Soliciting IPL questions

Emily and I share a class called Information Resources and Services (SI 647). In this course, we learn a variety of practical skills associated with reference librarianship.

One of the main ways we are gaining reference experience in 647 is by answering questions through the Internet Public Library (IPL). People from all over the world take advantage of the reference services provided by IPL's volunteer librarians (like us). Users ask questions for schoolwork, to satisfy their curiosity on a subject, or to settle bets. It's a really cool resource to those with internet access.

Sometimes, there is a dearth of questions available to us when we look to complete an IPL assignment for class. Therefore, I am asking for anyone reading this to consider asking questions on the IPL, which is used to train librarians in classes across the country (and maybe... the world!). It's a win-win -- we get to learn by answering questions, and you get the answer (or pointed to free internet resources which will help you learn more about your question).

Here is a link to the IPL:

http://ipl.org/

And the "Ask a Question" Form:

http://ipl.org/div/askus/

Feel free to ask any questions about the IPL in the comments on this post, and ask away!

Orange Almond Cookies
These decadent treasures are a must for all homework, class, or meeting breaks. We like to keep them in a drawer labeled "event supplies".

1/2 cup granulated sugar
7 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup plain yogurt
Cooking spray
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
orange rind to sprinkle on top of cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350'

2. Beat first three ingredients with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add honey, almond extract, and egg; beat until well blended. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cups, level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with yogurt. Drop by level teaspoons 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350' for 12 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.

3. Combine powdered sugar and juice in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Brush powdered sugar mixture evenly over warm cookies. Sprinkle rind on top of the cookies before the powdered sugar mixture dries. Remove cookies from pan and cool.

(This recipe was adapted from the Lemon-Honey Drop Cookies in The All-New Complete Cooking Light. To make the cookies lemon, substitute orange rind and juice for lemon rind and juice, and the almond extract for either lemon or vanilla extract.)

Introduction

Emily and Katie share a job, an office and an event supplies drawer.

Together, they are learning to become librarians.

These are their stories.