A couple of students were looking for profiles on the "green consumer" this evening. Although it would seem like it should be simple to find reports on this market segment, we had some trouble finding market information for the segment. We finally came up with the following:
MarketResearch.com has a report entitled: Green Living - US by Mintel International Group Ltd. This comprehensive report covers 8 sectors of this market, trends, future, and demographics.
Warning: I searched for "green" when the student was at the desk, and this report didn't come up in the results. I only discovered it by seeing it mentioned in another reference. (!)
The primary source for this data seems to be LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) http://www.lohas.com/about.html.
From the web site:
"The LOHAS movement focuses on educating and providing resources for businesses and individuals on the market of healthy and sustainable lifestyles. Many businesses don’t know how to market to the LOHAS consumer nor to consumers know which companies are authentic in their branding as it relates to LOHAS values. LOHAS serves as the central hub for education, business resources, updated news, and annual business to business gathering of those fostering the LOHAS movement. The LOHAS shares information and innovative business practices that further promotes the LOHAS lifestyle beneficial to the future of our planet."
LOHAS breaks down the green consumer into market segments (see the "about" page link above) and give the size of each segment in US dollars. The data is from 2005. LOHAS also has a weekly newsletter that tracks the business and consumer trends in the green marketplace. Other sources are listed on the "about" page.
We also found a source on the Web at Green America's Green Business Network for consumer market research in their "Guide to the Green Marketplace" http://coopamerica.org/cabn/resources/greenmarketplace/marketresearch.cfm/ The page lists reports that are available for sale from various organizations. They're quite costly, although some site references to data in press releases and data available for free from previous years.
Other sources:
eMarketer report from 6/23/08: Green Consumer Demographics http://www.tvb.org/pdf/rcentral/Green_Consumer.pdf
Business Green.com 1/25/2008: Are you targeting the correct green consumers? http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/analysis/2208073/spot-green-consumer
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Popular Cultural Universe trial
ERAC is sponsoring a trial of Popular Cultural Universe lasting until 4/21/09. It is available on campus only.
It's worth checking out, if nothing else for the "pop" interface!
Please email me your comments on this resource and its potential usefulness to our curriculum.
It's worth checking out, if nothing else for the "pop" interface!
Please email me your comments on this resource and its potential usefulness to our curriculum.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
How libraries can remain relevant in the digital age
Article of interest pertaining to NYPL and how libraries can remain relevant in the digital age. Booz & Co. did some consulting work with the NYPL in 2008 and published some of their findings in the Spring issue of Strategy + Business. It focuses on the challenges research libraries are facing and provides “Seven imperatives for Library Leadership.”
It’s an interesting perspective given it comes from the minds of consultants and not from the library community.
See "The Library Rebooted" in Strategy + Business, Spring 2009.
It’s an interesting perspective given it comes from the minds of consultants and not from the library community.
See "The Library Rebooted" in Strategy + Business, Spring 2009.
ARTFL Project
This database used let us search for free but now requires a subscription. It will be removed from the database list.
Gale Virtual Reference and the Catalog
The problems relating to linking from CUNY+ to Gale Virtual Reference e-books have been fixed. You should now be able to find link from CUNY+ to the e-book in GVRL seamlessly. This is working both on campus and remotely.
Please let me know if you experience any other problems.
Please let me know if you experience any other problems.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Johannes Britz Presentation in Room 620 at 12:30
We may have attendees from across campus coming into the library today at 12:30 for the presentation by Johannes Britz. The actual location is room 620 in this building.
If you are attending and have time, you may want to read this article by Britz that is available online:
Britz, Johannes J. "Making the Global Information Society Good: A Social Justice Perspective on the Ethical Dimensions of the Global Information Society." Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 59.7 (2008) 1171-1183. link
If you are attending and have time, you may want to read this article by Britz that is available online:
Britz, Johannes J. "Making the Global Information Society Good: A Social Justice Perspective on the Ethical Dimensions of the Global Information Society." Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 59.7 (2008) 1171-1183. link
Friday, March 20, 2009
Psychology Midterm Assignment
Dear Colleagues:
Last night on the reference desk two students asked essentially the same set of questions related to a psychology 4000 level class midterm. Moreover they seemed unsure how to phrase their question or understand exactly what they needed. After some discussion I realized that they need information related to the "scientific method."
