Reference Questions @ West Warwick Public Library

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

2012-01-24T17:51:00.001-05:00

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?

2012-01-10T20:04:00.002-05:00

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?

2011-12-28T13:54:00.002-05:00

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?

2011-12-13T20:07:00.002-05:00

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?

2011-11-29T19:40:00.002-05:00

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.?

2011-11-15T17:47:00.002-05:00

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?

2011-11-01T18:12:00.003-04:00

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?

2011-10-18T18:03:00.003-04:00

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?

2011-10-04T20:04:00.001-04:00

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?

2011-09-20T17:28:00.004-04:00

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?

2011-09-06T18:44:00.004-04:00

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?

2011-08-10T12:32:00.002-04:00

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?

2011-07-26T18:03:00.006-04:00

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?

2011-07-13T12:17:00.003-04:00

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?

2011-06-28T18:15:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-06-14T17:57:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-06-01T13:16:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-05-17T18:03:00.002-04:00

"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?

2011-05-04T13:36:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-04-19T17:32:00.001-04:00

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”?

2011-04-05T18:31:00.000-04:00

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?

2011-03-30T15:07:00.001-04:00

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?

2011-02-23T14:39:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-02-15T17:25:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-01-21T14:15:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-01-21T14:14:00.001-05:00

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?

2010-12-14T20:12:00.002-05:00

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?

2010-12-01T15:17:00.000-05:00

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?

2010-11-16T20:05:00.002-05:00

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?

2010-10-18T20:12:00.002-04:00

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?

2010-10-05T14:06:00.002-04:00

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?

2010-08-10T19:21:00.001-04:00

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

2010-06-15T14:55:00.005-04:00

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

2010-05-17T15:56:00.003-04:00

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

2010-05-04T18:05:00.003-04:00

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

2010-04-20T17:14:00.003-04:00

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

2010-03-22T18:03:00.003-04:00

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

2010-03-09T11:45:00.001-05:00

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

2010-02-23T11:45:00.004-05:00

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

2010-02-08T18:21:00.002-05:00

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

2010-01-12T19:07:00.005-05:00

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:

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

2009-12-30T15:02:00.005-05:00

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

2009-12-15T13:51:00.004-05:00

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

2009-12-01T20:41:00.004-05:00

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

2009-11-24T18:25:00.003-05:00

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

Chinese Goldfish

2009-11-04T15:24:00.004-05:00

Q: Which civilization began keeping fish as pets for the first time in history?

A: The earliest civilization that began keeping fish in captivity were the Chinese in 265 A.D. in China. The Chinese kept goldfish in ornate pots in their gardens to gain a higher status in their community.

Information gathered from The Everything Tropical Fish Book by Carlo DeVito and Gregory Skokal.

Click here to request it from our library catalog.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

November 4, 2009

"To Kill a Mockingbird"

2009-11-04T15:17:00.003-05:00

Q: Why has the book, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, sparked controversy recently?

A: The novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, has frequently been challenged as an inappropriate book for young adult readers. It has been a source of significant controversy since its being the subject of classroom study as early as 1963 and the controversy continues to this day. Criticisms of the novel are not limited to upsetting, racial insults, profanity, and the topic of rape in the novel.

Information gathered from the American Library Association website.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

October 21, 2009

The U.S. Open

2009-11-04T15:15:00.001-05:00

Q: Where is the U.S. Open held and who is the current top seeded player in the Men’s Singles draw at the U.S. Open this year?

A: The U.S. Open is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York and Roger Federer is the top seeded player in the Open this year, followed by Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.

Information gathered from the official U.S. Open website: http://www.usopen.org

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

September 9, 2009

The Maneless Lions of Tsavo

2009-11-04T15:13:00.008-05:00

Q: Which maneless lions attacked and killed an estimated 135 railroad workers in Tsavo, Kenya between March and December of 1888?

A: The Tsavo lions are well-known for their unexpected and gruesome attacks on humans during the building of the Kenya-Uganda Railway in 1888. After repeated attempts to trap and injure the lions, the railroad manager, Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson, finally killed the lions after shooting each of them five times.

Information gathered from the Ghosts of Tsavo: Stalking the Mystery Lions of East Africa by Philip Caputo.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

September 23, 2009

The Maneless Lions of Tsavo

2009-11-04T15:13:00.005-05:00

Q: Which maneless lions attacked and killed an estimated 135 railroad workers in Tsavo, Kenya between March and December of 1988?

A: The Tsavo lions are well-known for their unexpected and gruesome attacks on humans during the building of the Kenya-Uganda Railway in 1988. After repeated attempts to trap and injure the lions, the railroad manager, Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson, finally killed the lions after shooting each of them five times.

