Author: MarieMartino

You have probably heard the about the protests rocking the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison in the last couple of weeks over the recent budget repair bill.  In addition to requiring public workers to pay more for health insurance and their pension,  one main issue of contention is the governor’s plan to curtail the collective bargaining rights… Continue reading Collective Bargaining

If you’re like me and like to file your taxes early to get your refund sooner than later, check out these handy little links to websites you might need.  Note: We also have a number of paper forms, schedules, and guides available in the Library. Federal Income Taxes IRS Forms and Publications–Download your federal tax… Continue reading Early Bird Taxstravaganza!

November 2nd is “Dia de los Muertos,” or the “Day of the Dead” celebration, which commemorates the lives of the dearly departed. Learn about the origin, history, rituals, and vibrant culture surrounding this holiday! Smithsonian Latino Center: Day of the Dead University of Texas at Austin: Dia de los Muertos National Museum of Mexican Art… Continue reading Day of the Dead

As I sat down at my computer, coffee in hand, fellow MVCC librarian, Liz Garcia (who also had her coffee in hand), mentioned she heard today was National Coffee Day.  If you love this drink made from exquisite, tasty, dark-roasted beans as much as we do, why not use today as a good excuse to… Continue reading Drink and Think: Celebrate National Coffee Day

  Ever wonder why we get the first Monday of September, of every year, off of school?  The occasion is Labor Day, which we’ll celebrate this coming September 6th, 2010.  It’s  more than a prelude to the end of summer or the start of the  football season.  Labor Day is a federal holiday “. .… Continue reading Learn Hard: Labor (Day) Resources

It’s summer!  The weather is ripe for camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and other types of outdoor fun.  Take some time to enjoy the natural resources (and otherwise) this state has to offer! Here are some websites to help you play smart! Illinois Department of Natural Resources National Park Service–Illinois Illinois Campground Directory Illinois Mountain Biking… Continue reading Summer Fun in the Sun

Recently, on a trip out west, I visited The Center for Land Use Interpretation (CLUI) at one of their locations in Wendover, Utah.  CLUI is a research/educational organization that investigates how humans interact with terrestrial space and attempt to understand the broader consequences of these interactions.  As they state on their website, “We believe that… Continue reading Free Land Use Database

If you are studying or working in the field of education, you should know about The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).  This government entity’s website is chocked full of information–reports, data, and statistics– about everything from early childhood to post-secondary and adult education in the U.S. and other nations. Want to view the Trends… Continue reading Education Student? Bookmark this Link!

Sometimes we need a little bit of help when we are trying to settle on a research paper topic.  The MVCC Library provides access to SIRS Researcher, a database that not only contains thousands of articles on hot topic issues across varying disciplines, but also offers a way to explore different subjects. From the database… Continue reading Need a Paper Topic? See SIRS

April 15th is right around the corner . . .  Do you need help preparing your income tax forms?  The IRS has a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program available nationwide. “This list helps taxpayers locate nearby volunteer sites that help low- to moderate-income (generally, $49,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax… Continue reading Tax Prep Assistance