While the assignment did not use the broader rubric of the "scientific method" the students were trying to answer questions related to components of this research thought process such as hypothesis, theory, testing and etc. Among other questions they were expected to compare the validity of theories in psychology. The students did not understand the issues ranging from basics such as meaning of words to the more complex conceptual questions of determining the validity of a theory in psychology or the application of the "scientific method" across an array of the sciences.
Consequently to undertake this assigment I suggested a surprisingly wide range of readily used research tools. Begin with such elementary reference works as a dictionary, paper or Oxford Referrence Online, to understand word meanings e. g. hypothesis, theory, scientific method etc. Quickly move on to an encyclopedia searching for meanings and concepts of these same words. With an understanding of this go to one of the databases in psychology to find (a) full text article(s) to compare "theory." With the collection and understanding of these parts, then see which theory is best bolstered by evidence to compare the validity as required.
For those who have much more time CUNY+ has as many as 100 books on the scientific method. These books will provide yet more background.
I hope that this is helpful.
David
Last night on the reference desk two students asked essentially the same set of questions related to a psychology 4000 level class midterm. Moreover they seemed unsure how to phrase their question or understand exactly what they needed. After some discussion I realized that they need information related to the "scientific method."
While the assignment did not use the broader rubric of the "scientific method" the students were trying to answer questions related to components of this research thought process such as hypothesis, theory, testing and etc. Among other questions they were expected to compare the validity of theories in psychology. The students did not understand the issues ranging from basics such as meaning of words to the more complex conceptual questions of determining the validity of a theory in psychology or the application of the "scientific method" across an array of the sciences.
Consequently to undertake this assigment I suggested a surprisingly wide range of readily used research tools. Begin with such elementary reference works as a dictionary, paper or Oxford Referrence Online, to understand word meanings e. g. hypothesis, theory, scientific method etc. Quickly move on to an encyclopedia searching for meanings and concepts of these same words. With an understanding of this go to one of the databases in psychology to find (a) full text article(s) to compare "theory." With the collection and understanding of these parts, then see which theory is best bolstered by evidence to compare the validity as required.
For those who have much more time CUNY+ has as many as 100 books on the scientific method. These books will provide yet more background.
I hope that this is helpful.
David
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Vendor Card Dispenser Is Out of Order
Annette Ruiz posted this message on BBLIBS today, which everyone may not have seen:
The card dispenser is down. A student tried to get his dollar bill back from the dispenser and only half of the bill came out. Unfortunately I could not get the rest of the bill out, so I had to take the dispenser out of service. Felix, the Continental supervisor has been called and he will come in tonight at about 6:00pm or so. In the mean time I have placed a note on the dispenser telling students that the can go to run 420 if they need a card. The note also lets them know that they can add money to a copy card on machine number one. When I leave today I will leave a few cards at the Reference desk and the Service counter on the 3rd floor. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Also both machine #4 and the microfiche/microfilm machines will be serviced today. Again if you have any problems please let me know.
Gale Virtual Reference and the Catalog
We are experiencing continued problems when trying to access Gale Virtual Library titles from CUNY+. When one does, one gets a page asking for login information.
Please access any such titles directly from the Gale Virtual Reference from the Databases page.
Saad and I have been working with the Central Office and Gale to try to get it resolved and will keep you updated.
Please access any such titles directly from the Gale Virtual Reference from the Databases page.
Saad and I have been working with the Central Office and Gale to try to get it resolved and will keep you updated.
DealScan Database Only Works in Internet Explorer
News to me: the DealScan database only works in Internet Explorer. I'll ask Mike Waldman to put a note in the database description to that effect.
New Interface on Factiva
Have a look at the new interface on Factiva. The search interface is much the same but the big changes are in the results page. It now displays the discovery pane from Factiva's Search 2.0 alongside the standard results list. This means you can now focus your search results with any one of the discovery options: company, industry, keywords, news clusters, subject, source or date. Tabs at the top of the results page give access to another Search 2.0 option: news from the Web, pictures and multimedia. If you want to see your results without the discovery pane, you can click and turn it off.
