Airport Security

On December 25th a passenger on an international flight was wrestled to the floor and arrested on arrival for allegedly trying to blow up a flight carrying 300 passengers from Amsterdam to Detroit. The incident once again pushed airport security to front burner in government, the news media and blogs around the world. The ethical use of body scans, the need for well trained security workers and the importance of preparation before boarding flights are currently under review with new rules and regulations in place for providing safer skies for travelers.

Below are links to some resources, both government and news sites, on airport security.

INFORMATION FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Guidance for Passengers on Heightened Security Measures in Place Following Dec. 25 Incident
http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/dec25_guidance.shtm
(Includes Q&A section)

Basic Information for Travelers
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

How to Get Through the Airport Lines Faster
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm

Liquid Rules for Carry-ons
http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

ID Requirements for Airport Checkpoints
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/acceptable_documents.shtm

TSA Imaging Technology
http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/imaging_technology.shtm
(Information on the advances in security technology currently used or being considered for public safety)

GOVGAB BLOG

Travel Updates From the U.S. Government Blog, GovGab
http://blog.usa.gov/roller/govgab/feed/entries/atom?cat=%2FTravel&WT.rss_f=Travel&WT.rss_ev=s

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Traveler Information from the FAA
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/

FFA Flight Delay Information
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

Intelligence and Airport Security / by Robert R. Raffel
https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol50no3/airport_security_5.htm
(An article from the CIA's Studies in Intelligence journal)

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Privacy Impact Assessment Update for TSA Whole Body Imaging
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_pia_tsa_catbpss.pdf
(2009 report on privacy issues involved in body scans. The report is somewhat technical but an interesting read.)

LAWS, REGULATIONS

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
Title 49: Transportation
Part 1542--Airport Security
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.11&idno=49

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
Title 49: Transportation
Part 1540--Civil Aviation Security: General Rules
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.10&idno=49

NEWS STORIES

CNN Stories on Transportation Security
http://topics.cnn.com/topics/transportation_security

Google News hits for "Whole Body Imaging"

Google News hits for "Airport Security"

Google News hits for "Airport Security Rules"

Google News hits for the use of Body Image Scanners in the Netherlands and Nigeria

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Happy Holidays from the KGI blog!

T’was the week before Christmas
and all through the house
not a creature was stirring except for a mouse.
It glided across a pad of bright green
While web pages glowed on a glittering screen
The viewer was tracking a flight of good cheer
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be here....

For your viewing pleasure... the many faces and places that are and have been Santa Claus, brought to you by different government agencies and institutions:

Track Santa's journey around the world
http://www.norad.mil/
(North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD)

Do a search in google for letters to Santa (include the quotes in your search):
"letters to santa" site:gov
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22letters+to+santa%22+site%3Agov&aq=f&oq=

This from the Library of Congress:
http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/dec08/santa.html

and this from NASA:
http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery-detail.asp?name=SantaClaus

In Search of Santa (Smithsonian Institute)
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/smithsonian/show_search_santa.do

And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight....

Happy Holidays to all from the State Library of Kansas!

Kansas One Hundred Years Ago

It's common for folks to look back at the year as it ends in December, reflecting on accomplishments and events as we move into a new year.

We took a different twist on this last year and presented a blog issue about Kansas in 1908 with links to graphics and information about the Sunflower state one hundred years ago.

We're giving this another go this year with a historic look at Kansas in 1909. We hope you enjoy the journey back in time in sights and words. Some of the links below go to commercial sites on the Internet. We do not endorse or support these sites but merely offer them to you as part of the resources provided.

Governor's Message, 1909
Walter Roscoe Stubbs was sworn in as the 18th governor of Kansas in 1909. The election of 1908 was the first in Kansas to include a primary election where the public participated in selecting their party's nominee. He spoke glowingly of his state's progress and future in his January 12, 1909, message to the Legislature. Issues of the day were regulation of public utilities, banking laws, road improvements, taxes and schools. Sound familiar?

Downtown Coffeyville, 1909
The governor spoke of the general state of the economy and government in Kansas in encouraging words. His observations seems to come alive int his picture of downtown Coffeyville in 1909. Clean streets and bustling activity show a Kansas town thriving in the early 20th century.

Tuberculosis
One of the terrible killers battled by those in the medical field at the turn of the last century was tuberculosis which still infects much of the world. A list of deaths on this Kansas GenWeb website for Brown County in 1909 shows 17 deaths attributed to tuberculosis. A short history and picture of the State Tuberculosis Sanatorium at Norton can be found online at rootsweb.com.

Northwest Kansas Tornadoes, 1909
As always weather played a vital part in Kansas in 1909. Here are amazing photos of a tornado in Norton, Kansas, along with accounts of the disatrous effects that these storms had on northwest Kansas.

Kansas State College (Kansas State University) football, 1909
The wildcats came up on the plus side in wins/losses in 1909

Glidden Tours Race, 1909
The Glidden Tours were promotional events held during the automotive Brass Era by the American Automobile Association (AAA). The AAA, a proponent for safer roads, started the tour to promote public acceptance of auto safety and bring awareness of its goals. The 1909 tour went through Kansas. Pictured here are shots of cars driving near Junction City.

USS Kansas
At land and sea Kansans could be proud of their state. Pictured here are various photos of the USS Battleship Kansas, one of them taken in 1909.

