poured into molds.

Wooden nutcrackers were later introduced and were simply two pieces of wood fastened together by a leather strap or metal hinge. In the 15th and 16th centuries, wood carvers in France and England were creating beautiful wooden nutcrackers and by the 18th and 19th Centuries, carvers in Austria, Switzerland and northern Italy were producing nutcrackers in the likeness of animals and humans. Standing wooden nutcrackers in the form of soldiers and kings appeared in Germany by the 1800s, and the term “Nussknacker” appeared in the dictionary of the Brothers Grim. It was defined as “often in the form of a misshaped little man, in whose mouth the nut, by means of a leaver or screw, is cracked open”. Today many wooden toy soldier nutcrackers are manufactured in Germany to meet the demands of collectors in the U.S. This interest is renewed each year by the many productions of the Nutcracker Ballet.

Source: http://www.nutcrackermuseum.com/history.htm

How many new quarters will there be in the America the Beautiful Quarter series?

The America the Beautiful series, which released the first quarter In April 2010, will have 56 quarters with staggered release dates until 2021. There will be five designs each year, each depicting a national park or national site from each state, federal district and U.S. territory. The Rhode Island Coin will feature the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_the_Beautiful_Quarters

What is the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time?

The highest grossing Christmas movie of all time was the 1990 hit Home Alone. It brought in $285.8 million dollars during its original release, making it the 37^th highest grossing film of all time. Home Alone is also in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the highest comedy box office grosses with $533 million internationally. The 2000 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is second with $260 million and Home Alone 2 is third with $173.6 million.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-nashville/top-grossing-christmas-movies

Who was the first woman elected to U.S. Congress?

Jeanette Rankin, a Republican from Montana, was the first woman elected to Congress on November 6, 1916. Jeannette Rankin was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress, and the first woman elected to a national legislature in any western democracy.

Source: http://womenshistory.about.com/od/congress/a/jeanette_rankin.htm

What is the most expensive university in the U.S.?

Determining the price of tuition at a college or university can be confusing as the sticker price is not always the true cost of tuition. There is a growing gap between the list price and net price of schools, which makes the true cost of college tuition somewhat unreliable.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, the most expensive school was listed as Bates College in Maine. The tuition at Bates is $51,300 however; this price includes fees and living expenses. If the price did not include those, it would not be ranked as the most expensive school. George Washington University is the most expensive university not including living expenses with tuition at $41,655. Penn State is also ranked as the most expensive public university with annual in-state tuition of $14,416.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/college-inc/post/feds-unveil-list-of-most-expensive-colleges/2011/06/30/AGVGi9rH_blog.html

How did the Day of the Dead become a holiday?

Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and around the world, where family and friends gather to pray for and remember friends and family who have died.

Over 500 years ago when the Spanish Conquistadores arrived in what is now Mexico, they noticed the indigenous people practicing a custom that mocked death. The indigenous people had been practicing this for almost 3,000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. Unlike the Spaniards who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as a continuation of life and did not fear death but embraced it. The Spaniards viewed these practices as sacrilegious and thought of the indigenous people as barbaric and pagans. The Spaniards attempted to convert the natives to Catholicism and stop the practice of the ritual, but it would not die. To make the ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved it so it coincided with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (Nov. 1 and 2), which is when it is celebrated today.

Source: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html

Why does the harvest moon have a red orange color?

A harvest moon is a full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. It is the first full moon closest to the equinox and once every four years it occurs in October. The harvest moon gets its orange color from the scattering of light from the atmosphere. When the moon is near the horizon, the moonlight has to pass through much more atmosphere than when the moon is directly overhead. The atmosphere then scatters the green, blue and purple components of the moonlight, which is reflected white light from the sun, and allows the reddish components of light to travel to the human eye, thus giving the harvest moon its red orange color.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvest_moon

Why is Columbus Day celebrated in October?

Columbus Day, which first became a Federal holiday in 1937, celebrates the Anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Since 1971, Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day

What is Grace Hopper's famous quote on forgiveness?

Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and a United States Navy Officer who died in 1992. She is famous for her quote "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission.”