Information gathered from the Ghosts of Tsavo: Stalking the Mystery Lions of East Africa by Philip Caputo.

Click here to request this book from our library catalog.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

September 23, 2009

The Legend of Mercy Brown

2009-11-04T15:09:00.004-05:00

Q: Who was Mercy Brown and where is she buried?

A: Mercy Brown was a young girl when she died of tuberculosis in January, 1892. Her body was exhumed a few months later from its burial site in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Exeter, RI. Dr. Michael Bell from the Rhode Island Folklife Society writes, “they examined her organs. The newspaper said her heart and liver had blood in it. It was liquid blood, which they interpreted as fresh blood”. The evidence of liquid blood and the fact that Mercy’s body was so well-preserved after being buried for three months led to the theory that Mercy was a vampire.

Information gathered from Food for the Dead: on the Trail of New England's Vampires by Dr. Michael Bell.

Click here to request this book from our library catalog.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

October 7, 2009

President Truman and Hiroshima

2009-11-04T15:02:00.005-05:00

Q: Which President disagreed with President Truman’s decision to bomb Hiroshima before and after serving in the White House?

A: In addition to publicly disputing the bombing of Hiroshima, President Eisenhower criticized Truman’s actions in his 1948 memoir, Crusade in Europe.

Source: Hiroshima in America: Fifty Years of Denial by Robert Jay Lifton and Greg Mitchell

Click here to request this book from our library catalog.

Submitted by Kasia Piasecka, Reference Assistant

August 26, 2009

First Capital of the U.S.

2007-08-23T16:31:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-06T15:27:00.001-04:00

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

2007-07-05T16:20:00.000-04:00

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

2007-06-11T14:10:00.001-04:00

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

2007-05-17T10:02:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-26T10:56:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-06T13:00:00.001-04:00

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

2007-03-19T13:42:00.000-04:00

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

2007-02-27T15:36:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-06T15:20:00.000-05:00

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

2007-01-23T10:49:00.000-05:00

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

Saccanosset coal mine

2006-12-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

Q. Was there a coal mine in Garden City?

A. There was a coal mine off Reservoir Avenue and Saccanosset Hill as early as 1839. (American Indian translation for Saccanosset is "black earth place".) The Seekonk Facing Company mined graphite in 1875 and by 1885 the New York Carbon Company was extracting 30 tons of coal a day. Various companies attempted to mine the area until 1913. After that, it was owned by the Graphite Mines Corporation until a fire in 1922. Garden City's retail and residential building, which had begun in 1948, flourished in the 1950's as the coal mine slowly shut down. The mine finally closed in 1959 when the first and last fatal accident occurred and closed it for good. The old mine shaft was located where the current Newport Creamery now stands.

May be an image of the Saccanosset coal mine.
Described as "Coal mine in Cranston" Date: unknown.
Image # 2691.
From the Images of Rhode Island - Providence Public Library Historical Collection: http://www.quickpix.com/cgi-win/IICGI.exe/sixmonths

Sources: Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission. September 1980. Cranston, Rhode Island: Statewide Historical Preservation Report P-C-1. Polichetti, Barbara. July, 26, 1999. "For young veterans' families, the new suburbia personified the essential American Dream". Providence Journal. pg. C. 01. and American Indian Place Names in Rhode Island: Present & Past. http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/IndianPlaceNames8.html

The First Christmas Tree

2006-12-03T14:53:00.000-05:00

Q. When did the first Christmas tree appear?

A. There is no record of when the first Christmas tree came into existence. The first historical references of a Christmas tree appeared in the early 16^th century in Latvia and Estonia. The first decorated Christmas tree in America was in the German Moravian church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1747. However, the “tree” was not an evergreen but the “European style of wooden pyramids covered with evergreen boughs (p. 25)”. Accounts of the use of a real evergreen Christmas tree began to show up around 1820. And the mostly widespread reference of a Christmas tree was published in 1832 in Boston mentioning the use of the top of a young fir tree.

Source: Snyder, Phillip. V., (1976). The Christmas Tree Book; The History of the Christmas Tee & Antique Christmas tree Ornaments.

The Ocean State

2006-11-27T13:36:00.000-05:00

Q. Why is Rhode Island called the Ocean State?

A. Ocean State became Rhode Island's Official License Plate Nickname when it was adopted on July 8, 1971. It began to appear on non-commercial license plates in 1972, replacing the former nickname "Discover". The term was created to help promote tourism. The 400 plus miles of coastline includes inland extensions of the Narragansett Bay; all Rhode Islanders live within a 30 minute drive of the Atlantic Ocean or Narragansett Bay.

