Consumer Reports : Using researchIT CT for Results!

A Short Story
The East Hampton Public Library is a former subscriber to Consumer Reports. The library dropped its subscription when the Connecticut State Library added it to its list of statewide researchIT CT services (formerly iCONN); i.e., no sense incurring a duplicate expense.

Moving Forward
Though accessing Consumer Reports data takes a few more steps than it used to, there is still a wealth of essential and free consumer-friendly information at the ready and at your finger tips. Here's a how-to if you are using a PC:

Step 1 : Login to EBSCOHost

Click and you will be asked to enter your library barcode number. Your card number is 14 digits long and should be entered without spaces between the digits. After entering your card number, click the login button.

Once you are logged in, you'll see a list of databases from which you may choose.

Step 2 : Choose MasterFILE Premiere

Scroll down through the list of available databases and check the box for MasterFILE Premiere. Press the enter key and you're ready to search and find information from Consumer Reports.


Step 3 : Use the Drop-down Menu to Limit Your Search

Use the 'Journal name' selection in the drop-down menu and enter (not case sensitive) consumer reports in the uppermost search box.

In the second-level box, after the AND, enter the general product you are shopping for and for which you are seeking product reviews.

Give us a call at 860-267-6621 if you need help with a PC query. Tablet and phone advice coming soon...

Alzheimer's Disease : World Alzheimer's Month : September 2016 : Remember Me

Remember Me
According to Alzheimer's Disease International, there are more than 47 million people worldwide living with dementia. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia.

In the U.S., more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. Whether you or a family member are Generation X (1965-1984), a Boomer (born 1945-1964), a Silent (born 1923-1944), or a Greatest (1910-1925), your family has likely been touched by this devastating disease which cannot yet be prevented or cured.

Links to Useful Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Association, Connecticut Chapter
MedLine Plus : Alzheimer's Disease, Financial Planning
National Institutes of Health : National Institute on Aging
My Place CT : Long-Term Care Services and Supports
National Council on Aging : Benefits Checkup
Alzheimer's Association : MedicAlert + Safe Return
CT State Department of Aging
researchIT CT : Free online resources as a service of the CT State Library
Town of East Hampton CT : Senior Center, Municipal Agent for the Elderly

Walk to End Alzheimer's
On date of this post, there are four walks scheduled in Connecticut. Plug in your zip code to find September/October walk dates/locations and consider a walk for a cure.

Books & Reading for Adults
A short list of guides and memoirs for individuals or families:

What If It's Not Alzheimer's? A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia edited by Gary & Lisa Radin

The Theft of Memory : Losing My Father One Day at a Time by Jonathan Kozol

The 36-Hour Day, 5th Edition : A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss by Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins

The End of Memory :  A Natural History of Aging & Alzheimer's by Jay Ingram

Sum It Up by Pat Summitt (1952-2016)

A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care: A Guide for Care Partners, Revised Edition by Virginia Bell, David Troxel

Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together (September 2016) by Deborah Shouse

Slow Dancing with a Stranger : Lost & Found in the Age of Alzheimer's by Meryl Comer

For Younger Readers

A family member's condition can effect everyone in the family. A short list of titles for young readers:

Really and Truly by Emile Rivard

The Memory Wall (September 2016) by Lev A.C. Rosen (September 2016)

Forget Me Not by Nancy Van Laan

My New Granny by Elisabeth Steinkellner

Pop by Gordon Korman

September 11 : 15 Years Later

The events of September 11, 2001 changed the world forever. We here recommend a few regarded titles, fiction and non-fiction, for a generation of readers too young to remember that fateful date. As always, choose for yourself and how to inform and/or shield your children.

Fiction for Older Children & Tweens
Nine, Ten: a September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

All We Have Left by Wendy Mills

Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai

For Early Elementary School Kids
Fireboat : the Heroic Adventures of John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman

14 Cows for America written by Carmen Agra Deedy ; in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah ; illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

Seven and a Half Tons of Steel by Janet Nolan ; illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

A Look Back : Family Discussion Titles
America is Under Attack : September 2001 : the Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown

What Were the Twin Towers? by Jim O'Connor ; illustrated by Ted Hammond

September 11, 2001 : Attack on New York City by Wilborn Hampton

These and many other titles about the subject with recommendations at the front and Children's Services desks.

Library Card Power : Online Learning with Lynda.com

Learn Something New
Use your East Hampton Public Library card as a key to open the door to a high quality online learning resource.

Lynda.com offers over 3,000 interactive video courses taught by experts. Learn a new skill for work or just for fun. Lessons are for all skill levels and include a wide variety of topic areas including business skills and software, web design and development, music, photo and video editing, and 3D design and animation.

How to Use Lynda.com
Use your library card to access Lynda.com at the East Hampton Public Library or at home through an Internet browser. If you don't remember you pin number, give us a call @ 860-267-6621.

When you log in the first time, you will be required to set up a Lynda.com account. This account will keep track of your course progress. For help, check out this tutorial: How to use Lynda.com or, search for a course of interest and get started.

The library version of Lynda.com provides access to all the same courses provided to company and individual subscribers, and all are free to East Hampton Public Library CT resident cardholders.

'Tis the Season

Hurricane Season
The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially started on June 1 and ends on November 30. Safe to say no one is ever looking to be impacted by a hurricane. However, weather happens and in the case of any storm warning, it's a very good idea to keep informed and to think Boy Scout motto : be prepared.

Recommended Web Sites
Here's a range of web sites worth consulting during hurricane season. The list includes links to storm-tracking sites; sites with storm preparedness and family safety information, and educational web videos that may or may not alarm your kids (use your judgement).

There is certainly some duplication across sites but this is not a bad thing...

National Hurricane Center : National Weather Service
Atlantic Storm Names : 2012's Atlantic storm names and the safety reasons for naming procedures
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale : Rates a hurricane's intensity using wind speed

Hurricane Preparedness : Advice from the American Red Cross
CT Guide to Emergency Preparedness : Tips from the CT Dept of Emergency Services and Public Protection
Be Ready : Hurricane advice from FEMA with tabs for Before, During and After
Caring for Animals : Includes a pet-ready brochure from FEMA; also link to the Humane Society
Preparing for Disasters : Tips from the IRS about safeguarding your financial records
Be Ready Kids : The kid-friendly version of Be-Ready, above.

How Stuff Works : Hurricanes and from NASA/NOAA SciJinks: How Does a Hurricane Work?

Keeping In Touch Locally

If you have not yet done so, please do consider signing up to receive East Hampton ALERTS. Signing up will help you keep informed about a range of safety and emergency issues of concern to you and your family. Click here to login or create an account.

Town Manager Mike Maniscalco's Twitter page is also a very useful stop for mobile users looking for up-to-date status on local emergency management topics. You do not need to have a Twitter account to view this page.

Storm Safety
Take some time to view an educational video developed by Eversource CT. The video provides life saving information for anyone who encounters an unsafe electrical hazard.