Carnegie Libraries
Carnegie libraries were built throughout Kansas in the early 20th century. Below are three locations where Carnegie libraries opened their doors in 1909:
Morrison Library, Fairmount College (now Wichita State University)
Concordia
Parsons

Kansas Association of the Deaf
Holding its first statewide meeting in 1909 the Association continues to work for the needs and issues of the hearing impaired in Kansas.
Photos of meetings starting with 1909
A short history of the Association

Kansas Suffrage Song Book, 1909
Women continued to struggle for the vote. This 1909 songbook contains music that was sung at rallies and demonstrations. Kansas granted statewide women's suffrage in 1912.

Hesston College Centennial, 1909-2009
A two year college of the Mennonite Church USA, Hesston College was founded in 1909
A history of Hesston College appears on the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online website as well.

Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Station at Parsons, Kansas
Railroads continued to be a primary means of transporting goods and people in 1909. This postcard shows an impressive station in Parsons.

1909 Nursing Dept Class graduates, University of Kansas
The Department of Nursing (Now School of Nursing) at the University of Kansas graduated its first class in 1909. You can view a photo of that class on the School's website on the right side of the page linked above.

PHOTOS AT KANSAS MEMORY WEBSITE

Carry Nation
In this photo Carry Amelia Nation displays her hatchet, a symbol of her struggle to end the sale of alcoholic beverages. Prohibition continued to be a social issue of prominence during 1909 and far into the 20th century.

Claflin Band, 1900-1909
City and town bands were a very important part of community life long before television, radio and the Internet came along.

Center Hill School, Hamilton County, circa 1909
Governor Stubb's 1909 message to the Legislature mentioned the need for improving schools across the state. Even in 1909 a sizable number of Kansas school children were still being educated in "one room" school houses across the state. These schools often did an excellent job with little money and poorly paid, overworked teachers.

Dwight David Eisenhower, 1909
Abilene High School graduated one of its most well known alumni.

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Kansans giving to help Kansans

Whether it's helping a neighbor pick up after a storm, caring for a sick friend, or a community barnraising or pulling in harvest, Kansans have a long history of looking out for each other. Because Governor Mark Parkinson has had to make drastic budget cuts, he urges Kansans to help their neighbors. This is nothing to ask of hardy Kansans- its deep within our pioneer heritage. Below we've listed a number of ways we Kansans can help each other in this time of need.

Hear Governor Parkinson's Thanksgiving message:
http://governor.ks.gov/component/content/article/42-front-page-news/474-govenor-thanksgiving-message

Find agencies to give your time or dollars to:
Local:
SRS provides a county search engine guide to available community services. http://www.srskansas.org/ISD/community_services/community_servicesmain.htm

United Way of the Plains:
http://www.unitedwayplains.org/

Community Health Charities of Kansas and Missouri
http://ksmo.healthcharities.org/index.asp

National and International:
Causecast- supports national and international agencies for change
http://www.causecast.org/

Global Impact
http://www.charity.org/

Gifts in Kind International
http://www.giftsinkind.org/

Find volunteer opportunities at:
Governor's Mentor Program
http://kansasmentors.kansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Kansas Volunteer Commission
http://www.kanserve.org/

Create the Good
http://createthegood.org

iParticipate
http://www.iparticipate.org/

Protect yourself from scam artists and make sure you're giving to agencies and charities with the best interests at heart.

Attorney General's site:
http://www.ksag.org/page/charities

See whether the charity you are giving to is registered with the Secretary of State at their Charity Check site:
http://www.kscharitycheck.org/

Contact your local Better Business Bureau to find out more:
http://www.bbb.org/us/charity/

There are so many opportunities to help those in need. Check with your local shelters, community health clinics, schools, and area agencies for the aging to find out how you can give this season. By helping your neighbors, you will be helping Kansas recover.

Article Contact: Kim Harp

December Holidays Helps

The holiday shopping season is under way. Malls, shopping centers, highways and homes are bustling with activities. Below are links to information on sensible shopping, travel conditions, home safety and events in Kansas during December.

The staff of the State Library of Kansas wish you all a safe and happy holidays season.

SHOPPING TIPS

Holiday Shopping on a Budget
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt082.shtm
(Helpful suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission)

Online Holiday Shopping Tips
http://www.dis.arkansas.gov/security/pdf/November%202009%20-%20Online%20Holiday%20Shopping%20Tips.pdf
(From the Arkansas Dept. of Information Services)

Preventing Holiday Shopping Headaches
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cfocus/cfholidayshopping02/focus.htm
(Online pamphlet from the Federal Citizen Information Center)

Online Secure Shopping
http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/online-shopping.aspx
(From OnGuardOnline.gov)

HOLIDAY PERSONAL SAFETY

Holiday Safety
http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/fire/holiday_safety.htm
(Shopping, at home, Christmas trees and decorations, kitchen safety)

Mall Safety
http://kevincoffee.com/mall/mall_safety_tips_for_the_holiday_season.htm

Personal Security Tips
http://www.kumc.edu/police/crime_prev_crime_shop.html
(University of Kansas Police Department)

Helpful Advice from
the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's
SAFE KIDS KANSAS program
http://www.kdheks.gov/safekids/media_news.html
--Toy Safety
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2009/11232009.htm
--Kitchen Safety for the Holiday Season
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2009/11162009.htm
--Decorate Safely for the Holidays
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2008/12012008.htm
--Remember the Recalls When Toy Shopping
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2008/11262008.htm

