Get Organized

January is Get Organized Month -- but if you're like me, that's easier said than done. Read on for some tips, tricks, and advice on getting order back into your life!



At Home:

5 Projects You Always Say You’ll Do ... and How to Finally Do Them -- Cleaning a closet, reclaiming a junk drawer, even planning meals in advance: here's how to complete those five chores we all mean to get to "one day!" (RealSimple.com)



10 Ways to Cut Clutter in Your Home -- Try these simple suggestions to cut through the clutter. (WebMD)


Organizing Mistakes That Make Your House Look Cluttered -- You may be more organized than you think!  Follow these expert tips to be truly clutter-free. (HGTV)



At Work:

Organizing Your Desk -- A neat workspace doesn't just suggest professionalism, it also makes it easier to access your tasks. Here's some great tips if (like me) you need a little help in figuring out how to clear off your workspace. (Getting Organized Magazine)


5 Tips for Getting Organized at Work -- It's not just about appearance: structure allows for stress release!  It's also important to remember that "organization" may mean different things for different people. Find the method that works for you. (HowStuffWorks)



Going Digital:

PCMag's "Get Organized" Series -- A collection of columns offering advice on organizing your digital world. (PC Magazine)


Taking Your To-Do List to Task! -- A list of recommended apps for creating a virtual "to-do" list. (Getting Organized Magazine)

At Life:

When Resistance Smacks You in the Face -- Drawing on his experiences as a writer, author Leo Babauta shares ways to organize your own distractions and doubts to get any task done.

From the Collection:

Get Organized -- by Ron Fry.

How to Organize (Just About) Everything: More Than 500 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything from Organizing Your Closets to Planning a Wedding to Creating a Flawless Filing System -- by Peter Walsh.

Time Management Secrets for Working Women: Getting Organized to Get the Most Out of Your Day -- by Ruth Klein.

Managing Workplace Chaos: Solutions for Handling Information, Paper, Time, and Stress -- by Patricia J. Hutchings.

The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential, in Business and in Life -- by Leo Babauta.



The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload -- by Daniel J. Levitin.

And remember: it's a work in progress.

Stay positive!

-- Post by Ms. B 

The Bee's Knees

I like bees. That's not to say I don't occasionally get a bit nervous when I see one around (stings hurt, after all). But, all things considered, I'm still a fan -- and I'm hardly alone.

There's no denying humanity's fascination with bees. In ancient Greece, bees were considered liaisons of the gods. The ancient Egyptians kept hives afloat and collected nectar from up and down the Nile River. Beekeeping has been going on for millennia, as has the use of honey as a staple of the dinner table. We've built up urban legends around bees. And it just so happens that my favorite fictional detective is well-known by his fans to have eventually retired and taken up a new profession: beekeeping.

Bees have become of increasing interest to us all with reports of growing problems for hives across the nation -- and the world. So as we go into National Honey Month, what better time to learn more about Apis mellifera (the Western honey bee) and our other friendly neighborhood bees?

- Robbing the Bees: A Biography of Honey, the Sweet Liquid Gold That Seduced the World by Holley Bishop.

Bishop's book is not just a biography of honey, but a biography of bees. This book takes a close look at the role bees have paid in our culture and history, and the long obsession humans have had with honey -- our only sweetener for centuries.

- A Book of Bees: And How to Keep Them by Sue Hubbell

It's part beekeeping handbook, part memoir. A beekeeper for fifteen years, the author keeps three hundred hives of bees scattered across farms in the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri. (She pays local farmers a gallon of honey a year in "rent" for the property her hives are on.) Dividing the book up into the four seasons of beekeeping ("The Beekeeper's Autumn," "The Beekeeper's Winter"), Hubbell shares her beekeeping experiences in a storytelling style that is as interesting as it is engaging.

- The Beekeeper's Bible: Bees, Honey, Recipes and Other Home Uses

The ultimate bee handbook. This "bible" includes the history of the ancient art of beekeeping, a primer on how to embark on one's own beekeeping hobby, and ideas for the dozens of uses for honey and beeswax. Learn how to keep bees, make candles and skin care products, and try your hand at over 100 recipes featuring honey as a star ingredient. It's a perfect starting point for anyone looking to try their hand at beekeeping -- or just a great read for anyone interested in bees.


