'Day of Infamy' Speech

On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The following day 75 years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the above speech to Congress, asking for a declaration of war. The speech was titled the 'Day of Infamy Speech' or 'Infamy Speech' from the first line.

To see the history and variations of the speech, click here for the National Archives. Below is the speech as it was delivered.

5 Interesting Things About James Lee Burke

Houston born and Louisiana raised author James Lee Burke was born on December 5th, 1936. The author of 35 novels, Burke has lead an interesting life. We celebrate him and his literary achievements with a few facts.

7 Mark Twain Quotes for His Birthday

Samuel Clemons, AKA Mark Twain, was born on November 30, 1835. In honor of this great man's 181st birthday, here are a baker's half-dozen of his quotes on a variety of topics taken from Mark Twain : his words, wit, and wisdom.

Five Tips From How to Win Friends and Influence People

Today, November 24th, is the birthday of Dale Carnegie. Carnegie was the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, published in 1936 and arguably the first self-help book. The book contains many tips on how to live your life to be more popular. Here are six lessons you can take away from the book.

The Truth About Black Friday May Shock You

While some of us will be sleeping away a turkey overdose, many Americans will be out in the world shopping this Friday. The unofficial holiday, also known as "Black Friday," is supposed to be the busiest shopping day of the year. While many legends have arisen as to how the day got its name, the truth is very much against the shoppers.

5 Martin Scorses Films at the Library

Acclaimed film director Martin Scorses turns 74 on November 17 so we decided to look and see what of his we had in the library. A mix of narrative and nonfiction, Scorses's career covers many diverse and interesting topics. Here are a few, in no particular order:

5 Moby-Dick Facts

Moby-Dick: The Whale by Herman Melville was published 165 years ago in the United States on November 14, 1851. The book, about a sea captain obsessed with killing a white whale to the detriment of everything around him, is an American classic. Here are five facts about Moby-Dick (and yes, there is supposed to be a hyphen).

It was inspired by two whales

Much like Law & Order, Moby-Dick was ripped from the headlines. The first story was about a whale in the Pacific named Mocha-Dick that would come close to sailing vessels and at the slightest aggressive action would sink the ships. The second story came from 1820 when the ship Essex was sunk by a very aggressive and large whale, leaving the surviving crew stranded for months at sea.

It was written fairly fast

The novel was begun in 1850 and completed in 1851. Melville even rewrote the novel after talking with fellow author and friend Nathaniel Hawthorne. At over 200,000 words, that's a pretty quick pen Melville had.

The book is dedicated to Nathaniel Hawthorne

Melville and the Scarlet Letter author lived close to each other as Moby Dick was being completed. Hawthorne advised Melville on the novel, causing the massive rewrite before publication. Both authors gave each other's books glowing reviews.

The book was not a best seller

Selling only 3,175 copies in Melville's lifetime (he lived another 40 years after its publication) the novel marked the beginning of the end of Melville's writing career. He had been a successful author previous to Moby-Dick, but the white whale seemed to sink his prose and poetry alike until his death. It did not become popular until its reprint in 1891.

Starbucks Coffee is named from the book.

The creators of Starbucks originally wanted to name the coffee chain "Pequod" after the Ahab's ship, but changed their mind and named it after the ship's first mate instead.

Sources

11 Things You Might Not Know About 'Moby-Dick' - Mental Floss

4 Facts about the Marine Corps on It's Birthday

The United States Marine Corps celebrates its 241st birthday this year on November 10th, so here are four facts about one of the oldest branches of our military.

It has had two birthdays

Before 1921, the Marines celebrated their birthday on July 11th, as that was the date they were established formally for the new United States by John Adams in 1789. There was little celebration until 1925 when Major Edwin North McClellan the Corps historian sent Commandant John A. Lejeune a memo recommending changing the date to November 10th, the date the Continental Marines were established during the Revolution.

