Dance on Demand
This post is a follow-up of Guide to Dance on Demand: Intro. In that previous post, you’ll be able to find out how to access Dance on Demand. Here are some of the features of this new dance database:

DANCE on Demand - a digital encyclopedia combining audio-visuals and text on contemporary dance of Germany exclusive to the library@esplanade and Goethe-Institut Singapore.

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Watch videostreamings of 100 films showcasing modern dance available from the database (only available via log-ins at library@esplanade and Goethe-Institut Singapore).

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Looking for information on dance pieces, choreographers, programme notes, etc? Look no further from the database which offers a compendium of information you need.

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Profiles of established German dance companies and institutions such as the Bremen Tanztheater and the Hamburg Ballett.

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Access writeups on various themes from the beginnings of dance to choreography to dance in cinema, music, and drama.

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Contributed by Jillian Lim, Adult and Young People’s Librarian

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Post your comments, or send further questions about this or any other topic to ask@nlb.gov.sg

ASK! about Recreation

Here are some books about long distance cycling and the Tour de France. In general, books about cycling can be found in the Recreation Section, around the Call No.: 796.6. Some of the books listed here are recommended by participants of the Zero Limits 2006 Expedition. For more titles, you could try seaching our online catalogue, using the keywords [cycling and not qjuvenile] for books on cycling (for adults), [tour de france] for books on the Tour and [lance armstrong] for books about or written by Lance Armstrong.

The long distance cyclist’s handbook by Simon Doughty
London : A. & C. Black, 2001
Call No.: 796.6 DOU -[REC]
Click here for item availability.
Book Description: “Packed with useful information The Long Distance Cyclists’ Handbook details all of the preparation and equipment needed to successfully complete a 30-mile charity ride or the 3,000-mile Race Across America. Written for the novice and veteran cyclist alike, it covers all aspects on long-distance cycling.”

The essential touring cyclist : the complete guide for the bicycle traveler by Richard A. Lovett ; photographs by Vera Jagendorf
Camden, Me. ; London : Ragged Mountain Press/McGraw-Hill, c2001
Call No.: 796.64 LOV -[REC]
Click here for item availability.
Book Description: “The classic guide for beginning and intermediate cyclists is back-;and it’s better than ever. With the latest on bikes, gear, and training techniques and new sections on short tours, and touring abroad, this new edition of The Essential Touring Cyclist promises to appeal to a whole new population of aspiring cyclists. Whether you’re heading out for five hours or five months, this vividly designed, heavily illustrated, and resource-rich guide delivers everything you need.”

23 days in July : inside Lance Armstrong’s record-breaking Tour de France victory by John Wilcockson ; photographs by Graham Watson.
London : John Murray, 2004
Call No.: 796.620944 WIL -[REC]
Click here for item availability.
Excerpt from Publishers Weekly review: “The author, whose work has appeared in the New York Times, draws on conversations with Armstrong, his race team and his challengers before, during and after the race for an intimate glimpse of this particular world’s friendships, rivalries and scandals. The resulting portrait of Armstrong, from his recovery from cancer to his exhausting training methods, unmatched physical strength and mental toughness, is that of a newly single dad, with no memories of his own father, and a sporting “legend.” The book’s structure, with its day-by-day account of the Tour, allows readers to appreciate what an arduous undertaking the race is.”

Tour de France for dummies by Phil Liggett, James Raia, Sammarye Lewis ; foreword by Lance Armstrong
Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley Pub., c2005
Call No.: 796.620944 LIG -[REC]
Click here for item availability.
Book Description: “Featuring eight-pages of full-color photos from recent Tour de France races, this easy-to-follow, entertaining guide demystifies the history, strategy, rules, techniques, equipment, and competitors in what is arguably the most grueling and intriguing multiday, multistage sporting event in the world. Cowritten by the most popular English-speaking cycling commentator on the planet, this book is great reading for both experienced and the new bicycle racing fans alike.”

Information regarding the Tour de France:
Official site of the Tour de France
Coverage from Bicycling Magazine

Information about long distance cycling:
Timeoutdoors.com article on nutrition for long distance cycling
The Sideroad article on what to take on a long distance bicycle tour
Bicycle Victoria resource page on Building Endurance

All websites last accessed 25th August, 2006.

Answered by Jillian Lim, Librarian, Adult and Young People’s Services

Found this question interesting? What do you think?
Post your comments, or send further questions about this or any other topic to ask@nlb.gov.sg

ASK! about Business & Finance

Most of the sources we’ve consulted provide a 5-10 year forecast.

Websites, Free access:
Swiss Re
Do a search in the text search box, keyword “insurance”, you should be able to find recent reports with forecasts

Insurance Information Institute: http://www.iii.org/media/industry
Some forecast papers near the bottom of the page, last accessed 24 August 2006.

Databases, On-site access at NLB libraries:
Euromonitor, provides country reports with forecast (see screenshots), keyword search “insurance”.

