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.