- The Beekeeper's Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America by Hannah Nordhaus

CCD, or Colony Collapse Disorder, has resulted in beekeepers checking their hives only to find the entire colony dead. Enter John Miller -- a commercial beekeeper who began a trek across the country to try and help heal the hives. Miller went on a mission to deliver hundreds of thousands of bees to affected beekeepers, helping to both restore their livelihood as well as to restore the natural pollinators that our farming industry needs to survive. Here's his story -- and the story of our nation's beekeeping industry.

- Tales from the Hive [DVD]

Broadcast as a segment on PBS's Nova, this documentary used unique camera lenses to capture what life is like inside the hive. The result is an in-depth look at the lives of bees and their colonies. 

- Robotic Bees [Online video]

RoboBees?  One engineer at Harvard's Microrobotics Lab thinks that robotic bees may be the future. The eventual goal (they are projecting a decade-long refinement) is to have these robotic bees work together, much like a real colony. Future duties may include search-and-rescue and environmental monitoring, in addition to assisting in the pollination of crops.

One of Harvard's Microrobotics Lab's "RoboBees"

- Honeybee Collapse [MPL Hot Topic]

Our Hot Topics compile the top articles, op/eds, and reference materials about what's currently, well, buzzing in the media!  One of our latest Topics focuses on the Honeybee Collapse, showcasing news articles, scientific resources, organization websites, and some suggested readings from our Collection, all providing more information on the epidemic bee disappearance.

- Behind the Bee’s Knees: The Origins of Nine Bee-Inspired Sayings [TIME article]

Nowadays, we say something is "the bee's knees" when it's stylish, noteworthy, or simply flat-out cool. But in the late 18th century, it was actually a derogatory term, referring to something that was weak or insignificant -- like the teeny joint in a bumblebee's leg. Look here to find out the stories behind some of our most-used bee metaphors.

- 20 Unusual Uses for Honey [Huffington Post article]

Lip balm. Moisturizer. Hors d'oeuvres. An energy boost. An antiseptic. Honey has more uses than just something to spread on toast. Check out some suggestions here!

- Wild for Bees [website]

This online resource from Burt's Bees includes an app to help you start your own "bee garden" (planting flowers that will attract pollinators), a "No Fear of Stings" brochure (with tips on how to "bee-watch" without anxiety), recipes for healthy meals made with honey and other bee-assisted ingredients, and a quirky video series in which actress Isabella Rossellini demonstrates the lives and duties of the average bee.

-- Post by Ms. B 

Word Games

This weekend, the 36th Annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament is being held in Brooklyn, New York. It's the nation's largest crossword competition, and also the oldest, with players competing to solve eight puzzles that are created especially for the competition.

The tournament is directed by Will Shortz, the New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor. Scoring is based on speed and accuracy, and prizes are given out in over 20 categories. (The grand prize is $5,000.) Evening events include extra games, guest speakers, and a wine and cheese reception, where players can meet and get to know one another in a non-competative atmosphere.

Although they haven't been long in existence, crossword puzzles are thought to be the most widespread word game in the world -- and certainly the most popular. They appear to have derived from "word squares," which appeared in England during the 19th century, primarily in children's puzzle books. In America, however, the new puzzle quickly developed into a serious adult pastime.

A word square -- reading alike vertically and horizontally.

Arthur Wynne is credited as the inventor of the crossword as we know it today, with the first-ever puzzle appearing in a Sunday newspaper, the New York World, on December 21, 1913. (Try the world's first crossword puzzle here.) By the 1920s, other newspapers were beginning to carry crosswords -- and within a decade, they were commonplace in almost every American newspaper.

To this day, crossword puzzles remain a popular and much-loved game that is played the world over. So in honor of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, try your hand at a puzzle yourself!

Online Crossword Puzzles:

Boston Globe Puzzle -- bills itself as having "the web's most popular crossword."

Ink Well -- free printable crossword puzzles. Updated every Tuesday. (Download Across Lite software to play online.)

Jonesin' Crosswords -- free printable crossword puzzles. Updated every Monday. (Download Across Lite software to play online.)

USA Today Crossword -- play their featured puzzles.

Washington Post Puzzles -- daily and Sunday puzzle editions available.

WSJ Puzzles -- play online or download and print.

Brendan Emmett Quigley's Crosswords -- designed by, of course, Brendan Emmett Quigley (who designs custom-made puzzles for a living!), this site includes puzzles archived by difficulty (Easy, Medium, Hard), plus puzzle news, interviews, and announcements!

