Author Archives: Reference

Money Smart Week Is Coming!

Posted on by

Money Smart Week 2013Being smart about money isn’t always easy. Staying smart about money can be even harder. That’s why Bristol Public Library is hosting a variety of free programs to help consumers learn to manage their personal finances during Money Smart Week®!

Money Smart Week is a financial literacy campaign lead by the American Library Association and Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels and covers all facets of personal finance from establishing a budget to first time home buying to estate planning. The effort was created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002. Money Smart Week partners will be hosting their events April 20 – 27, 2013.

Taking Control of Your Finances in 8 Steps
Monday, April 22 @ 6:30
Kayse Kress, Senior Financial Advisor for Connecticut Wealth Management LLC, will teach you the eight steps to take control of your finances. You will learn about budgeting, spending plans, setting goals, managing debt, and more.

Debt Management & Credit Repair
Tuesday, April 23 @ 6:30
A representative from the Connecticut Department of Banking will discuss ways to manage your debt, repair you credit, avoid common credit mistakes, and how to interpret your credit report.

Avoiding Identity Theft & Financial Scams
Wednesday, April 24 @ 6:30
Identity theft is the fasted growing crime in America. Learn how to protect yourself and your assets from thieves who want to steal your information. Find out how to recognize the tricks of a con artist and the tell-tale warning signs of a scam. A representative from the Connecticut Better Business Bureau will lead this program.

Couponing: Beyond the Basics
Thursday, April 25 @ 6:30
Using coupons? Want to save more? This fun class with Angie Chastain, The Coupon Lady, provides information on meal planning, store loyalty programs, rebates, online incentive programs, and savings on gifts. Additionally, this class will cover saving money without coupons! This program is funded by a generous gift from the Friends of the Bristol Public Library.

All Money Smart Week events are free. Registration is recommended, but not required. To register, click on the event you wish to attend or call 860-584-7787 x2017. If you want to see what other Connecticut libraries are offering for Money Smart Week, visit the Money Smart Week map of events.

★ Geek the Library: Bristol Posters ★

Posted on by

If you missed our fabulous Geek the Library launch party last Wednesday, here are the first batch of localized posters! Do you recognize any faces?

igeekyarn igeeklibraries
igeekcanning igeekvegancooking
igeekbeingreadto igeekgheavymetal

Do you live in the Bristol/Forestville area? Would you like your face on a Geek the Library poster? OF COURSE YOU WOULD! Come to the library between 11 and 2 on Saturday, March 16, and have your photo taken for free by Grant of Ginger Lee Originals (G.L.O Photography).

Please wear a black top and bring any props you might need (fishing pole, skateboard, etc). Do not wear or bring trademarked materials (NFL memorabilia, etc).

Questions? Leave them below.

➨ Job-Seekers’ Boot Camp Starting Soon

Posted on by

Job-Seekers' Boot CampOur very helpful Job-Seekers’ Boot Camp kicks off Tuesday, March 5, at 6:30 with “Job Hunting for the 40+ with Nancy Frede.” Four more events follow into April.

These days, everyone knows someone looking for work. Therefore, we ask you to please share these events with anyone you think it may benefit. All events are free and you do not have to be from Bristol to attend:

Job Hunting for the 40+ Tuesday, March 5 @ 6:30

This workshop focuses on helping those 40+ who have been unemployed for a while, are underemployed, or changing jobs. It will give tips on job search techniques, resumes, cover letters, networking and volunteering ideas. Presented by Nancy Frede, a career coach and counselor.

Building Your Toolkit: Resume, Cover Letter & Elevator Pitch Tuesday, March 12 @ 6:30 [snow date: Tuesday, March 19]

What tools do job seekers need today to conduct effective searches? What are the rules for resumes? Does it have to be one page? Why is a cover letter essential? What two things must your elevator pitch accomplish? Jan Melnik (MA, MRW, CCM, CPRW) shares the best strategies and insider secrets that will help job seekers improve their resume-writing efforts.

Connecticut Job Market: Whats Hot, Whats Not Thursday, March 14 @ 6:30

Patrick Flaherty, Economist in the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Office of Research, will provide an update on Connecticut’s employment trends, present industry and occupational projections and highlight the state’s fastest growing occupations.

The Power of Social Media: Why You Must Leverage LinkedIn & Facebook Tuesday, March 26 @ 6:30 [snow date: Tuesday, April 2]

Why should job seekers use social media in their searches? What are the best strategies for using LinkedIn and Facebook? What are some social media pitfalls? Jan Melnik demonstrates how to optimize your use of social media for networking and how every job seeker can improve their success by properly tapping social media’s power.

The Game Plan: Insiders’ Tips for Job Search & Effective Interviewing Tuesday, April 9 @ 6:30 [snow date: Tuesday, April 16]

What’s the best way for someone to go about finding a job today? What are the secrets to effective interviewing? What are the most effective strategies for special challenges (short- and long-term unemployment, ageism, lack of degree, etc.)? Jan Melnik presents actionable strategies for executing your job-search plan to achieve success as quickly as possible.

These events are sponsored in part by a generous gift from the Friends of the Bristol Library. Registration is recommended, but not required. To register, call 860-584-7787 x2017 or see our calendar at http://www.bristollib.com/events.

Bristol Public Library is located at 5 High Street in Bristol (the corner of High St and Main St).

★ Geek the Library Launch Party ★

Posted on by

get your geek onGet you geek on! Join us Wednesday, February 20, at the Bristol Public Library for our Geek the Library launch party & open house from 6:30-8. This free event will feature food, fun, and free Geek the Library swag! We will also unveil our first set of localized Geek the Library posters showcasing Bristol faces. Maybe you’ll see a face you know!

Your libraries help everyone explore the things they geek. With Internet access for all, knowledgeable librarians, and local programs, Bristol libraries are important resources for your community. Keep the libraries vital by turning your passions into support. Get your geek on.

Geek the Library is brought to you by OCLC, a nonprofit library cooperative, with funding by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Geekthelibrary.org does not support or oppose any candidate for public office and does not take positions on legislation.

Yes, We Can Help You Fix Your Car

Posted on by

Auto Repair Reference CenterWe get many calls for car repair manuals, so we know some of you are trying to save money by servicing or repairing your own vehicles. We want to remind you that Auto Repair Reference Center is a free online service accessible with your valid 14-digit Bristol Library card that gives you access to information on tens of thousands of vehicles from 1954 to present — everything from drawings and step-by-step photographs to technical service bulletins & recalls issued by the original equipment vehicle manufacturer to wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing and maintenance schedules.

To access Auto Repair Reference Center just visit our Reference services page and click on ARRC icon.  (If you access the database from outside the library, you will be prompted for your Bristol library card number). Then choose the year, make, and model of the vehicle you are interested in (for example: 2000, Dodge, Neon).