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper

Submitted by: Laurie Dumas, Reference Assistant and Maureen Delovio, Head of Reference

Why does hair turn gray?

A tissue called the hair follicle surrounds the root of every strand of hair. Each follicle contains pigment cells that produce melanin, the chemical that gives hair its color. As a person ages the pigment cells in the hair follicles gradually die. When there are fewer pigment cells the strand of hair does not contain as much melanin and becomes a more transparent color such as white, silver or gray.
Source: http://kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/getting_older/gray_hair.html

What is the most popular dog in the United States?

According to the American Kennel Club, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the United States. This makes it the 20^th consecutive year that the Labrador Retriever is the top breed in the U.S.

Source: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4293

What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Rhode Island?

The hottest temperature recorded in Rhode Island was 104° Fahrenheit on August 2, 1975 in Providence. While the lowest temperature recorded, was -25° Fahrenheit on February 6, 1996 at T.F. Greene.

Sources: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wheat7.htm

http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/ri_geography.htm

Who invented the nurse’s cap?

Florence Nightingale is credited as being the creator of the nurse’s cap. She believed that there needed to be professionalism in nursing and developed a uniform to give nurses a professional look. The nurse’s cap was designed after a nun’s habit as a way to pay homage to the nuns who were the earliest nurses.

Source: http://i.nursegroups.com/nursing-article/history-nurses-cap.html

What is the longest bridge in the United States?

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana is the longest bridge not only in the U.S., but also in the world. It is also the longest over-water highway in the world. The causeway, which is 23.83 miles long, consists of two parallel bridges that cross Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Pontchartrain_Causeway

Who invented algebra?

The word "algebra" is named after the Arabic word "al-jabr," which comes from the book ”The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing” written by Muslim mathematician Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi. The book, written in 830 CE, explains "Al-jabr" or algebra to mean completion, or subtracting a number from both sides of an equation.

Source: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/317171/al-Khwarizmi

How does a member of the military receive a Medal of Honor?

The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor given by the U.S. Government. The President awards the medal in the name of Congress to members of the U.S. Armed Forced who exemplify themselves as "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Members of all branches of the armed forces are eligible to receive the medal, and each branch has a different version (one for the Army, one for the Air Force, and one for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Honor

How did “Pomp and Circumstance” become the processional march at graduations?

"Pomp and Circumstance” was composed by Sir Edward Elgar in 1901, and was originally written for the coronation of King Edward VII, and was not intended to be used at graduations. The music became associated with graduations in 1905, when Elgar received an honorary doctorate from Yale University. At the ceremony, the recessional music was “Pomp and Circumstance.” The music made such an impression that other universities such as Princeton, Colombia, and Rutgers used it in their graduation ceremonies the following year. By the mid 1920s, most colleges and high schools incorporated the music into their ceremonies. Today, “Pomp and Circumstance” is known in the United States as the “graduation song.”

Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1273081

How and when was Mother’s Day originated in the United States?

Mother’s day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, was first conceptualized in the U.S. in 1870. It was not however until 1905 that the Mother’s day celebration we know now was established. Anna Jarvis is recognized as the founder and “Mother of Mother’s Day.” Jarvis got the inspiration for Mother’s Day from her own mother as she wanted to honor all mothers, living and dead, and pay tribute to the contributions made by them. On May 10, 1905, the first Mother’s Day was celebrated in Jarvis’ hometown and by 1911 it was celebrated in almost every state. On May 8, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, thus making it an official holiday.

Source: http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/

How is the date for Easter determined?

The Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) set the date of Easter as the Sunday following the paschal full moon, which is the full moon that falls on or after the spring equinox.

Source: www.christianity.about.com

Where did the saying “April showers bring May flowers originate”?

This is a popular rhyme often heard around springtime, and can be traced back to the mid 1500s. In 1557, Thomas Tusser in his work “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry” wrote, “Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers.”

Source: Wikipedia.org

Are the large nests high in the trees squirrel nests?

