ASK!

Yes, all of us simply love the NDP Funpacks! They are packed with lots of goodies and you can reuse the bag again and again. Now, you have a chance to get hold of these funpacks by taking part in NLB’s National Day Celebrations loan promotion!! Stand a chance to win a NDP Funpack when you borrow four NLB items*.  So what are you waiting for? We have 100 Funpacks waiting for you…

* Terms and Conditions:
· Loan receipts for 4 items must be dated 1st – 31st August 2009.
· Draw date will be on Tuesday 1st September 2009. Winners will be notified by phone. 
· At least ONE item must be from the Singapore Collection [SING].
· Write down your name, contact no. and NRIC / Birth Certificate no. / FIN no. behind the loan receipt.
· Loan receipts cannot be used in conjunction with other reading promotions.
· Combined loan receipts are allowed but must be under the same borrower’s name.
· The Library reserves the right to amend any of the above terms & conditions.
· There is no limit on the number of entries submitted.
· NLB’s decision is final.

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 Adeline Tan
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

Recently a member of the public tried to remember a title of a book which he forgotten but vaguely remembers the plot. Based on his tweet entry, it’s known to be of thriller genre… Well, how then does one recall back such titles in his/her mind, especially for those fiction lovers when they have read heaps of fiction titles in the past?

Of course, besides asking around your friends and colleagues (ed: preferably those who are avid fiction readers!!) for help, one such tool you can use is AquaBrowser Library’s Fiction Connection. Besides the usual author, title, and publisher search, the interface allows you in addition to use by settings, time frame, genre and even by character traits.

Alternatively, you can also use EBSCOHost’s NoveList to assist your searching as well. It specifically has an option to allow you to enter keywords to search by story plots even. Most useful!!

** For the above mentioned tools, please access them from NLB’s eResources page. For Fiction Connection, you can access it from “Global Books-in-Print” Database. For NoveList, select “EBSCOHost NoveList” Database accordingly from the list of databases. Do note that GBIP Database is available for onsite access only at Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, whereas EBSCOHost NoveList can be accessed onsite at any of the 22 Public Library branches or remotely from home **

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 & Young People’s Services

Even though lions are not the biggest or fastest animal in the jungle, they earned the nickname of “King of the jungle” probably because of their magnificent looks and muscular bodies

“When the 18th Century British author Samuel Johnson wrote the first dictionary of the English language, he defined lion as “the fiercest and most magnanimous of the four footed beasts” Since ancient times, people have associated lions with strength and domination and also with noble, royal, even godlike dignity. These quailities earned the lion the nickname “King of the beasts.”

(Source: Lions by Rebecca Stefoff
Publisher : Tarrytown, NY : Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2006
Call Number : 599.757)

With the upcoming National Day, we should be proud that our country of Singapore was named after this majestic animal.

If you wish to read further, here are some titles:

Lions by Cherie Winner
J 599.757

Face To Face With Lions
J 599.757 JOU

Lions by Richard & Louise Spilsbury
J 599.757 SPI

Originally answered by Hussain Bachek
Librarian
Children’s Services

[Editor: What if you only had 59 days to live? Would you change the way you spend your time or do anything differently? Would you treat the people around you the same way as you are doing now? If you were a pygmy goby, you might have to face those questions.
On a more serious note though, I feel that we sometimes take things for granted because time seems continuous. It is easy to put off doing things or fall back to the same old, often unfavourable, habits because we can ‘…always do it tomorrow’.
In order to not go crazy thinking about it too much, I try to focus on making small changes daily & to celebrate those small wins everyday. Of course it would be very different if I had to plan for a life that would only last for 59 days. For one, I’d definitely not think too much about long-term future consequences and just go out and do things! Hawaii anyone?]

According to the BBC News:
“The tiny coral reef-dwelling fish called the pygmy goby has taken the record as the shortest-lived vertebrate. The pygmy goby lives an average of 59 days, pipping the previous record holder, an African fish which lives for just over two-and-a-half months.”