Crosswords from the Chronicle of Higher Education -- updated weekly. Download Across Lite software to play.

Mike Gaffney's Weekly Crossword Contest -- compete online!

Merl Reagle's Crossword -- play online or download and print. Updated weekly.

New York Times -- daily puzzle. Must be a subscriber to play.

From the Library Collection:

-- Crosstalk: Letters to America's Foremost Crossword Puzzle Authority by Eugene T. Maleska.

A crossword puzzle creator responds to dozens of letters he's received from players across the world, revealing the skill and fun it takes to create crosswords -- and the unique aspects of language that make crossword puzzles such a challenge.

-- The Crossword Obsession: The History and Lore of the World's Most Popular Pastime by Coral Amende.

Find out more about the history of the crossword puzzle!

-- Crossworld: One Man's Journey into America's Crossword Obsession by Marc Romano.

The adventures and memoirs of one crossword puzzle devotee.

-- From Square One: A Meditation, With Digressions, on Crosswords by Dean Olsher.

Explores the history, psychology, and a little of the metaphysics involved in crossword puzzles.

-- How to Solve Crossword Puzzles by Norman Hill.

Pick up some tips here!

-- Four-Letter Words: And Other Secrets of a Crossword Insider by Michelle Arnot.

A manual of facts, trivia, and tips.

-- The Crossword Mysteries by Nero Blanc.

A series of mystery novels ... starring a crossword editor!

-- Wordplay [DVD]

A look into the world of crossword aficionados -- which include in their ranks Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, and Jon Stewart.

-- Stanley Newman's Crossword Shortcuts: The 1,001 Most Common Crossword Answers by Stanley Newman.

-- The Everything Crossword and Puzzle Book: Hours of Brain-Teasing Fun: Crossword Puzzles, Acrostics, Hidden Words and More, for Puzzlers at All Ages by Harold Cordry.

-- The Puzzlemaster Presents 200 Mind-Bending Challenges: from NPR by Will Shortz.

-- Post by Ms. B

Team Katniss

If you're reading this (and are, therefore, a person with internet access), I'm thinking you've heard something about The Hunger Games. News of this new film release has been obsessively reported in trailers, TV spots, interviews, magazines, websites, and more (you may even remember us mentioning it in a post from last January). Wherever you go, the Games have been impossible to miss.

That's pretty much in keeping with the original idea of the Games themselves, as presented in Suzanne Collins's popular young adult trilogy of novels. The books tells the story of Katniss, a sixteen-year-old girl living in post-apocalyptic America. Throughout the first novel, Katniss has one goal: to be the champion of the 74th annual Hunger Games, a contest run by the government and broadcast live (reality-TV style) to the population of the twelve Districts. (Viewing of the Games by the Districts' citizens is strictly mandatory.) How to win the Games? Simple: be the last person left alive.

The books have been best-sellers for several years -- but a best-selling novel doesn't always guarantee a box office blockbuster. For every Harry Potter or Twilight film franchise, there's failed attempts like The Golden Compass, Eragon, and A Series of Unfortunate Events. And yet, when it comes to The Hunger Games, something about the story has truly caught audiences -- and film critics -- on fire.

The movie opened to rave reviews, with critics praising the strong story, acting performances, and attention to detail given in the book-to-movie translation. And it's not just critics who are impressed. The debuting Hunger Games has smashed box office records, earning $19.74 million at its initial midnight showing alone (and making it the highest-grossing midnight release ever for a non-sequel film). Its final opening weekend pull was $152.5 million, making it the third-largest all-time opening weekend for a movie ever (behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and The Dark Knight). With a $78 million dollar budget, The Hunger Games had already made back its budget nearly twice over in a single weekend and is rapidly continuing to climb.

So if you've seen the movie and are looking to learn more about the world of The Hunger Games -- or, if you haven't yet made it to the theater -- check out some of the buzz surrounding what is already one of the biggest box office blockbusters of the year.

And may the odds be ever in your favor.

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)


-- The Hunger Games: The Official Website


-- Weekend Report: 'The Hunger Games' Devours $152.5 Million - One of many BoxOfficeMojo.com articles on the Games' records-smashing success.


-- Gary Ross Answers Reader Questions About ‘The Hunger Games’ - A New York Times-featured interview with the director of the film.


-- Watching ‘The Hunger Games’ Through a Racial Lens - The Washington Post on the unexpected racist backlash over the movie casting.