There was little pomp early

Between 1925 and 1952, celebrations varied from dances, mock battles, and small parties. The Marine Corps then moved to have a celebration that includes a ball and cake cutting. This tradition was formalized in 1952 by Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., the procedure for which ended up in the Drill Manual in 1956.

There is a procedure for cutting the cake.

The cake cutting is a formal event that is meant to symbolize the age and tradition of the Corps. The first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present who then gives it to the youngest. This is to show the passing of knowledge and tradition between generations.

They went through a few mottoes

The official motto of the Marine Corps is "Semper Fidelius" which translates from Latin to "Always Faithful." This motto was established in 1883. Before that it had three:

The first, antedating the War of 1812, was “Fortitudine” (“With Fortitude”). The second, “By Sea and by Land,” was obviously a translation of the Royal Marine’s “Per Mare, Per Terram.” Until 1848, the third motto was “To the Shores of Tripoli,” in commemoration of O’Bannon’s capture of Derna in 1805. In 1848, after the return to Washington of the Marine battalion that took part in the capture of Mexico City, this motto was revised to: “From the Halls of the Montezumas to the Shores of Tripoli" – a line now familiar to all Americans. This revision of the Corps motto in Mexico has encouraged speculation that the first stanza of “The Marines’ Hymn” was composed by members of the Marine battalion who stormed Chapultepec Castle.

Source

United States Marine Corps History Division (via archive.org) 

Geaux Vote Election Information

Early last month we gave you information on non-partisan political organizations and candidate information. This entry is all about Geaux Vote Election Information.

If you’re trying to find out where to vote, what’s on the ballot, or even whether you are registered to vote, the state of Louisiana has a website called geauxvote.com.

Under the "Are you a voter?" heading, you can find the following links:

Register to Vote or Make Changes to Your Registration Voter Registration Information Inactive Voter Search

Mobile Apps Get Election Information Sample Ballot Sign-up for Election Alerts

If you need additional help finding your voter information, stop by the Main Library across from the Civic Center or call the Reference Department at 876-5861, option 2.

5 Behind the Scenes Facts about Doctor Strange

Marvel's Doctor Strange is due out this weekend and the comic fans at the library are excited. To get ready for the Sorcer Supreme's big movie debut, we looked him up in our collection and found a few tidbits on his creators.

Here are a few facts from behind the scenes of the Master of the Mystic Arts

All Hallow's Read 2016

In case you did not watch the video above, author Neil Gaiman explains the idea of All Hallow's Eve: Give a scary book to someone for Halloween.

What a great thought!

Just please don't give library books!

Check out allhallowsread.com for book recommendations and more!

5 Facts About the Oxford English Dictionary

One of the largest "books" in the library's collection is the Oxford English Dictionary, or the OED. The OED is a staple for library reference, containing definitions of around 600,000 words in the English language in 20 volumes. Here are six facts about the OED:

Like Westworld? Try These Books And Movies at the Library

Like around 6 million other people, have you been tuning into HBO's new drama Westworld? The weekly drama, originally a 1973 movie directed by author Michael Crichton, follows an old west theme park staffed by robots.

For $40,000 a day, guests can do... whatever. While the guests follow their own desires, secrets lie beneath the sunny desert exterior. If you are as intrigued as I am and looking to fill the time between Sundays, try these items the library has to offer.

Click on the title to see if it is available at the library.

International Day of the Nacho, October 21st

While technically National Nacho Day is November 6th (I saw you checking your calendar when you saw the title), International Day of the Nacho is October 21.

Go Pink!: Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Show your support by wearing pink and educating yourself and others about the dangers of breast cancer and the importance of getting regular health check ups. Library staff will be showing our support on October 19th by wearing pink at the library!

Check the Date: National Fire Prevention Week

This week, October 9-15, is Fire Prevention Week from the National Fire Protection Association. This year's focus is "Check the Date!" a reminder to change out your smoke detector every 10 years and check them at least once a year or more.

