Archive for the 'info.gov' Category

And the Wisconsin winner is…

Published by davisk on July 3, 2008 in info.gov. 0 Comments

“Go green!” is the motto for today’s society. In keeping with the trend to keep our environment clean and healthy, parents and educators can teach kids at a young age how to recycle. Keepin’ It in the Loop: a Recycling Activity and Learning Guide For Educators and Students (call number NAT 6/2:R 42/17/2007 and NAT 6/2:R 42/17/2007) recently won the prestigious Wisconsin Distinguished Documents award given out each year to a Wisconsin government document that “contributes significantly to the expansion of knowledge; provides inspiration and pleasure to an identifiable readership; contributes to public understanding of government agencies; and is distinguished by the clarity of its presentation, its typography and design, and its overall appeal.”

The Department of Natural Resources made these documents to teach young kids the importance of recycling and created fun and clever activities to make them think about the impact they have on their environment.

On June 6, 2008, Government Information Day in Madison, those who compiled these documents proudly received their awards from the Government Information Roundtable section of the Wisconsin Library Association for designing and creating these documents. Check out these winners located in the Wisconsin Documents collection, as well as the honorable mentioned documents listed below:

Governor’s Task Force on Campus Safety (GO SAF 2.1: )
Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle (COA 1/2:G 766/)
Turning Points (online)

For more information on the yearly winner’s of the Wisconsin Distinguished Documents Award, visit the Wisconsin Library Association Government Information Roundtable website.

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

Celebrate July 4th

Published by Barbara on July 3, 2008 in around the world and info.gov. 0 Comments

July Fourth is Independence Day. See information related to this national holiday online from the Census Bureau, usa.gov, history.com, and the Library of Congress.

Flag and fireworks image

Why do we celebrate? It’s our national birthday! On July 4, 1776 the 13 colonies took a big step toward becoming a sovereign nation when the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.

How do we celebrate? parades, fireworks, barbecues, concerts, etc. Whitewater’s parade on Friday, July 4th, starts at 10 a.m. See the entire festival schedule (July 3-6) online.

The University Library is closed on Friday-Saturday, but open on Sunday July 6th (4-8 p.m.). Whitewater’s public library (Irvin L. Young Memorial Library) is closed on Friday but open on Saturday July 5th.

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

Watch for flooded roads…

Published by Barbara on June 13, 2008 in around the world and info.gov. 0 Comments

There are maps/news releases online to show where roads are flooded…

Also see the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation’s “Incident Alerts” site which includes a link to a map of the incident sites and links to county web sites with flooding information.

The NOAA National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan station has maps of warnings (see detailed text of warnings by clicking on “Read watches, warnings & advisories” at the right).

Wisconsin Emergency Management has a web site on the current storm situation, with a list of Red Cross shelters, dam conditions, and park closures, and a web page with other flood information for the public (what to do, safety information, etc.).

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

Tornado season…be prepared

Published by Barbara on June 12, 2008 in around the world and info.gov. 0 Comments

It’s peak season (May-August) for occasional tornadoes. Be prepared!

Know the difference between a watch and a warning:

tornado imageA Tornado Watch or Severe Weather Watch means a tornado may develop. Be alert and be prepared to take action if the watch becomes a WARNING. (It is not necessary to seek shelter for a severe weather watch.)

A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been spotted in the area. Immediate action may mean the difference between life and death. (It is not necessary to seek shelter for a thunderstorm warning.)

What does the University Library do when there is severe weather?
Our weather radio alerts us when severe weather threatens Walworth, Jefferson, and Rock counties, and we follow procedures in our emergency manual. If there is a tornado warning, and it is heading towards Whitewater, we make an announcement over the public address system directing people to go to the nearest tornado shelter area within the Library (marked with large blue signs). The elevator should not be used, and no one should exit the building until the warning has ended.

If you are interested in knowing more about tornado preparedness, you can search the Library Catalog for tornadoes. A basic explanation of what you need to know about tornadoes is available from the Milwaukee/Sullivan office of the NOAA National Weather Service. The Milwaukee/Sullivan site also lists current watches and warnings (tornadoes, flash floods, severe thunderstorms, and marine warnings) for Wisconsin. The American Red Cross has an online preparedness checklist.

Forces of Nature book coverIf you are explaining tornadoes to young children, the University Library has some materials that may help. Search the Library Catalog for tornado? and juvenile for a list of titles, including the National Geographic book “Forces of nature: the awesome power of volcanoes, earthquakes, and tornadoes” (2nd-floor Curriculum Collection, Oversize Juvenile Nonfiction, Call no: 551.2 Gra) and an online coloring book from the National Weather Service “Billy and Maria learn about tornado safety.”

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

Summer Library displays

Published by Barbara on June 9, 2008 in around the library and info.gov. 0 Comments

Looking for some “good reads” this summer? We have suggestions…

Check out the display cases in the Library lobby to see samplings of government documents, and Library resources on gardening and the outdoors.

