Computer Keyboards and Germs: What’s the Risk?

Four senior nursing students are conducting a change project this semester. The goal is the reduction of the spread of infectious disease through computer usage by multiple users at the Al Harris Library. There are a number of posters throughout the library highlighting their project. Antibacterial hand sanitizer is available to all students using these computers.

1,300 SWOSU students use the computers in the library per day, meaning 39,000 students use the computers a month. Multiply this number by 2, and 78,000 hands touch the keyboards, desk space, and mice in one month.

So...wash your hands and a big thanks to our Nursing Students!

Disaster Information Management Research Center

The National Library of Medicine has announced a new web resource for its Disaster Information Managment Research Center. Click on the blue title above to check it out. The website mission is to provide access to quality disaster health information to the nation at all stages of preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. The information is intended for public health officials, healthcare providers, special populations, and the public.

IRS Posts Top 12 Tax Scams for 2008

The Internal Revenue Service has listed the top 12 scams tax payers should be aware of this year. Most of these are ways to avoid paying taxes (which will probably get you into trouble with the IRS.) Click on the blue title above to check them out. (Podcast is available also.)

Facebook Becomes a University's 'Lost and Found'

The University of North Texas is calling it a “crime-prevention program,” but the new Facebook application they are touting is more focused on what happens after a crime. The Trace-Facebook program, endorsed by the university’s police department, allows students to send lists of stolen or lost goods out to all Facebook members.

The hope is that someone will check Facebook before buying that used laptop or bicycle, see that it belonged to someone else, and call the police or the person who’s missing the goods.
The application also allows Facebook users to store descriptions of their valuables before they go missing. That’s going to either save time when reporting a loss or theft — or give some thief able to hack the Trace program a really good list of what a student has in his or her dorm room. —

From: The Chronicle of Higher Education

Get Your Bike Ready for Spring!

OK, I'll admit it - I bought a new bike last summer and have actually taken it out of the garage twice. (My excuse was that I was doing homework during the week and spending time with my Grandkids during the weekends.)

Since the weather is starting to warm up, my plan is to actually air the tires back up and see if the bike (and myself) still work. If you need advice on any aspect of bicycles, click on the blue title above. Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Technical Information has answers to pretty much any type of question you could have about a bicycle. Don't be put off by the Sheldon's photograph on the website, this site is really good.

What is the U.S. Population Today?

Which of the following is the closest to the U.S. population right now?
179 million, 217 million, 304 million, or 426 million?

To find the answer, click on the blue title above. You'll gain access to the U.S. Census Bureau's Fact Finder website (which shows the U.S. and World Population Clocks.) While you're there, remember that you can find data on: People, Housing, Business and Government, Facts Sheets, Maps, and Tools. The Fact Sheets are available by city, town, county, state, or zip code. Check it out today. The clock is ticking.

World Health Organization Report on Cancer Prevention

Does an improved diet and increased physical activity help prevent cancer? Find out by clicking on the blue title above. This is a new report entitled: Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective by the world health organization. This is a long report but it has an index in the back to help guide you to the precise pages you're looking for.

New "Ask a Depository Librarian" Service Introduced

GPO and Depository Libraries Partner To Offer Online Reference Assistance
The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) joins the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and Federal Depository Libraries around the country to provide an online reference service to the American public. This unique free web based “Ask a Librarian” service will give the public an opportunity to ask librarians questions about any government resource. Click on "Depository Librarian" above to access 8-6 Monday through Thursday, and 8-5 on Friday.

Getting ready to fly somewhere on spring break?

Do you know the latest rules for air travelers? Are nail clippers legal? Will they take away your shaving cream? Will you have to remove your shoes and expose your feet to the world? Click on the blue title above to see the latest government rules.