Fast facts about fires from National Fire Protection Association

Home fires

• Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Only one in five home fires were reported during these hours.
• One quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.
• Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• In 2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 367,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,745 deaths, 11,825 civilian injuries, and $6.8 billion in direct damage.
• On average, seven people die in U.S. home fires per day.
• Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
• Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.
• Most fatal fires kill one or two people. In 2014, 15 home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 88 deaths.
• During 2009-2013, roughly one of every 335 households had a reported home fire per year.

Smoke alarms

• Three out of five home fire deaths in 2009-2013 were caused by fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
• In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 94% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated 80% of the time.
• When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
• An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.

Find more facts and information at by clicking here.

Stigma Free: Mental Illness Awareness Week

Last week, October 2-8, was Mental Illness Awareness Week, supported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The point is to be more aware and in support of persons with various mental illnesses and disorders. If the library is anything, it is a place to learn and grow and gain understanding.

The backbone of the week is the Stigma Free Pledge, an agreement with yourself to do three things:

1. Learn about mental health issues
2. See the person, not the illness
3. Take action on mental health issues

Tips for National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month! Since 2004, information professionals have been using this month to expand awareness about cyber threats and tips about how to stay safe online. Here are a few important tips to remember followed by some resources. Stay Safe Online!

Be an Informed Voter for the Presidential Election

Carter and Ford Debate Photo from White House Staff

The election for the President of the United States is a little more than a month away, so now is the time to get educated about the candidates. Remember, it's not enough to simply be a voter; be an informed voter.

If you have not registered to vote, the last day you can do so in Louisiana is October 11th.

Click here if you have not registered:
 http://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/Pages/OnlineVoterRegistration.aspx

Click here to check and see if you have registered:
 https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/VoterLogin

General information

Politifact

A non-partisan site devoted to tracking candidate rhetoric and talking points as well as general news and information about the candidates.

Rock the Vote

A non-partisan site for general election information, state information, and voter registration.

Real Clear Politics 

A political site containing polling and other tracking information.

New York Times Interactive Tracker

An election tracker that provides information and links about each major party candidate.

Scholastic - Election: Everything You Need

Educational resources about the election, candidates, and teaching about the election.

Individual candidates

Hillary Clinton (Democrat)

Former First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State, and lawyer
Website
Twitter

Donald Trump (Republican)

By Michael Vadon - →This file has been extracted from another file: Donald Trump August 19, 2015.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0, 

Real estate entrepreneur, business manager, and television host
Website
Twitter

Jill Stein (Green Party)

By Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0

Activist, medical doctor, and environmental health advocate.Website
Twitter

Gary Johnson (Libertarian)

By Gary Johnson - https://www.flickr.com/photos/govgaryjohnson/27807588416/, CC BY 2.0,

Two-term Governor of New Mexico, businessman, and author

Website
Twitter

Be a Superhero: Banned Books Week

We are in the middle of Banned Books Week, the yearly celebration of the freedom to read whatever you want. Look below to check out a description of the week and some library books you can find that have been on the list.

5 Library Resources to Help You Stop Smoking

Let's Talk About Smoking

It's no coincidence that smoking is referred to often as a "habit" rather than an "addiction." It is both, no doubt about that, but the habit part is the biggest roadblock to stopping. 

Think of any other activity you do multiple times a day and have done for years. Listening to music, for instance. Now think of stopping all music. No more singing along in the car, no more dancing in the shower or out with friends, and no more quick songs at work to break up the day. Music still exists, other people enjoy it around you (especially that weird lady who sings in the supermarket), but you have to stop the same way you started: because you decided to.

That's what stopping smoking is like. While there are over-the-counter and prescription medications to help you with nicotine cravings (talk to your doctor before using them), few smokers who stop think about all the little triggers they have that drive them back to the habit. Old places, activities, rituals, and other parts of your day have to be changed or avoided. It's a distraction from those triggers and developing new habits that the library can help you with.

