Pollination is a process that transfers genetic material so a plant can reproduce. Why should we care about pollination? Plant reproduction involves the production of seeds, and some of those seeds are inside fruits like apples, cherries and peaches. Did I mention that strawberries, blueberries, chocolate, and coffee depend on pollinators too? It is estimated that 2/3 of crop species world-wide depend upon pollinators!
Even though we have all been stuck at home for a few months, fitness and staying healthy has never been more important. It gets your endorphins going and is a great way to relieve any extra anxiety brought on by the pandemic. There are so many things that you can do at home with no equipment simply using your own body weight. Our digital material collection contains many fitness books, videos, and more that can you help you get started at home. I included some fitness books and videos below that can get you started in many different fitness styles right from home.
The library subscribes to many useful services and databases so you do not have to. But, we still have to learn what these services are for and how to use them. One of these very useful services is called Reference USA, which provides a database of U.S. and Canadian businesses. This database not only provides lists of new businesses and historical business but job postings as well. Below is screenshot of the “Dashboard” page that you will be directed to when you click on the link for Reference USA.
Universal Class is a certified online learning service that provides continuing education courses free to all Library patrons. Students earn certificates and continuing education credits. The courses have lessons, assignments, activities, exams and assessments of your progress. The course selection is vast - there are more than 500 courses in the catalog and they include Alternative Medicine, Business, Do It Yourself, Crafts & Hobbies, Social Work, Pet & Animal Care, Career Training, Self Help, Web Development, General Education, Spiritual Development and Test Preparation.
Social distancing guidelines mean that our Conversation Partners program has had to be suspended for the time being. We're as disappointed by this as you are, but that doesn't mean you have to stop learning! As many of you already know, apps like Mango and Rocket Languages can help you practice virtually from home and some of our language learning books and audiobooks are available through Libby and the Blue Ridge Download Consortium.
This is our third month in compliance with the stay at home order to halt the spread of Covid 19. We are comfortable in our home and we’ve been able to work and study from here. But it has not been an easy time. The “snow day” atmosphere that first surrounded my family has been replaced by health concerns and uncertainty. We’ve sought comfort in food, with a few cocktails thrown in for the adults. In fact, we’ve been consuming ice cream by the bucket, brownies, cookies and anything else that makes us feel better. Judging from posts I’ve seen on social media,
My lunch routine is to grab a couple of magazines before heading to the Library breakroom. My favorite pairing: Businessweek with People. And while I enjoy the leisurely flip through magazines, I’m like many of our patrons – format flexible. I go with what’s convenient in the moment. If I can’t get the print copy, I get the digital one available through the Library’s RB Digital service. In RB Digital, every issue is always available.
Now that we are all stuck at home the majority of the time, there is no time like the present to visit old memories of listening to music or discover something new that you aren't familiar with. Our new service, Hoopla has a lot of really great music that you can
"check out" and listen to. When you download an album it is available to you for 7 days and then will be returned automatically. All you need to do is sign up for an account using your library card and you are good to go.
With our branches closed and physical checkouts currently suspended, you may think that there's no way to get graphic novels with your library card. That's not the case at all! As much as we've been promoting our new graphic novel collection for adults, it's definitely not the only option available to you. The library now offers you more ways than ever to get your graphic novel fix, even while social distancing.
We all need some escape every once in a while, even more so when we’re cooped up indoors and hounded by frightening news stories. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of fun, escapist novels for you to enjoy! From more recent releases to well-loved classics, these books are sure to give you a break from the stresses of life during a pandemic.
Newer Releases
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
Are you stuck at home during Covid-19? The Handley Regional Library System has you covered! You can access a lot of our services online from the comfort (and safety) of your own home. From educational to fun and entertaining, check out a list below of what you can do to occupy your free time and still enjoy the library 24/7. Know what the best part of all is? All of these services are free with your library card!
If you’ve ever logged into ‘My Account’ through the Library website, then you know the convenience of having the library at your fingertips no matter where you are. Through your library account you can view what items you have checked out, note due dates, renew items, place holds on materials, and pay account fines all from the comfort of home. But today we are going to delve into another great feature of your account: creating and managing lists.
1. Write a letter: Not an email; a real old-fashioned pen (or pencil) to paper letter. One you will have to edit as you gather your thoughts and copy over to look presentable.
When the library is closed it’s always reassuring that there are services still accessible with your library card no matter where you are. Thanks to our eBook collection through the Blue Ridge Download Consortium (BRDC) and the new Hoopla media service, I have plenty of options to stay entertained. Check out our Downloadable Media page for more information on how to access these services if you haven’t tried them yet. In the meantime here are some titles I’ve enjoyed that are available through these platforms.
Poetry is a great example of Aristotle’s concept that “The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts.” Individual words have their meanings but when they are strung together using cadence and rhyme to form a poem, the “whole” is definitely greater. Poems connect the head to the heart, ideas to emotions, and our senses to places.