-- Hunger Games: Be Easter Now! - An op/ed from the Huffington Post exploring the spiritual truths behind The Hunger Games.

-- 'The Hunger Games' Fans Filling Up Lanes at Queens Archery Ranges - The stories are inspiring a popularity boom for an old-time hobby -- archery!


-- The Hunger Games Themes That Apply to Our World Today - Reality TV? Occupy Wallstreet? A look at how Collins's story may be a particularly timely one.


-- Suzanne Collins - The author's official website.


-- Katniss Everdeen of 'The Hunger Games' vs. Bella Swan of 'Twilight' - From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Which heroine would come out on top?



-- Post by Ms. B

Home for the Holidays: Last-Minute Resources For Planning the (Almost) Perfect Holiday Gathering

So, something scary is happening at my mother's house this holiday season: I'll be preparing my first-ever Christmas dinner.

I always spend the holidays at my mom's -- but every year since I can remember, she's always been the cook. Over the last few years, it finally occurred to me that she's been preparing massive holiday dinners three or four times a year, every year, for nearly three decades -- and therefore definitely deserves a break. Which inspired me to volunteer to prepare the big Christmas meal this year instead.

I've been cooking for years, but this is the first time I've ever attempted a full-blown holiday feast. (I'm already wondering if my menu -- which includes roasted walnut and pear salad, potato gratin, and green beans with almonds and caramelized shallots (none of which I've ever made before) -- might prove to be a bit audacious.) I'm hoping I don't end up with a meal inspiring such reactions as you can see from the Barone family (of Everybody Loves Raymond) in the video above.

So as I busy myself preparing for my big Christmas cook-off (such as it is), I thought I'd share some of the online resources I've found to be particularly useful in preparing for the big holiday events. We have some wonderful holiday cookbooks and craft guides here at the Library -- but if you find yourself in a pinch and need some last-minute ideas for your holiday celebration, be sure to check out these sites.

-- Ms. B

RECIPES

AllRecipes.com -- Great for recipes, menu ideas, and how-tos.

FoodNetwork.com -- Another great resource, along the lines of AllRecipes. Features recipes from your favorite Food Network chefs!

Cooks.com -- Users submit their own original recipes, with other cooks logging in to rate and review after trying the dish themselves.

Betty Crocker -- Kitchen expertise from Betty Crocker "herself."

Epicurious -- Some fancier dishes for your inner gourmet chef. Includes resources like recipe-specific shopping lists, wine pairings, and a food dictionary.

Rachel Ray -- Rachael Ray is my favorite chef, and her holiday recipes are not to be missed! Particularly useful if you're planning a holiday brunch, or looking for a different kind of dessert.

CookingLight.com -- For those watching their waistline, or just hoping for healthier holiday treats, check out Cooking Light's ultimate holiday online cookbook.

Healthy Eating at Your Holiday Party -- Another list of healthy holiday choices (with recipes) ... from the Mayo Clinic!

Joy of Baking -- This site is a baker's dream resource. With tons of recipes, baking tips, and instructional videos, this is a must-visit. (Be sure to check out the holiday cookie section!)

Cocktail Enthusiast -- For the sommeliers (or just if you're a cocktail fan), here are some holiday mixed drinks, from eggnog and beyond.

CRAFTS AND PREPARATIONS

Martha Stewart -- Craft projects, entertaining tips, and also plenty of recipes.

Better Homes and Gardens -- A one-stop shop for ideas on decorating, entertaining, and cooking tips.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft - Christmas craft projects from Jo-Ann Fabric! Includes centerpieces, candy decorations, and even holiday outfits.

Michael's -- Some more ideas for Christmas projects from Michael's craft store.

DIY Network's Christmas Decorating and Craft Ideas -- Decorations, gift ideas, and tips on how to design your very own outdoor light display.

Good Housekeeping -- A different sort of holiday guide. Features step-by-step guides to getting your house "guest-ready," gift-wrapping tricks and tips, and product gift reviews.

HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDES

Holiday stress can get to us even during the merriest of celebrations -- because there's just so much to do! Let these "survival guides" give you some tips and tricks to surviving the season with your sanity intact -- and enjoy the holiday season.

Making the Most of the Holiday Season -- The APA offers five quick tips to ensure a worry-free time of the year.

