Using the Oxford African American Studies Center to Research "Twelve Years a Slave"

How can we verify the accuracy and background of the hit film "Twelve Years a Slave," based on the book by the same name? Among the St. Louis County Library's rich African American research tools is the Oxford African American Studies Center, which is available at the Research tab on the library's home page in the African American subject guide section.  The book was written by Solomon Northup (or Northrup) and the top of the database home page has a search box.  Typing in "Solomon Northup" yields a biographical entry for the author.  The entry, taken from the treatise American National Biography, gives a detailed biography of Mr. Northup and additional bibliographic references.  We learn that his book is one of the most detailed and realistic accounts of life as a slave published.  The sale of the book earned him $3,000, which he used to buy property and work as a carpenter. The database features a chapter from the book and 11 related entries on subjects such as slave narratives, kidnapping and the antislavery movement.

This database permits users to search by keyword, biographical subject, for images and multimedia, and for primary sources.  Articles can be e-mailed, printed and cited in either MLA or Chicago format.

For the casual or serious researcher, the Oxford African Studies Center provides a wealth of information in several formats.  It can enhance a trip to the movies, too.

--Harry C., Reference

Reference Quick Tip: Morningstar

--Tiffany D., Reference

Culinary Arts Collection: Dive into Food

Once there was a touch of fall in the air, I began thinking about all the food I wanted to cook for the upcoming Holiday Season. I know Halloween is right behind us, but I don’t think it’s too soon to imagine the mouthwatering pies and scrumptious dish of mashed potatoes I’ll be inhaling in just a few weeks. Enter “Culinary Arts Collection,” a fantastic database with major cooking and nutrition magazines. You can search through thousands of recipes, peruse restaurant reviews, and read the very latest of industry news. If you’re planning to impress your mother-in-law with your amazing cooking skills, you can find menus with recipes for just about any Holiday meal. Considering a new eating lifestyle, vegetarianism, paleo diet, or gluten free? You’ll discover information about it here. The world of food is your oyster! Mmm…that sounds good. I’m going to look up a recipe for Oysters Rockefeller now.

--Anna H., Jamestown Bluffs

Fold3 Access

We are having access issues with Fold3. Our vendor is looking into the issue. I'll update this blog post once it is resolved.

Converting your currency

Traveling abroad or purchasing something online from a country outside the U.S.?

You can use the Currency Converter to figure out the exchange rate for many types of currency. It can give you the conversion rate not only from US dollars but there are also over 150 types of currency to choose from.

For instance, how many pesos would equal $20.00 in Mexico? As of today, that would be nearly 260 pesos (259.7 to be exact).

Additionally, the Market Analysis section gives you an overall view of the North American, European, and Asian markets.

With the Quick Links, you can get a current and historical rate table.

This is an invaluable tool for travel and can be accessed by going to www.slcl.org, click on Research, click Geography and Travel, and then click on Currency Converter. Select the amount, the currency and the currency you would like it converted to then click the arrow; your conversion will appear.

Happy Travels and Conversions!

--Cindy M., Indian Trails