GRS Update News 2008

UPDATE is published bimonthly by the Palm Beach County Library System, Government Research Service at 3650 Summit Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, as a guide to information resources available for use by county agencies and the public. Palm Beach County staff wishing to receive a copy of the newsletter, please contact Government Research Service.

    Library Helps Patrons Find Legal Resources on the ‘Net

   DCF ‘Access Florida’ Services Linked to PBC Library Website

   Library Serves as Depository of Election Information

   Library Offers Virtual ‘E-Government’ Classes to Real Patrons

   Local Electronic Documents Added to Library Collection

   ICMA Publishes Series on the ‘Importance of Libraries’

   Library Offers E-Reference Forms for Government & Genealogy requests

   Florida DOH ‘Vital News’ E-Newsletter Linked to PBC Library

  International Archives Sites Accessible @ the PBC Library System

  State of Florida Offers 3 New ‘E-Government’ Consumer Sites

  Library Helps Public Discover Palm Beach County’s History

  2008 Election Season Opens in Palm Beach County

   Library Helps Patrons Find Legal Resources on the ‘Net

The Palm Beach County Library System (PBCLS) assists its patrons in locating needed legal sources in digital format on the Internet through a combination of specialized online indices on its home page and instructional demonstrations by staff.

The Library System archives print legal materials such as statutes, codes, and regulations for local, state and federal agencies, with the largest collection at the Main Library. The PBCLS also owns educational resources such as legal encyclopedias, self-help guides and books containing sample legal forms.

The Library System’s “Legal Research” web page was created to assist patrons with their legal projects at remote locations outside the library. The “Legal Research” site consists of online indices with links to full-text County Legal Resources, Florida Legal Resources, Federal Legal Resources, Judicial and Case Law Resources, and several specialized legal “how-to” and consumer menus

The “Legal Research” web page also features two subscription databases, the National Law Library’s Florida Collection of administrative and case laws, and the Gale Florida Legal Forms service, which patrons may access via computers.

The PBCLS “Legal Research” web page is maintained and updated by the Library System’s Government Research Service (GRS) section staff. GRS staff also offers “Finding Legal Resources in the Library” demonstrations at the Main Library to help patrons find electronic “E-Legal” sources. The next program is scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 6 in the Main Library Multi-Purpose Room.

The “Legal Research” web page is accessible 24/7 via home or office computers at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/legal.htm . For more information, contact the GRS section at: grs@pbclibrary.org

   Library Serves as Depository of Election Information

The Palm Beach County Library System serves as a useful depository of information for current and past elections. The Library System’s Government Research Service (GRS) section created and maintains an electronic “Election Resources” website indexing local, State of Florida and federal electronic “E-government” election sources found on the Internet.

The digital “Election Resources” site, accessible via home or office computers, features links to local Supervisor of Elections (SOE) election files, the Florida Division of Elections Home Page, and the Florida Elections Commission information site, as well as the Federal Election Commission data files and the Electoral College.

The official League of Women Voters website, Project VoteSmart, and the digital election information sites of local newspapers and C-SPAN also are featured on the PBCLS “Election Resources” web page. The Library System’s online elections service is available 24/7 at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/grs-elections.htm

   DCF ‘Access Florida’ Services Linked to PBC Library Website

“Access Florida” – the Automated Community Connection to Economic Self-Sufficiency database – is a modernized public assistance delivery system used by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

The online social services network is used to find information and apply for food stamps, temporary cash assistance, Medicaid, and Medical Assistance for Pregnant Women in the State of Florida. It is one of most widely used of the new electronic “E-Government” services in Florida.

By establishing an Access Florida account, public assistance users may view current benefits, print a temporary Medicaid card, check reviews and appointment schedules, and examine their benefit account history. Residents also may check the qualification requirements for DCF services online.

The DCF Home Page and “Access Florida” database are both indexed on the Library System’s “Government Research” website, under its “E-Government Forms” menu.  Internet address: http://www.pbclibrary.org/grs-e-governmentforms.htm .

   Library Offers Virtual ‘E-Government’ Classes to Real Patrons

Residents needing assistance in locating the growing list of government services found on the Internet will benefit from the “E-Government & Legal Searching on the Internet” hands-on training offered monthly by the Palm Beach County Library System’s Government Research Service (GRS) section in the Main Library Computer Center.

The “E-Government” classes are introductory sessions designed to help novice computer users find those electronic services important to their daily lives. For example, GRS staff will show patrons where to apply for unemployment benefits online, how to find immigration “I-series” forms, and where to seek food stamp or child support information on the ‘Net.