Source: Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State. "Know Rhode Island History And Facts About The Ocean State", www.sec.state.ri.us/library/riinfo/riinfo/knowrhode and Rhode Island Government Online. "Facts & History", http://www.ri.gov/facts/history.php

Pultizer Prize

2006-11-24T10:36:00.000-05:00

Q. I recently learned that March by Geraldine Brooks won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. What are the criteria for being nominated and winning?

A. The Pulitzer Prize (pronounced PULL-it-sir NOT PEW-lit-sir) for Fiction has been awarded since 1948 for distinguished fiction in book form by an American author, preferably dealing with American life. The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (established by Columbia University in 1971) replaced the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel which was awarded between 1918 and 1947.

The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is one of six categories in Letters and Drama. There are a total of 21 Pulitzer categories. In 20 of the categories the winners receive a $10,000 cash award and a certificate. Only the winner in the Public Service category of the Journalism competition is awarded a gold medal.

There are no set criteria for the judging of the Prizes. The definitions of each category are the only guidelines. It is left up to the Nominating Juries and The Pulitzer Prize Board to determine exactly what makes a work "distinguished."

Source: The Pulitzer Prizes, http://www.pulitzer.org

The Washington-Rochambeau Revoultionary Route

2006-11-24T10:06:00.000-05:00

Q. I have seen road signs in Middletown and Providence that have a red, white and blue shield, also the letters W3R. Also sometimes the words Washington and Rochambeau. Do you have any idea what they are all about?

A. The signs represent the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. 'W' for Washington and the '3R's for the rest.

The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route commemorates the joint efforts of the French, under the command of General Rochambeau, and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. W3R traces the campsites and the pathways traveled during the three-year presence of the French Expeditionary Force, depicting their march south to the climatic battle of Yorktown and then their return north.

As for the signs in our state, the RI Rochambeau Historic Highway Commission is working with RIDOT to place 100 wayfinding road signs along the W3R in RI. The website said that the signs would be in place for the June 16th - 18th 2006 celebration.

Source: The Washington-Rochambeau Revoultionary Route, http://www.w3r-us.org/

Marshmallow Fluff

2006-11-24T10:04:00.000-05:00

Q. Where was Marshmallow Fluff invented?

A. Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Sommerville, Massachusetts by Archibald Query around 1915. He made batches of it in his kitchen and sold it door to door until wartime shortages forced him to stop. After the war he sold the recipe to H. Allen Durkee and Fred L. Mower for five hundred dollars. The product started to be manufactured from their factory (Durkee-Mower) in East Lynn in 1929.

Sources: The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink In America by Andrew F. Smith, 2004. And www.marshmallowfluff.com

Calendars

2006-11-24T10:03:00.000-05:00

Q. Do all countries use the same calendar as the United States?

A. The United States uses the Gregorian calendar which measures out a calendar year that is just slightly longer than the solar year (about 25 seconds a year longer). Pope Gregory XII called to reform the Julian calendar in the late 16th century, which was established by Julius Caesar in 62 B.C. It was 11 minutes and 14 seconds longer than the solar year and by 1580 the difference between the calendar and seasons had grown to 10 days and would eventually lead to religious holidays falling in the wrong season. The Gregorian calendar was first adopted by Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and Luxemburg in 1582, by Great Britain and the colonies in 1873, and took Greece until 1923 to adopt it. Today the calendar is used worldwide for nearly all non-religious purposes.

Source: Holidays and Anniversaries of the World(1998), edited by Beth A. Baker and James Jespersen and "Gregorian calendar." World Book Online Reference Center. 2006. World Book, Inc. 1 Mar. 2006 .

Moldy Food

2006-11-24T10:02:00.000-05:00

Q. Is it safe to eat food when it shows the slightest bit of mold?

A. Some molds produce carcinogenic aflatoxins so it is a good policy to follow these basic food safety tips:

You do not need to throw out these foods if a small amount of mold appears on them: jam, jelly, hard cheese, firm fruits and vegetables. Use a clean knife or spoon to remove all the mold and a bit more around the area. If the food still has an 'off' taste then throw it out.

Toss out these foods even with the slightest appearance of mold: cream, sour cream, yogurt, bread, cake, buns, pastries, corn on the cob, nuts, flour, whole grains, rice, dried peas or beans and peanut butter.

Source: The Safe Shopper's Bible (1995) by David Steinman & Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.

A Limey

2006-11-24T09:55:00.000-05:00

Q. Why are the Brits called limey's?

A. The term "limey" originally applied to British Sailors, who for many centuries suffered and often died from scurvy. A Scottish doctor, James Lind, discovered that eating limes and oranges (a good source of vitamin C) greatly reduced the number of scurvy cases on British navy ships. Lime juice was added to the diet of sailors and thus the nickname 'limeys'. American service men broadened the term to all British during the World Wars.

Source: Harper Dictionary of contemporary Usage by William and Mary Morris,1985. p.358.