Source: How To Make A Terrarium: http://www.katyelliott.com

Source: Paperus, The Bottle Garden Specialists: http://www.paperus.com.sg

A terrarium is a minature garden of small plants that is grown in a closed or partially open container. It has made a comeback as a fuss free gardening project for urban dwellers since its popularity in the 1970s and 1980s and you can buy a ready made one or purchase a starter kit at the Singapore Garden Festival! It is a convenient solution for busy office workers and people who do not have green thumbs as a terrarium is a self sufficient ecosystem that requires little care. All you need to do is to water it every few weeks depending on the size of the terrarium. Not only will making a terrarium spruce up your living space with little effort, it will also help to recycle your unused transparent jars and containers!

How do you create a terrarium? All you need is to place stones, or gravel, charcoal ( to provide drainage for the plants), small plants in a transparent bottle and voila! You’ve got your own minature garden in a bottle or container!

For more information on the steps needed to create your own terrarium, do check out these useful sites!
1) The Garden Management System Gardening Software: Terrariums

http://www.hmk.on.ca/terrarium.html

2) National Geographic Kids: Grow Your Own Minature Garden

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

3) Paperus: The Bottle Garden Specialist: What is a Paperus Bottle Garden?http://www.paperus.com.sg
4) Katy Elliott: Home, Art And Food: How To Make A Terrarium

http://www.katyelliott.com/

Also, do check out the books that are available in the library for creating your own terrarium!

All Rights Reserved, Hockessin, Del. : Mitchell Lane Publishers
A Kid’s Guide To Making A Terrarium by Stephanie Bearce
Call Number: J English 635 BEA
Publisher: Hockessin, Del. : Mitchell Lane Publishers, c2010
View item availability here

All Rights Reserved, North Adams, Mass. : Storey Publishers
Tabletop gardens : 40 stylish plantscapes for counters and shelves, desktops and windowsills by Rosemary McCreary
Call Number: English 635.965 MAC -[HOM]
Publisher: North Adams, Mass. : Storey Pub., c2006
View item availability here

Posted By:

Ms Chen Wanying
Children’s Librarian
Children’s Services

The World Cup is soccer’s biggest event and it is held once every four years. The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in July 1930. Only thirteen teams from North America, South America and Europe participated in the event. Back then, the teams travelled by sea and some teams even travelled on the same ship to Uruguay. In the final match, the host nation defeated Argentina 4–2 in front of a crowd of 93000 people and became the first country to win the World Cup.

Today, 204 teams partipate in the tournament and 32 teams were shortlisted after gruelling matches in the qualifying rounds. Since 1930, the 16 tournaments have seen only seven different winners with Brazil leading the pack, having won the World Cup five times. The World Cup is now the most watched sporting event with millions of supporters from all over the world.

(Source: www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/index.html
Last accessed: 17/6/2010)

(All Rights Reserved, Haynes, 2010)

World Cup Football
by Jason Ludditch
Call Number: J English 796.334 LUD
Click here to check for item availability.

(All Rights Reserved, Scholastic Children’s Books, 2010)

Wicked World Cup
by Michael Coleman
Call Number: J English 796.334 COL
Click here to check for item availability.

(All Rights Reserved, Heinemann Library, 2010)

World of Football
by Michael Hurley
Call Number: J English 796.334 HUR
Click here to check for item availability.

Originally answered by Rosjihanah Mon
Associate Librarian, Children’s Services

Have you ever felt that Singapore is so small that you have run out of things to do?
Try exploring Pulau Ubin with your family and friends!

Pulau Ubin is a great place for outdoor activities such as cycling, walking, fishing and camping. According to the website below, walking around in Ubin is a wonderful way to explore and soak up the beautiful views. You can also explore Ubin through cycling and there are bicycles for rent if you find it a hassle to bring your own.

Another interesting activity that you can do is stargazing. Pulau Ubin has been cited as one of the best places in Singapore for stargazing.

