Monthly Archives: March 2021
Williamson County Collecting Damage Reports Following March 27th and 28th Floods
Williamson County Collecting Damage Reports Following March 27th and 28th Floods
Residents can submit damage reports through Williamson County Emergency Management’s online survey to assist with damage assessments.
The Williamson County Emergency Management Agency (WCEMA) is looking for the public’s assistance to document damages resulting from the flooding on March 27th and 28th. The information will be used to assist the department in collecting consolidated impact information. Residents can report damage through the established online damage survey: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/3b1684f8beaa4015a2647741f5d82506
WCEMA Director Todd Horton states, “This survey helps us better understand the impacts to our community, helps determine our community’s eligibility for disaster related financial assistance, and provides community members with a convenient avenue to share their storm related impacts.”
The survey will collect specific information about:
• What is damaged
• Types of damage
• Extent of damage
• Location
• Contact Information
For more information about WCEMA and to register for the Williamson County Emergency Alert System, visit www.williamsonready.org.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Storm Impacts Page
NOTICE: Our Storm Impacts Page has been renamed to Current Emergency Information.
New link here: https://tn-williamsoncountyops.civicplus.com/261/Current-Emergency-Information
Williamson County Emergency Management Agency
304 Beasley Drive, Franklin, TN 37064
615-791-3003
April is Autism Acceptance Month
April is World Autism Acceptance month and is dedicated to increasing awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Initiated in 1972 as the first annual National Children’s Autism Awareness Week by the Autism Society of America, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization. Through the concerted efforts of all of the Autism advocacy groups such as the Autism Society of America, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, among other groups, the recognition of the disorder has effectively advocated in advancing April into Autism Acceptance Month. According to the Autism Society of America, this month is dedicated to
promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with Autism Spectrum Disorder is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
Not having a formal national designation for the month, the Autism Society of America is leading a significant effort for the federal government to officially designate April as Autism Acceptance Month.
Autism Society of America’s goal for Autism Acceptance Month is to foster acceptance and ignite change. With improved support and opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care and comprehensive long-term services, acceptance for those affected by autism can also help promote inclusive practices in policy as well as everyday life.
This will coincide with their campaign to #CelebrateDifferences, which encourages individuals with autism and their families to live full, quality lives through connection and acceptance.
With the increased recognition of autism in the United States, the goal for Autism Acceptance Month is to further increase awareness about autism signs, and symptoms with information, referrals, and events, printable and digital resources. There is also concerted efforts to enrich community partnerships with businesses and organizations dedicated to building inclusive experiences.
¿Qué es Autismo?
Books on understanding Autism:
An Outsider’s Guide to Humans: What Science Taught Me About What We Do
and Who We Are (2020)
by Camilla Pang NEW BOOK SHELF 306 PAN
The Pattern Seekers :How Autism Drives Human Invention (2020)
by Simon Baron-Cohen 616.85882 BAR
Fifteen Things They Forgot to Tell You About Autism: The Stuff that Transformed
My Life as an Autism Parent (2018)
by Debby Elley 618.9285882 ELL
What Science Tells Us About Autism Spectrum Disorder: Making the Right Choices
for Your Child (2020)
by Raphael A. Bernier, PhD, Geraldine Dawson, PhD, Joel T. Nigg, PhD 616.85882 BER
The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving your Kids More Control
Over Their Lives (2018)
by William Stixrud, PhD, and Ned Johnson 155.4138 STI
Turning Skills and Strengths into Careers for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder:
The BASICS College Curriculum (2016)
by Michelle Rigler, Amy Rutherford and Emily Quinn CAREER CENTER 650.140874 RIG
Autism Adulthood: Strategies and Insights for a Fulfilling Life (2016)
by Susan Senator 616.85882 SEN
D.Duff
Holiday Closing April 2-4, 2021🐇
While our building is closed for the holiday, our library website is always open. Check our our eLibrary Books page to explore Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. (with OverDrive and Libby), and Hoopla to access eBooks and eAudiobooks. Searching our online catalog will also provide results for OverDrive and Hoopla.
