World News Digest

Interested in knowing an outstanding source for both domestic and international news events? Try World News Digest [Facts on File]. Not only is this database current and updated weekly with hyperlinks, it also provides access to nearly seven decades of news from Facts on File World News Digest. Coverage includes major political, social and economic events since November 1940.

Extremely user friendly: you can use the search box, perform an advanced search, or click on one of the Topics, Decades, Countries, or Facts and Statistics tabs. A broad span of over 70 topics can be found under the Topics tab including such topics as the budget deficit, drugs and sports, and Islamic fundamentalism. The Decades tab covers top news stories for the particular selected decade. Each decade is then broken down by year. Within the year you can sort either by newest to oldest, oldest to newest, or by a year range to retrieve particular news events.

The Countries tab covers news events for countries all over the world. You can retrieve news stories by region and then select a particular country. Additional features include links to country profiles, key historic events, historic documents, research features and special reports, editorial cartoons, and newspaper editorials.

The Facts and Statistics tab has an abundance of useful and factual information that can assist in answering common to more in-depth questions. The span is too large to cover in this article but I suggest clicking on just one topic heading and you will quickly become engrossed.

At the bottom of the main page you will be find great links for Heads of State and Government, Obituaries (as well as a link for the current year’s obituaries) and Maps and Flags of the World. As with many of SLCL’s databases, you can print, email and save articles in World News Digest. Last, but not least, another exciting feature within the database is the ability to have the news story that you have retrieved be translated into a foreign language. Not only is the database a source of great information but a source for practicing your reading of a foreign language! Once you retrieve your news page, scroll down to the bottom of the page. On the left, open the language box, select your language, and have your page translated.

Truly a great research tool and database for accurate and concise coverage. If you have questions about the World News Digest database or any of SLCL’s electronic resources, please contact the Reference department at extension 2050.

--Christel M., Reference

Term Paper Help Part 6--Facts on File African American History Online

For the student of African-American history, St. Louis County Library has a premier research tool: Facts on File-African American History Online.  There are numerous print resources, such as those by Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr, especially at the Headquarters Reference Department, but the Facts on File database is an outstanding one-stop site.  What makes it so special?  The site has a simple menu under "Browse" of biographies, events and topics, primary sources, timelines, images, videos, and maps and charts. Topic centers are helpful in that they provide overview essays, a listing of important events and topics, key people, primary sources, and maps.

For example, under the topic center on the slave trade, there is an entry for Benjamin Banneker, mathematician and astronomer, along with his picture.  There are useful charts, such as one showing average prices for "prime field hands" in New Orleans compared with cotton prices in New York from 1800 to 1860. The images, maps and videos can be e-mailed and saved into documents.  These features will enhance a research paper.  The essays are from print resources, such as the Encyclopedia of African-American History, so the student can provide a citation that is authoritative.

Facts on File-African American History Online is a useful tool for research and education, providing multiple sources of information in an easy to access format.

--Harry C., Reference

Are you a Foodie or just like good food?

Tired of trying to figure out where to go for great advice on food?  You can have a culinary exploration from your home by browsing our Food & Nutrition Research page for fun restaurants and recipes.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to check out Feast, which is based upon the local St. Louis magazine and has something for everyone.

When you go to the website, there are categories such as Dine Out, Dine In, and Drinks, as well as several others.

 - Dine Out -

Where We Are Dining has reviews of local restaurants, Out to Lunch focuses on new places to eat lunch, and Sneak Peeks gives you the inside story about upcoming openings of restaurants and more . . .

 - Dine In -

This section includes an extensive recipe database, introduction to new foods, and Tech School for those who want to take food to another level. Another great thing about this area is Cooking with Kids which encourages kids to have fun in the kitchen.

 - Drinks -

Featured items include A History of Missouri Wine, Getting to the Root of Bitters, Made in Japan and more.  They spotlight places and even have Cocktail Recipes and The Mix which allow you to make your selections at home.

Other exciting websites to check out include:

·         Allrecipes.com

·         Epicurious.com

·         Chow.com

For Healthy eating:

·         Cookinglight.com

·         Eatright.org

Websites featuring famous people include:

·         David Leite

·         Michael Ruhlman

·         Martha Stewart

Whether you want new recipes or videos, just like looking at food, or want some new places to go with your friends and family, the St. Louis County Library has your connection.

Here’s to good eating and fun with your friends and family! Cheers!

--Cindy M., Indian Trails