CDC Report On Peanut Butter

According to the latest CDC report, a total of 116 patients have been hospitalized and possibly 8 deaths have been attributed to salmonella contaminated peanut butter. However, all jars of national brand peanut butter in grocery stores are safe to eat. Only one factory source of peanut paste was contaminated and used in various crackers and other products. Click on the blue title above to read the entire government report.

SWOSU Libraries Closed - Tuesday, January 27th

The Al Harris Library will be closed on Tuesday, January 27th, due to icy weather.

Jim Barnes Appointed State Poet Laureate

Distinguished Oklahoma author Jim Weaver McKown Barnes was appointed State Poet Laureate for 2009 through 2010 by Governor Brad Henry. It was announced in a news release on Friday, January 16, 2008. As Oklahoma’s Poet Laureate, Jim Barnes has the task of broadening an understanding and appreciation of poetry in Oklahoma.

His non-fiction prose book, On Native Ground: Memoirs and Impressions, winner of the American Book Award in 1998, reflects Oklahoma and Native cultures. He has authored several volumes of poetry, including The Sawdust War: Poems, winner of the Oklahoma Book Award in 1993; Paris: Poems; On a Wing of the Sun: Three Volumes of Poetry; and his most recent work, Visiting Picasso.

Jim Barnes gave a poetry reading at the Al Harris Library on April 17, 2008.

Smoker Death Rate Increases Only for Oklahoma.

According to new United States Government reports for 1996 through 2004, the death rate attributed to smoking has decreased in every state in the Nation - except for Oklahoma. Oklahoma's death rate actually increased 26.9%! Click on the blue title above to see the report.

Welcome to the White House

WhiteHouse.gov is the official web site for the White House and President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. This site is a source for information about the President, White House news and policies, White House history, and the federal government.

Watch live coverage of the Inauguration

Live coverage begins at 7 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on some sites. So, you’ll need to be up early if you want to catch it all. The coverage should last all day.

Here are just a few sites that are broadcasting the inauguration.

• Hulu is providing live coverage from Fox News. You can also watch the inauguration on-demand after the live coverage.

• CBS will have live coverage. Katie Couric is also hosting a Webcast Tuesday night. Viewers can submit questions.

• Joost will also stream CBS’s coverage on its Everything Obama page. You can also watch interviews and satire clips.

• C-SPAN visitors can select from four live feeds. In addition to the inauguration, you can watch the parade and inaugural balls.

• CNN is also broadcasting live. But, it has teamed up with Facebook. You can share your thoughts via Facebook as you watch the events.

• MSNBC is featuring clips of past inaugurations in addition to Obama’s.

• You can also watch via ABC News, the New York Times and the Associated Press’ Online Video Network.

New Digital Source For Government Information

The GPO (Government Printing Office of the United States) has announced that their new Federal Digital System (FDsys) is now available to the public.
Click on the blue title above to access the following collections: Congressional bills, Congressional Documents, Congressional Hearings, Congressional Record, Congressional Reports, Federal Register, Public & Private Laws, Presidential Documents. Take a look today.

The reason for the $eason.

Tax time is just around the corner. One thing you don't see as much anymore are the piles of blank tax forms at post offices and libraries. The reason is that tax forms are all available online. This means that you can just print your own anytime. Click on the blue title above to go to the Oklahoma Tax Commission where you can read about new rules and print any Oklahoma tax form you will need for 2008. Tax payers can also just search for "Oklahoma Tax Commission" on the Library catalog to get to the same site. The best practice is to get your tax forms completed early and sent in fast to get your refund back. If you owe, then just send in as late as possible. Federal tax forms are available online at: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html (copy and paste in your browser to get there.)

Oklahoma Crystal Darkness

Tuesday, Jan. 13th at 6:30pm, the Library NewsRoom will host a watch party for the Oklahoma Crystal Darkness documentary. The documentary will also air on Spanish language stations Univision at 5:00pm, and Telemundo at 6:00pm the same evening. For more information, please visit the website, http://www.crystaldarknessoklahoma.org/. Following the televised presentation, a panel discussion will address community advocacy for the anti-methamphetamine campaign.





This activity is sponsored by CAB (Collegiate Activities Board), the Psychology Club & the Social Work Association.

Local Photographer to Have Book Signing at SWOSU Sayre Library

Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Sayre will host a book signing for local well-known photographer Sam Hagen on Friday, January 16, at 9 a.m. in the O.H. McMahan Library, located in Mackey Hall on the SWOSU-Sayre campus.

Hagen, from Erick, will sign copies of his new book of photography, The Master's Light.
Everyone is invited, and admission is free. Librarians will serve refreshments while Hagen signs copies of his book.

Later at 10 a.m., Hagen will speak to Terry Ford's Publications II and News Gathering/Reporting classes about careers in photography as well as tips for taking good pictures. Attendees are welcome to stay for Hagen's address to the classes.
For more information, contact SWOSU-Sayre librarian April Howenstine at (580) 928-5533.