Noted activist Eli Pariser noted in his recent book and  TED Talks lecture that our dependence on highly personalized online tools like Google and Facebook, which tailor results to our interests based on our patterns of use and social networks, has effectively placed many of us in a "filter bubble"--an online world where we never see opposing viewpoints or learn about issues beyond what we've listed as our existing interests.  Ultimately, we face the possibility of being unaware of major issues, simply because we simply haven't expressed a previous interest in them.

 

Can we use the Library to break out of our bubbles?  Perhaps!  Databases found on the Library's Research page can be useful.  Student Resources In Context provide browsable links to magazine articles and summaries to lots of current topics, (such as gun control or political parties), with input from thinkers across the political spectrum.  Opposing Viewpoints Reference Center,  SIRS Researcher and Issues and Controversies allow you to examine issues and see Pro/Con overviews of major debate topics.  Of course, you can browse through our latest nonfiction to see points of view on almost any topic:  left, right and center.  The Library also features a broad spectrum of events to keep our users both entertained an informed.

 

How do you burst your "filter bubble?" Comment below or chime in via our Twitter feed.

 

If you need assistance with any of these tools, contact us by phone, chat, email or text message!

CNN reports today that a number of new words have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), including a number of internet-related abbreviations, like "LOL" (laughing out loud).  It also includes new uses for old words, like using "heart" as a verb (as in "I heart the library" instead of  "I love the library.").

 

It's important to keep in mind that dictionaries like the OED are a record of language as it's actually used, not necessarily a guide to the proper use of language.  That said, it's full of not only basic definitions, but also in-depth histories of word uses.  The library subscribes to the online version of the OED, which you can use from the databases page of our site.  

Today is March 14, or 3/14, which echoes the famous number "pi" (3.14159265...).  According to the Oxford English Dictionary (available from the Library's databases page),  pi is best understood as being "equal to the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter."  That is, measure the distance around the circle (the circumference) and divide it by the distance across the circle (the diameter), and you'll always get the number pi.  It's most famous for having an infinitely long string of digits after the decimal point, which various memory and computer experts pride themselves on memorizing or calculating as far as they can.  Truth be told, any "irrational number" has the same endless characteristic, but pi holds a special place in our collective imaginations.  For more information about pi and its history in both math and society, visit the International Pi Day site (be patient, it seems a bit overloaded today!) or read these interesting reference articles from Answers.com and this archived article from The Straight Dope.

Earlier this week, we hosted the second of our Business Bytes sessions, "Create a Facebook Page for Your Business."  We discussed the difference between Facebook "profiles" (for individuals) and "pages" (for businesses and organizations), the value in extending your brand and connecting with your customers through Facebook, and did a brief walk-through of the setup process.  If you missed the session, you can view the slide presentation below (if the slides below don't work, try this link).  If you have any questions, please contact Bill Pardue.

 

The next session is "Know What People Say about Your Business Online," on Monday, April 11 & Tuesday, April 12.  Sign up now!