Squirrels live in nests called “dreys” that they build which are made of twigs and leaves. The inside of their nests are lined with soft materials such as feathers for comfort. Squirrels usually build their nests high in a tree between two strong branches. The nests are high enough so that they are protected ground predators, but not too high or the nest will be destroyed by the winds. Squirrels will also build their dens in a hollow tree cavity.

Source: http://www.squirrels.org/faq.html

What is this job binder I keep hearing about?

The West Warwick Public Library has a wonderful volunteer who finds local jobs online and organizes them by the type of job in a binder for us. Patrons may copy any job listing or apply online right at the library! The binder is located on the first floor across from the Circulation Desk. Jobs are updated weekly.

What is our paper money made of?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, our paper is “composed of 75% cotton and 25% linen.”

Source: The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
www. moneyfactory.gov/faqlibrary.html

Submitted by Laurie Dumas, Reference Assistant

Does the library have tax forms?

We have the Federal forms on the first floor across from the Circulation Desk. Rhode Island no longer sends out forms, but we can print them out for you for .15 per page upstairs in the Reference Department. We are happy to help you print out the forms; however, library staff members are not tax professionals. We are unable to offer advice or help filling out forms.

More information about e-readers...

Because so many of our patrons received ebook readers for the holidays, we are repeating this question! The site is a little slow right now due to the large amount of usage. Please be patient, we promise it will be worth the wait!

You can download titles from our website to your e-reader. Our Overdrive e-books are available for most of today’s most popular e-readers including the Nook, the Sony E-reader, Kobo, iPad, and most phones. Currently, the Kindle is not compatible with Overdrive titles.

To browse the e-book collection, just go to our website and click on Catalog. There will be a link on the front page for E-Zone Digital Downloads. Click on this and the collection is in your hands! Or, stop by and we will be happy to show you how to download titles directly to your device.

Just because you have the newest technology, that does not mean you have to pay for all of your e-books. Let us help you enjoy your newest reading device for free this holiday season!

Can I download titles from the library to my e-reader?

You can download titles from our website to your e-reader. Our Overdrive e-books are available for most of today’s most popular e-readers including the Nook, the Sony E-reader, Kobo, iPad, and most phones. Currently, the Kindle is not compatible with Overdrive titles.

To browse the e-book collection, just go to our website and click on Catalog. There will be a link on the front page for E-Zone Digital Downloads. Click on this and the collection is in your hands! Or, stop by and we will be happy to show you how to download titles directly to your device.

Just because you have the newest technology, that does not mean you have to pay for all of your e-books. Let us help you enjoy your newest reading device for free this holiday season!

Does the library have any resources to help me find a job?

YES!!! We know how tough times are and we are looking for ways to expand our resources to help you find the work you need and love. Of course, we have books on writing resumes and cover letters. Learn the most common interview questions and how to ace the interview before ever walking in the door. But, that is only a small portion of our offerings.

We also have a book of job listings that is updated twice a week. Local job listings for various occupations and skill levels are compiled for the ease of our residents. This binder can be located across from the circulation desk with several of our job hunting guides.

And yet still, we offer a job club for people to network with other job hunters and learn insider tips about the best way to find a job in a tough economy. Vocational Counselor Steve Colella has over twenty years of experience and has helped many of our members to find work, enter programs to improve their skills, and decide on the best way to enter a new field.

Do you have something that can help me learn a foreign language?

YES!!! The library now has access to Mango Languages an online language learning program. English speakers can choose from 22 different languages and ESL speakers have access to learn English from 15 languages. This is a free resource you can enjoy at the library or in the comfort of your own home.

Videos, games, and tutorials will have you speaking your chosen language in no time. Stop by the library and we will be happy to walk you through the first steps or you can find it at home by going to our website, www.wwlibrary.org and clicking on the AskRI.gov icon in the lower right hand corner.

Have fun with this new free resource! Or should we say ¡diviértase!or ayez l'amusement! or 재미를 보십시오!?

Are you on Facebook?

YES!!! Become our fan at West Warwick Public Library on Facebook. Each week we post a new website that we think is fun or useful (and sometime both) and that many people aren't talking about-yet. We also post information about the latest events at the library, hours, and new releases. Become a fan and help support the library today!

