County library system adds 5 new databases
Patrons of Butler County libraries will find it easier to make a will, write a resume, fix a car or take an online course.
Starting last month, five new databases became accessible via the Butler County Federated Library System website, www.bcfls.org, said Peggy Tseng, system administrator.
Tseng said access to the five databases was made possible by an extra $37,000 given to the library system by the Butler County Commissioners above the county's annual $240,000 contribution.
“I'd like to thank the commissioners. They gave us the money to put to good use, and we've given it back to the community,” Tseng said.
The databases come from a contract with Gale Cengage, Tseng said.
The five databases include Career Transitions, which Tseng called “great for job seekers.” She said it provides advice on writing resumes and cover letters, gives tips on how to apply for a job and even has a job interview simulation feature.
The Legal Form database isn't meant to replace a lawyer, she said, but it does offer examples of legal documents including wills, divorces, partnership forms and landlord/tenant agreements.
The Chilton Library provides a wealth of car repair information. It contains photographs, diagrams, diagnostics, wiring diagrams and step-by-step instructions for the do-it-yourself car repair.
“You select by year and model number and you get instructions and diagrams, pretty much like a book in an electronic format,” Tseng said.
The Books and Authors site allows readers to browse books by title, author or genre, as well as create lists of books and reviews. It also has a feature that suggests books and authors a reader might like based on previous books read.
The ED2GO database offers online courses, which start every month and last six weeks.
“Nobody else in Pennsylvania even has this. This is a new program,” said Tseng. “These are instructor-led courses, not a self-taught tutorial.”
In addition, two other databases, Testing and Ed Preferences and Pricing Antiques, are provided by the New Castle District Library Center through district aid-state fund.
All member libraries of the Butler County Federated Library System — Butler, Chicora, Evans City, Mars, North Trails, Prospect, Saxonburg, Slippery Rock, Zelienople and Cranberry Township — should make these resources available on their websites, Tseng said. But, she added, for now the best way to access these resources is to visit www.bcfls.org.
Asked if the Mars library web page was going to add the links to the databases, library director Mary Jo Simons said, “The short answer is yes. We do have a couple online already.
“It's a pretty nice collection. All the residents should take advantage of it,” Simons said.
Karen Pierce, Slippery Rock librarian, said while they eventually want to have the icons on the library's own web page, for now they are referring patrons to the www.bcfls.org website.
“Our patrons go to that website anyway because that's where the card catalog is,” Pierce said. “From that page they can access all the different library websites.”
Pierce said at least one patron has been using the Career Transitions database in his job hunt already.
Tseng said, “We have these databases for one year. Funding from our county commissioners is only good for one year. In the fall of each year, we meet with the board of commissioners to present our case and ask for funding for the following year.”
