Research News

Today's bookmobile has come a long way from the first one, which was introduced by Washington County, Maryland librarian Mary Titcomb and hit the road in 1905. The horse-drawn book wagon was "filled with an attractive collection of books and drawn by two horses, with Mr. Thomas the janitor both holding the reins and dispensing the books."

Supportive parents who encouraged her interests supplied her with dark children's stories and movies such as the Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Freddy Kruger, aliens and werewolves made her happy; what really frightened her were parasites, snakes and spiders.

Started in 2001 by a couple of students at Duke University, Mental Floss presents facts and trivia in a fun and entertaining style. You will find information on science, history, literature, music, popular culture and just about anything else you can think of all in a lighthearted style.

On the day of my visit, there were about 240 birds at the center - most of them sick or injured and a few who just couldn't find enough to eat over the winter and needed a little R&R before being released. Lodgings range from incubators to paper towel-lined baskets to large habitats, or "flights." There is no caste system here - chickens, ducks, great blue herons, snowy egrets, grebes, western tanagers and pigeons ("the most maligned bird," according to my tour guide, Judi Vietmeyer) all receive the same level of care.

• Not sure which 1040 form you need?
• Not sure where to send it?

The Piton Foundation will find free tax preparation help locations near you.

If not, we have other resources that can help.

There are several ways that you can seek money for your education, even if you're not a straight A student (check out the $1000.00 A GPA Isn't Everything Scholarship). Many students begin by talking with the guidance counselor of the college they will be attending. You can also research local entities, such as where you or your parents work, Kiwanis Clubs or the church or synagogue that you attend.

All Special Reports are listed on the left side bar from America's Newspapers

Here are some of the Special Reports that may be of particular interest:

March Topics and Monthly Themes

I recently caught up with Katie while she was researching grant opportunities with the Foundation Directory Online here at the Central Library. "I've been drawn to helping professions for as long as I can remember," she said, "so I chose psychology as my major in college and recently earned my Master in Social Work from the University of Denver. My social work program helped connect me to Clothes to Kids of Denver."

Laws enacted in many southern state legislatures known as Jim Crow laws continued to separate the races in restaurants, schools, theaters, parks and other public facilities. Outrage over poll taxes and the lack of voting rights for blacks brought waves of college students from the north in a massive push to register black voters particularly in Mississippi. Marches, protests, and interventions by the National Guard were becoming commonplace in the South.

Does seven pair seem like enough? I was relieved to find that I own only about twice the average number: 13.75 (one pair is "Capri" length).

Most people think of blue jeans as an American phenomenon, but they were first worn by sixteenth century Genovese sailors as their everyday pants and were made of a coarse cotton/wool blend.