Do you offer computer classes?

Yes! Each month we offer several classes free of charge for patrons who would like to learn new skills or refresh their current computer knowledge.

Class listings for the current month are available on the first. You can stop by or call the library to reserve your space. Since space is limited, we ask that if you cannot attend, please let us know so that we can offer someone else an opportunity to participate. There is no limit to how many classes you can attend.

We schedule classes on a month to month basis depending on the teachers available and interest from our patrons. Let us know what classes you want to take and we will do our best to provide it in the upcoming quarter.

There are a few things you need to know before you sign up:

If you do not know how to use the mouse, we can give you a short course any time during the month. You will need to know this for any of our computer classes. If you would like to take one of our Gmail classes, we require that you have a gmail account prior to the class. Come in any day and one of our librarians will be happy to help you set one up!

We look forward to seeing you in class!

Where can I find a copy of the West Warwick Home Rule Charter?

A copy of the town's charter can be found at the West Warwick Town Hall as well as the West Warwick Public Library. It can also be found on the town's website

www.westwarwickri.org.

Summer Reading Programs

Q: Where can I find out about West Warwick Public Library’s summer reading programs for adults and children?

A: We have our summer reading program brochures for adults, teens, and children on display at the library. Feel free to ask a librarian for help if you can’t find them! We also have the Youth Department’s summer newsletter and information about some of our adult summer reading programs (including the 2010 Photography Contest) on the front page of our website. There’s more to come soon!

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

Find out more information about RI's Summer Reading Program here or by going to the website below:

http://www.olis.ri.gov/services/children/srp.php

Click here or go to the website below to see the RI Summer Reading Performer Schedule and see if your local library is participating in the program this year!

http://www.olis.ri.gov/services/srp/schedule.php

Serial Killers and Crime

Q: I’m doing a report on female serial killers; do you have any books on serial killers and their pathological instincts?

A: Yes, we have one book titled, Women Who Kill: Profiles of Female Serial Killers by Carol Anne Davis that probes the female serial killer’s mind and we also have many biographies on well-known serial killers available.

Click here to request Women Who Kill: Profiles of Female Serial Killers by Carol Anne Davis.

Counseling Substance Abuse Issues

Q: I’m a counselor at a group home for women with a history of domestic violence and substance abuse issues. Can you recommend a book that would educate me on substance abuse issues from a psychological perspective?
A: We have two excellent books on the subject. Feel free to check out The Addict: One Patient, One Doctor, One Year by Michael Stein and The Good News About Drugs and Alcohol: Curing, Treating, and Preventing Substance Abuse in the New Age of Biopsyciatry by Mark S. Gold.

Click here to request The Addict: One Patient, One Doctor, One Year by Michael Stein from our library catalog.

Click here to request The Good News About Drugs and Alcohol: Curing, Treating, and Preventing Substance Abuse in the New Age of Biopsyciatry by Mark S. Gold.

Cane and Rush Seating

Q: I want to find instructions for cane weaving. Can you recommend a book that has adequate instructions and pictures?

A: Yes, we have an excellent book called Cane and Rush Seating by Margery Brown.

Click here to request this book from our catalog.

Wills and Legal Documents

Q: Are there any simple forms of wills and other important legal documents available at the library?

A: Yes, we have a Reference binder titled “Personal Forms on File” that has a variety of legal and informal forms that are available to copy using our copy machine. We also have the 7^th edition of Nolo’s “Simple Will Book” by Attorney Denis Clifford, author of the bestselling book, “Plan Your Estate” available for check out.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

The cost of the Vancouver Olympics 2010

Q: How much, on average, did the Vancouver Olympics Committee (VANOC) spend on the Vancouver Olympics 2010?

A: In total, VANOC spent $1.7 billion (Canadian). In addition, it spent 600 million for venues and facilities and 700 million for security according to the business plan and games budget. To add to the final cost, the provincial government spent a controversial $6.1 billion in the six years preparing for the Olympics itself.

