Nebraska Libraries Invited to Apply for BOOKS FOR CHILDREN Grant

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children’s books to small, rural public libraries in the United States through its BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program. Only libraries within the 50 states are eligible to apply. Libraries are qualified on an individual basis. In general, county libraries should serve a population under 16,000 and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000). Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children’s department. Please note: Rural is usually considered to be at least 30 miles from a city with a population over 40,000.

Applications are accepted from school libraries only if they also serve as the public library (i.e. it is open to everyone in the community, has some summer hours, and there is no public library in town). Please note: Town libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 and county libraries with total operating budgets over $450,000 are rarely given grants. The average total operating budget of a BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grant recipient is less than $40,000.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grant recipients that have fulfilled all grant requirements, including the final report, may apply for another grant three years after the receipt of their previous grant. Grant recipients that do not fulfill all the grant requirements, including the final report, are not eligible for another grant.

To obtain a grant application from The Libri Foundation:

  • Read the application instructions and fill out the form online. The form must be printed out, STAPLED, signed, and returned to The Libri Foundation via mail.
  • To receive a paper application in the mail, please email your name and your library’s name and mailing address to The Libri Foundation at libri@librifoundation.org. You may also request an application packet by mail, telephone, or fax at the address or phone numbers given on the Libri Foundation home page.

Applications for this round must be postmarked by January 23. Grant recipients will be posted on the Grant Recipients page within a few days after grants are awarded. Acceptance packets are usually mailed 14-18 days after grants are awarded. http://www.librifoundation.org/apps.html

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Library Management, Youth Services | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: To Bake or Not to Bake: Library Cake Pan Collection

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Join us for the next NCompass Live: “To Bake or Not to Bake: Library Cake Pan Collection”, on Wednesday, December 18, 10:00-11:00 am Central Time.

North Liberty (IA) Community Library has a collection of over 250 designer cakes pans that they check out. Join Library Director Dee Crowner as she discusses the pros and cons of having an “unusual” collection. This is one of their most popular collections and has attracted many new patrons to the library. There are other types of collections that can be easy to establish and maintain, too.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Dec. 26 (Thursday) – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: SHOG.US – Share with Flare
  • Jan. 2 (Thursday) – Beyond MARC: BIBFRAME and the Future of Bibliographic Data
  • Jan. 15 – Hot Titles for a Cold Month

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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E-rate: Basic Training for Funding Year 2014 – Recording now available

The recording of the “E-rate: Basic Training for Funding Year 2014” online session is now available.

What is E-rate? How can my library benefit from E-rate? How do I apply for E-rate?

E-rate is a federal program that provides discounts to assist schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. Christa Burns, State E-rate Coordinator for Libraries, will cover the basics of E-rate and any changes that have been made to the program for Funding Year 2014.

This session will be useful to libraries who have never applied for E-rate, libraries who are new to E-rate, and current E-rate libraries who just want a refresher on what E-rate is all about.

If you have any questions or need any assistance with your E-rate forms, please contact Christa Burns, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.

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Free Webinar: Community Building and Makerspaces

ALA President Barbara Stripling’s Winter Webinar series “Building Community Through Making,” featuring nationally recognized speakers and innovative library leaders, begins at 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Central time on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013.

The December webinar, “Community Engagement through Making,” includes Steve Teeri, technology training associate at the Detroit Public Library and founder of the HYPE Makerspace, which allows teens to level up in abilities such as STEM and inventive thinking; Dara Schmidt, branch manager of Anythink Brighton and Matthew Hamilton, Anythink IT manager, from the Rangeview Library District; and Nate Hill, who oversees the daily operations of Digital Services and the 4th Floor Innovation Team as assistant director of the Chattanooga Public Library.

The Winter Webinar series will center on Making through innovation, community engagement and literacy, three focuses of Stripling’s Libraries Change Lives initiative. The sessions are intended to showcase best practices, successes and to transfer knowledge among ALA members. “Making Strategic Partnerships” will take place on Jan. 13, 2014, and “What is and What’s Next – Making Assessment and Opportunities” will take place on Feb. 14, 2014.

These webinars are presented by the ALA Office for Library Advocacy and co-sponsored by the Library Information Technology Association (LITA) and Barbara Stripling’s Presidential Advisory Committee. For more information about this series or for questions about registration, please contact the ALA Office for Library Advocacy at advocacy@ala.org.

Registration is mandatory, and limited to the first 100 participants who arrive in the virtual room. Visit the Adobe Connect event page to sign up today: http://ala.adobeconnect.com/e1k1sfpdrss/event/registration.html

The Winter Webinar Series is part of Stripling’s Libraries Change Lives Webinar Series, which will explore these focuses through partnerships, literacy innovations, and more, throughout her presidential year. For information on these webinars, or for speaking opportunities, please contact Sue Considine at sconsidine@fflib.org.