At the end of each session, Patrons are encouraged to ask specific questions about where or how to find government services on the Internet. Most of the E-Government resources demonstrated in the classes are linked to the Library System’s “Government Research” website indices and its related “E-Government Research” blog. Site address: http://www.pbclibrary.org/grs.htm .

The “E-Government Resources” demonstrations, and other specialized computer classes in the Main Library Computer Center, are listed on the digital “Main Library Hands-on Class Descriptions” and monthly calendar of events. The Computer Center Schedule is found online at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/main-lcc.htm .

For additional registration information, contact the GRS section at grs@pbclibrary.org, or by phone at 233-2776.

July/August

   Local Electronic Documents Added to Library Collection

The Government Research Service (GRS) section of the Palm Beach County Library System is indexing local electronic documents of interest to the public from official county and municipal websites in its digital “Local Documents Collection”.

The “Local Documents Collection” was created by GRS staff 20 years ago as an archive of useful and informative print documents published by PBC agencies and departments. The special collection includes financial, environmental and special reports of historical or educational value to researchers using the Main Library.

Following passage of the federal “E-Government Act of 2002,” agencies at all levels of government have adapted their services to rapidly changing communications technology accessible via the Internet by making many of their forms, reports and publications available in digital format. Using this new technology increases government efficiency, as well as accessibility to agency services and documents.

The Library’s GRS section staff is utilizing local government web-based information by linking their electronic documents to the “Local Documents Collection” index. The digital index contains both a listing of print documents archived at the Main Library, and links to “E-documents” provided by local agencies on the Internet.

The PBCLS “Local Documents Collection” can be accessed 24/7 via home or office computers at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/grs-local_county_resources.htm

   Library Offers E-Reference Forms for Government & Genealogy Requests

Citizens needing assistance with government-related services, or with locating documents for their family history projects, are invited to submit their questions to the Palm Beach County Library System’s Government Research Service (GRS) staff using electronic reference (E-Reference) forms found on the Library System’s Home Page.

The digital Government Q&A Request Form is featured on the Library System’s “Government Research” web page at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/grs.htm.  GRS staff checks requests daily and will provide short answers or referrals to patrons using this service, usually within 24 hours. Form address: http://www.pbclibrary.org/forms/grs.asp .

The Genealogy Q&A Request Form is an option on the PBCLS Genealogy Research web page, which is accessible online at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/genealogy.htm. GRS staff will provide local death notices, residence searches and family history referrals using this E-Reference service. The Genealogy Q&A Form also can be accessed directly on the Internet at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/forms/genealogy.asp.

May/June

   ICMA Publishes Series on the ‘Importance of Libraries’

The editors of “Public Management (PM),” the official professional journal of the 4,000-member International City-County Management Association (ICMA), are publishing a three-edition series of articles with the “Importance of Libraries in Our Communities” as the theme.

The first article in the series, entitled “Libraries: Partners in Sustaining Communities,” appeared in the March 2008 edition of PM magazine, and was written by the city administrator of Albany, CA. “Welcome to the E-Government Library of the Future – Today” is an article in the April edition. It was written by Palm Beach County Library System Government Research Service (GRS) section staff. The final article in the series, “Public-Private Partnerships Saves Public Libraries, Avoids new Taxes,” was published in May.

In addition to the three articles in “Public Management” magazine, ICMA created a 25-member “Public Libraries Partnership Initiative Advisory Committee in 2007 to explore how local government managers and public libraries can partner to improve their communities. More information: http://www.icma.org/public_libraries/ .  

   Florida DOH ‘Vital News’ E-Newsletter Linked to PBC Library

The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) “Vital News,” the official electronic newsletter of the DOH Office of Vital Statistics, is now linked as a menu option on the Palm Beach County Library System’s “Genealogy Research” website, under its E-Journal Sites Index.

“Vital News” is a quarterly publication of DOH, and its digital archive dates back to the year 1999. The newsletter contains staff articles, services and informational web links of interest to Florida family history and government researchers.

In addition to the “Vital News” newsletter, the Florida Office of Vital Statistics web page features “Vital Statistics Provisional Tables” containing resident live births and resident deaths information by age and county. There also is a “Florida Vital Statistics On-Line Forms and Brochures” site with digital applications for Florida birth, death, marriage, divorce and paternity forms.

The Library’s “Genealogy Research” E-Journal Sites Index is accessible via home or office computers at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/genealogy-newspapers_magazines.htm .

March/April

  International Archives Sites Accessible @ the PBC Library System

Official “National Archives” sites for countries throughout the world offer a treasure trove of documents and information services for researchers involved in international government or genealogical research projects. Through the miracle of the Internet, most of these information depositories can be accessed via home or office computers.