More information is available in the Library collections and online.

For example, if you are planning a trip within Wisconsin–to save gas many people are vacationing near home this year–you might check the Wisconsin Outdoor Report (updated every Thursday by the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources with information you can use, such as fishing reports, wildfire conditions, birding reports, and more) and the State Park Conditions Report. Or forget the gas and check the online Wisconsin county bike condition maps! Another useful site is TravelWisconsin.com which includes a searchable event listing.

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

May is Nat’l Bike Month

Published by Barbara on May 26, 2008 in around the world and info.gov. 0 Comments

bike image

May is National Bike Month. Across the U.S. more than 43 million people enjoy riding their bikes. However, most of us still drive to work, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Maybe the gas prices will change that this summer, eh?

Believe it or not, your University Library has materials on many different aspects of bicycling, which you can find using the online catalog. For example, check out The economic impact of bicycling in Wisconsin online or in print (2nd-floor Wisconsin Documents GO BIC.6/2:E 36/2006), Bicycle repair by the editors of Bicycling magazine (3rd-floor Main Collection TL430 .B53 1985) or Fitness through cycling (3rd-floor Main Collection GV1043.7 .F57 1985). There is even the book The bear’s bicycle (2nd-floor Curriculum Collection, Easy Books E Mac) to read to your young children. For somewhat older children there is an online bicycle safety “comic” book from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Sprocket Man. There’s also Bicycling Magazine, available online through the MasterFile Premier database.

Ride on!

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

Memorial Day information

Published by Barbara on May 22, 2008 in around the world and info.gov. 0 Comments

Arlington National CemeteryWe observe Memorial Day on May 26th. Although a Gallup Poll has shown that very few of us (28%) actually know what this day is about, it really isn’t just a day off from work and school!

The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs provides the history of Memorial Day as well as a history of Taps, veterans statistics, information about displaying and folding the flag, and more.

The White House Commission on Remembrance has information about the Congressionally-established National Moment of Remembrance (3 pm on Memorial Day).

The General Services Adminstration’s USA.gov site has links to information about the day as well links to practical information for those of us who will be grilling, boating, etc.

Finally, if you’re in Whitewater on the 26th you can watch the parade (begins on Main St. at First Citizens Bank).

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

GovGab: government blog for consumers

Published by Barbara on May 14, 2008 in info.gov. 0 Comments

GovGab may be the blog for you if you are looking for consumer advice from the federal government, such as help selecting a good auto repair shop or a day care, how to get off all those catalog mailing lists, or tips for saving energy (and money) or dealing with a stolen wallet. These and more items are categorized under money, health, travel, home and family and more.

GovGab blog banner

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The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

Economic Stimulus Payments

Published by Barbara on May 1, 2008 in info.gov. 1 Comment

money imageWhen are you getting your economic stimulus payment? The IRS has published information about when and how you’ll get your payment.

You’re eligible for the payment if you have a valid Social Security Number, can’t be claimed as a dependent on a tax return and have either an income tax liability or “qualifying income” of at least $3,000. Most 2007 federal income tax return filers will qualify, but there’s a phase out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes (AGI) over $75,000 and married couples filing joint returns with AGI over $150,000.

If the IRS processed your return by April 15, and you use direct deposit, your payment should arrive on May 2, May 9 or May 16, depending on the last 2 digits of your social security number. If you do not use direct deposit, checks will be mailed between mid-May and mid-July. People who filed tax returns after April 15 will receive their payments about two weeks later than others. A return must be filed by October 15 in order to receive any stimulus payment this year.

For more information visit the IRS Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center online.

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

Remembering Vietnam 1975

Published by Barbara on April 28, 2008 in around the world and info.gov. 0 Comments

According to the Vietnam War Almanac (Reference Collection DS557.7 .S94 1985), the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975. On May 1st, “Communist troops of North Vietnam … poured into Saigon today as a century of Western influence came to an end.” [from The Vietnam War, v.2, p.770 (Reference Collection DS 557.4 .V57 2001)]

As this anniversary approaches, I want to call your attention to the Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial, provided by the National Archives and Records Administration and Footnote.com. You can search for names on the wall and leave messages or images. Digitized war photos from the Archives are here also.

Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War cover

Carried to the Wall cover

More information is at the University Library. Browse the Reference Collection for the titles mentioned above (and titles near them). Do a Subject Keyword search in the Library Catalog for “vietnam war” for a huge list of related topics to choose. There’s even a book about the memorial itself: Carried to the wall: American memory and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (3rd-floor Main Collection DS559.83.W18 H33 1998).

There are of course also numerous articles in magazines, journals and newspapers…even articles that appeared during the war (search the New York Times Historical database). Ask a reference librarian for assistance if needed.

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!