Can Reading Help to Combat Obesity?

"Reading Fiction Can Help Combat Obesity, Study Says." By Lauren Barack. School Library Journal, 2/17/2010 2:00:00 PM. This article originally appeared in SLJ's Extra Helping
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6719309.html

"Reading may be fundamental—but it’s also beneficial to a child’s health, according to a new study set for release in Pediatrics magazine next month. Reading may be fundamental—but it’s also beneficial to a child’s health, according to a new study set for release in Pediatrics magazine next month. Researchers at Duke University Medical Center tracked 81 clinically obese girls, ages 9 to 13, and found that 35 percent of the children managed to reduce their body mass index (BMI) when given a book to read about an overweight girl who helps herself to get healthier."

This article needs to be shared widely with librarians and physical education teachers. It offers a great opportunity for collaboration.

Melvil Dewey and the Lake Placid Club: Origin of the United States Winter Olympics

"Small Town, Big Dreams: Lake Placid's Olympic Story" aired Wednesday, February 3, 2010, on PBS/Channel 13 in Dallas/Fort Worth.

As an enthusiast of both the winter and summer Olympics, I watched the program. However, as a librarian (retired), I was even more delighted to learn that Dr. Melvil Dewey, inventor of the Dewey Decimal System, and his son, Dr. Godfrey Dewey, were influential in the creation of a winter sports venue for Americans long before the Third Winter Olympics was first held at their resort village of Lake Placid, New York. Wanting to read more about the Lake Placid Club, I conducted a brief online search. Below are some links, and I plan to add more as time permits.


Search Terms: Winter+Olympics+Dewey


"Dr. Melvil Dewey Dead In Florida." The New York Times, December 27, 1931. http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/1210.html

"Hey—What Do You Say We Have An Olympics?" SI Vault. Copyright © 2008 Time Inc., December 03, 1962.  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1074387/2/index.htm

Library 2.0 and Web 2.0: Exploring New Ways to Acquire, Evaluate, and Use Information

Yesterday I requested a password from my former school district's Library Media Supervisor so that I can participate in the department's latest learning experience. The entirely self-paced, online staff development program is named HEB23.

Retired since 2002, I have long been aware of the need to challenge my mind. Since attending seminars and conferences is impossible at this time, I am delighted to have this opportunity to explore new technologies and to evaluate how they may be used in the library or the classroom.