Reference:
1. BBC News (Fish is the shortest lived vertebrate)Website:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature
/4530959.stm Last Accessed: 13 June, 2009.
2. Image retrieved from: Soong, Steven (2008, Dec 14). Retrieved July 12, 2009, from Borneo Aquanerds: Passions on Diving & Photography Web site:

http://www.borneo-aquanerds.com/2008/12/

nikon-d90-cw-nikon-af-s-micro-nikkor.html

If you want to read more on the topic, here are books that you can check out at our library.

What is a vertebrate? by Bobbie Kalman.
Publisher: New York, NY : Crabtree Pub., 2007.
Call No.: J 596 KAL

Oceans : underwater worlds by Laura Purdie Salas
Publisher: Minneapolis, Minn : Picture Window Books, c2007.
Call No.: J 578.77 SAL

Fascinating animal facts by Michael Bright
Publisher: London : Lorenz, 2005.
Call No.: JR 590 FAS

All websites are last accessed on June 2009. Please refer to the terms and conditions on the homepages for use.
For the availability of the above book titles, please check the library catalogue.

Originally Answered by Ms Deborah Siew Ching Ang
Librarian, Children’s Services

1.
Title: Naked in Death
Author: JD Robb
Call No.: ROB
Summary: In the very first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Eve Dallas gets involved with Roarke, a suspect in her latest murder case. But passion and seduction have rules all their own.

2.
Title: Cover of Night
Author: Linda Howard
Call No.: HOW
Summary: In the charming rural town of Trail Stop, Idaho, accessible to the outside world by only a single road, young widow Cate Nightingale lives peacefully with her four-year-old twin boys, running a bed-and-breakfast. Though the overnight guests are few and far between–occasional hunters and lake fishermen–Cate always manages to make ends meet with the help of the local jack-of-all-trades, Calvin Harris, who can handle everything from carpentry to plumbing. But Calvin is not what he seems, and Cate’s luck is about to run out.
One morning, the B&B’s only guest inexplicably vanishes, leaving behind his personal effects. A few days later Cate is shocked when armed men storm the house, demanding the mystery man’s belongings. Fearing for her children’s lives, Cate agrees to cooperate–until Calvin saves the day, forcing the intruders to scatter into the surrounding woods.
The nightmare, however, is just beginning. Cate, Calvin, and their entire community find themselves cut off and alone with no means to call for help as the threat gathers intensity and first blood is drawn.
With their fellow residents trapped and the entire town held hostage, Cate and Calvin have no choice but to take the fight to their enemies under the cover of night. While reticent Cal becomes a fearless protector, Cate makes the most daring move of her life . . . into the very heart of danger.

3.
Title: Rumor Has It
Author: Tami Hoag
Summary: Katie Quaid could never refuse a dare. It was the quality that had once made her a world-class equestrian. And it was the reason she’d been elected to introduce herself to Briarwood’s intimidatingly gorgeous new resident. It took one week to make Nick Leone the focus of the Virginia town’s rumor mill. So far he was a CIA agent, a male model, a fugitive–maybe all three. Whatever Nick was, Katie learned one thing right away: she liked him. And that made him the greatest danger she’d faced since the accident that has ended her riding career.

4.
Title: Say Goodbye
Author: Lisa Gardner
Call No.: GAR
Summary: For Kimberly Quincy, FBI Special Agent, it all starts with a pregnant hooker. The story Delilah Rose tells Kimberly about her johns is too horrifying to be true–but prostitutes are disappearing, one by one, with no explanation, and no one but Kimberly seems to care.

5.
Title: Silent Thunder
author: Iris Johansen
Call No.: JOH
Summary: When her brother is killed, brilliant marine architect Hannah Bryson must discover the volatile mystery behind a decommissioned Soviet submarine, Silent Thunder, that was recently purchased by the U.S. government for use as a maritime museum. Though the U.S. government tries to warn Hannah away, she’ll stop at nothing to find the ruthless mastermind behind her brother’s death. Even if it means joining forces with a mysterious man who may be even more dangerous than the enemy she has sworn to bring down.

You may wish to use our online catalogue to check the locations and availabilities of the above titles.

