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Information and Library Services

Climate Change

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Are you thinking that this winter is warmer than normal?  For those researching climate change or global warming, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has resources for you on their Climate Change Web site. logo_epaseal.gif

Snowflakes, Frozen in Time

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In 1885, after years of experimenting with a microscope and camera, Wilson A. Bentley became the first person to photograph a snowflake.

The photo at left, dated 1890, is from the Web site of the Smithsonian Institution. In 1903, Bentley donated 500 snowflake prints to the Smithsonian.

UMUC students can login to our library database JSTOR and read a 1932 article about Bentley, "Every Snowflake a Unique Jewel," which describes Bentley's revolutionary work "capturing immortal beauty out of gray skies."


The History of Twinkies and Kodak Film

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Two famous, old American companies have been in the news recently because they are facing bankruptcy. Those of us who remember cameras with film inside and Archie Bunker complaining that his son-in-law ate the last Twinkie might well be mourning the passing of Eastman Kodak and Hostess.

To look up detailed, authoritative histories of large companies like Kodak and Hostess, use the UMUC Library database Business and Company Resource Center. Look up a company by name and then click on the "Histories" tab. Learning about the origin and development of major corporations can be of interest to students in business, history, and other classes.

The Joy of Books

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This stop-motion video from Toronto bookstore Type Books reminds us of the fun and beauty of good old-fashioned printed books.  

MLK Day of Service

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Pick a cause that is important to you, do a day of service, and honor the great Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr.

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Popular New Year's Resolutions

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From USA.gov, here are some popular New Year's resolutions.  Can we keep them?  Happy New Year from the UMUC library and best of luck in your studies with us at UMUC in 2012.

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Happy Holidays from the Library

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View a time-lapse video, below, of volunteers decorating the White House. And read about a library Christmas tree made entirely of books!

Have a happy, safe holiday season!

Safe Travel Tips

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If you are traveling this holiday season, here are some safe travel tips from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of State.

Safe travel and Happy Holidays from the UMUC library. woman.jpg

Word of the Year

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Pragmatic tops the list of Merriam-Webster's 2011 words of the year. Defined as "practical as opposed to idealistic," pragmatic was the most frequently looked-up word at Merriam-Webster's Web site. Other top words reflect issues and concerns that dominated the news in 2011:

  • ambivalence

  • austerity

  • diversity

  • capitalism

  • socialism

  • vitriol

Merriam-Webster also offers a 2011 timeline of words that sparked people's interest because of events in the news. For example, following the August 23rd earthquake in the East Coast of the United States, the word temblor enjoyed its fifteen minutes of fame.

When you need just the right word (or just the right encyclopedia article), be pragmatic: use the UMUC Library's Guide to Dictionary and Encyclopedia Resources.

Best Books of the Year

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The holiday season is a time to look back over a year of great reading. Check out these lists for suggestions in fiction, nonfiction, and other categories of the Best Books of 2011:

Here is information for the UMUC community on borrowing books from catalogUSMAI.