Research Consultations at Newman Library
The library will be launching our new Research Consultation program next week. The new program will be offered year-round and will be open to all Baruch students. Students can register online for individual or group appointments. We are advising students that the research consultations are best for in-depth assistance with complex research assignments. Specifically, they will be able to learn how to focus their research topic, plan research strategy, identify relevant sources of information, and find and evaluate sources of information.
You can already see links to the registration form on our website in the “Featured in the Library” space and the rotating banner at the top of the page. Watch for a press release next week. Marketing materials will be sent to all departmental liaisons to share with their faculty.
Stephen Francoeur will continue to coordinate the program. Thank you to the committee who worked on the design of the new program: Lisa Ellis, Linda Rath, Joe Hartnett and Stephen Francoeur.
You can already see links to the registration form on our website in the “Featured in the Library” space and the rotating banner at the top of the page. Watch for a press release next week. Marketing materials will be sent to all departmental liaisons to share with their faculty.
Stephen Francoeur will continue to coordinate the program. Thank you to the committee who worked on the design of the new program: Lisa Ellis, Linda Rath, Joe Hartnett and Stephen Francoeur.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Consider Phoning Users in E-mail Reference
Users submitting their question using the e-mail reference form at the Newman Library website, are asked to provide a telephone number. This information was obtained in order to give librarians the option for replying by phone to user queries which may be a more timely manner for response than responding by e-mail.
I would like to encourage use of this form of “reference hybridization”(as defined in a submitted scholarly article I wrote), as it may be appropriate and allow for a quicker response time to a reference transaction initially begun in e-mail mode.
Please note that if you elect to respond to an e-mail query by phone, please be sure to follow the simple steps to “close” the question noted in the E-Mail Reference Policy Manual at \\Numan\Shared\Divisions\IS\E-Mail Reference .
In addition to a brief note about how the question was handled, it would be helpful to know what time you phoned the user to see if this in fact leads to a more timely response. Overall, this information will help us keep track of how e-mail questions were handled for statistical purposes.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
I would like to encourage use of this form of “reference hybridization”(as defined in a submitted scholarly article I wrote), as it may be appropriate and allow for a quicker response time to a reference transaction initially begun in e-mail mode.
Please note that if you elect to respond to an e-mail query by phone, please be sure to follow the simple steps to “close” the question noted in the E-Mail Reference Policy Manual at \\Numan\Shared\Divisions\IS\E-Mail Reference .
In addition to a brief note about how the question was handled, it would be helpful to know what time you phoned the user to see if this in fact leads to a more timely response. Overall, this information will help us keep track of how e-mail questions were handled for statistical purposes.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
"Small firm effect" article by Banz wanted and found
A student came to the desk today and said everyone was looking for Banz's "small firm effect" article; she was unable to find it but "everyone quotes it." She knew it was published in 1981. Through finding some citations, we learned it is the following article, which is available through Science Direct:
The relationship between return and market value of common stocks
Journal of Financial Economics, Volume 9, Issue 1, March 1981, Pages 3-18
Rolf W. Banz
The relationship between return and market value of common stocks
Journal of Financial Economics, Volume 9, Issue 1, March 1981, Pages 3-18
Rolf W. Banz
expatriate compensation in Mexico
I got an email reference about expatriate compensation in Mexico. It was referred from chat.
The student needs to research on expatriate expenditure, and it is the senario. "I am a Human Resource manager who needs to send a senior executive to Mexico as an expat. I need to know the salary, living expenses, and other compensation I need to provide (numbers or approximate amounts)."
I've tried a few databases, web sites, and references and found articles that discuss strategic planning about expatriate compensation, but not the compensation statistics or the amount of expenditure. Would any corporation reports may show the expatriate expenditure? Please let me know if you may recommend any sources for the question.
Thanks.
The student needs to research on expatriate expenditure, and it is the senario. "I am a Human Resource manager who needs to send a senior executive to Mexico as an expat. I need to know the salary, living expenses, and other compensation I need to provide (numbers or approximate amounts)."
I've tried a few databases, web sites, and references and found articles that discuss strategic planning about expatriate compensation, but not the compensation statistics or the amount of expenditure. Would any corporation reports may show the expatriate expenditure? Please let me know if you may recommend any sources for the question.
Thanks.
Aicpa code of professional conduct and reserved section 400
Last night an accounting professor forwarded a question from a student who was trying to access the AICPA code of professional conduct and Section 400 relating to responsibilities to colleagues.
The student thought that "reserved" meant that there was a charge to access the information. Not in this case.."reserved" means "something saved for future use." Currently, there is no material in Section 400.
She was asking about Section 400 in relation to an audit failure case of 20 some years ago. The online code is only the current version of the code. There may have been a section 400 at one time, or the responsibilities to colleagues might be covered elsewhere. Searching CUNY+ for prior editions of the code, or journal articles in publications such as the Journal of Accountancy, the official journal of the AICPA, and the CPA Journal, the New York chapter's publication, might provide information on responsibilities to colleagues.
The student thought that "reserved" meant that there was a charge to access the information. Not in this case.."reserved" means "something saved for future use." Currently, there is no material in Section 400.
She was asking about Section 400 in relation to an audit failure case of 20 some years ago. The online code is only the current version of the code. There may have been a section 400 at one time, or the responsibilities to colleagues might be covered elsewhere. Searching CUNY+ for prior editions of the code, or journal articles in publications such as the Journal of Accountancy, the official journal of the AICPA, and the CPA Journal, the New York chapter's publication, might provide information on responsibilities to colleagues.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
some suggestions for intepreting the meaning of a poem--"Fishhawk" also known as Guan ju
A student asked for help tonight in understanding a poem she said was "Fishhawk" (the English title for what she said was an old Chinese poem.) I have since learned that this is a very famous poem and that many commentaries say osprey, rather than fish hawk. (Poetry and birds are not my strong suits.) The student didn't offer any other information.
I tried the literature databases without much success using fishhawk. When I tried wikipedia, I learned that there is an article Guan ju, that the title of the poem comes from the first line Guan Guan ju jiu, "which evokes a scene of ospreys calling on a river islet. Fundamentally the poem is about finding a good and fair maiden as a match for the young noble." This article has a number of references, of which I checked CUNY+ and we have several of the books:
Chinese approaches to literature from Confucius to Liang chʻi-chao /
Baruch - Stacks - PL2272.5 .C5327
The Columbia history of Chinese literature /
Baruch - Stacks - PL 2265 .C65 2001
Anthology of Chinese literature : from early times to the fourteenth century /
Baruch - Stacks - PL2658 .E1 B522 1967
I hope that this is helpful.
I tried the literature databases without much success using fishhawk. When I tried wikipedia, I learned that there is an article Guan ju, that the title of the poem comes from the first line Guan Guan ju jiu, "which evokes a scene of ospreys calling on a river islet. Fundamentally the poem is about finding a good and fair maiden as a match for the young noble." This article has a number of references, of which I checked CUNY+ and we have several of the books:
Chinese approaches to literature from Confucius to Liang chʻi-chao /
Baruch - Stacks - PL2272.5 .C5327
The Columbia history of Chinese literature /
Baruch - Stacks - PL 2265 .C65 2001
Anthology of Chinese literature : from early times to the fourteenth century /
Baruch - Stacks - PL2658 .E1 B522 1967
I hope that this is helpful.
Help in finding CPA exam review materials
Some students are apparently having trouble locating the most recent review materials to help them prepare for the various sections of the CPA exam. Since 2004, the exam has been given only at designated computer centers. There are four sections to the exam, and students register for the section or sections that they want to undertake.
The review materials are cataloged as serial records. Listed below are the materials that we own and students can use. These materials are kept in reserve. (Some vendors, such as Becker, Gleim and other offer review courses, which are not available through the library.)
Series: Wiley CPA exam review 2009--this has four separate title entries for each individual review guide.
Auditing and Attestation HF 5661.C675 2009 2nd floor Reserves
Business Environment & Concepts HF 5661.c7230 2nd floor Reserves
Financial Accounting & Reporting HF 5661.C669 2009 2nd floor Reserves
Regulation HF 5661.C670 2009 Reserves
Wiley CPA exam review Fast Track--one volume, has materials on all four sections of the exam, but not as detailed as the individual volumes.
HF 5661 W 49 2008 2nd Floor Reserves
Wiley CPA exam How to master simulations HF 5661 W49 2008 2nd floor Reserves
For some parts of the exam, students need to identify sections of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) (available electronically) to answer some questions. This book helps students prepare for these questions.
Wiley CPA exam review focus notes--also available in four separate titles. These are similar to detailed flash cards that are bound together in a spiral bound book.
Accounting and Attestation HF 5661 .A54 2008 2nd floor Reserves
Business Environment and Concepts HF5661 .A56 2008 2nd floor Reserves
Financial accounting and reporting HF 5661.A57 2008 2nd floor Reserves
Regulation HF5661 .A58 2008 2nd floor REserves
2 copies of Computer file available from Wiley:
Whittington, Ray, 1948-:
Wiley CPA exam review practice software 13.0[electronic resource] : complete set /
New York : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., [2008].
1 CD-ROMs ; 4 3/4 in.
Baruch Media - Reserve 2nd Floor - Computer file 240
The two copies of this software are available for one day loan. (The newest edition, available this month, is be ordered.) This "complete set" includes provides hundreds of multiple choice questions and solutions and includes AICPA simulation questions. In addition, guidelines, explanations, tips, and diagnostic feedback covering the CPA examination are included.
Another publisher of print materials: Bisk
Bisk also offers a series of four separate titles to help prepare for the exam
title is listed in CUNY+ as CPA review.Auditing & attestation.
Tampa, FL : Bisk Publishing, c2003-, but the other volumes have slightly differences with the titles and publishers, based on prior years.
For 2008/2009:
Auditing and Attestation HF 5661.C6722 2008/2009 Reserves 2nd floor
Business Environment & Concepts - HF 5661 .C6772 2008/2009 Reserves 2nd floor
Financial accounting and reportsin- HF 5661 .C7245 2008/2009 Reserves 2nd floor
Regulation HF 5661 .C6735 2008/2009 Reserves 2nd floor
Please let me know if you have any questions. Rita
Past issues of these serials are also available and in reserves.
The review materials are cataloged as serial records. Listed below are the materials that we own and students can use. These materials are kept in reserve. (Some vendors, such as Becker, Gleim and other offer review courses, which are not available through the library.)
Series: Wiley CPA exam review 2009--this has four separate title entries for each individual review guide.
Auditing and Attestation HF 5661.C675 2009 2nd floor Reserves
Business Environment & Concepts HF 5661.c7230 2nd floor Reserves
Financial Accounting & Reporting HF 5661.C669 2009 2nd floor Reserves
Regulation HF 5661.C670 2009 Reserves
Wiley CPA exam review Fast Track--one volume, has materials on all four sections of the exam, but not as detailed as the individual volumes.
HF 5661 W 49 2008 2nd Floor Reserves
Wiley CPA exam How to master simulations HF 5661 W49 2008 2nd floor Reserves
For some parts of the exam, students need to identify sections of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) (available electronically) to answer some questions. This book helps students prepare for these questions.
Wiley CPA exam review focus notes--also available in four separate titles. These are similar to detailed flash cards that are bound together in a spiral bound book.
Accounting and Attestation HF 5661 .A54 2008 2nd floor Reserves
Business Environment and Concepts HF5661 .A56 2008 2nd floor Reserves
Financial accounting and reporting HF 5661.A57 2008 2nd floor Reserves
Regulation HF5661 .A58 2008 2nd floor REserves
2 copies of Computer file available from Wiley:
Whittington, Ray, 1948-:
Wiley CPA exam review practice software 13.0[electronic resource] : complete set /
New York : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., [2008].
1 CD-ROMs ; 4 3/4 in.
Baruch Media - Reserve 2nd Floor - Computer file 240
The two copies of this software are available for one day loan. (The newest edition, available this month, is be ordered.) This "complete set" includes provides hundreds of multiple choice questions and solutions and includes AICPA simulation questions. In addition, guidelines, explanations, tips, and diagnostic feedback covering the CPA examination are included.
Another publisher of print materials: Bisk
Bisk also offers a series of four separate titles to help prepare for the exam
title is listed in CUNY+ as CPA review.Auditing & attestation.
Tampa, FL : Bisk Publishing, c2003-, but the other volumes have slightly differences with the titles and publishers, based on prior years.
For 2008/2009:
Auditing and Attestation HF 5661.C6722 2008/2009 Reserves 2nd floor
Business Environment & Concepts - HF 5661 .C6772 2008/2009 Reserves 2nd floor
Financial accounting and reportsin- HF 5661 .C7245 2008/2009 Reserves 2nd floor
Regulation HF 5661 .C6735 2008/2009 Reserves 2nd floor
Please let me know if you have any questions. Rita
Past issues of these serials are also available and in reserves.
Collecting Reference Statistics
Because of the snow last Monday, we are going to continue collecting reference statistics today and substitute today's count for last Monday's. Please deposit all data sheets in the box in the reference office.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Database issue on Sunday, March 8th
We had problems with quite a few database on Sunday. I reported these to Michael via email, but wanted to alert you in case they come up on Monday:
1. Ebrary - Unauthorized Access screen appears whether accessing through CUNY+ or through the databases page
2. Value Line - When you click on 'connect'you get a page asking you to check whether you agree or not with the terms and conditions. If you click on 'yes' it asks for a user name and password. If you click on 'no' you can get to the home page. However, you can't get to the Value Line Survey Page for companies. When you enter a ticker symbol, it takes you to a summary, but when you click on the PDF link, it asks you for a log in again.
3. MarketResearch.com - is asking for a user name and password
4. Standard and Poor's Net Advantage - takes you to an error page when attempting to connect
5. Philosopher's Index - the link for this database in the browse databases list takes you to the Ebscohost list of databases. Philosopher's Index however, isn't on the list.
Thanks!
-- Donna
1. Ebrary - Unauthorized Access screen appears whether accessing through CUNY+ or through the databases page
2. Value Line - When you click on 'connect'you get a page asking you to check whether you agree or not with the terms and conditions. If you click on 'yes' it asks for a user name and password. If you click on 'no' you can get to the home page. However, you can't get to the Value Line Survey Page for companies. When you enter a ticker symbol, it takes you to a summary, but when you click on the PDF link, it asks you for a log in again.
3. MarketResearch.com - is asking for a user name and password
4. Standard and Poor's Net Advantage - takes you to an error page when attempting to connect
5. Philosopher's Index - the link for this database in the browse databases list takes you to the Ebscohost list of databases. Philosopher's Index however, isn't on the list.
Thanks!
-- Donna
Saturday, March 07, 2009
access difficulty with S&P Net Advantage and Thomson Reserarch at the ref desk
Posted by Rita on behalf of Stewart:
When trying to access Thomson Research and Standard & Poor's Net Advantage at the ref desk this afternoon, log in information was asked for NetAdvantage and Thomson Research. However, access, without log in information, was possible on my office computer. He has provided me screen shots of the error message from S&P and unrecognized login from NetAdvantage.
When trying to access Thomson Research and Standard & Poor's Net Advantage at the ref desk this afternoon, log in information was asked for NetAdvantage and Thomson Research. However, access, without log in information, was possible on my office computer. He has provided me screen shots of the error message from S&P and unrecognized login from NetAdvantage.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Remote Access May Not Work for CCH Tax Research
I just left a message for Mike Waldman and submitted a help desk request (ID# 3276) to report a possible problem with remote access to CCH Tax Network. A student called the reference desk today and said that she got past our EZ Proxy remote login page but then could not get past the next page from CCH that asked for her email address.
Missing Dictionaries
Please keep your eyes peeled for any of the six missing dictionaries that are normally stored in the dictionary stands. This morning, I walked all the floors of the library, checked the stacks on the 5th floor and the reference collection on the 2nd floor, looked in sorting rooms, etc., and still failed to turn up any of the following:
3rd Floor
3rd Floor
- Missing one unabridged dictionary (Webster's Third New International Dictionary, unabridged)
- Missing two abridged dictionaries (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh edition)
- Missing three abridged dictionaries (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh edition)
Thursday, March 05, 2009
student asking advice on best places in the library to use the wireless network
A student asked what areas of the library are best for using the wireless network. Anyone have suggestions?
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
New Reference Titles
Almanac of New York City (REF F128.3 .A455 2008)
Claims to be the first ever data book for New York City. Includes coverage of population, housing, public health, crime, business, arts, sports, politics, transportation, education, environment, religion and social services. Many historical tables but also rankings (of largest foundations and law firms, for example) and lists (public housing developments and principle bridges).
AICPA. Audit Risk Alert series
These reports provide an overview of industry developments for auditors and cover recent economic, regulatory and professional (auditing and accounting) developments. Students looking at risk factors in an industry would find these useful as they cover things like audit risks arising from current economic conditions; recent legislative and regulatory developments; industry trends and developments. Industries covered in 2008 include the Health Care Industry (REF HF5667 .A786) and Depository and Lending Institution Industry (REF HG1707.5 .D468)
American Generations: Who They Are and How They Live (REF HC110 .C6M545 2005)
This is one title in a series from New Strategist that profiles the generations in data and charts based in large part on Census statistics. Data covers ten areas including education, health, living arrangements, labor force participation, income, housing, population, spending, time use and wealth. The American Generations Series includes: The Millennials: Americans Born 1977 to 1994; Generation X: American Born 1965 to 1976; The Baby Boom: American Born 1946 to 1964; and Older American: A Changing Market.
Census Atlas of the United States (REF G1201 .E2U5 2007)
“The first comprehensive atlas produced by the Census Bureau since the early twentieth century.” Full color maps from the Census 2000 and earlier censuses are presented in topical chapters grouped into three themes: who we are, where we come from and what we do. Chapter 7 on Migration visualizes net flows of population. Chapter 8 on Language includes maps of New York and other large cities.
Housing NYC: Rents, Markets, and Trends 2008 (REF HD7288.85 .U62N7 2008)
A collection of reports from the New York City Rent Guidelines Board that includes their Housing Supply Report, Mortgage Survey, Income and Expense Study, Income and Affordability Study, and a Price Index of Operating Costs. This is an invaluable collection of data for anyone studying the rental real estate market in NYC.
Securities Law Handbook (REF KF1439 .B544 2008/09)
Annual update of new rules and regulations from the SEC as well as results of significant securities litigation during 2008.
Claims to be the first ever data book for New York City. Includes coverage of population, housing, public health, crime, business, arts, sports, politics, transportation, education, environment, religion and social services. Many historical tables but also rankings (of largest foundations and law firms, for example) and lists (public housing developments and principle bridges).
AICPA. Audit Risk Alert series
These reports provide an overview of industry developments for auditors and cover recent economic, regulatory and professional (auditing and accounting) developments. Students looking at risk factors in an industry would find these useful as they cover things like audit risks arising from current economic conditions; recent legislative and regulatory developments; industry trends and developments. Industries covered in 2008 include the Health Care Industry (REF HF5667 .A786) and Depository and Lending Institution Industry (REF HG1707.5 .D468)
American Generations: Who They Are and How They Live (REF HC110 .C6M545 2005)
This is one title in a series from New Strategist that profiles the generations in data and charts based in large part on Census statistics. Data covers ten areas including education, health, living arrangements, labor force participation, income, housing, population, spending, time use and wealth. The American Generations Series includes: The Millennials: Americans Born 1977 to 1994; Generation X: American Born 1965 to 1976; The Baby Boom: American Born 1946 to 1964; and Older American: A Changing Market.
Census Atlas of the United States (REF G1201 .E2U5 2007)
“The first comprehensive atlas produced by the Census Bureau since the early twentieth century.” Full color maps from the Census 2000 and earlier censuses are presented in topical chapters grouped into three themes: who we are, where we come from and what we do. Chapter 7 on Migration visualizes net flows of population. Chapter 8 on Language includes maps of New York and other large cities.
Housing NYC: Rents, Markets, and Trends 2008 (REF HD7288.85 .U62N7 2008)
A collection of reports from the New York City Rent Guidelines Board that includes their Housing Supply Report, Mortgage Survey, Income and Expense Study, Income and Affordability Study, and a Price Index of Operating Costs. This is an invaluable collection of data for anyone studying the rental real estate market in NYC.
