Ancestry.com is one of the largest and most commonly used genealogical research tools. This past December the Simsbury Library purchased a subscription to the service.

As subscribers here is a brief list of things that you can search while using Ancestry.com:

• federal and state censuses
• Social Security Death Index
• state vital records databases
• military service and pension records
• immigration and naturalization records
• court records
• and hundreds more ...

Ancestry.com can only be used inside the library, as per the terms of our license.

Please ask the reference desk if you'd like more information or need help. Or if your feeling bold just come on in and give it a try.

Use PrepMe to prepare for the SAT & ACT exams. PrepMe is a premium online test preparation company founded by graduates of top schools such as Caltech, the University of Chicago, and Stanford. Their course will identify your strengths and weaknesses and create a custom week-by-week schedule for you to help you raise your score. PrepMe is the test preparation of choice for many schools and districts around the country including the entire state of Maine.

This database course is free to everyone who has a valid Simsbury Library Card. Your Simsbury Public Library barcode number is required to access this database. In order for your individualized analysis and custom study plan to be created, you'll be required to sign up for the program and to create a user name and password

We also offer a second database: Learning Express Library.

Learning Express provides interactive online practice tests and tutorial courses for academic and licensing tests. Tests include:

• Advanced Placement Practice tests
• College Entrance Exams (ACT & SAT)
• Graduate School Entrance Exams (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT)
• ASVAB (Military Entrance Exams)
• U. S. Citizenship
• TOFEL
• Professional Tests (EMS, Firefighter, Law Enforcement, Real Estate, Nursing, Teaching)
• Civil Service Exams (Including Postal Workers)
• GED Practice Exams

Note: Users must sign in with user name and password. If you will also be using this database from home, please use your Simsbury Public Library barcode number (no spaces, no letters) as your user name.

You can access PrepMe and Learning Express Library from home, at the library or by the links in this article.

Just go to the Library's homepage to get started.

If you need help you can reach us at 658-7663 or just come on up to the reference desk.

"Revenue Generating Prospecting"
Wednesday, February 6th 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Eno Hall

Susan Salvo, founder and CEO of Revenue Generators, LLC will be the presenter.

This workshop, presented by an expert in sales prospecting, will cover proven methods for success. Attendees will learn where to get sales leads, how to write effective introduction letters and effective sales scripts, how to get past gatekeepers and how to successfully deliver their message.

Susan Salvo is founder and President of Revenue Generators, LLC, a sales, marketing, and training firm based in Manchester, CT. Prior to establishing her own firm in 2002, she enjoyed a successful 20-year career in sales and marketing with such companies as The Hertz Corporation, Freedom Broadcasting, Inc., Knight-Ridder, Inc. and Capital Cities/ABC, Inc.

"Business Growth by the Numbers"
Wednesday, February 13th 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Eno Memorial Hall

Annabel Pedemonti of Accounting Software Services and Pam Butterfield of Business Success Tools LLC will be the presenters.

Accounting data is not just about the numbers, but can be tools to help you grow your business strategically. This interactive workshop will help attendees not only identify the information they need to have in order to make business decisions, but how to tailor your Quickbooks accounting software to help you identify and more readily create meaningful reports.

Annabel Pedemonti of Accounting Software Services has been consulting with business owners on their bookkeeping and accounting systems for nearly twenty years, and providing QuickBooks services since 1996. She holds the professional designation of Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor. Pam Butterfield, president of Business Success Tools, LLC, has devoted her career to understanding how businesses grow and fail. Prior to starting her company in 2001, Pam was senior principal with an international consulting firm.

These programs, part of the Simsbury Public Library's ongoing "Wednesday Night is Business Night", are free of charge and open to the public.

The program will be held in the Auditorium of Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow Street (Rte. 10), Simsbury. Space is limited so registration is required. To register or for more information, visit the Library's web site at www.simsburylibrary.info or contact Jennifer Keohane, Business Outreach Librarian at (860) 658-7663.

"De-Toxing Your Body and Natural Weight Loss"
Tuesday, February 26th 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

The program will be co-sponsored by Awakenings Natural Healing of Simsbury.

Deanna M. Cherrone, M.D. will discuss environmental toxins, ways to reduce exposure to toxins, "hidden" toxins and the physiology of detoxification. Attendees will learn about the reasons to detoxify, the benefits of detoxification and if detoxification is the right thing for them.

Dr. Cherrone is the owner and founder of Natural Health & Healing, LLC in Avon, CT, a functional medicine practice that provides patients with an individualized plan to be healthy.

Upon completing her residency at UCONN Medical Center and receiving board certification in Internal Medicine she worked for five years as an Emergency Room physician.

The program is free of charge and will be held in the Program Room of the Simsbury Public Library's temporary location at 540 Hopmeadow Street (Rte. 10-the rear building-Simsmore Square). Space is limited so we request that you register in advance. To register or for more information, visit the Library's web site at www.simsburylibrary.info or call the Adult Reference Desk at (860) 658-7663.

Free SAT test preparation PrepME program demonstration
Thursday February 28, 2008 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Simsbury High School Amphitheater

Are you going to be taking the SAT or ACT? Would you like to get customized test preparation and study tips? The Simsbury Public Library has just purchased a subscription to the PrepME SAT & ACT online test preparation program.

PrepMe is a premium online test preparation company founded by graduates of top schools such as Caltech, the University of Chicago, and Stanford. Their course will identify your strengths and weaknesses and create a custom week-by-week schedule for you to help you raise your score.

PrepMe has been featured on the front cover of Fortune Small Business, CNN/Money, BusinessWeek and is the test preparation of choice for many schools and districts around the country including the entire state of Maine. This database course is free to everyone who has a valid Simsbury Library Card.

Richard Bolton of PrepME will demonstrate the program and answer your questions about it during this interactive workshop.

Note: This program will be held at the Simsbury High School Amphitheater.

"Moms - Get your Career MOJO Back!"
Friday, February 29th 9:30 to 11:00 pm.

How long have you been thinking about going back to work? If this is your year to take action on this seemingly daunting task, you won't want to miss this workshop that will help you get on track to a new and exciting career and life destination.

With direction of experienced career and life coach, Jill Berquist of Berquist Coaching Services, LLC you'll uncover your own 'hot button' areas to focus on during the transition phase, identify and bust through concerns about the shift, excavate clues to your unique purpose, garner support and synergy from like-minded peers, and gain tools, insights, and actions steps you can employ right away. Space is limited.

The program, part of the Simsbury Public Library's ongoing "Wednesday Night is Business Night", is free of charge and open to the public. The program will be held in the Auditorium of Eno Memorial Hall, or 754 Hopmeadow Street (Rte. 10), Simsbury.

Space is limited so registration is required. To register or for more information, visit the Library's web site at www.simsburylibrary.info or contact Jennifer Keohane, Business Outreach Librarian at (860) 658-7663.

It is never too late to join the Book Club. We accept new members all the time.

The book for February is "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy.

McCarthy is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, a National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize and the author of ten novels.

We will be discussing this book on February 14 at 7pm in the Library's program room.

Stop by and pick up a copy at the reference desk if you are interested in reading it and coming to the club meeting.

We'd love to have you.