  Answered by Ms Eleaner Ang, Librarian, Adult and 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

         A blogger asked this very question that has been on the minds of many  irate, sweaty people who has perspired endlessly since June (even after a good cold shower) and has sent them into the comforts of the air-conditioned shopping malls :
                     Why is Singapore so hot?
http://baguita.blogspot.com/
2009/06/why-is-singapore-so-hot.html

Many people know that Singapore lies very closely on the equator, to be exact, 1 degree north of the equator. And at one degree above the equator, the climate in Singapore is typically tropical; hot and humid throughout the year.

The diurnal range of temperature varies between minimum 23 to 26 degree centigrade and a maximum of 31 to 34 degree centigrade. During the early morning time the relative humidity remains at its height while during the mid-afternoon it’s around 60%.

Besides, during June to September, Singapore experiences the southwest monsoon; and at times during this period, there is little rainfall during the morning and afternoon hours of the day, hence resulting in the hot and unbearable weather.

Also, if you live in the eastern part of Singapore, you may feel that the heat is unbearable as the eastern part of Singapore falls under the rain shadow region and thus receives lesser rainfall than the western side. This also makes the climate in the eastern side of Singapore slightly dryer and hotter than the western part.

But take heart, Singapore’s maritime location and constant humidity keep maximum temperature relatively moderate: the highest temperature ever recorded was only 97° F (36° C)!

Sources:
Singapore. (2009). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved July 06, 2009, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/
EBchecked/topic/545725/Singapore

National Environment Agency, Climatology Of Singapore June-July. Retrieved July 06, 2009 from Singapore Weather Information Portal: http://www.weather.gov.sg/

Posted By:

Chen Wanying
Children’s Librarian
Children’s Services

Have you ever wondered if animals can feel the very same emotions as people do? Do they cry when they are sad or unhappy?  Well, while all animals do shed tears to lubricate their eyes and to get rid of irritants, only mammals, birds and fish do produce tears and emit cries when they are in distress. 

For instance, baby elephants and bear cubs produce a very sad, keening sound when they are separated from their mothers. Similarly, the dugong (a large, gentle marine mammal that  lives in the Indian Ocean) sheds tears when in trouble or in pain. Thus, certain groups of animals do express feelings of pain and fear through crying.

Sources:
1) Maneka Gandhi (09/12/2008). Mammals And Birds Cry Like Human Beings. Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Bihar Times. Website:http://www.bihartimes.com

2) Colin Tudge, (02/08/1999). Chimps Don’t Talk, But They Do Cry. Retrieved 6 July, 2009 from NewStatesMan.Website: http://www.newstatesman.com

For more information on animals and their emotions, check out these books!

The emotional lives of animals : a leading scientist explores animal joy, sorrow, and empathy- and why they matter by Marc Bekoff
Call Number:English 591.5 BEK -[ANI]

Animal happiness : a moving exploration of animals and their emotions by Vicki Hearne
Call Number: English 636 HEA -[ANI]

Minding animals : awareness, emotions, and heart by Marc Bekoff
Call Number:English 591.5 BEK -[ANI]

Originally answered by Michelle Kwok
Librarian
Adults & Young People’s Services

ASK! about Performing Arts

Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree was written by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown, who based it on a story they heard in the 1960s:

A man who was released after three years in prison boarded a bus, on his way home.

I’m coming home, I’ve done my time,
Now I’ve got to know what is and isn’t mine…

He told the driver that he had written his wife to tie a yellow ribbon around the only oak tree in the city square if she forgave him.

Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree,
It’s been three long years, do ya still want me?…

As the bus neared his hometown, everyone looked out for the old oak tree, and saw hundreds of yellow ribbons on it.

Now the whole damn bus is cheering, and I can’t believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons round the ole oak tree.

The song was popularised in 1973, when it was sung by Tony Orlando and Dawn. It topped the Billboard Top 100 for four weeks that year.

About the Yellow Ribbon Project
The name for the Yellow Ribbon Project was inspired by this song. Just as the song sings of giving a second chance, the Yellow Ribbon Project aims to unlock the second prison. What’s the second prison? It’s the stigma attached with being incarcerated before, which hampers an ex-inmate’s re-acceptance into society.