EVENTS AROUND THE STATE

Kansas Local Chambers of Commerce
http://www.kansaschamber.org/mx/hm.asp?id=LocalChamberDirectory
(Check town websites for local events calendars)

Travel Kansas
http://www.travelks.com/
(Check under Events and Things to Do for events, activities and displays)

TRAVEL

Flight Delay Information
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp
(Federal Aviation Administration)

National Traffic and Road Closure Information
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Trafficinfo/
(State links from the US Federal Highway Administration)

The National Weather Service in Kansas
---Dodge City NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ddc/
---Goodland NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gld/
---Kansas City NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/
---Topeka NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/top/
---Wichita NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/

Current Kansas Road Conditions
http://511.ksdot.org/KanRoadPublic_VE/Default.aspx
(Or just call 511 on your phone from anywhere in Kansas. From: Kansas Department of Transportation)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Finding Kansas Annotated Regulations

Say you've heard that there is a state regulation regarding "on-call time" and the number of hours you can work. At least that's what you've been told. Do you want to see if that's true? Sure you do!

The easiest way to find a certain regulation is to obtain the regulation number. How do you do that? Consider which agency would regulate the topic you're researching. In this example, it is the Kansas Department of Labor. If you are unsure which agency would regulate your topic or need further help finding the regulation number, call the librarians at the State Library at 785-296-2149 or at 1-800-432-3924.

Once you have the regulation number, you can find it online at the Secretary of State's website:
http://www.kssos.org/

Once there, click on "publications" from the menu at the left, then on "legal publications, then on "regulations" or, you can go directly to the regulations page:
http://www.kssos.org/pubs/pubs_kar.aspx

This page gives a description of what Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) are and how they're developed. It also gives links to:

2008 KAR Supplement- KARs that were filed between 12/31/2005 and 1/1/2008
http://www.kssos.org/other/Final_2008_KAR_Supplement.pdf

2006 KAR Volumes by Agency Number- for KAR's filed prior to 2005
http://www.kssos.org/pubs/pubs_kar.aspx and

2006 KAR Volumes by Agency Name- for KAR's filed prior to 2005
http://www.kssos.org/pubs/pubs_kar.aspx

Click on either of the 2006 KAR Volumes links and enter in your regulation number in the "Find" box in the upper right-hand corner of the document. This will take you directly to the regulation within the document.

It is recommended that you check the 2008 KAR Supplement to ensure that your regulation has not been amended or revoked since 2005.

***Note: if your regulation was filed AFTER 1/1/2008, you will have to search for it in the Kansas Register:
http://www.kssos.org/pubs/pubs_kansas_register.asp

If you want to see the search in action watch this video to learn more.


Article contact: Kim Harp
Check out recent additions to our collection here.

Thanksgiving

Football, food and family! The Thanksgiving holiday is fast approaching and this KGI Blog issue provides you with a table full of information on all the above plus some history of the day and a bit of etiquette advice for those large gatherings. Happy Thanksgiving!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Thanksgiving at USA.gov
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Thanksgiving.shtml
(Information from the federal government. You want it! They have a lot of it!)

Thanksgiving Aids for Teachers
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/thanksgiving/ (From the Library of Congress)

History of Thanksgiving
http://www.history.com/content/thanksgiving
(From the History Channel)

The Pilgrim Story
http://www.pilgrimhall.org/museum.htm
(From Pilgrim Hall Museum)

Investigating the First Thanksgiving
http://plimoth.org/education/olc/index_js2.html
(You are the historian!)

Deconstructing the Myths of “The First Thanksgiving”
http://www.oyate.org/resources/shortthanks.html
(From Oyate, an organization that works to portray Native American history in a more historic light. Refutes or explains many of the stories/legends of the English settlers who landed at
Plymouth, Massachusetts and the Native Americans they met)

US Thanksgiving Holiday resources
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~leslieob/RW5Thanksgiving.html
(From the University of Oregon website: "This is a self-paced Webquest activity. It is an example of how to use the Internet to support learning on a cultural topic, using a fun and interactive approach. Work by yourself or with a friend or classmate. Choose sites that interest you from Webquest Choices below, and do the tasks. Note that there are some additional Educator Resource ideas at the end.")

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
http://www.nyctourist.com/macys_menu.htm
(From NYCTourist.com. Includes: What's new -- Parade map -- The Night Before -- Parade History -- Parade FAQs)
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Photo Gallery
http://www.ny.com/holiday/thanksgiving/gallery.html

THANKSGIVING IN KANSAS

Kansas Governor's Proclamations of Thanksgiving
1861
1865
(Provided by the Library of Congress)

Thanksgiving in Kansas
http://www.kshs.org/portraits/thanksgiving.htm
(Information from the Kansas State Historical Society)

Kansas Memory website
http://www.kansasmemory.org/locate.php?query=thanksgiving
(A cornucopia of original resources relating to Thanksgiving in Kansas through the years)

Poetry of Kansas
Website search results for Thanksgiving
(Results of a search for pre-1923 poems at this website that mention Thanksgiving)

Check the weather reports!
http://kansasweathercenter.blogspot.com/
(It's always good to check the weather reports in Kansas before setting out over the river and through the woods.... or prairie. This is a new site still under construction but with lots of resources)

Thanksgiving Football Schedule
http://www.mahalo.com/thanksgiving-football-schedule
(A well known commercial website with information on games and Thanksgiving traditions)

