First Capital of the U.S.

Q. I just visited York, Pennsylvania. The town claims to be the first capital of the US. Is this correct?

A. It is true, but seldom mentioned in most history books. The Revolutionary War was still raging and the government was in the process of being created by the founding fathers, so the argument might be made that as of yet there was no United States of America.

In 1777 The Continental Congress fled Philadelphia to York as the British Army approached. They made York the national capital (September 30, 1777 - June 27, 1778). While there the Congress passed the Articles of Confederation.

Source: The NewEncyclopedia Britannica Volume 12, 1997

Submitted by Kate Carroll, Reference Assistant

Monkeytown, Rhode Island

Q: I heard that Knightsville, a village in Cranston, was once called Monkeytown. What was the reason for it being called Monkeytown?

A: Most sources that we checked say that the reason for the name is not known. We did find one source that said, “One legend has it that a local lad joined a seafaring voyage, and when he returned he brought back a most unusual creature with him – a monkey in a cage. People traveled from all over to see the animal.”

Source: Cranston by Lydia L. Rapoza and Bette Miller

Click here to request this book from our library catalog.

Submitted by Kate Carroll, Reference Assistant

Q: How many states in the United States are commonwealths?

A: There are four states that are designated as commonwealths: Massachusetts, Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Puerto Rico and the Mariana Islands are U.S. territories that are also considered to be commonwealths.

Source: World Book Encyclopedia 2006

Submitted by Maureen Delovio, Ref. Librarian

Ocean State Libraries

Q. I noticed that CLAN libraries are now called OCEAN STATE LIBRARIES connecting Rhode Island. Do I need to get a new Library Card?

A. You can still use your present library card. The new cards will be issued to new library patrons and as replacement cards to current card holders. OSL includes 70 public libraries and offers numerous services. Click here to visit the OSL website.

Submitted by Reference Librarian.

Hollywood bed

Q. I saw an excellent local production of Chorus Line by the Academy Players in Rhode Island this past weekend. (By the way, the costumes were fabulous!) One of the characters mentioned that she "was born on a Hollywood bed." I was wondering what exactly is a Hollywood bed?

A. A Hollywood bed is "a bed consisting of a metal frame, box spring, mattress, and headboard, but lacking a footboard" according to the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. The American Heritage Dictionary defines it a little differently, "A mattress on a box spring supported by a metal frame or attached low legs, often with an upholstered headboard."

Source: Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and The American Heritage Dictionary

Medical conditions

Q. As a reference librarian, what is your best, most current resource on medical conditions?

A. Two concise books on a wide range of medical issues are the Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery by H. Winter Griffith and Professional Guide to Diseases. These are user friendly, straight forward guides for the health care provider and consumer. The library does have more in-depth medical encyclopedias such as The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine and Human Diseases and Conditions.

Also readily available are a number of health databases which can be accessed through our website, wwlibrary.org, with a library card number: Alt Health Watch focuses on the holistic and complementary approaches to health care; Health Source covers topics from general health, to nutrition, child care and sports medicine; Clinical Pharmacology deals with U.S. prescription drugs, herbal medication and nutritional supplements. These are just some of many good health resources in the West Warwick Public Library.

Forever Stamp

Q. What is the Forever Stamp?

A. The USPS announced in a news release on March 26, 2007 that "The FOREVER stamp is a consumer innovation guaranteed to deliver unprecedented convenience and value to our customers. It's good forever."

The cost of first class stamps will rise to $.41 on May 14th. To ease the transition, the new FOREVER stamp will eliminate the need to purchase 2 cent stamps. The new stamp has an image of the Liberty Bell and the word 'forever'. They will be available to purchase in booklets of 20 beginning April 14th.

Sources: Click here to go to the United States Postal Service website.

It's a cakewalk

Q. What is the origin of the word cakewalk?

A. The word cakewalk can be used as either a noun or a verb meaning something very easy, something done without effort, or money obtained without effort. It can also refer to the dance from which the word is derived. The cakewalk originated among American black slaves who used the dance as a subtle satire on the elegance of white ballroom dances. Stepping high with backs arched backwards contestants would promenade around a cake placed in the center of the dance floor. The couple who performed the fanciest steps would 'take the cake'.

Sources: The Cassell Dictionary of Slang, Whistlin' Dixie: a Dictionary of Southern Expressions, 2007 Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

Rhode Island Tax Forms

Q. Why have I not received my Rhode Island tax form in the mail this year?

A. I posed the question to an administrator at the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. He replied that it is an issue of "budgetary constraints". Literally thousands of dollars of tax payer dollars were being wasted on the printing and mailing of tax forms that were never used, either because so many individuals have their taxes filed by a preparer or because they file electronically. Tax forms have been mailed out, but only to the individuals who mailed in their returns last year on an official state form with the anchor logo. Also postcard reminders have been mailed to taxpayers who had their tax returns filed by a preparer last year. Forms can be printed from the internet. To have forms mailed to you, please call 401-222-1111.

Shakepearean birds

Q. I heard that a man who loved Shakespeare introduced the House Sparrow (English Sparrow) and the European Starling into the USA. Is that true?

A. It is partially true. In 1890 and again in 1891 Eugene Schieffelin released European Starlings into Central Park in NYC. His ambition was to introduce every bird mentioned in Shakespeare's writings into the U.S. He also attempted to introduce the bullfinch, chaffinch and nightingale, but was unsuccessful. The English Sparrow had already been introduced into this country in the1850's in a well-meaning but misguided attempt to control insect pests.

Sources: www.nycgovparks.org/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wik/Eugene Schieffelin, http://www.birds.edu/BOW/HOUSPA/

Daylight Savings Time

Q. What are the new dates for daylight savings time in 2007 and why are we doing it?

A. Between 1986 and 2006, Daylight Savings time began in the first Sunday in April and ended the last Sunday in October. Next year it will begin the second Sunday in March and run until the first Sunday in November, adding about a month to daylight savings. The main reason for the change is to save energy. 25% of electricity used for lighting and small appliances is mainly used in the evenings when families are home. Studies conducted in the 1970's show that we can save 1% of our energy use each day with Daylight Savings Time. During the spring and summer we have longer days and spend more time outdoors, using less energy indoors.

Source: Gattings, John and Brunner, Borgna. 2006. "Daylight Saving Time: A trip around the world reveals that time isn't a synchronized science." Information Please: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/daylight1.html