By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

If you enjoy doing research on your computer and want to stay up to date on the latest health news, you will be pleased to know that your library has subscribed to an amazing database service that offers you a wealth of consumer health information – all for free.

To access this information, go to the library’s web site at www.pagosalibrary.org. On the left margin of the home page, you’ll see a list of Reference web sites. Click on Databases. Then click on EBSCOhost. Scroll down to Consumer Health Complete. Take your choice of information in 15 different languages, including English and Spanish.

Note that you must have a current library card because you will be asked to enter your barcode and PIN number to gain access to this service. And what can you find?

• Thousands of full-text health reports on diseases, conditions, injuries and procedures written for the lay person.
• The world’s most comprehensive collection of consumer health encyclopedias and reference books including the American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide, the American Medical Association Complete Medical Encyclopedia and the Cornell Illustrated Encyclopedia of Health.
• More than 250 consumer health pamphlets and leaflets from trusted organizations such as the American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food & Drug Administration, National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Health.
• Full text from more than 750 consumer health-related periodicals including Vegetarian Times, Better Nutrition, Men’s Health, Fit Pregnancy and Health.
• Full text from nearly 180 alternative health sources and periodicals including Acupuncturist, American Homeopath, the Journal of Yoga, Massage Magazine and Today’s Chiropractic.
• Access to The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing and Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference.
• Drug and herb information from sources such as Clinical Pharmacology, the Complete Guide to Prescription & Bon-prescription Drugs 2007 and Prescription for Herbal Healing.

Library events: art and avalanches

Mark your calendars for two events at the library next week:

• Tuesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m.: Randall Davis and his students host an art reception to celebrate their work being displayed at the library. Come enjoy the talent in our community as you admire more than 35 sketches and paintings by these local artists that are gracing our library walls.
• Thursday, February 21 at 5:30 p.m.: Casey Bristow, Forest Service emergency operations specialist and Search & Rescue team member, will discuss avalanches and other safety issues for winter recreational activities such as snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding – an especially important topic this winter with all the snow we have. This family-oriented program will also cover trails that are open for different winter sports.

Fantasy for teens

We have two books from the highly popular Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme epic fantasy series by Elizabeth Haydon. “The Floating Island” tells of Ven’s sailing adventures, including being attacked by pirates and lost at sea. “The Thief Queen’s Daughter” tells of Ven’s secret mission within the walls of the mysterious Gated City. These books are classified young adult, meaning they are aimed at students in grades seven and older.

Adult nonfiction

“Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell” by Karen DeYoung is a biography that starts with Powell’s childhood, takes us through his meteoric rise through military ranks, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at his time as secretary of state in the second Bush administration. “The End of America: Letters of Warning to a Young Patriot” by Naomi Wolf is a personal wakeup call by the author, who is concerned with the fundamental American idea that no president, whether Democrat or Republican, should ever be given unchecked power.

Women’s fiction

“The Friday Night Knitting Club,” a novel by Kate Jacobs, tells of people who walk into shop in New York City looking for tips on knitting and end up finding much more about themselves and friendship. “Shadow Music” by Julie Garwood is a historical romance set in the haunting landscape of medieval Scotland. “Always” by Nicola Griffith features popular heroine Aud Torvingen, an independently wealthy ex-cop who this time is investigating a suspected real estate fraud in Seattle. “Sheer Abandon” by British author Penny Vincenzi tells of three women who once traveled together as young ladies and now come together years later when a secret is about to be exposed.

Books set in the West

“Candy Apple Dead” by Samini Carter is one of the Divinity Candy Shop mysteries set in Paradise, Colorado, this one focusing on the death in a fire of a community leader who doesn’t appear to be mourned by many townsfolk. “Open Season” is a crime novel by C. J. Box in what USA Today called “a classic tale of Wild West Justice.”

Quotable quote

“We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel … is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and might become.” – Ursula K. Le Guin, American author of science fiction and fantasy novels.

Thanks to our donors

For books and materials this week we thank Kay Grams, Mary Jo Valentine and Margaret Wilson.

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