Reminder: Kagan Resources

Buying a Home?

Are you thinking about buying a home in the near future? If so, you should consider reading (and bookmarking) the Buy a Home site from HUD.gov. They've pulled together most, if not all, of the information that a home buyer needs to know about the complete process.

How Do You Spend or Waste Your Time? Plus, an FMLA Definition Update

Exactly how do you spend or waste your time? How about your friends? The Census Bureau has released the 2009 American Time Use Survey Summary. See how you compare.

Good news from the Department of Labor regarding the definition of son and daughter within the FMLA. This news release states that an employee will receive parental rights to family leave regardless of the biological or legal relationship. Don't worry if the news release link disappears, the HR folks at your company will be able to explain this to you. As well, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the Dept. of Labor has more information.

75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935

From FRASER, a graphic presentation of American financial history from 1861 through 1935.

Education Data

Data.ed.gov will allow greater access to education grant data from the Dept. of Education. By greater ease, the user will be able to see and understand the data by the use of charts, graphs and maps. Users will also be able to limit or expand their searches and then export the data.

Hearing on “The Role of BP in the Deepwater Horizon Explosion and Oil Spill”

The June 17, 2010 hearings of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Committee on Energy and Commerce) includes the testimony of Tony Hayword along with opening statements by Chairmen Waxman and Stupak and the Transocean Abnormality report on BP.

Flash Floods

The USGS has released a podcast by scientists sent to study the Little Missouri River in Southwest Arkansas recent flash flood. A press release about the flash flood includes links to services created to aid emergency responders and the public with more possible flood notifications and information.

Services mentioned:

• WaterAlert
• National Streamflow Information Program

Really? That's how much I'll spend on my child?

Yes, it's an average amount for a middle-income family but expect to spend about $222,360 while raising a child born during 2009.

The full report is Expenditures on Children by Families (2009). The site includes a cost calculator for annual planning.

Welcome 2010 IGHR Students & Faculty!

We would like to welcome the 2010 IGHR (Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research) students and faculty to Samford University Library. We are excited that they will be using our government documents collection while digging up genealogical mysteries.

Sunscreen

It's officially hot & humid in the south and of course, the sun is shinning. While we can't always hide in the shade we can protect ourselves from the sun. I've gathered some usefull sites regarding sunscreen and SPF.

• How does sunscreen work? (Everyday Mysteries from the Library of Congress)
• May is skin cancer awareness month: protect your skin (yes, I know it's June but this is a great site from the CDC)
• Sun Exposure (a Health Topic from Medline Plus)

American Adolescents & Substance Abuse

The April 2010 issue of the OAS Report focuses on adolescents and substance abuse: A Day in the Life of American Adolescents: Substance Use Facts Update.  

Documents of the Week: Kits!

We are currently featuring a variety of kits, games, and other unique items. You won't want to miss this colorful display!

• Community at the Crossroads, a drug education simulation game
• BodyWorks: A toolkit for healthy teens & strong families
• SunWise: a program that radiates good ideas
• The Business Case for Breastfeeding
• Diversifying Your Workforce
• Civics and Citizenship Toolkit
• The Moon: Special Apollo 40th Anniversary Community (puzzle)
• Vocabulary Flash Cards for the New Naturalization Test
• Ready, Set, Listen! (game)

Veterans History Project

The American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress is collecting first-hand accounts of U.S. Veterans. Do you know a veteran that served during a war? Encourage him or her to share valuable memories. Will you be taking a military history class this fall? Consider using this resource as a part of your research.

Veterans History Project