COOKING TIPS, RECIPES AND ETIQUETTE

Turkey for the Holidays
http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/urban/turkey/techniques.html
(Information from the University of Illinois)

Thanksgiving Food Preparation Tips
http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/ciq-turkey-tips.shtml
(From the University of Nebraska at Lincoln)

Enjoy Holiday Foods Without Adding Extra Pounds
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/story/holiday_foods111009.aspx
(Information from K-State Research and Extension)

Listen to Planning and Serving a Holiday Meal (audio)http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=72
(Information from K-State Research and Extension)

K-State's 'Mr. Manners' offers Thanksgiving etiquette tips
http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/nov09/manners110909.html
(Somewhat tongue-in-cheek but full of good practical ideas for large family gatherings)

Enjoy Holiday Foods Without Adding Extra Pounds
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/story/holiday_foods111009.aspx
(Information from K-State Research and Extension)

Planning and Serving a Holiday Meal (Online audio)
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=72
(Information from K-State Research and Extension)

Look over resources through our library catalog, ATLAS, on Thanksgiving
Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Kansas Reads to Preschoolers

The Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas is once again proud to promote the importance of reading to Kansas preschoolers and other youth. Kansas Reads to Preschoolers week is November 15-21, 2009 and this year’s book, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Scott Menchin, is Wiggle. Wiggle highlights this year's theme- fitness. On the Kansas Reads to Preschoolers website you can find out ways to encourage preschoolers to love literacy and to keep healthy and mobile.

2009 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers... About Fitness! homepage
http://www.kcfb.info/wiggle/index.html

Author Doreen Cronin's website:
http://www.doreencronin.com/doreen.html

Find out why early literacy is one of the Kansas Center for the Book's missions
http://www.kcfb.info/wiggle/literacy.html

Get the whole family involved in reading!
http://www.kcfb.info/wiggle/family.html

Learn more about how you as a parent or community member can get involved in early reading and early fitness!

Kansas Parent Information Resource Center
http://www.kpirc.org/

Kansas Reading Association
http://www.kansasread.org/parents.htm#Simple_Strategies_for_Creating_Strong_Readers

Kansas Association of Child Care Referral and Resource Agencies http://www.kaccrra.org/INVAdvocacy.shtml

Healthy Kids Challenge!
http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/

Kansas Pediatric Foundation- Turn a Page, Touch a Mind
http://www.kansaspediatricfoundation.org/

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
http://www.kdheks.gov/health/index.html

Winter Energy Conservation and Assistance

"Old Winter sad in snow yclad,
Is making a doleful din;
But let him howl til he crack his jowl,
We will not let him in!"
~Thomas Noel, "Old Winter"

As the leaves fall from the trees so does the temperature outside creating a need for energy to heat schools, businesses, other buildings and homes. Conserving our energy resources and assisting others in staying warm throughout the winter months are vital tools in keeping "Old Winter" howling outside.

Listed below are links to resources on home energy conservation and energy cost assistance programs:

HOME ENERGY CONSERVATION

Kansas State University Extension
http://www.engext.ksu.edu/ees/henergy/index.html
(You can find answers to frequently asked questions, publications, and an extensive list of other Web resources in their link library to help answer your home energy questions.)

Winter Storm Preparation Tips
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/wwa/wintip.php
(Provided by NOAA National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Wichita, Kansas)

10 Ways to Increase Home Energy Efficiency
http://www.governor.ks.gov/Initiatives/IncreaseEnergyEfficiency.htm
(Provided by Governor Mark Parkinson)

70 Helpful Energy Conservation Tips of the Home
http://www.sustainability.ku.edu/Energy/energy_tips_home.shtml
(Information from KU Center for Sustainability)

Home Energy Checklist for Action
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/checklist.htm
(Provided by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)

Furnace Maintenance
http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/shop-talk-jenn-and-julie/2009/oct/28/save-money-with-regular-furnace-maintenance/
(Lawrence Journal-World article by Julie Anderson on home heating systems)

Weather Star Program
http://www.energystar.gov/
(Information, tips and resources on energy conservation from the U.S. Government)

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

EnergyKids
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=3
(Information for children on energy conservation from the US Energy Information Admin.)

ENERGY COSTS ASSISTANCE

Cold Weather Rule
http://kcc.ks.gov/pi/press/09-40.htm
(The Kansas Corporation Commission established the Cold Weather Rule in 1983 to protect human health and safety and to insure that Kansans have residential electric and gas services they need during the winter. The Cold Weather Rule is effective from November 1 through March 31.)

Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program
http://www.srskansas.org/ISD/ees/lieap.htm
(The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally funded program. It helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit.)

Weatherization Assistance Program
http://www.kshousingcorp.org/programs/wap.shtml
(The Weatherization Assistance Program, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, provides housing improvements that increase energy efficiency in income-eligible, single- or multi-family dwellings, including manufactured homes. Found on the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation website)

Energy Assistance Agencies
http://www.oneok.com/kgs/customerservice/services/kgs_assistance_agencies.jsp
(A list of agencies around the state that may be able to help. Due to limited funds some may not be able to be of assistance. Information provided by the Kansas Gas Service corporation)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)
(This article updates an October 3, 2008 post by Kim Harp)

Drop INs

Each school year there are a number of children who are at risk of dropping out of school. Due to circumstances such as needing to work to support the family, disinterest, academic difficulty, absenteeism, or homelessness, students must make difficult decisions regarding whether finishing high school is right for them. The Kansas Drop Ins program from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is looking to address this issue on a multi-level front. This program involves the students, the parents, the community, and businesses in ensuring that students make it through school. Your Kansas and U.S. Governments are offering many choices to help students prepare for the next step in their lives.