Information gathered from the Vancouver Olympics Committee website and budget plan and summary.

http://www.vancouver2010.com

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

Filing Taxes

Q: I need to file taxes this week; where can I find State and Federal tax forms on the Internet?

A: For Federal forms, visit the tax forms page on the Internal Revenue Service’s website, which can be found at http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html.

If you need information on filing from out of state, visit the Federation of Tax Administrators’ website at http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/link/forms.html.

If you are looking for state tax forms, visit the Rhode Island Tax Division website at http://www.tax.ri.gov/taxforms.

Origin of the 21-gun salute

Q: What is the origin of the 21-gun salute?
A: The use of gun salutes for military occasions is traced to early warriors who demonstrated their peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position that rendered them ineffective. In 1842, the Presidential salute was formally established at 21 guns. In 1890, regulations designated the "national salute" as 21 guns and re-designated the traditional Independence Day salute, the "Salute to the Union," equal to the number of states(50).

Information gathered from Army: the U.S. Army from 1775 to the 21st century by Chester G. Hearn.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

For more relevant information, check out the U.S. Army Center of Military History's website.
http://www.history.army.mil

Setting up a Twitter Account

Q: I’m new to social networking; how did I set up a Twitter account?

A: Twitter is a useful tool and easy to learn. First, open your internet browser and go to http://twitter.com. Then, click on “sign up now” and follow the instructions to set up your account. From your homepage, you can search for people, companies, and businesses and follow them by clicking on the “follow” icon on the left hand side of their profile.

For great Twitter tutorials, click on and go to:

WebDesignerDepot

SlideShare.net

Mashable.com

Squidoo.com

Twitteroid Blog

Once you start to enjoy using Twitter, check out these neat websites:

Bit-Ly : A handy URL shortener

TweetDeck : A personal browser for Twitter with an improved userface for better tweeting

Twitpic : Use this to easily share your photos on Twitter

Twitscoop: A trendy platform to substitute for the basic Twitter page

Tweetup: Create your event on Tweetup and publicize it online

Twopopular: Popular twitter trends

Twitter Directory: Popular Twitter users to follow

Ethiopia

Q: What interesting and informative book do you recommend for someone who wants to learn about Ethiopian traditions and culture?

A: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese is a great fiction read that gives readers a full picture of Ethiopian life today and also the non-fiction title, The History of Ethiopia by Saheed A. Adejumobi, is a very informative book as well.

Click here to request Cutting for Stone through the library catalog.


Click here to request The History of Ethiopia through the library catalog.


Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

The Lost City of Z

Q: Who was Percy Harrison Fawcett and is the legend about the “Lost City of El Dorado” true?

A: Percy Harrison Fawcett was one of the great explorers of our time that embarked on an adventure to find the “Lost City of El Dorado”, also known as the “Lost City of Z”. In 1925, he embarked on a much publicized search to find the “Lost City of Z”, the site of an ancient Amazonian civilization that may or may not have existed. He never returned and was never found alive or dead.

Information gathered from The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann.

Click here to request this book using our library catalog.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

Fisher Cats

Q: What are Fisher cats and do they pose a threat to domestic cats?

A: According to the University of Michigan, Fisher cats are native to North America and generally live in coniferous and deciduous forests. Despite their name, they are not cats, but come from the Mustelid family, which includes weasels, otters and wolverines. They prey on small to medium-size animals and have been known to kill cats, chickens, and dogs.

Information gathered from the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology “Animal Diversity” website.


Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

Abuse and Neglect

Q: What is the difference between emotional abuse and emotional neglect?

A: In the book, Wednesday’s Children, Dr. Robert J. Ackerman divides emotional abuse into two categories: “verbal belligerence” and outright neglect. He explains that emotional abuse can exist in the shape of verbal criticism (emotional abuse) and complete disregard for a person’s most basic needs (emotional neglect). Inattentiveness, stemming from emotional neglect, may lead to abandonment.

Information gathered from Wednesday’s Children by Suzanne Somers.

Click here to request it from our library catalog.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant