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.