Home page of the Kansas Drop-Ins program
http://www.kansasdropins.org/summit_info.htm

Resources offered by the Drop-Ins program
http://www.kansasdropins.org/resources.htm

Kansas Statistics relating to drop outs:

You can search for your school district's drop-out rate and many other useful statistics at:
http://online.ksde.org/rcard/index.aspx

Kansas Kids Count data regarding the drop-out rate
http://datacenter.kidscount.org/Databook/2009/OnlineBooks/StateProfiles/AEC189%20profile_Kansas.pdf

Title I and II and at-risk student program fact sheets
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3784

Resources for students struggling with the decision whether to drop out:

Flint Hills Job Corps
http://flinthills.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx

YouthBuild- Alternative education that helps youth obtain GED's
http://www.doleta.gov/youth_services/youthbuild.cfm

Kansas Board of Regents GED site including the testing schedule
http://www.kansasregents.org/adult_ed/ged.html

Article contact: Kim Harp
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Child Abuse

Today, Governor Mark Parkinson announced that, with $934,591 from the State Children's Advocacy Centers Grant Program, child advocacy centers across Kansas will continue to help support young children who have been victims of child abuse.

More than 800,000 children are confirmed as victims of abuse or neglect each year in the U.S. One in every four girls and one in every seven boys will be victims of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday.

Across Kansas private and public agencies, institutions and organizations strive to educate, assist, respond to and provide healing to children, their families and communities in an effort to cut these statistics down.

Below are links to information on child abuse, services to abused children, statistical resources and other family services programs.

Governor Parkinson's Announcement
http://www.governor.ks.gov/News/NewsRelease/2009/nr-09-1014a.htm

Kansas Chapter of Children's Advocacy Centers (KSCAC)
http://www.kscac.org/
(A statewide non-profit membership association of children’s advocacy centers in Kansas)
Some Resources at the KSCAC website:
--What is a children’s advocacy center?
--Children's Advocacy Centers in Kansas Locator
--Child Abuse Prevention Tips

Kansas Child Protection Services (Kansas SRS)
http://www.srskansas.org/services/child_protective_services.htm
(Includes contact information for reporting suspected child abuse cases: "If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected in Kansas, please contact the Kansas Protection Report Center (PRC) at 1-800-922-5330. Telephone lines at the Protection Report Center are staffed 24 hours a day. In the event of an emergency contact your local law enforcement or call 911. Every call is taken seriously and every effort will be made to protect your identity.")

A Guide to Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in Kansas (Kansas SRS)
http://www.srskansas.org/CFS/Child%20Abuse%20Reprting%20Guide.pdf
(This child abuse and neglect booklet is intended to help both individuals who are required by law to report child abuse and interested citizens.)

Child Abuse Pamphlet
http://www.kansas.gov/kbi/info/docs/pdf/Child%20Abuse%20brochure.pdf
(Easy to print pamphlet on identifying and reporting child abuse in Kansas. Also includes contact information on counseling services.)

Kansas Family Preservation Services (Kansas SRS)
http://www.srskansas.org/services/familypreservation.htm
(Intensive, well-designed early care and education for infants, toddlers and young children enrich children’s early experiences and provide critical support to their families.)

Kansas Kids Count Data
http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/bystate/StateLanding.aspx?state=KS
(Access profiles for many Kansas locations; rankings, maps, or trend graphs by topic; and raw data. Includes over 100 measures of child well-being.)

Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
http://www.kcsdv.org/
--Resources and Hotlines

Child Welfare League of America
http://www.cwla.org/
Online Statistics:
--Kansas's Children 2009

U.S. Child Welfare Information Gateway
http://www.childwelfare.gov/can/
(Nationwide overview, legal definitions, abuse/neglect identification & reporting, prevalence, statistics, perpetrator characteristics, risk & protective factors, characteristics of parents or caretakers, families, children, and communities that increase risk or promote safe and supportive families and resilience in children, and impacts or abuse and neglect)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Interim and the Legislature

Even though your Kansas legislators are not currently in session does not mean that they are not working. Interim, or the months between sessions, is a time in which the Legislature does much of its work. Your Senators and Representatives are busy at home learning the wishes and desires of their constituents. Many legislators serve on task forces assigned by the Governor druing the interim. But there is more work than that to be done.

What is not widely known is the volume of the legislature's work takes place between sessions in interim committee meetings. Because the action of the legislative session flies by in 90 days, most of the discussion, negotiation, and research of the issues must take place well before the 2010 legislative session begins. Just before the start of session in January, the interim committees will produce reports to the legislature to utilize in the formation of new legislation.

If you wish to learn what is being worked on currently, there are online tools to help you:

You can find the list of interim committees, what is on their agenda, and the committee members at
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Committees.htm

You can see this month's interim committee schedule at
http://www.kslegislature.org/committeeminutes/07-08/interim_joint/interim.pdf

You can find minutes of interim committees at
http://www.kslegislature.org/committeeminutes/09-10/interim_joint/index.shtml#joint

You can find a calendar of interim meetings at
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/agendas/grid.pdf

An index of interim reports from 1934-2005 is available at
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Publications/SubjectIndex1934through2005.pdf

If you have any questions about the legislature or about interim, you are welcome to call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-432-3924 or you may Ask a Librarian.