Source: wildsingapore.com/ubin/index.html (Last Accessed: 29/08/2009)

If you are interested to find out about the history of Pulau Ubin, you can refer to the following website: infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_219_2004-12-13.html
(Last Accessed: 29/08/2009)

You may also wish to refer to the following books on Pulau Ubin.

1. Pulau Ubin : Ours to treasure by Chua Ee Kiam
Call no: SING English 333.78095957 CHU

All Rights Reserved, Simply Green, 2000

2. A guide to Pulau Ubin [written by Lim Kim Keang ; and illustrated by Kelvin Lim ... et al.].
Call No.: RSING English 333.78095957 LIM

3. Chek Jawa guidebook / project editors, Ria Tan and Alan Yeo in association with The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, The National University of Singapore ; photographs, Alan Yeo
Call No.: SING English 333.91716 CHE

All Rights Reserved, Simply Green, 2003

4. Chek Jawa : discovering Singapore’s biodiversity / Chua Ee Kiam
Call No.: SING English 333.91716 CHU

All Rights Reserved, Simply Green, 2002

To check the availabilities and locations, please use our online catalogue at http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/

Originally answered by Aslin Harminah
Associate Librarian
Children’s Services

Singapore Idol 2009 has yet again taken the nation by storm. Once again, hundreds of Singaporeans are glued to the telly, be they couch critics, supporters or participants.
Among the chosen ones this year, two of them come from Republic Polytechnic — Tabitha Nauser and Farhan Shah. http://weblog.rp.sg/

Republic Polytenic has been rallying support for them and we all hope that they will do their school proud as well.

How do these participants develop such strong good vocals? Besides having a pleasant voice, the vocal cords need to be stretched and developed in order to become performance worthy.

For those of us who are aspiring to take part in the next Singapore Idol and who can essentially hold a tune, or for those who are already participating in Singapore Idol, here are some resources that may help you become more successful in attaining your dreams of becoming a really good singer!

A fanatic’s guide to ear training and sight seeing. Volume one / by Bruce Arnold
Call Number: English 781.424 ARN -[ART]

Voice lessons to go[sound recording] / lessons by Ariella Vaccarino
Call Number: English 783.04071 VAC -[ART]

The right way to sing /by Linda Marquart and Lea Salonga
Call Number: English 782.042 MAR -[ART]

Vocal technique[videorecording] : developing your voice for performance / by Craig Reed
Call Number: English 783.043 VOC -[ART]

Posted By:

Chen Wanying
Children’s Librarian
Children’s Services

No one can say precisely when, how or even why the game of football, or soccer, developed. Games resembling soccer can be traced back as far as the ancient Chinese, Greek, and Roman civilizations. However, the rules of these games differed widely – from the number of players, to the handling of the ball, and the size of the goal.

A standard set of rules was needed, and eventually the English took on the job. In 1863, the English Football Association was formed and it published the “Laws of the Game.” This meant that every team could play by the sames rules, creating the foundation for the way soccer is played today, all over the world.

(Source: Soccer : the ultimate guide by Martin Cloake … [et al.].
Publisher: New York : DK Pub, 2008.
Call no: J 796.334 SOC)

All Rights Reserved, DK Pub; 2008

For more information on soccer, check out the following books:

Football by Clive Gifford
London : Wayland, 2008
J 796.334 GIF

All Rights Reserved, Wayland; 2008

The Bootiful Game by Michael Coleman
London : Scholastic Children’s Books, 2009
Call No.: J 796.334 COL

All Rights Reserved, Scholastic Children’s Books; 2009

Footballers by Liz Gogerly
London : Wayland, 2007
Call No.: J 796.334 GOG

All Rights Reserved, Wayland; 2007

Originally answered by Lynn Ang
Librarian
Children’s Services

A lens hood cuts off stray light or flares which will adversely affect the photos you are taking.  By reducing flares, the lens hood improves the image quality of the photos – the photos are more contrasty and clearer.  Lenses hoods come in various shapes and materials such as round, square or petal-shaped and can be made of plastic, rubber or metal. 

    An example of a camera with a lens hood.