Also, we have 24/7 homework help on our website (wcpltn.org) –> Reader’s Corner –> Homework and Research. Scan through our lists of Databases, either by category – this page has Research Tools on the right hand side. Or look through the alphabetically listed Databases. All of the listed databases have a description of how it can be valuable.
Have a safe weekend!
Williamson County Emergency Management Agency (WCEMA) Severe Weather Update
A county-wide list of road closures and other incident information can be found here: http://www.williamsonready.org/261/Storm-Impacts
Williamson County had over 55 road closures county-wide due to flooding overnight. First responders are urging the community to use extreme caution should they choose to travel today.
Lieutenant Charlie Warner from the Franklin Police Department states, “Flooded roadways are often closed with cones or unmanned barricades. If you encounter either, there’s danger ahead, and it could be more serious than you think. Please don’t travel through or around those closures.”
Over the past 24 hours, first responder agencies across the County have responded to over 34 water rescue calls to include abandoned vehicles, home evacuations, and stranded travelers.
“Members of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Special Operations Division were called in overnight and had to use two (2) five-ton army surplus vehicles to get through the rising flood water,” said Sharon Puckett, WCSO Public Information Officer, ”Deputies found several abandoned vehicles on flooded roads. Around midnight Deputies were going house to house to check on families on Howell Drive where flood waters were rising.”
Evacuations took place on Harpeth River Drive (12 to 18 homes) in Brentwood, Meadowgreen Acres Subdivision, Old Harding Road, and Del Rio Pike (1 home). A school bus provided by Williamson County Schools was utilized for displaced individuals that needed transportation. There were some residents that needed temporary shelter in the City of Brentwood, so shelter was provided by the City of Bentwood at City Hall.
“First responder agencies have been working around the clock to provide life-saving services to our community. Mutual aid has been provided across the County so that all other emergency support services could continue to be provided,” says Todd Horton, WCEMA Director.
WCEMA is asking residents to complete an online damage survey if they have any property damage to report. The information collected helps the County assess damage, determine potential eligibility for disaster aid, and for the National Weather Service as they assess the damage. Residents can report damage through the established online damage survey: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/3b1684f8beaa4015a2647741f5d82506
A county-wide list of road closures and other incident information can be found here: http://www.williamsonready.org/261/Storm-Impacts
MEDIA ADVISORY – FLOODED ROADWAYS
Williamson County Emergency Management has created an up-to-date list of closed or impacted roadways on our website: http://www.williamsonready.org/261/Storm-Impacts
The site will be updated throughout the evening with an updated list of road closures. As roads reopen, they will be pulled off of the list.
Any press releases that are disseminated will also be located at the bottom of the page.
You can find Williamson County Emergency Management on Twitter – @WCTNEMA or on Facebook for further information.
Take Charge of Your Diabetes
WHAT IS TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DIABETES?
Take Charge of Your Diabetes is a fun, skill-building program
designed for persons with diabetes.
The program helps individuals take day-to-day
responsibility for their diabetes care.
Participants gain skills necessary to self-manage their diabetes
and work effectively with their health professionals.
The Take Charge of Your Diabetes Program is led by two
UT Extension educators certified by Stanford University
Diabetes Self-Management Program Master Trainers.
WHO CAN TAKE PART?
Anyone with diabetes, prediabetes, or a family history of diabetes.
Family members, friends or caregivers of a person who has diabetes.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Take Charge of Your Diabetes is a free, virtual, two-hour
workshop, held once a week for six weeks.
Starts April 9 – May 14, 2021.
Meets every Friday from 10:00 – Noon via Zoom.
Link will be sent upon registration.
Set your own goals and make a step-by-step
plan to improve your health and your life.
Each participant receives a copy of Living a Healthy Life
with Chronic Conditions book and relaxation CD.