The following are five library resources you can use to distract you when you have a craving:

New Learning Express Features!

Log in to LearningExpress with your library card and PIN (your birthday in six numbers)

SAT^® and ACT^® Test Prep

Twenty-five (25) new resources were added for 2016 SAT^® test preparation, including complete, full-length practice tests in a test-simulation mode that helps students become confident with the format, timing, and content of the official exam. Complete practice tests and two (2) writing practice tests were also added for the ACT^® test.

New eBooks

The eBook collection includes new eBooks for GED^® test prep, time management, communication skills, and Praxis II test prep, plus new editions of Nursing School Entrance Exams, Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Exam, Praxis: Core Academic Skills for Educators (5712, 5722, 5732), ASVAB Core Review, and Border Patrol Exam.

New School Center Resources

High School Math Skills Improvement has grown, with five (5) new practice tests aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

CLEP^® Test Practice

Two (2) practice tests for the CLEP^® College Mathematics exam have been updated to match the latest CLEP^® test specifications.

New Career Center Practice Tests
Test prep for military exams increased with the addition of practice tests for the SIFT, ASTB-E: OAR, and ASTB-E: Aviation and Nautical Information tests.

From LearningExpress

Get assistance at the library. We are here for you.

Whether you’ve been affected by recent flooding or are visiting the area for the first time, we are here for you. Below is information that might be helpful.

Computer labs

Computers are available for public use. If you do not have a library card, talk with the staff, and they can give you guest access. Printing is available from library computers only.

Copying, scanning, printing and faxing are available.

Wifi 

Wifi is available for laptops and smartphones.

Children’s, teen, & adult programming 

Programming is available for all ages. From story times to movies, check our website’s online calendar to fit your needs (mytpl.org).

Emergency services

State of Louisiana Disaster assistance

Apply for long term disaster assistance and receive information. Also contact Terrebonne’s Offce of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Emergency Louisiana Weather, emergency, and general information for Louisiana http://emergency.louisiana.gov/

Red Cross

Available for short-term help for disaster assistance, call localy Thibodaux Bayou Parishes Region 1233 Canal Blvd. Thibodaux, LA, 70302 Phone: (985) 447-3229 http://www.redcross.org/

511la.org

Resource for up-to-date travel information http://www.511la.org/

Local emergency services 

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Department 

7856 Main Street, Courthouse Annex, Suite 121 Houma LA 70360 Switchboard (985) 876-2500 Fax (985) 857-0274 http://www.tpso.net/

Houma Police Department 

500 Honduras Street Houma, Louisiana 70360 (985) 873-6306 Fax:(985) 872-4670 http://www.houmapd.com/

Houma Fire Department 

600 Wood Street Houma, Louisiana 70360 (985) 873-6391 http://www.houmafire.com/

Terrebonne’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness 

(985) 873-6357 Fax: (985) 850-4643 oep@tpcg.org http://www.tohsep.com/

Houma Post Office 

425 Lafayette St Houma, Louisiana, 70360 985-223-1722

Clerk of Court 

7856 Main St Houma, LA 70360 (985) 868-5660 http://www.terrebonneclerk.org/

Branch Information

MAIN BRANCH:

Branch Manager: Gina Hebert
151 Library Drive
Houma LA 70360
Phone: (985) 876-5861
Fax: (985) 917-0582
Admin Fax: (985) 876-5864
Email Us
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday – 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

EAST HOUMA BRANCH:

Branch Manager: Rhonda Madison-James
778 Grand Caillou Rd., Houma, LA 70363
Phone: (985) 876-7072
FAX: (985) 876-9658
E-mail Us
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

BOURG BRANCH:

Branch Manager: Stephanie Mahaffey
4405 St. Andrew St., Bourg, LA 70343
Phone: (985) 594-4717
FAX: (985) 594-8392
E-mail Us
Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