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Library Design Showcase Submissions Now Open

Nebraska libraries are invited to apply for inclusion in the American Libraries 2014 Library Design Showcase, an annual feature celebrating new and newly renovated or expanded libraries of all types. The showcase will be featured in the September/October 2014 issue.

Nebraska libraries that are shining examples of innovative architecture and that address patrons’ needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways are encouraged to submit. Previous submissions have consisted of everything from outdoor facilities and LEED certifications to expanded high-tech teen areas and restorations of libraries from the turn of the century. To be eligible, projects must have been completed between May 1, 2013, and April 30, 2014. The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2014.

To have your library considered, send a completed submission form, along with high-resolution digital images, to American Libraries, Attn: Library Design Showcase, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Submissions can also be sent via YouSendIt to ALShowcase@ala.org. Unfortunately, not all submissions can be featured. For more information, email ALShowcase@ala.org.

View the 2013 Library Design Showcase at americanlibrariesmagazine.org/article/building-future.

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Libraries Matter to Americans, According to Pew

The top three library services among Americans 16 and older who have used the library are: Books and Media, having a quiet, safe place, and librarian assistance.  90% of people surveyed thought that closing the library would have an impact on the community, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center.

This study, “How Americans Value Public Libraries in Their Communitites,” released today offers this information and more on Americans’ views on the public library.  Over 6000 people over the age of 16 answered a 35 question survey about libraries to provide the data for the report.  A number of reports on public libraries, reading, and the use of information are available from Pew.

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There’s a Song in the Air

The Christmas season is upon us, and no one can deny that music is an integral part of the Christmas experience. The Polley Music Library collection in Nebraska Memories includes many artifacts relating to the music of Christmases past.

While traditional carols are always popular, every generation creates its own originalChristmasMatineeMusicale Christmas songs. This piece of sheet music includes two songs composed by Flora Bullock, a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The songs, titled Christmas Bells and It is Christmas Again, were published in 1941.

This time of year is often filled with concerts where Christmas music is performed. The Polley collection contains programs from holiday music events, including a Christmas concert sponsored by Lincoln’s Matinee Musicale club in 1924, and a Christmas musicale given for the Lincoln Women’s Club in 1909 by Lillian Helms Polley, the founder of the Polley Music Library.

christmassundayOf course, Christmas music is often heard as part of worship services. The Polley collection includes two bulletins from Christmas Sunday services at All Souls Unitarian Church in Lincoln, from 1935 and 1940. Lillian Helms Polley was the choir director at the church at the time of these services.

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see

http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Historical Services Librarian, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

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NCompass Live: Turning Your Library Around – Part 2: 4 Years Later

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Join us for the next NCompass Live: “Turning Your Library Around – Part 2: 4 Years Later”, on Wednesday, December 11, 10:00-11:00 am Central Time.

When we did our first NCompass Live presentation two years ago we told about the changes that we had accomplished in the first two years. Tune in to see what we have accomplished and learned in the next two years. This presentation will tell what we are continuing to do to turn the program around. Presenters: David Mixdorf, Dan Nieman, Odessa Meyer: South Sioux City Public Library.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Dec. 18 – To Bake or Not to Bake: Library Cake Pan Collection
  • Dec. 26 (Thursday) – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: SHOG.US – Share with Flare
  • Jan. 2 (Thursday) – Beyond MARC: BIBFRAME and the Future of Bibliographic Data

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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Malware Ransomware Alert

System Security WarningA new and especially dangerous class of malware called ransomware has invaded our online world. At risk are not just traditional desktop computers and laptops, but also tablets and smart phones.

While computer viruses and other malware are an ever-present threat to those of us who use computer technology, ransomware differs from traditional threats. Ransomware renders the victim’s computer inoperable and attempts to extort a “ransom” payment in exchange for returning control of the computer. The amount demanded is frequently several hundred dollars. CryptoLocker is the most recent and most serious of this type of threat.

Unfortunately, the bad news doesn’t end there. Hackers have become much more polished and sophisticated in their delivery. The most prevalent vehicle is still email attachments, however. Common themes of these emails are package-tracking notifications, airline boarding passes, travel itineraries, and credit-card notices. It can be very difficult to distinguish these fakes from legitimate notifications; the fakes may include company logos and graphics which make them appear to be very authentic.

The best defense is still exercising caution, and following the old advice to not open email attachments that aren’t expected and avoiding suspicious-looking websites. It is also extremely important to be sure that antivirus software is installed and kept up to date. Equally important is ensuring that security updates are installed regularly. This includes not only software updates from operating system vendors (Microsoft, Apple, Google), but also updates for browser plugins and application software.