Article contact: Kim Harp
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Hispanic Heritage Month

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!
From September 15th through October 15th we celebrate the contributions and cultures of a very diverse people known as Hispanic Americans. The resources below provide information on Hispanic Americans in the U.S. and Kansas as well as a link to a display on Spanish speaking peoples around the world constructed by Kansas library volunteers within the virtual world, Second Life.

National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 - October 15, 2009
(Web pages celebrating the month and the people)

National Hispanic Heritage Month (USA.gov)
http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa_ict.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=7125

National Archives (Hispanic records)
http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/heritage/hispanic-americans.html

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (National Park Service)
http://www.nps.gov/history/hispanicheritage/index.html

National Register of Historic Places (Hispanic heritage properties)
http://www.nps.gov/history/Nr/feature/hispanic/

Facts for Features (U.S. Census Bureau)
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013984.html

Information on Hispanic Americans

GENERAL INFORMATION
Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_and_Latino_Americans

CULTURE AND IDENTITY
A Cultural Identity, by Richard Rodriguez (1997)
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/essays/june97/rodriguez_6-18.html

Latino Legacies, by Lawrence M. Small (2002)
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/10009021.html

Who Are Hispanic Americans?, by Dr. José Jaime Rivera (1996)
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/FaultLine/who.html

Hispano
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispano

GOVERNMENT
Hispanic Americans in Congress
http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/congress/

MILITARY
Hispanics in the U.S. Army
http://www.army.mil/hispanicamericans/

Hispanic American Veterans: Answering the Call
http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/ex-war-hispanic.html

Hispanic Medal of Honor Recipients
http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/medal2.htm

STATISTICS
Demographics (U.S. Census Bureau)
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hispanic/hispanic.html

U.S. Hispanic or Latino Origin by Specific Origin (2006)
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_&-mt_name=ACS_2006_EST_G2000_B03001

Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For The United States, Regions, Divisions, and States
http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0056/twps0056.html

Kansas Resources

Kansas Hispanic & Latino American Affairs Commission (KHLAAC)
http://www.khlaac.org/

Hispanic Americans: 2009 Statistical Profile for Kansas
http://www.kslib.info/sdc/documents/HispanicKansansProfile2009.pdf
(Information sheet provided by the Kansas State Data Center, State Library of Kansas)

Hispanic American Heritage Month Celebrated at the University of Kansas
http://www.news.ku.edu/2009/september/16/hispanic.shtml

Hispanics in Kansas (Kansas State Historical Society)
http://www.kshs.org/research/topics/cultural/hispanics.htm

Kansas Memory Resources on Hispanics
http://www.kansasmemory.org/category/1244

Kansas City Hispanic News
http://www.kchispanicnews.com/

Second Life

Visit a special display on Hispanic American Heritage Month constructed by Kansas library volunteers within the virtual world/game, Second Life, by clicking on this link:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/64/123/33
(NOTE: You must be a registered member of Second Life to enter Second Life. Click here for information on how to join Second Life.)

State Library of Kansas

Library resources on Hispanic Americans at the State Library of Kansas:
Hispanic Americans
Hispanic Americans in Kansas
Hispanic American Biography

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Throwin' you a Lifeline!

Is your phone bill getting out of hand? Do you currently receive assistance through the State? Kansas is currently promoting the Kansas Lifeline Service Program (KLSP)- a federal and state telephone assistance plan that provides income-eligible consumers with a reduction in the price of basic local service. You may be eligible to receive up to $17.77 off your monthly local telephone bill through the Lifeline Program. If you don't currently have telephone service, you may also be eligible for a discount on your connection charge through Link Up America.

Governor Mark Parkinson's press release regarding the Lifeline program
http://governor.ks.gov/News/NewsRelease/2009/nr-09-0910b.htm

Kansas Corporation Commission
http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/pi/lifeline.htm

Kansas Citizen Utility Rate Board
http://curb.kcc.state.ks.us/lifeline.htm

Federal Lifeline website
http://www.lifeline.gov/

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/lllu.html

For those living on tribal lands, there may be additional assistance
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tribalfactsheet.html

Call your local telephone company for more details on how you can cut your phone bill costs through Lifeline. The number is on your telephone bill or in the front part of the telephone directory.

Article contact: Kim Harp
(Check out current additions to the State Library's collection here)

Kansas State Fair

“Our state fair is a great state fair;
Don’t miss it, don’t even be late!
It’s dollars to donuts that our state fair
Is the best state fair in our state!”

OK, OK... that song by Rogers & Hammerstein is about the Iowa State Fair but heck, it rings true in Kansas as well!

From September 11-20, 2009 visitors at the State Fair in Hutchinson will have an opportunity to be entertained, engaged, enlightened, enthralled and "enlarged" by the sights, sounds, experiences and great food around them.

Below are some links to information on the upcoming State Fair as well as some interesting resources on State Fair trivia and history.