CHAUVIN BRANCH:

Branch Manager: Tina Freeman
5500 Hwy 56, Chauvin, LA 70344
Phone: (985) 594-9771
FAX: (985) 594-7506
E-mail Us
Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

DULARGE BRANCH:

Branch Manager: Martha Guidry
837 Bayou Dularge Rd., Houma LA 70363
Phone: (985) 851-1752
FAX: (985) 851-7021
E-mail Us
Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

MONTEGUT BRANCH:

Branch Manager: Margaret Ann Hebert
1135 Hwy 55, Montegut, LA 70377
Phone: (985) 594-4390
FAX: (985) 594-9512
E-mail Us
Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

GIBSON BRANCH:

Branch Manager: Charlotte Celestin
6363 S. Bayou Black Dr., Gibson, LA 70356
Phone: (985) 575-2639
FAX: (985) 575-3069
E-mail Us
Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

GRAND CAILLOU BRANCH:

Branch Manager: Candace Chauvin
200 Badou Dr., Dulac, LA 70353
Phone: (985) 563-2014
FAX: (985) 563-2015
E-mail Us
Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Beat The Heat: eBooks with Freading!

We've talked about ways to beat the heat this summer with the library's eservices. We talked about Flipster and Axis360, now let's talk about Freading.

Freading offers thousands of books that are available anytime, no waiting lists needed. While this option is similar to our current eBook offerings in Overdrive, Freading’s contents focus on smaller publishers. Don’t let this fool you; there are a great variety of items available.

This service allows for three books to be downloaded each week. At the beginning of the next week, Monday, the count is reset unless there are books "checked out" which roll over. Books are "checked out" from Freading for two weeks at a time with the option for renewals. Books cannot be returned once they are downloaded, so choose wisely. Apps are available for iPhone and Android devices in their respective app stores.

For more information on this service, keep reading!

Beat the Heat: Axis360 will keep you reading

We’ve done a brief overview of everything and gone in-depth with Flipster, now let’s dive into eBooks! The library has a few ways to get ebooks, but going in alphabetical order let’s look at Axis360.

Axis360 is a robust ebook environment that is available on your browser and on your favorite device. Made by book vending company Baker and Taylor, Axis360 has a lot of books the competition does not have. To access directly Axis360, click here.

Let’s dive in and see what it’s all about, shall we.

Beat the Heat: Library Magazines at Home with Flipster

Last week we gave an overview of all the eservices the library offers that you can access from home. Everything from magazines to ebooks to music. This week, let's dive into Flipster, the library's magazine service.

Beat the Heat: Library services you can use from home

It’s hot out there and we don’t blame you if you do not want to leave the comfort of your air conditioning. That does not mean you can’t use the library! In the next couple weeks, we will go in depth with each service, but for now, check out the following free services you can access with your library card without stepping outside:

Enjoying Netflix's 'Stranger Things?' Then you'll love these movies and books at the library

2016 Netflix

The Netflix series Stranger Things is an homage to some pretty great movies and books from the 1980s. Centering around a group of young boys and a supernatural girl fighting an evil from... well, it's not from around here. With the library's collection of books and movies, you can relive those 80s classics with these items:

Pokemon and Gaming at the library!

Pokemon Go has hit the library in a big way, but gaming has always been part of our programming. Just this month we have nine programs across all our branches to get you gaming and enjoying healthy competition with others.

Below is a full schedule of our events and some pictures of Pokemon from the Main and Grand Caillou Branches! For more information, check out our Event Calendar and Contact Us!

8 Literary and Library Podcasts to Get You Through The Summer

Through audio books (especially like the ones the library provides through Overdrive) you can get your books right into your ears while you sit on the beach or drive to your vacation destination. But what if you want to hear people talk about books and give you some recommendations or great interviews?

Enter podcasts.