Factiva, a news database. Normally, you would have to access Factiva at the libraries, see Factiva

Answered by Jillian Lim, Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

Found this question interesting? What do you think?
Post your comments, or send further questions about this or any other topic to ask@nlb.gov.sg

ASK! about Business & Finance

“Per capita income is often used as a measure of the wealth of the population of a nation, particularly in comparison to other nations. It is usually expressed in terms of a commonly-used international currency such as the Euro or United States dollar, and is useful because it is widely known and produces a straightforward statistic for comparison.”
Source: Per Capita Income, last accessed 24 August 2006

“The total national income divided by the number of people in the nation”.
Source: Per Capita Income , last accessed 24 August 2006

Answered by Kweh Soon Huat, Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

Found this question interesting? What do you think?
Post your comments, or send further questions about this or any other topic to ask@nlb.gov.sg

ASK! about Recreation

Weather and weather conditions do affect the catch rate indirectly since catch rate will depend on various factors such as availability of fish, water temperature and pressure and ecosystem of the lake and river. These factors are interdependent on weather conditions. Besides weather conditions, the types of baits and techniques of fishing can also affect the catch rate. Below are some suggested titles on fishing and fishing techniques which might be of interest to you.

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ASK! about Recreation

Children and teens always ask if the library has books on internet games. Below are some suggested titles to give you some kicks in the gaming world.

Online kids: a young surfer’s guide to cyberspace by Preston Gralla.
Call No: Y 025.04 GRA

Click here for item availability.

Internet games for dummies by John Kaufeld.
Call No: 025.06793 KAU

Click here for item availability.

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What is Dance on Demand?
Dance on Demand is a digital intitiative that brings the contemporary dance of Germany to Singapore. This is the world’s first digital film database of German dance. Dance on Demand contains digitally remastered films and photographs, together with textual information (eg, programme notes, details of choreographers, etc). Specifically, you will be able to access:
1. 100 films showcasing modern dance (videostreams);
2. performance pieces ranging from ballet to avant-garde;
3. highlights of key dancers and choreographers;
4. profiles of main German dance companies and institutions; and
5. dance themes

What is Dance on Demand useful for?
This database is an important and vital resource for students, dance practitioners, and anyone interested in dance or movement.

How and where can I access Dance on Demand?
Most of the information on Dance on Demand is accessible from home with minimal fuss. Simply access the NLB website and click on eResources link on the top bar. Screenshots available here. This will bring you to the eCollections page. Dance on Demand is the 2nd link on this page. However, to view the videos from Dance on Demand, you would have to access it at the multimedia stations (PCs which provide Internet access) at the library@esplanade and the Goethe-Institut Singapore Library. A Digital Libraries account is needed to use the multimedia stations, you can register for a free account at the libraries or from home. After successfully acquiring an account, proceed to log-in at a multimedia station. Usage of the multimedia stations at the libraries is charged is 3 cents per minute (or $1.80 per hour), payment is done via cashcard.

Look out for our next post highlighting the features of Dance on Demand!

Contributed by Jillian Lim, Adult and Young People’s Librarian

Found this interesting? What do you think?
Post your comments, or send further questions about this or any other topic to ask@nlb.gov.sg

ASK! about History

This question on the origin of human being is highly controversial and no one seems to know better. Read on the compiled titles that I have put together for you and then you make your own decision whether to believe from the religious perspective or the scientific perspective.

Recommended list of titles:

Clinging to a myth : the story behind evolution / T.H. Janabi.
Indianapolis, Ind. : American Trust Pub., c1990.
Call no: 213 JAN
Click here for item availability.

In the footsteps of Eve : the mystery of human origins / Lee R. Berger with Brett Hilton-Barber.
Washington, D.C. : National Geographic Society, c2000.
Call no: 599.938 BER -[ANI]
Click here for item availability.

Walking with cavemen : eye-to-eye with your ancestors / John Lynch and Louise Barrett
London : Headline, c2003, 2002
Call no: q599.938 LYN
Click here for item availability.

Answered by Mr Ng Cheng Soon, Librarian, Adult and Young People’s Services

Found this question interesting? What do you think?
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Kids ASK! about Science & Technology

The Big Bang is a theory credited to Edwin Hubble. The theory has led to more intriguing & complex questions being asked. As with all theories, it can be considered true till proven wrong.

[Source: http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/bigbang.htm]

Recommended Readings:

Big bang!: the tongue -tickling tale of a speck that became spectacular by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
Watertown, MA : Charlesbridge, c2005
Call no.: JP 523.1 DEC
Click here for item availability.

Hubble and the big bang by Paul Kupperberg
New York : Rosen Central Primary Source, 2005
Call number: J 520.92 KUP
Click here for item availability.

Space mania: discovering distant worlds without leaving your own by Michale A. Dispezion
New York : Sterling Pub., c2003.
Call number: J English 520 DIS
Click here for item availability.

Answered by Ms Norlizah Mohd Juffri, Librarian, Children’s Services

Found this question interesting? What do you think?
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Kids ASK! about Pets & Animals

An entomologist is a person who specializes in a branch of zoology that deals with insects.

Source: Merriam-Webster Online

Recommended books:

It’s a good thing there are insects by Allan Fowler
Chicago : Childrens Press, c1990.
Call Number: JP 595.7 FOW
Click here for item availability.

Insectlopedia : poems and paintings by Douglas Florian
San Diego : Harcourt Brace, c1998.
Call Number: J 811 FLO
Click here for item availability.

Answered by Ms Verena Lee, Librarian, Children’s Services

Found this question interesting? What do you think?
Post your comments, or send further questions about this or any other topic to ask@nlb.gov.sg