photo courtesy of Flickr user thedamian

For further information about our local treasure, Long Island Sound:

Long Island Sound Resource Center

The Nature Conservancy: Long Island Sound

Long Island Sound Foundation: Preserving. Protecting. Educating

Soundkeeper: Preserving and Protecting Long Island Sound

Long Island Sound Study: A Partnership to Restore and Protect the Sound

To teach children about waterlife where the river meets the sea, have fun with this interactive game from NOAA!

National Archives Building, Washington DC. Image courtesy of Flickr user wallyg.

The countdown has begun!  On April 2, 2012, the National Archives will release the 1940 Census and provide free, digital access through their website: 1940census.archives.gov.  You will be able to search, browse and download the census directly from your home computer.  Yes, there really is a countdown as well!

Why now?  There is a 72-year privacy law which prevents the public use of census records.  This census was originally taken on April 1, 1940, so now the information can officially be released.

Check out this short video by the National Archives, which gives a great introduction describing why the 1940 Census is so important.

The National Archives suggests that you prepare ahead of time by making a list of people you may want to look up, and then locating their addresses so you will be able to search by enumeration district.  They have provided detailed instructions on how to get ready.

Also, don’t miss a presentation at the Darien Library on March 17th by Christopher Zarr, an Education Specialist at the National Archives.  This event is co-sponsored by the Middlesex Genealogical Society.  Click here for more info!

A brief collection of books and websites that will help you achieve a healthy, nutritious lifestyle.

MAYO CLINIC NUTRITION AND HEALTHY EATING

NUTRITION.GOV: SMART NUTRITION STARTS HERE

EAT RIGHT. ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

USDA FOOD AND NUTRITION INFORMATION CENTER

FAST FOOD NUTRITION MEAL NUTRITION FACTS CALCULATOR

USDA DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS

Portable Magnifier

 The Library is expanding its offering of services for patrons with varying levels of visual impairments. Last year, the Library received a substantial capital gift – the Anne R. Ferguson Large Print Book Fund – which increased the quantity and quality of our large print collection.

In addition, the gift made it possible to purchase a portable magnifier, which magnifies texts onto a 7-inch screen. The new tool is extremely easy to use, and can assist readers in several different ways.

"The state-of-the-art magnifier both illuminates and magnifies," said Sally Ijams, head of knowledge and learning services at Darien Library. "You can either place them on the document or you can hold them and follow them with a little camera."

If you’re interested in using the new gadget during research or while reading for pleasure, ask about them at the reference desk. 

image courtesy of Flickr user Antonio Cubello

Overwhelmed?  Take a deep breath and check out our favorite books and websites to help you find your inner calm:

Mayo Clinic on Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress

Learning Meditation

Meditation Center

Free Meditations

How to Meditate

National Institutes of Health on Meditation

Mayo Clinic: Relaxation Techniques

Mayo Clinic Video: Need to Relax? Take a break for meditation

Doctors4Darien - (l-r) Dr. Brian S. Sheets, Dr. Josephine Velasquez, Dr. Maryann Lehmann, and Dr. Brian P. McKay

Below you will find our most highly recommended medical websites - used by doctors, patients, and of course librarians!  These, as well as other resources, can also be found on our Health page.  You can always Ask Us for more info too! 

Mayo Clinic

American Board of Medical Specialties

DailyMed

Nutrition.gov

Medline Plus

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Web MD

Genetics Home Reference

The following books are also staff favorites among many in our Body & Soul collection:

Real Housewives of New York (Image courtesy of Flickr user STYLEMOM)

Do you Watch What Happens?  We've rounded up all of the Bravolebrity and Cheftestant books we could find, and put them on display (on display, on display...)! 

From classics like the Top Chef: The Quickfire Cookbook , to Teresa's Skinny Italian and Life is Not a Reality Show by Kyle Richards - there is something for every Bravo watcher.

And stay tuned for Andy Cohen's memoir, "Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture" - coming out in May!

Are we missing your favorite Bravolebrity's book?  You can post on our Facebook wall, tweet us @darienlibrary, or text the keyword "AskDL" to 66746.  Or, to talk to a real live librarian, give us a call at 203-669-5236!

Image courtesy of Flickr user epha

For new insights into chronic diseases and alternative treatments, take a look at these recommended websites and books listed below. 

Need more information?  Just Ask Us!

American Holistic Medical Association

National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

National Institute of Health Dietary Supplements Fact Sheets

Dr. Andrew Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Food Diet and Pyramid

Six Weeks to Better Nutrition

Alternative Medicine: Happy. Healthy. Holistic

Preparation Can Improve Your Hospital Stay

Tips on Preparing for a Hospital Stay

A Painless Guide to Navigating Your Hospital Stay

How to Prepare for a Hospital Stay

10 Tips: Packing for a Hospital Stay

Nursing Home Care or Hospital Stay: Preparing Your Elderly Parents

Preparing Your Child for Surgery

AMA Principles of Medical Ethics

Image courtesy of Flickr user TK_Presse

This year, make a resolution to stress less - and these articles, websites and books will help you do it!

What Is Stress?

Identify Your Source of Stress

Stress Assessment: Rate Your Stress Level

Stress, Exercise and Positive Environments

Stress Fighting Foods

Managing Job Stress

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Stress and Anxiety

Also, see what people are saying about stress on Twitter:

#stress

#stressed

#stressful

#overwhelmed

#needtocalmdown

#somuchwork

#stressedatwork

#toomuchtodo