Generally it is advisable to use the original lens hood provided.  If not, you can buy third-party lens hood.  Different lenses hoods are for different purposes.  For example, for a wide-angle lens, it is recommended to use a petal-shaped lens hood.  A zoom lens, on the other hand, should be fitted with circular lens hood for good effect  (http://photography.suite101.com). 

Lenses hoods serve an additional purpose of protecting your expensive or precious lenses  from accidental damage, dust or sprays of water and act as shock-absorbers.

So when do you use a lens hood?

Photography hobbyists recommend using them when you are taking bright outdoor photos or when indoors, there is a strong backlit source like a door with direct light coming through.  They also help to soften the effect of a powerful flash  (http://www.e-digicam.com).

Below are recommended books on photography available in the libraries:

1.  Still life and special effects photography : a guide to professional lighting techniques
By Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz
Publisher: Singapore : Page One, 2007
Call No.: 778.935 HIC -[ART]

2.  Portraits: a unique course in a book taking you from beginner to expert
By Duncan Evans
Publisher: Mies ; Hove : RotoVision, c2006
Call No.: 778.92 EVA -[ART]

3.  An essential guide to bird photography
By Steve Young
Publisher: Lewes : Guild of Master Craftsman, 2001
Call No.: q778.9328 YOU -[ART]

To check the availability of the titles, please visit our online catalogue at http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/

    Originally answered by Mr Kweh Soon Huat, Librarian, Adults  & Young People’s Services

The term “bokeh” comes from the Japanese word “bo-ke” meaning “out-of-focus blur” or “hazy”.  This fanciful  term has gained acceptance among photographers who use it to describe the artistic quality of out-of-focus areas of an image projected by the camera lens.  For example, a photographer who wants to highlight a single rose on a branch and deliberately brings the flower into focus and the surrounding background as a blur backdrop.  This way, an aesthetically pleasing impact is created on a photo.   

The characteristics of the lenses play a part on how a pleasing bokeh turns up in a photograph.  Generally, lenses with more blades in the diaphram will give better a better  bokeh effect  (http://www.diyphotography.net/) 

  Here is an example of a photograph with a nice bokeh. 

Below are recommended books available in the libraries on improving your phototaking skills:

1.  Real world aperture.
By Ben Long
Publisher: Berkeley, Calif. : Peachpit Press, c2007
Call no.: 775 LON -[ART]

2.  Advanced digital photography: techniques and tips for creating professional quality images.
By Tom Ang
Publisher: London : Mitchell Beazley, 2007
Call no.: 775 ANG -[ART]

3.  The moment it clicks: photography secrets from one of the world’s top shooters.
By Joe McNally
Publisher: [Berkeley, CA] : New Riders, 2008
Call no.: 775 MAC -[ART]

To check the availability of the titles in the libraries, please visit our online catalogue at:

http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/

  Posted by Mr Kweh Soon Huat, Librarian, Adults and Young People’s Services

The Annual Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, recently ended its 81st run. The films nominated this year were just as exciting to watch as other years. There were the usual favourites among the nominees, as well as some surprise wins. Check out the official 81st Annual Academy Awards website for all the information you need to know about the award.

In case you are wondering whose the best (and worst) dressed celebrities, happenings at the backstage and other juicy news, you can also check out this link from MSN SG website.

** All websites last accessed 26 Feb 2009

Also, you can easily search for online newspaper articles regarding this year’s Oscars from NLB’s online electronic database “Factiva” from NLB’s e-Resources page. This Factiva can either be remotely accessed from home (with retrieval access restrictions) or onsite at any of NLB’s 22 Public Library branches located islandwide in Singapore.

Indeed, this year’s Oscars had came and gone.. And already I’m looking forward to the 82nd run with anticipation..

** Above image was extracted from http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/oscars.jpg on 26 Feb 2009.

If you have any enquiries or comments, please drop us an email at ask@nlb.gov.sg and we will reply within 3 working days.

Posted by
Mr Justin Tan
Librarian
Adult and Young People’s Services

ASK! about Recreation

Bicycles are not inventions that can be claimed by any one person. Rather, the machine is an evolution of ideas dating back to the 18th century. Some say the idea started even earlier from drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.

