Keeping an Eye on Isaac

As Isaac makes its way across the Gulf, Louisiana prepares for possible landfall.  Below are links to help you keep an eye on the weather and stay safe should the storm head our way.


Weather Monitoring

The National Weather Service's Hurricane Center

Wunderground Tropical Weather and Hurricanes



Preparedness Links

Terrebonne Parish Emergency Info (TPCG)
Latest news on school closures, sandbags, shelters, and other important Parish emergency announcements.  At the time of this post, schools for Terrebonne Parish will be closed on Monday, August 27, 2012.  Click here for the latest updates.

Southeast Louisiana Evacuation Guide

Louisiana Governor's Office: Get a Game Plan

Louisiana Department of Transportation Interactive Contraflow Map

National Hurricane Center's "Be Prepared" Website

Hurricane Supply Checklist

The Red Cross Hurricane Prep Resources - includes link to a Hurricane App for iPhone or Android to help you and your family prepare, find shelter, and stay in touch should a storm strike

Mars Rover Landing @ 12:31AM!

The Mars rover Curiosity is set to begin its landing at 12:31am CDT on Monday, August 6th -- less than 7 hours at the time of this post.


The countdown clock is ticking, but there is still time to learn about Curiosity's mission and how you can follow this historic event at home. Check the NASA Mars Science Laboratory web site for pictures, news, links to the different ways to follow the landing, and a variety of interactive games and lessons for all ages.


NASA's Mars home page is a good quick stop for a look at the countdown clock and links to Curiosity mission images.  You can also follow the mission on Facebook and Twitter.


NASA TV will be streaming the event live via cable and online.  A continuous UStream broadcast leading up to the landing has already started and will continue through the landing.

Free live streaming by Ustream

Universe Today and the SETI Institute will be hosting a pre-landing Google+ Hangout this evening from 10pm - 2am CDT.  This Google+ live feed and interactive web page will feature an all star lineup of scientists, available to answer questions and provide a variety of perspectives on the Curiosity mission and search for evidence of life on Mars.


According to Gaming Age magazine, you will even be able to watch the landing via Xbox 360!


The first photos from the surface aren't expected until 2 hours after landing, but if the landing is successful, we will be treated all week to a stream of new images as the mission progresses.  If you missed the video NASA produced to explain the perils of the rover landing, see the 7 Minutes of Terror video below.  

The EBSCOhost Mobile App: Databases on the Go!

Some of the databases we use most often at the library are part of EBSCOhost.  EBSCOhost is a service that allows you to see and search many different databases, including MasterFile Premier, Academic Search Complete, and many more.  Now, courtesy of Terrebonne Parish Library, anyone can access EBSCOhosts’s databases on the go on their mobile phones and devices.  Below is a quick set of instructions on how to download and set up the EBSCOhost mobile app.

On your computer, type "mytpl.org" into your web browser’s address bar.

On the home page, move your mouse cursor over "research” on the top menu bar.

When the drop-down menu that appears, click “Databases by Name.”

On the next page, click the “M,” and then click “MasterFile Premier” from the drop down menu that will appear.

A new window or tab will open.  Click on the link at the bottom of the page that reads: “New: EBSCOhost iPhone and Android Applications.”

A pop up window like the one below will appear on the page.  Enter an email address you can easily access on your mobile phone or device.  Then click send.

 At this point, you should open your e-mail on your mobile phone or device.  You should have an email from “ephost” that looks like this: 

Follow the instructions in the email (which exactly match the example above).  The quickest way to find and download the app in the iTunes App Store or Google Play is to search for “ebscohost.”  Once you tap “authentication key,” the app will open up ready to use for a 9 month period.  After the period ends, you simply have to re-authorize. 

If you need any help, please call the Main Library at (985) 876-5861 and select option 2 to reach the Reference Department.  Or, you can stop by and see us on the second floor at 151 Library Drive behind the Houma Civic Center.