After the breakout success of Serial, podcasts have become a legitimate way to spend your time learning or being entertained. Like audio books, they can be downloaded to your smartphone and taken with you. Below are eight free podcasts that give book recommendations, interviews with authors, readings of works, all of the above and even some advice. Enjoy!

Save Gale Virtual Reference Library Items Directly to Google Drive!

For those unfamiliar, the Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) is a wonderful resource of reference materials. Rather than being just ebooks meant to be read cover to cover, GVRL separates its materials so they can be searched chapter by chapter or as a whole. 

For instance, if you are looking for test prep materials and just need a practice test, you can access just that chapter rather than downloading the entire book. Unfortunately, this means that items cannot be used like "normal" ebooks, but can be accessed and downloaded as pdf and word files. Now, GVRL has Google Drive integration, making it easier than ever to download and study reference materials!

Keep Your Brain Strong All Summer With Tutor.com!

A lot of students during the summer want to veg out and relax, creating a bit of a summer slide. Don't let this happen to you or your kids! Have fun with educational packs and programs available in the SkillsCenter of tutor.com through HomeworkLA.org and by being a part of the library Summer Reading Program starting May 31st! Kids and adults welcome with reading prizes!

Working Americans: A Historical Collection

The library’s reference collection contains hundreds of titles of interesting, up to date information about all manner of subjects, but did you know you could find some of those books online? One of the best resources available is Working Americans.

Each volume of the Working Americans series by Grey House Publishing covers a different aspect of American life. Click the link to check out the following with descriptions from the publisher:

Working Americans Vol. 1: The Working Class, 2nd Edition

The updated Second Edition of this important reference work focuses on the lifestyles and economic life of working class families and looks, decade by decade, into the kind of work they did, the homes they lived in, the food and clothes they bought, the entertainment they sought as well as the society and history that shaped the world Americans worked in from 1880 to 2012. From the wealth of government surveys, social worker histories, economic data, family diaries and letters, newspaper and magazine features, this unique reference assembles a remarkably personal and realistic look at the lives of ordinary working Americans.

Jambalaya Writer's Conference 2016: Journalism Highlight

The 13th Annual Jambalaya Writer's Conference is almost here! This year’s keynote speaker is novelist Neely Tucker. As a staff writer for the past fifteen years, Tucker is slated to cover the 2016 presidential election for the Washington Post.

Also slated this year are editors, agents, food writers, and poets. Physiologists, detectives, folklorists, and bloggers are scheduled to provide aspiring writers help and guidance when incorporating different aspects into their writing. Conference fee is $35 for early registration, $40 at the door.

For a schedule of events, click here!
For early registration, click here!
For more information about the conference, click here!
Follow and like the conference on Facebook here!

Be Informed: Issues and Controversies

Bill Nye the "Science Guy" said in an interview with Mashable in 2013

"The information you get from social media is not a substitute for academic discipline at all."

He was talking about the ephemeral quality of information, the ability to share a thought or photo or article on a social media platform like Twitter or Facebook in a moment as well as the ability to digest that thought in half as much time and move past it. It's armchair thinking, getting your information passively from sources that... well, at best they want you to click a link or look at their page and at worst want you to have incorrect information.

No matter if the information is useful or correct, it can go by very fast online. Finding an unbiased source, one that is not trying to sell you something or written from a slanted point of view is hard, especially with controversial topics. That's why the library offers Issues & Controversies.

HomeworkLA and Tutor.com: Free Online Tutoring, Job Search Assistance and Academic & Career Resources

From HomeworkLA.org:

HomeworkLouisiana offers FREE online tutoring and academic resources from Tutor.com for Louisiana residents from kindergarten students through adult learners. Get help in math, science, social studies or English from a live tutor. The services can be accessed from a Louisiana public library, from your home computer, or from your mobile device.