Securities Law Handbook (REF KF1439 .B544 2008/09)
Annual update of new rules and regulations from the SEC as well as results of significant securities litigation during 2008.
Monday, March 02, 2009
New Census Data for NYC Neighborhoods
We frequently get questions from patrons who are interested in finding demographic data for neighborhoods in New York. Finding this data can be tough, as the census does not issue data for neighborhoods - you have to take the levels of geography they use (census tracts, zip codes) and force it to fit neighborhood boundaries. The NYC Department of Planning has done this and they've issued profiles for each neighborhood / community district in the city.
The problem is that this data is from the 2000 Census and is fairly old. The Census Bureau does provide recent data through the American Community Survey (ACS), but the data is limited to large geographic areas. However, the ACS has begun to release three year averaged estimates for areas called PUMAs, which are aggregations of census tracts. And the NYC Dept of Planning has done it again - they've created a whole series of profiles for each community district within the city based on PUMAs.
The 2005-07 ACS PUMA data are currently the most recent census figures at the smallest geographic level possible within the city, and are the closest thing we have to neighborhood data.
The profiles are available in pdf format on the NYC Dept of Planning's ACS page, and are listed under the Community Districts column. The data includes demographic, social, economic, and housing profiles. Each pdf file contains profiles for every single community district, sorted by borough and community district number. This isn't exactly ideal, as you have to do a lot of scrolling to find the district you want. Just above the table is a link to a busy map of PUMAs and Community Districts (the two areas don't line up exactly). Use the map to identify the part of the city you're interested in, note what the community district number is, and then open up a report and page through by borough and district number. This may not seem ideal, but is a million times easier than trying to build your own neighborhood geography and profiles using the American Factfinder.
Next year, the Census will update the averages by dropping the oldest year and adding the newest one (so we'll have 2006-2008 estimates). The estimates are three-year averages rather than annual numbers due to the small sample size. The estimates have a confidence level of 90% and each number has a margin of error associated with it. NYC Planning provides an overview (in pdf at the top of the profile page) of what the ACS is and they explain how and why they use it to create the profiles.
The problem is that this data is from the 2000 Census and is fairly old. The Census Bureau does provide recent data through the American Community Survey (ACS), but the data is limited to large geographic areas. However, the ACS has begun to release three year averaged estimates for areas called PUMAs, which are aggregations of census tracts. And the NYC Dept of Planning has done it again - they've created a whole series of profiles for each community district within the city based on PUMAs.
The 2005-07 ACS PUMA data are currently the most recent census figures at the smallest geographic level possible within the city, and are the closest thing we have to neighborhood data.
The profiles are available in pdf format on the NYC Dept of Planning's ACS page, and are listed under the Community Districts column. The data includes demographic, social, economic, and housing profiles. Each pdf file contains profiles for every single community district, sorted by borough and community district number. This isn't exactly ideal, as you have to do a lot of scrolling to find the district you want. Just above the table is a link to a busy map of PUMAs and Community Districts (the two areas don't line up exactly). Use the map to identify the part of the city you're interested in, note what the community district number is, and then open up a report and page through by borough and district number. This may not seem ideal, but is a million times easier than trying to build your own neighborhood geography and profiles using the American Factfinder.
Next year, the Census will update the averages by dropping the oldest year and adding the newest one (so we'll have 2006-2008 estimates). The estimates are three-year averages rather than annual numbers due to the small sample size. The estimates have a confidence level of 90% and each number has a margin of error associated with it. NYC Planning provides an overview (in pdf at the top of the profile page) of what the ACS is and they explain how and why they use it to create the profiles.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
What's New At The Library? Financial Advice
NPR's Weekend Edition reported on Saturday, February 28 featured an interesting story on a number of libraries around the country are getting grants to train librarians and set up programs to teach people about investing through a collaboration between FINRA and the American Library Association. John Gannon, president of the FINRA investor education foundation, says his organization turned to libraries because libraries have the ability to reach large numbers of people who may need help with their money.
Go to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101268021 to read the details.
Go to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101268021 to read the details.
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