Since it first began in 2004, the Yellow Ribbon Project has been actively raising awareness of the ex-offenders’ difficulties, cultivating acceptance, and nurturing support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders back into society. This 2009 will see more community involvement by inmates as Yellow Ribbon Project focuses on ‘giving back’ to society, having been beneficiaries over the past years. Some projects this year are:

- An art exhibition to raise funds for charity: Inmates took part in an art competition and artists of the short listed entries were treated to a one hour bonding session with their families at an art workshop (Prisoners display artistic flair, Straits Times, 2 July 2009). 44 out of the 454 entries will be exhibited at the Singapore Art Museum this September. Funds raised through the adoption of the art pieces will be donated to other charities. Find out more here.

- National Day: Nearly 35,000 goodie packs for the National Day Parade celebration were packed by 88 inmates who worked alongside other volunteers (Prisoners put together National Day funpacks, Straits Times, 24 June 2009).

- Cooking for seniors: The prisoners will also be cooking a buffet with volunteers from Lions Club of Singapore. Former offenders will help to deliver the food from the prison’s kitchens to several old folks’ homes (Inmates serve up Father’s Day family treat, Straits Times 21 June 2009).

You can get involved too by supporting them. The first marathon through the Changi Prison (Yes you get to run into Changi Prison!) will happen on 6th September 2009. Sign up for the run here.

The Yellow Ribbon Project is also supporting the library through a reading promotion. Stand to win $500 when you borrow books at any of the 22 Public Libraries. It’s easy. Just borrow any 6 items, answer 3 simple questions about the Yellow Ribbon Project, and drop your loan receipt into the boxes at the libraries. Read our poster here.

References:
1. Yellow ribbon becomes symbol during gulf war, Associated Press, 4 February 1991, Factiva.com, 3 July 2009, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
2. This day in music, BPI Entertainment News Wire, 22 March 1999, Factiva.com, 3 July 2009, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
3. Levine, Irwin and Brown, L. Russell, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon round the Ole Oak Tree”, An American salute : songs for patriots : easy piano arrangements: level two, Las Vegas, NV : Brimhall Music, c1991.

Posted by Ang Mei Jun,

Associate Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

ASK! about Science and Technology 

Leaves are green due to a pigment call chlorophyll in the plant cells. Chlorophyll helps a plant to convert light energy into chemical energy in a process called photosynthesis. This reaction produces glucose that the plant uses to grow. Excess is then stored, which is why we can get energy from plants.

Chlorophyll reflects the green wavelength of light, which is why leaves appear green. If a plant’s leaves are not green then, can it still photosynthesize to make food?

Yes they can. They may not look green, but there’s actually chlorophyll in the leaves still. Otherwise, they will not be able to make food and will die. The colour you see actually comes from the green colour of chlorophyll and deep red or yellow colours from pigments of various chemicals like anthocyanins, carotenes and xanthophyll.

Why bother to produce red pigments you ask? Well, these serve certain protective functions, such as from harmful UV rays anti-oxidant protection. These non-green pigments also assist photosynthesis. Some studies also predict that the red colour exuded by young leaves of some tropical trees warn animals from eating them. Upon maturity, these leaves rapidly turn green.

These red pigments occur in varying amounts in all leaves. The more they are present, the more red (or less green) the leaf appears. When seasons change from summer to fall, chlorophyll breaks down naturally so the red pigments appear more obvious.

References:
1. Stephen Reucroft, Can my plants with red leaves still do photosynthesis?, The Boston Globe, 14 July 2008, Factiva.com, 2 July 2009, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
2. David W Lee, Why leaves turn red, 1 November 2002, Factiva.com, 2 July 2009, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
3. Snyder Sachs, Jessica. “Photosynthesis.” New Book of Popular Science. 2009. Grolier Online. 2 July 2009 00>.
4. Kelly Bostian, World around you, Tulsa World, 2 November 2008, Factiva.com, 2 July 2009, http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/

Originally answered by Ms Lim Hwa Shan, 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.