SOME ONLINE OPTIONS FOR STUDYING FOR GED TESTS AND ENTRANCE EXAMS

OK, so you need access to sample questions for GED preparation or college assessements and all the "good" books at the Petawawa Public Library are already checked out.  Or perhaps you just can’t make it in to the library to see what we have in the way of study guides.  Give these online options a try:

INDEPENDENT LEARNING CENTRE (website)

By taking and passing the General Educational Development (GED) Test in Ontario, you will earn your Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate.  The Independent Learning Centre  (ILC) website provides complete information on registering and preparing for the GED test.  It also provides access to sample questions.  Scroll to Hints and Sample Questions and select Language Arts – Reading, Language Arts – Writing, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies.

ALGONQUIN COLLEGE TEST CENTRE (part of the Algonquin College website)

Some college programs require applicants to prove a certain level of proficiency in basic academic skills.  The Test Centre section of the Algonquin College website provides information on the types of assessments necessary for gaining admittance and includes some sample test questions for English and Math. 

E-BOOKS ON EBSCOHOST (Petawawa Public Library Online Database)

Just because we don’t have a book on our shelves doesn’t mean you can’t read it.  Many books are now available electronically!  eBooks on EBSCOhost (formerly known as NetLibrary) is a service that allows you to read an eBook on your computer at home.   A recent search of the eBooks on EBSCOhost database revealed 2 useful titles:

Curvebreakers. McGraw-Hill's LSAT. McGraw-Hill Professional, 2005. eBook Collection. EBSCO. Web. 18 Aug. 2011.  Click here.

Hasik, James, Stacey Rudnick, and Ryan Hackney. McGraw-Hill's GMAT : Graduate Management Admission Test. McGraw-Hill Professional, 2009. eBook Collection. EBSCO. Web. 18 Aug. 2011.  Click here.

Just log into eBooks on EBSCOhost using your library card number and then create a folder in order to read the eBook on your computer.

PETAWAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY CATALOGUE (for those who really like the idea of a “real” book and don’t mind waiting for books to be returned or replaced)

Try one of the following searches in our Online Catalogue:

Subject Search:  “General educational development tests—Study.”
Subject Search:  “High school equivalency examinations Study guides.”
Words or Phrase Search:  “Study guides.”

Then use your library card number and PIN to place a hold one of the books at the library and we’ll let you know when it’s available!  (Don’t have a PIN?  Ask us for one the next time you visit the library.)

Remember, "the sooner the better" when it comes to test prep.  Hopefully these resources will help you get off to a good start.  Good luck with your studies! 

Volunteer Opportunities for Teens at the Petawawa Public Library

Don’t wait until the last minute to start work on your community service credit for high school graduation. 40 hours of volunteering might not seem like a lot now, but trying to squeeze them all in during the last weeks of Grade 12 will really make it seem like a chore. Why not get a head start and consider the Petawawa Public Library as one of your community service options?

Who can volunteer?
As long as you’re attending high school this September, you’re eligible to apply as a student volunteer.

What would I be asked to do?
There are lots of areas where we need help. Whether you enjoy working with others, or independently, there’s a job for you at the library. Some examples:

Reading Buddies is a program where you will be paired up with a younger child to help him or her practice reading skills. This requires a commitment of 1 hour per week on a night that works for both you and the child’s family.

General Library Volunteers sort and return books to their rightful places on the shelves. Keeping things organized makes it easier for others to find what they’re looking for. We really rely on volunteers who can come in on a regular basis to help with this.

Library Programs, which take place from time to time, use volunteers for setting up, supervising activities (especially for children’s programs) and other duties according to the requirements of the event.

Internet/Computer Workshops use the expertise of tech savvy teens to help teach basic computer skills to small groups at the library using our training computers. Spend 1.5 hours per week helping others become connected by showing them how to safely use email, surf the Internet, get onto Facebook and more!

Teen Advisory Board members get to give their input on library issues to help us build programs and collections that speak to teens. By committing to two hours once a month, you can help improve the library and get community service credit. It’s a win-win situation!

Where do I sign up?
You will need to pick up a Student Volunteer Application at the library, or print out the PDF version, and just fill it out. If you’re under 18, you will also need a parent’s or legal guardian’s signature as well as a witness’ signature. Then just drop it off at the front desk. The Children’s Librarian will contact you to set up a brief interview so she can get to know you and discuss your volunteer duties.

Who do I contact for more information?
Janet Coulas, the Children’s Librarian will be happy to answer your questions about volunteering at the library. Reach her at 613-687-2227 ext. 22 (leave a message if she doesn’t answer and she’ll get back to you), or dash off an email to her at jcoulas@bellnet.ca.

Ready to start working on those volunteer hours now? Want to find out more about what the library has to offer teens? It’s your library. Check it out!

Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant for the Library!

On Thursday June 24, library staff, board members and dignitaries gathered in the Rotary Room to celebrate the $19,400 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant which was used to purchase new computers and monitors for the library.

This equipment has enabled us to provide faster and more efficient service to patrons. It has also made it possible for us to offer computer training sessions to the public as well as to local students. This training has included basic computer literacy skills, emailing, safe Internet surfing, media downloading, and instruction on using our online catalogue and electronic databases. Thanks to the newspaper ad campaign funded by the Laurentian Valley Broadband Initiative, who also assisted with recruiting student volunteers to help run the sessions, the training was very well attended and well received. More will follow! The new computers have also been used during class visits when Children’s Department staff provided the students with hands on experience with the library catalogue and online services.

Library staff member, Kelly Thompson prepared and submitted the successful grant proposal and was honoured with a certificate from Renfrew – Nippising – Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski. Our CEO Carol Goldsmith also recognized Kelly’s initiative and dedication. Yay Kelly!

Guy Jamieson from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, who was the lead reviewer of the grant proposal, made the official presentation to Mayor Bob Sweet who accepted on behalf of the Town of Petawawa, the Library Board and staff.

(In the photo: Guy Jamieson, Carol Goldsmith, Mayor Sweet, Kelly Thompson, John Yakabuski)