The Palm Beach County Library System’s Government Research Service (GRS) staff has created a special “Archives and Records” digital index on its “Genealogy Research” website to assist researchers in locating both U.S. and international archives. It includes menus with direct links to information sites under the headings of Florida, National, Canada, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean, Asia & Pacific, and African archives.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) sites featured on the Library System’s “Archives and Records” index are the full-text “Access to Archival Data” web page, the “eVetRecs Military Records” site, the “National Personnel Records Center,” and NARA’s “Genealogy Page”. NARA’s “State Archives in the United States” website provides links to official archives in the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

State of Florida archival services indexed the Library System’s website include the “Florida Memory Project,” the “Florida Archives and Manuscripts Repositories by City” site, as well as the official Florida State Archives Home Page with its digital search engine to collection holdings.

To assist the many Canadian visitors and residents in Palm Beach County, the Library System’s “Archives and Records” index also links to the National Archives of Canada, the Archives Nationales du Quebec, and the Archives of Ontario. The Canada submenu offers access to the searchable “Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online”.

The “Repositories of Primary Sources” database, a free service of the University of Idaho Special Collections, is a resource used by the PBC Library System to provide links to national archives located in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and Africa. Many of the foreign archives sites offer English language page options, and most provide staff contacts and research assistance.

The “Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC),” an information service of the University of Texas, is a primary source used by the Library System to locate archival sites for the Latin America and Caribbean menu. The Library System’s index features links to national archival sites for Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

The Library System’s “Genealogy Research – Archives and Records” web page is accessible online 24/7 at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/genealogy-archives_records.htm

  Library Helps Public Discover Palm Beach County’s History

The Palm Beach County Library System’s Government Research Service (GRS) staff will present a local history program to the public entitled “Discovering Palm Beach County’s History @ Your Library” at 2 p.m. March 25 in the PBCLS Main Library’s Multi-Purpose Room.

GRS Librarian Bob Davidsson, author of the book “Indian River: a History of the Ais Indians in Spanish Florida,” will present an overview of Palm Beach County history from 10,000 B.C. through its incorporation as a county in 1909, using digital maps and other multi-media resources.

GRS Librarian and webmaster Isabel Toolsie will demonstrate local history resources found in the Main Library’s collection using the digital “Genealogy Research – History Books & E-Books” web page as a guide. She also will access Palm Beach County landmarks and community history sites linked to the “Genealogy Research” website. Online access: http://www.pbclibrary.org/genealogy.htm .

Persons interested in attending the program may RSVP by calling 233-2600, or via e-mail: grs@pbclibrary.org

January/February

  State of Florida Offers 3 New ‘E-Government’ Consumer Sites

The State of Florida has opened three new consumer sites on the Internet to assist residents with home foreclosures, medical prescription drug costs and homeowner insurance rates.

The “Shop and Compare Homeowner’s Insurance Rates” electronic government (E-Government) site, a joint project of the Governor’s Office and the Florida Insurance Commissioner, allows consumers to find average approved home insurance company rates by geographic areas. The searchable database provides comparative insurance rates by county for a typical Florida concrete block home with a current replacement value of $150,000.

The new “Florida Discount Drug Card Program” is designed to lower the cost of prescriptions for Florida residents who are age 60 or older without prescription drug coverage or to cover gaps in Medicare coverage. Persons under age 60 without prescription drug coverage and with a annual family income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level also may apply online for the discount card.

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation recently opened an E-Government information site entitled “Tips on Avoiding Foreclosures, Delinquencies and Foreclosure Rescue Scams.”  The site contains consumer information and agency contacts of use during the current housing foreclosure crisis.

The three State of Florida E-Government sites are linked and indexed under the “Local Consumer Help” menu of the Palm Beach County Library System’s “Legal Research” website: Address: http://www.pbclibrary.org/legal-countyreferrals.htm .

  2008 Election Season Opens in Palm Beach County

The 2007 holiday season may have ended, but 2008 election season is just warming up with “Florida Presidential Preference Primary” scheduled for Jan 29. The Palm Beach County Library System’s “Election Resources” website is designed as a one-stop electronic guide to local, state and federal voting information.

Local election resources indexed on Library System’s information site include the official Palm Beach County Supervisor of Election Home Page, the Palm Beach County Chapter of the League of Women Voters, and special 2008 election digital news pages provided by the Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post.

State and national agencies linked to the Library’s “Election Resources” website include the Florida Division of Elections and Florida Elections Commission, the Electoral College, and the Federal Election Commission. Voters may access our “Election Resources” website at: http://www.pbclibrary.org/grs-elections.htm .

Updated: December 24, 2008   

Related Pages: Genealogy Research - Legal Research - Government Research