KANSAS STATE FAIR WEBSITE
http://www.kansasstatefair.com/
--About the Fair
--Ticket Information
--Daily Schedule
--Contact Information
--Maps and Directions
--Photo Gallery
--History of the State Fair
--Interesting Fair Facts
--Informacion en Español

Kansas State Fair Blog
http://kansasstatefair.wordpress.com/

Kansas State Fair on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/ksstatefair

Kansas State Fair Twitter Page
http://twitter.com/kansasstatefair

Fans of the Kansas State Fair (FaceBook)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36969568213

K-State Research and Extension State Fair News Briefs
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/story/KSStateFairBriefs082609.aspx

Kansas 4-H
http://www.kansas4-h.org/DesktopDefault.aspx
(4-H exhibit placings from the Kansas State Fair will be posted here as soon as results become available)

Kansas Department of Commerce Events at the Fair
http://www.kansascommerce.com/SpecialInitiatives/KansasStateFair.aspx

Information from Kansas Travel and Tourism
http://www.kansastravel.org/hutchinson/kansasstatefair.htm

Kansas State Fair - Kansas' Largest Classroom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZI7tfpF4HY
(YouTube Video)

Fairs in Kansas
http://www.kshs.org/portraits/kansas_fairs.htm
(Kansas State Historical Society)

Kansas Memory
http://www.kansasmemory.org/category/492
(A visual look at fairs in Kansas history)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Fall Harvest Means Farmers Markets!

More and more urban Kansans are wanting to know where their food is coming from, who grows it, and the methods the grower has utilized. There is no better way than to go to a local farmers market and meet and talk with the growers themselves. Last month, Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svaty challenged Kansans to add more locally grown foods to their menus in support of Kansas Farmers Market Month. September is a wonderful month to visit your local market for the beginnings of fall harvest! Want to know how you can bring homegrown foods to your table?

Svaty's press release regarding farmers market challenge
http://www.ksda.gov/news/id/311

KSDA farmers markets page
http://www.ksda.gov/kansas_agriculture/content/148

Kansas farmers market official homepage- find a market near you!
http://www.ksfarmersmarkets.org

Growing Local- by American Farmland Trust
http://www.farmland.org/programs/localfood/default.asp

Find more Kansas products at Simply Kansas!
http://www.simplykansas.com/Pages/SimplyKansasHome.aspx

Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Food Safety and Lodging
http://www.ksda.gov/food_safety/

For growers and producers:

Learn more about marketing your wares from the Kansas Department of Commerce
http://www.kansascommerce.com/Divisions/RuralDevelopment/AgMarketing.aspx

K-State University Department of Food Science
http://foodsci.k-state.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tab

Kansas rules and regulations for producers at farmers markets
http://www.ksfarmersmarkets.org/sites/default/files/ksfm_rulesregs_revised2009_web.pdf

Market your product online at the Simply Kansas! directory
http://www.kansascommerce.com/Divisions/RuralDevelopment/AgMarketing/SimplyKansas.aspx

Article contact: Kim Harp (Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Government Social Networking

Are you connected? Do you read blogs, tweet, have a FaceBook or MySpace page? You might be surprised to know that your government is and does! More and more federal, state and local agencies are discovering that they can communicate programs, plans, budgets, news and updates more effectively through what many call “social networking” tools like these.

We have a small sampling of government and government-related social networking sites below. If you know of more send them to us (ksdocs@kslib.info) and we’ll add them to this listing:

U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Blogs from the U.S. Government
(Blogs operated by many different federal agencies)

STATE OF KANSAS
State of Kansas on FaceBook
State of Kansas on YouTube
State of Kansas Flickr Page
Sate of Kansas Twitter Page
State of Kansas Blog

Kansas Adjutant General's Department
Adjutant General's Department on FaceBook

Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas Department of Commerce on Facebook
Kansas Travel Photo Blog
(The TravelKS Photoblog lets you share a brief story about your Kansas travel experience along with a photo of your adventure in Kansas.)

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Wildlife and Parks Blog

Kansas Transportation Online Community (KTOC)
KTOC Blog
KDOTHQ Twitter Page

KSHEALTH
Kansas Health Twitter Page

Kansas State Historical Society
Kansas History Twitter Page
(Information from the Kansas State Historical Society)
Kansas Memory
(Twitter updates for the Kansas State Historical Society's "Kansas Memory" web site)

Kansas Lottery
Kansas Lottery Twitter Page

OTHER KANSAS LINKS

KPTS (Public Television, Wichita)
KPTS Facebook Page
KPTS Blog
KPTS on You Tube
KPTS on Flickr

ksfacts
Kansas Facts Twitter Page
(Bio Daily facts, figures, and fun trivia about the great state of Kansas. You'll never guess what's coming next!)

SOME KANSAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT LINKS

City of Garden City Twitter Page

City of Goddard Twitter Page

City of Greensburg Blog

City of Lawrence

City of Merriam Twitter Page

City of Shawnee Twitter Page

City of Tonganoxie Twitter Page

City of Newton Twitter Page

SOME KANSAS LIBRARY PAGES

State Library of Kansas SLK News Blog
State Library of Kansas Twitter Page
State Library of Kansas Flickr Page
State Library of Kansas Facebook Page
Thriving in Tough Times Blog

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library - BookFix Blog
Kansas City, Kansas Public Library - Media Blog

Kansas State University Libraries News and Events
Kansas State University Libraries New Resources
Kansas State University Libraries ShortCuts
Kansas State University Libraries Talking in the Library
Kansas State University Libraries listing of all blogs

Lawrence Public Library Blog
Lawrence Public Library on MySpace

Northeast Kansas Library System

Osage City Public Library

Russell Public Library

Topeka Shawnee County Public Library on MySpace

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

H1N1- flu update

It's back to school time, and that also means that kids will be sharing books, paper, computers, and yes... germs. State and Federal officials are gearing up to assist Americans through the upcoming flu season and educating the public on the transmission of H1N1, also known as Swine Flu. This post is to arm parents, educators and care providors with up-to-date information they need to help reduce the spread of the H1N1 virus in their community.