Registration is required. To register: https://tiny.utk.edu/diabetes
Questions contact: Patsy Watkins, Williamson County Extension,
615-790-5721 or pwatkin2@utk.edu
Williamson County Health Department Expands Vaccine Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccinations for Residents Aged 16 and Older
Franklin, Tenn. – Williamson County is now booking appointments for individuals aged 16 and older who wish to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Williamson County Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccination by appointment. To book your appointment, visit Vaccinate.tn.gov and click the blue “Proceed to COVID-19 questionnaire” button at the bottom of the page to start your registration. If you need help scheduling your vaccination, please contact the call center at (615) 595-4880.
“We’re excited to announce the expanded eligibility to all residents aged 16 and older” said Cathy Montgomery, Williamson County Health Director. “The more people in Williamson County who choose to get their vaccinations, the sooner our community can return to normal day-to-day activities.”
The Williamson County Health Department reminds all county residents that in addition to vaccination, wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance and getting tested when exposed or sick are critical to controlling the pandemic.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.
Connect with the Tennessee Department of Health on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @TNDeptofHealth!
Amazon’s E-Book Monopoly
After the success of his lending library in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin wrote:
these Libraries have improved the general Conversation of Americans, made the common Tradesmen and Farmers as intelligent as most Gentlemen from other Countries, and perhaps have contributed in some Degree to the Stand so generally made throughout the Colonies in Defence of their Priviledges.
By making the incredibly costly books available to a non-elite membership, society and culture flourished. Unlike the collections in academia (at that time all in classic Latin and Greek), the public collections were in English – a balanced collection allowed for the intellectual prosperity of the public.
Fast forward 290 years and we have e-publishing: E-publishing is publishing books in digital format only. This allows authors and the publishing companies advantages over traditional print publication. Primarily it is cost-effective, there is an ease of creation and distribution, there is a wider reach into the community, it is easier to store, and it is better for the environment. In libraries, digital books supplement the print collection, providing both options for patrons.
2020 saw a dramatic increase in the number of digital book loans in libraries and schools. According to an Overdrive press release, “Librarians and educators achieved record levels of digital book circulation in 2020. Readers worldwide borrowed 430 million e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines in the past 12 months, a 33% increase over 2019.” The rise of the pandemic and social justice awareness had this incredible influence on this growth.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
When lending books, the First Sale Doctrine of US Copyright law permits the purchaser of a legal copy of copyrighted work to use it as they choose, as long as they do not infringe on the copyright owner’s rights. In other words, the copy can be given away, sold, destroyed, or rented. When it comes to electronic books, subject to Digital Rights Management, the book is not purchased from the publisher.
Consumers (You and I) are buying the license to access the digital copy of the book. Because a library grants multiple people in it’s community access to an e-book, a library pays three to five times the cost a consumer would pay for each license. These library licenses have a limit – either time (two years) or number of check-outs, whichever comes first. Also, a library cannot lend its license to another library, as they can with paper copies of books via Inter-Library Loans (ILLs).
As librarians we believe in copyright and the idea that the ownership of a work belongs to the artist, the author, the creator, and they should be paid for their work; we must also work within the boundaries set by publishing companies. They contend that libraries reduce book sales, when in fact, library lending increases book sales. Patrons get a taste of a new (to them) author or genre and will purchase books. As stated in the Panorama Project report, “Libraries, bookstores, and online channels mutually reinforce each other, leading to engagement and sales.”
NOW – enter Amazon e-publishing. Amazon started as an online bookseller and when digital books broke wide open, they were in it to win it. They sold readers, (Kindle), tablets, e-books, real books, subscriptions, and then, well, pretty much EVERYTHING. They also started a company for publishing electronic books and audio books (Audible), about ten years ago, with an offshoot for self-publishing. After evolving into a publishing behemoth over the last decade, you ARE NOT able to “borrow” the e-books they publish at your library.
Why? Because this tech giant has made the business decision to not sell downloadable versions of their products to libraries. In an article in The Washington Post on March 10, 2021, Geoffrey A. Fowler writes,
That’s right, for a decade, the company that killed bookstores has been starving the reading institution that cares for kids, the needy and the curious.