Receive one-to-one, real-time assistance with your job search. Online tutors are available to help navigate online job sites, complete applications, write/review resumes and cover letters and even practice for an interview

All services can be accessed from a Louisiana public library, from your home computer or from your mobile device by going to HomeworkLA.org. Traveling out of state? Click here for access using your library card.

Get the App

Tutor.com To Go™ is the free mobile companion for Tutor.com. To use the App, you will have to create an online account with Tutor.com.

The app gives you access to Live One-to-One help, previous tutoring sessions, access to your files, and a skills center with tutorials, worksheets, and assessment tests.

Get the app now for your iOS or Android device.

Tax Season Is Here!

Another year, another season for gathering up the forms and pulling out your hair to figure out where all your money went. Yes, it's tax season again and the library can help!

Look into the past with America's Historical Newspapers

Need to do a paper about how it was back in the good ole days? Want to look back at headlines from across the nation for the Revolution or the Civil War? The library has the database for you with America's Historical Newspapers: Early American Newspapers Series 1 - 3, 1690-1922.

This database chronicles 242 years of American newspapers from precolonial times to just before the Great Depression. Scans of the original papers are available at not cost as long as you are in the library or have a library card.

To access this database, just go to our website (mytpl.org) and click on "Research," then "Databases by Name." Under "A" a link will open to Newsbank, a database source with America's Historical Newspapers available. Click that link to go to the database with the image above.

The database is able to limit your keyword search to dates, newspaper title, places of publication, article type, and language. This way, for example, if you were looking for the front pages of the Times Picayune during the Civil War, a few simple clicks at the bottom of the page can narrow your search. The combinations are endless and more newspapers are added often, so good luck searching!

Linking Overdrive and Goodreads with Chrome

“Goodreads is a free website for book lovers. Imagine it as a large library that you can wander through and see everyone's bookshelves, their reviews, and their ratings. You can also post your own reviews and catalog what you have read, are currently reading, and plan to read in the future” (goodreads.com).

While Overdrive does provide a number of the same services as Goodreads (reviews, etc.), it lacks the social element and vast collection of Goodreads. That being said, there is a Chrome extension that bridges the gap between Goodreads and Overdrive: Available Goodreads.

This extension works in the background and requires very little initial setup to get it started. As patrons browse Goodreads, the extension will embed a link to their local Overdrive, indicating whether or not the digital download is available. 

Axis 360 ebooks have a new Kindle Fire app!

Axis 360, one of the library's ebook apps, is now a whole lot easier on Kindle Fire! Time was if you owned a Kindle Fire you had to download a separate app, then side load it onto your device. Now, just with a quick search and login, the ebooks available at the Terrebonne Parish Library are yours!

Full instructions for finding and downloading the app are available here.

Get Started

1. If you have a Axis 360 app already installed, you can keep using it, but it may become out of date and stop working. To uninstall the current app, find the documentation for uninstalling apps for your device. This can change depending on the age of your device. If you have not previously installed Axis 360 on your device, continue.
2. Now, simply touch the Apps menu at the top of the screen
3. Then click on the "Store" icon. 
4. Find the search box near the top of the screen and enter "Axis 360." In the search results you should see something like the image above. (This image may change after this post due to updates, but the "author" should always read "Baker & Taylor Inc")
5. Using your library card number* and your PIN**, log into the app and enjoy the books.

For those of you having difficulty finding the app, you can go to the app's Amazon page by clicking here. Then, you will need to log in with your Amazon account, on the right choose which device you would like the app delivered to, and click "Get app." The app should then download to your device.

For more information on this app, check out the app information on Baker and Taylor's website here.

For more information on downloading apps to a Kindle Fire, check out the webpage on Amazon here.

*The 13 digit number below your bar code on the back of your library card.

**Your library PIN is your birthday in six digits with "0" if there is no number and the last two numbers of the year. If your birthday is January 1, 2000, your PIN would be 010100 or if it is December 25, 1997, your PIN would be 122597.