H1N1 information for schools from the Kansas Department of Education:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3739

H1N1 flu virus information: Guidance for Schools, Parents, and Child Care Providers
http://www.kdheks.gov/H1N1/H1N1_guidance_schools.htm

Questions and Answers regarding H1N1
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm

H1N1 statistics:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/surveillanceqa.htm

Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K-12)
http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/toolkit.html

Updated Interim Guidance on Student Dismissal for 2009 H1N1 Flu
http://www.kdheks.gov/H1N1/download/Schools_Letter.pdf

Resources for teaching kids proper hand washing techniques

"Did you wash 'em?" from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
http://www.kdheks.gov/wash_em/howtowash.html

NSF Scrub Club
http://www.scrubclub.org/home.aspx

It's a Snap learning toolkit
http://www.itsasnap.org/index.asp

Cover Your Cough posters
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm

Seseme Street (in Cooperation with the CDC) has put out "Staying Healthy Every Day" videos
http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topics/health/flu/

Advice from the CDC on talking with your children about H1N1
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/talkingtokids.htm

H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Resources compiled by Kim Harp, Reference Librarian at the State Library of Kansas
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

New employment information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks a huge amount of information related to the workforce and the economy. This office just released new numbers last Thursday. Good news: the unemployment rate was 9.4 percent, which changed little for the second consecutive month. As a nation our unemployment rate may be leveling out. Even though in July, the number of unemployed persons in the U.S. was 14.5 million, the job loss rate for the Kansas reigon has slowed. The Kansas City area has registered seven consecutive months of over-the-year employment declines. It is so good to live and work in the midwest!

Learn more about the labor outlook for the Kansas area and which industries are faring best at:
http://www.bls.gov/ro7/ceskc.htm

See the states ranked by unemployment rate at:
http://www.bls.gov/web/laumstrk.htm

See the graph depicting the U.S. unemployment rate at:
http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?data_tool=latest_numbers&series_id=LNS14000000

Manhattan Kansas ranks 2nd in lowest metropolitan unemployment rate! See the rankings at:
http://www.bls.gov/web/laummtrk.htm

Bureau of Labor Statistics allows you to compare salaries of various positions. See the 2008 table:
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes_ks.htm

Learn more about the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at:
http://www.bls.gov/

The State Library of Kansas has reports on Kansas Labor Force Estimates from the Kansas Department of Labor:
http://lib.wuacc.edu/search~S8?/o26377760

Posted by Kim Harp, Reference Librarian at the State Library of Kansas
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)

Back to School

The telltale signs are all around us. School buildings are once again alive with activity. Special displays are up at local stores offering supplies and clothing. High school bands are outside mornings and early evenings working on marching and playing music at the same time. Children, school personnel, parents and other involved people are gearing up for another school year.

Below are links to information that might be of help to you in preparing your scholar for the year ahead.

Welcome back!
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2601
(Message from Kansas Commissioner of Education, Alexa Posny)

Kansas 2008/2009 School Directory
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3140
(Most recent available online)

Search for Public Schools
http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/
(Locating local public schools across the nation)

Questions and Tips for Parents, Schools and the Community http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/nclbchecklist.html
(Questions to consider about your child's school)

Kansas K-12 School Reports
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=223
(The Kansas Department of Education assists you in finding out more about your local schools)

Kansas Education Resource Center
http://www.kerc-ks.org/
(Standards and tools for Kansas teachers... of interest to parents too!)

Charter Schools in Kansas
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=449
(What are charter schools? How do they work? Would they benefit my child?)

21st Century Community Learning Centers
http://www.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html
(From the US Dept of Education: "This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children")

Help My Child to Read
http://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
(Resources from the US Dept of Education for parents)

Helping Your Preschool Child http://www.ed.gov/parents/earlychild/ready/preschool/index.html
(Starting early to prepare your child for his/her future)

Kansas Reads to Preschoolers 2009
http://www.kcfb.info/wiggle/
(Coming to a library near you this fall! Sponsored by the Kansas Center for the Book)

My Child's Special Needs:
Information from the US Dept of Education on:
--Disabilities
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
--Gifted
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/gifted/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
--Learning English as a second language
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/english/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
--Civil Rights of Students
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html

Kansas School and Child Care:
Immunization Requirements
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/schoolInfo.htm
(The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reminds us of what vaccines our children need)

Stop School Violence Hotline
http://www.ksde.org/KS_SAFE_SCHOOLS_RESOURCE_CENTER/Family%20Matters-KHP%20final%20pdf%20%20(2).pdf
("If you think someone at school may hurt themselves or someone else you can’t stay silent...")

Child Nutrition and Wellness
http://www.kn-eat.org/CNW/CNW_Menus/Index.htm
(A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind)

Back-to-School Safety
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2001/08282001.htm
(Though somewhat dated this information still rings true)

Childhood Injury Fact Sheets
http://www.safekidskansas.org/materials.html
(SafeKids Kansas gives basic information on injury prevention and treatment)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)