A final word of PlainTalk

Well folks, this is the last official post on the PlainTalk blog for the Des Plaines Public Library. On February 4th, we're launching a brand new website. We'll be blogging right on the website. It will be called "The Blog". Fancy, right?

The best part is that you will see posts from people working in many different departments on a variety of topics. You're sure to find something to interest you. We'll be focusing on five types of posts:

• Happening at the library
• Spotlight
• Staff picks
• Kids & parents
• How-to

There will be a little bit for everyone. There will still be "plain talking" about books, technology, and other things you'll find at the library just not PlainTalk.

On February 4th, visit the new blog and start reading. Ciao!

Read the world's breaking news with Library Press Display

This month we're featuring Library Press Display, your online portal to the world's news. Library Press Display gathers together thousands of papers from around the world. They're searchable and readable right from your computer (yes, you can do this from home).

Where did that article come from?

If you have used other resources to find newspaper articles, you know that it's easy to get the text, but harder to understand how the article originally appeared in the paper. I really like to see how the article was laid out, what appeared around it.

Library Press Display really excels in this area. Not only can you click on a story and read it, but you can see the full page spread too.

A little bit of fun stuff too

Of course you'll find breaking news and all of the world's sad stories in Library Press Display. But you can also come across fun stuff like crossword puzzles. You can even view all of the daily horoscopes from over 350 papers!

Truly the world's news

If one word describes Library Press Display for me, it would be "wordly." I feel more connected to far flung places browsing and reading through it. The great thing, especially for our community, is that you can read so many papers in their original languages.

Give it a try today!

Books for a smarter, happier, better you from 2013

As 2013 comes to a close, let's look at some of the books that we think will make you smarter, better, and happier. Whether you want to know how to your smartphone or get new insights into history, here are some of our favorites.

Biography

Nine Years under

Nine Years under

"Six Feet Under meets The Wire in a dazzling and darkly comic memoir about coming-of-age in a black funeral home in Baltimore"

Picked by Steven, Reference Librarian

Technology

My IPhone

My IPhone

"Step-by-step instructions with callouts to iPhone images that show you exactly what to do."

Picked by Lalu, Reference Assistant

Psychology & Self-Help

Quiet

Quiet

"Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so."

Picked by Lalu, Reference Assistant

Religion & Spirituality

Living the Quaker Way

Living the Quaker Way

"As an antidote to the complexities and challenges of modern life, award-winning author Philip Gulley offers the opportunity to participate in a world where the values of the Quaker way"

Picked by Gwen, Reference Assistant

Sociology

David and Goliath

David and Goliath

"Uncovers the hidden rules that shape the balance between the weak and the mighty, and the powerful and the dispossessed."

Picked by Cathy, Reference Librarian

What My Mother Gave Me

What My Mother Gave Me

"In What My Mother Gave Me, women look at the relationships between mothers and daughters through a new lens: a daughtere(tm)s story of a gift from her mother..."

Picked by Cathy, Reference Librarian

Science

The Particle at the End of the Universe

The Particle at the End of the Universe

"The Particle at the End of the Universe, Caltech physicist and acclaimed writer Sean Carroll takes readers behind the scenes of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN"

Picked by Steven, Reference Librarian

Education

Confessions of A Bad Teacher

Confessions of A Bad Teacher

"An explosive new look at the pressures on today's teachers and the pitfalls of school reform"

Picked by Steven, Reference Librarian

Health

Counterclockwise

Counterclockwise

"A bootcamp in Utah in 118 degree heat. A raw food diet. Hypnotic suggestions... These are just a few of the stops Lauren Kessler makes on her journey to reverse time from the inside out."

Picked by Gwen, Reference Assistant

A Dog Walks into A Nursing Home

A Dog Walks into A Nursing Home

"the story of how one faithful, charitable, loving, and sometimes prudent mutt...taught a well-meaning woman the true nature and pleasures of the good life."

Picked by Gwen, Reference Assistant

Cooking

The Pioneer Woman Cooks A Year of Holidays

The Pioneer Woman Cooks A Year of Holidays

"Holiday favorites for all year round, from the #1 New York times bestselling author and Food Network personality"

Picked by Lalu, Reference Assistant

Art & Photography

Brassai

Brassai

"This book brings together some of the best-known images from Brassais...showcasing them alongside previously unpublished photos and archive material"

Picked by Christina, Reference Librarian

History

The Guns at Last Light

The Guns at Last Light

"Tells the dramatic story of the titanic battle for Western Europe from D-Day to the thrust to the heart of the Third Reich."

Picked by Joanne, Reference Librarian