Dealing with Holiday Family Stress -- NPR interviews humorist Brian Copeland for some advice on using humor to deal with our more difficult relatives.

Coping Tips for the Holidays -- The Mayo Clinic steps in again to offer tips for preventing holiday stress and depression.

Holiday Stress-Busters: for Parents -- How to make the holiday season memorable for your children and for yourself.


Happy Holidays from Ms. B, Tracy, and all of us at Monroeville Public Library!

Welcome to Mallville Library

Several months ago I was lucky enough to attend the American Library Association's annual conference. There were a lot of amazing seminars and fantastic resources put on display that weekend, but a definite highlight of the conference was the chance to meet Gene Ambaum and Bill Barnes -- and to thank them for their awesome online comic, "Unshelved."

"This comic improves the quality of my life!" I gushed to Gene Ambaum as he was signing my book of collected "Unshelved" comics, prompting a smile from Ambaum.

"We like to hear that," said Barnes, who had already signed my book, along with drawing a picture of Merv (one of my favorite "Unshelved" characters) for good measure. I'm hardly the only librarian to be a big fan of "Unshelved" -- although, as Ambaum and Barnes like to point out, their comic strip is definitely not meant just for librarians.

"Unshelved" is a daily comic strip which chronicles the adventures and misadventures of the library staff members at the fictional Mallville Public Library. Characters include Colleen, the "old school" reference librarian who doesn't care for all this suspicious new technology; Buddy, the library page (who was originally hired to be the summer reading mascot and still wears his beaver costume to work); and my favorite, Dewey, the comic-book-loving teen services librarian. (Can't imagine what would draw me to him.)

"I'd like to check out some Spider-Man comics."

New strips are released Monday through Friday, with "rerun" comics featured on the weekends. Despite its central cast of librarians, however, "Unshelved" is something which can be read and enjoyed by anybody who loves their local library.

The writing is sharp and witty; I've laughed out loud at punchlines more often than I can count. And the artwork matches up to the writing; I love the cartoony aspects of the characters, particularly their more exasperated and exaggerated facial expressions.

Stephen King observed in his writing memoir that "people like to read about work. I don't know why, but they do." (I suspect it has something to do with the fact that we spend so much of our time at our jobs!) One need only to look as far as the success of a show like "The Office," which is all about the awkward and hilarious dynamics of the workplace.

"Book Returned 47 Years Late."

What makes "Unshelved" so special is that it manages to combine the workplace humor that so many people enjoy with a genuine love of books, reading, and libraries. This must be due in large part to the fact that Ambaum is a librarian himself, and both Ambaum and Barnes are clearly book-lovers (they review their latest reads every Friday).

Their affection for the world of reading -- and for the world of libraries -- adds a dash of heart to their comic strip, making it a truly unique read. So if you're a library-lover, be sure to check it out.

… no pun intended, of course.

Check out more "Unshelved" by checking out their collections in our Catalog!

Unshelved
What Would Dewey Do?
Library Mascot Cage Match
Book Club
Frequently Asked Questions
Reader's Advisory
Large Print

New & Improved @ MPL!

It's been awhile since our last update, but we're back to announce our returning, improved "New @ MPL" blog! Coming up are some great new features that we hope will make for a more engaging, informative, and enjoyable blog experience for our patrons and readers.

Now you'll be able to enjoy weekly updates not only about what's happening at our library, but also receive updates on upcoming book, film, movie, and game releases; read postings on current informational and entertainment trends; and check out staff reviews of our personal recommendations.

Looking forward to seeing you around the blog! And in the meantime, be sure to check out our other great features @ MPL online:

-- Articles, websites, and online resources about today's news and top stories.

-- Monroeville Public Library's very own monthly podcasts for teens and adults.

-- MPL on Facebook! Find out what's happening at our Library and leave comments and feedback for us.

And be sure to take our online survey to tell us what you love best about MPL before we join the eiNetwork this spring! (Find out more about our catalog migration when you take the survey.)

Consumer Health Information

Consumer Health Information

Have you been to the doctor lately and wanted to find out more information about your health condition? Check out some of these reliable and trustworthy sites for accurate information.

http://medlineplus.gov/ [MedlinePlus] Trusted Health Information

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home.html [FamilyDoctor.org] Health Information For The Whole Family

http://nccam.nih.gov/ [National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine]

http://caphis.mlanet.org/consumer/index.html [Top 100 List: Health Websites You Can Trust]