Not surprisingly, Amazon’s charts of bestsellers beat out the New York Times bestsellers, yet Amazon bestsellers do not end up on the New York Times bestseller’s lists. With a captive audience reading on a Kindle complete with a subscription to Amazon Prime and a link to Alexa, the many tentacles of this giant monopoly can propel it’s consumers to keep feeding the beast.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
According to Fowler, when the American Library Association testified before Congress it called digital sales bans like Amazon’s “the worst obstacle for libraries” moving into the 21st century. New York and Rhode Island Lawmakers have proposed bills that would require Amazon (and everybody else) to sell e-books to libraries with reasonable terms. In Maryland, the House of Delegates unanimously approved its own library e-book bill, which now heads back to the state Senate. And while Amazon is in talks to define a new model for library lending with a nonprofit aptly named Digital Public Library of America, it would not help the majority of libraries in America which purchase and distribute e-books through Overdrive and Hoopla.
Amazon’s monopoly results in libraries, public libraries losing on the chance to provide access to these e-books to their patrons. Public libraries are here to serve citizens. Libraries are the great equalizers among American citizens. As Franklin understood, few individuals could afford a large enough collection to be well informed and your library fills the void. By excluding libraries from purchasing the digital rights to their e-books, Amazon impedes the mission of public libraries to provide the access essential in advancing the aspirations of the underserved.
D. Duff, Reference
Resources:
http://www.benjamin-franklin-history.org/lending-library/
https://kitaboo.com/advantages-digital-publishing-platform/
https://cals.org/blog/publishers-are-changing-e-book-access-for-libraries/
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/the-first-sale-doctrine.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/10/amazon-library-ebook-monopoly/ Amazon’s monopoly is squeezing your public library, too – The Washington Post
🌹To Prune or Not to Prune?
By Sharon Reily
That is the question to be answered by the Williamson County Master Gardeners pruning wizards at our second Garden Talk series program. “Pruning Shrubs” will be held this coming Monday, March 22 at 1pm. We’ll learn why, when and how to prune our conifers and shrubs. You can register for this virtual program here. Login information will be emailed to you the day before the program.
Thanks to guidance from our expert presenters, participants will be able to stride confidently into their yards armed with pruning shears and loppers. But if you’re still hungry for more information, the Library has some print and digital resources to help. Here are a few:
Books
The Complete Guide to Pruning Trees and Bushes: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by K.O. Morgan
635.977 MOR
Cutting Back: My Apprenticeship in the Gardens of Kyoto
by Leslie Buck
635.0952 BUC
Essential Pruning Techniques: Trees, Shrubs, and Conifers
by George E. Brown; revised and enlarged by Tony Kirkham
635.97642 BRO
Grow a Little Fruit Tree: Simple Pruning Techniques for Small-Space, Easy-Harvest Fruit Trees
by Ann Ralph
634.0442 RAL
The Pruner’s Bible: A Step-By-Step Guide to Pruning Every Plant in Your Garden
by Steve Bradley
631.542 BRA
Pruning Simplified: A Visual Guide to 50 Trees and Shrubs
by Steven Bradley
635.91542 BRA
Smith & Hawken: The Tool Book
by William Bryant Logan
635.9 LOG
The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques
by Tracy DeSabato-Aust
635.932 DIS
Gardening Magazines
Country Gardens (in the Magazines Department on the second floor at the Main branch and as a digital magazine from Flipster)
Fine Gardening (in the Magazines Department on the second floor at the Main branch and as a digital magazine from Flipster)
Online Resources
Exstrom, Elizabeth. “Tips for Pruning Flowering Shrubs and Roses.” Southeast Farm Press, 4 Feb. 2021. Gale General OneFile
McLaughlin, Christina. “Winter is a Great Time to Prune Trees: How to do it Right and Protect Your Trees.” New York State Conservationist (Vol. 75, Issue 3), December-January 2020, Page 34. Gale in Context
From the National Gardening Association website:
“Pruning Trees and Shrubs” by the National Gardening Association Editors
“Renovating a Flowering Shrub” by the National Gardening Association Editors
“Pruning a Hedge” by the National Gardening Association Editors
Don’t forget to register for “Pruning Shrubs” on Monday, March 22 at 1pm. And be careful with those loppers!
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