The most successful attempt to build one can be credited to Baron Karl von Drais of Germany. Named draisine, it resembles bicycles of today, except with pedals missing.

Later, the draisine was further developed and pedals were added. A patent was applied for this improved model and bicycles began to attract growing numbers of fans and users.

Cycling today has become a popular hobby and sport. The sport is also the reason behind the careers of famous cyclists like Lance Armstrong (notwithstanding his chivalry with red carpet stars). You can read about him from books like Lance Armstrong: tour de force by Daniel Coyle (Call No.: 796.62092 COY -[REC]). There are simple books for children about Armstrong as well under the same call number 796.6.

Find more recommendations of books on bikes and bicycles with this list.

References:
1. World book encyclopedia v. 2, Chicago : Field Enterprises Educational Corp., 1917
2. Bell, Trudy E. “Bicycle.” Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 19 Feb. 2009 .

BIKEASIA 2009 
Singapore Expo Hall 3, 27 February – 1 March 2009

The Public Libraries have been supporting various public events through outreach and talks. This time, we are going down to BIKEASIA 2009. This is a lifestyle exhibition dedicated to bicycles, motorcycles, biking apparel, accessories and biking tourism. You will find books on cycling and riding at our booth, and win tokens when you borrow or use our ASK! service.  And if you didn’t think that the quiet library can have books on such an exciting sport, be surprised by what we are bringing there for you!

If you’re a library member, you get to enjoy a special concession rate of $8.50 (usual price $15) to enter. Simply show a loan receipt, dated 1 Jan to 1 Mar 2009  for at least one book, when purchasing tickets at the exhibition or via their online ticketing portal.

Also catch the adrenalin pumping motor stunts, bicycle trials and BMX demo, as well as take part in the lucky draw. For more information on the event, visit the Bike Asia website.

Contributed by Huang Su San, Associate Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services.

Posted by Ang Mei Jun,

Associate Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

Found this question interesting? What do you think? Post your comments.
If you have a different question, please email to ask@nlb.gov.sg instead of sending a comment.

ASK! about Singapore 

At around 10pm on 18 September, a 300-strong crowd cheered and welcomed Singapore Paralympics team home, at Changi Airport Terminal 3. Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was present to congratulate them. In total, Singapore won four medals, and ranked 46th in the medal tally.

More good news was shared last night as Dr Vivian Balakrishnan announced that Yip Pin Xiu will be conferred the Meritorious Service Medal, and Laurentia Tan the Public Service Medal.

We were there in the crowd too, with red balloons and flower toys to give our athletes. Take a look at the shots we got of last night’s rousing welcome.

Medal Tally
In swimming, Yip Pin Xiu won gold in the Women’s 50m Backstroke and silver in the Women’s 50m Freestyle. She also set new World Records at both events.

Laurentia Tan made history by giving Singapore her first medal in Paralympics. She won two bronzes in the Equestrian events.

The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) certainly spared no efforts in celebrating the athletes’ return. They engaged reporters to film the event and interview the crowd, and coming Saturday 20 September 08, a party has also been organised at Orchard Cineleisure for the team.

We were one of those approached for the interview, and one of the questions was, what words of encouragement we had for the athletes.

Roy: Their success has heightened the causes of persons with disabilities and he wishes them a bright future ahead!

Mei Jun: Their success and achievements are simply inspiring! She hopes that their stories will live on in people’s hearts and motivate Singaporeans. Mei Jun doesn’t know what words of encouragement she has for them, but she sure knows that they have encouraged us instead to believe in life.

Interested to find out about athletes like with disabilities?

Download our book list here on Sports and Disabilities.

References:
Sim Chi Yin, “ Paralympians’ feats inspire entire country”, Straits Times, 18 Sept 08, News Bank database.
Wang, Jeanette, “More medals for heroines”, Straits Times, 19 Sept 08, B29

What words of encouragement have you for the athletes? Leave your comments here.

Posted by Ang Mei Jun, Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services