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.