California State Library Blog

The overall social and emotional climate of social networking sites (SNS) is a very positive one where adult users get personal rewards and satisfactions at far higher levels than they encounter anti-social people or have ill consequences from their encounters. A nationally representative phone survey of American adults finds that:

85% of SNS-using adults say that their experience on the sites is that people are mostly kind.

68% of SNS users said they had an experience that made them feel good about themselves.

61% had experiences that made them feel closer to another person.

To read the full report, go to

http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Social-networking-climate.aspx

Ever been reading a novel and wonder what a character looked like?

Check out these images created using law enforcement composite sketch software:

http://thecomposites.tumblr.com/

Amazon sources say that the company is planning on rolling out a retail store in Seattle within the next few months. This project is a test to gauge the market and see if a chain of stores would be profitable. They intend on going with the small boutique route with the main emphasis on books from their growing line of Amazon Exclusives and selling their e-readers and tablets.

For more, go to
http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/amazon-in-the-process-of-launching-a-retail-store/

Congratulations to Dr. Rhonda Allison Rios-Kravitz, Dean of the Learning Resources Division, Sacramento City College, for being one of 10 winners of the 2011 "I Love My Librarian" award.

Dr. Rios-Kravitz nomination is at:
http://atyourlibrary.org/sites/default/files/kravitz.pdf

All award winners are at
http://www.ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian/2011/11winners

Will your next laptop be a smartphone? The idea isn't as crazy as it sounds. In the coming decade, mobile phones will gain capabilities that make them suitable replacements for the conventional desktop/laptop computer.

Phones are already more popular than PCs. New research by Canalys shows that 2011 global smartphone shipments topped those of client PCs -- including desktops, laptops, netbooks, and tablets -- for the first time.

For more, go to
http://www.pcworld.com/article/249313/smartphone_sales_boom_who_needs_a_laptop.html

DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 2012

TIME: 5:00 p.m. doors open

6:00 p.m. presentation begins

PLACE: The California State Library
900 N Street, Sacramento

R.S.V.P. to Rebecca Ann Fontaine @
rfontaine@library.ca.gov or
916.653.9942

PROGRAM
A Night at the California State Library presents retired attorney George Basye speaking on “Sacramento River’s ‘renegade’ flood control system and why we are lucky to have it.” Mr. Basye practiced law with the firm of Downey Brand in Sacramento for 50 years. Most of his time was spent on water and flood control issues involving the Sacramento River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Mr. Basye has written a book, recently published by the California State Library Foundation in a second edition, about the history of Reclamation District 108, formed in 1870. The District quickly emerged as a leader in resolving the complex issue of water rights and the development of the unique Sacramento River flood control system. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signature that evening for $15.00 including tax.

A Night at the California State Library, formerly Food For Thought: Thinking and Talking at the California State Library, was voted "Best Way to Expand Your Mind," by Sacramento Magazine 2011.

REFRESHMENTS
Light refreshments generously sponsored by the California State Library Foundation.

 Or, go to http://www.library.ca.gov/pressreleases/pr_120210.html

You are invited to a REMI (Regional Economic Models, Inc.) webinar on the economic impact of tourism. Senior Economic Associate, Rod Motamedi, will discuss the methodology behind REMI’s modeling the impact of tourism on the economy.

The free presentation will be approximately one hour, accessible via WebEx Internet Conferencing. If you would like to be included, please register in advance for Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time at http://tinyurl.com/88j9shj or Thursday, February 16th, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time at http://tinyurl.com/73lynba. You can also register by contacting REMI at (413) 549-1169.

For additional information regarding CRB services contact CRB Acting Director, Brian R. Sala Ph.D., at (916) 651-8793.

Google Public Alerts is a platform designed to bring you relevant emergency alerts when and where you’re searching for them. Relevant weather, public safety, and earthquake alerts from US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service, and the US Geological Survey (USGS) will be accessible when you search on Google Maps.

For more, go to
http://blog.google.org/2012/01/public-alerts-now-on-google-maps.html