The simplest way to assure that needed updates are installed in a timely manner is to enable automatic updates for any software that offers that feature (most products do). Windows versions released over the past ten years or so enable Windows Update by default. It is also essential to keep up with updates for other widely-used software; hackers tend to focus most of their efforts on software that is ubiquitous. The most frequently targeted products include:

Each of the software products listed above offers alert mechanisms for software updates. Increasingly, these update mechanisms are enabled by default. But each generally requires some active intervention by those who maintain computers to actually install the updates. Public access computers in libraries may be locked down by “freeze” software such as Centurion Technologies SmartShield or Faronics Deep Freeze, which requires that administrators unlock computers in order to install updates.

Staff computers do not have “freeze” software installed on them and host important information and software programs that are critical for the library. Performing frequent full-system backups of the library’s staff computers will enable the library to use a full-system restore to recover the computer to a date prior to the ransomware (malware) attack.

Because Microsoft and several other vendors have adopted a monthly schedule for issuing updates, it makes sense for libraries to plan to check for and install software updates once per month. Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday (Patch Tuesday) of every month and Windows Update releases non-security updates on the fourth Tuesday (Patch Tuesday) of every month.

Adobe has begun to release its updates on first Patch Tuesday, too, so that date makes a logical reference point when planning a monthly update schedule.

Remember that keeping all public computers’ hard drives locked for public use enables your library to recover from viruses and malware intrusions by simply restarting the corrupted computer.

For those interested in learning a little more about CryptoLocker and how it works this video provides a great introduction:

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NPR’s Book Concierge

As the year draws to a close, the Best Books, Movies, Apps, Music, etc. lists will start appearing thick and fast.  National Public Radio is offering a new twist on “Best Books” with a Web site and mobile app that help the user sort through over 200 recommended titles from 2013 by  title or by category.  Some of the categories are fun–see “Eye Opening Reads.” Or what about “It’s All Geek To Me?”  Check it out at NPR’s Book Concierge.

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Football Past and Nebraska Memories

Football! It is a unanimously accepted fact that Nebraskans are crazy about football, especially University of Nebraska football. Similarly to the three ghosts in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” we are aware of Football Present : an 8-4 record for the current season, plus a bowl game, and we speculate about Football Future : next year’s team roster, coaches and opponents. But today, like that first ghost in Dickens’ story, I would like to revisit Football Past, as found in Nebraska Memories.

University of Nebraska football team, 1894 champions A University of Nebraska team first played football in 1890. In 1894, with a 7-2 season, the team won the conference championship. The picture to the right is of the 1894 team, and the man in the suit may be Frank Crawford, the first paid football coach (for the 1893 and 1894 seasons) at the University of Nebraska. This is just one of many  historic football team pictures you can find in Nebraska Memories, and not just for the University of Nebraska. There are also pictures from the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney, the David City High School football team,  Wayne State College football, and the Nebraska School for the Deaf, just to name a few.

Johnny Rodgers at podium with Heisman Trophy Another place in Nebraska Memories on our journey to Football Past, are pictures of outstanding individuals associated with football in Nebraska.  For example, there are pictures of former University of Nebraska players Johnny Rodgers and Mike Rozier.
Rodgers and Roziers were both winners of the Heisman Trophy: Rodgers in 1972, and Rozier in 1983.  Other names, like Jack Best and Charles B. Washington, might be of interest as well.

And last but not least, our look at Football Past wouldn’t be complete without pictures of the fans, as evidenced by the picture below of a group of lovely ladies in 1915!

Crowd at football game, 1915So as you can see, Nebraska Memories has many links to our visit to Football Past. Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through these and many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see Nebraska Memories Participation for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Historical Projects Librarian, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

Posted in Nebraska Memories | 2 Comments

Data Doodles: The Rise of Library Programming

Another public library performance measure that has seen significant growth in the past five years is the number of programs hosted by Nebraska libraries.  From fiscal year 2008 through 2012, the number of programs increased by 21.6%. No one was speaking to an empty room, either, as attendance at these events grew by 22.8%.

LibProgram5yrProgAttend5yr
 

 

 

 

 

 

This increase was undoubtedly influenced during the past two years by training sessions made possible by the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities grant, but the trend was already established by the time the grant was awarded. This movement towards expanding the role of the library as a critical local service provider has certainly solidified the belief that public libraries should be recognized as community anchor institutions (CAI) along with schools, healthcare providers, government facilities, and other community support organizations.

Source: Nebraska Public Libraries Survey FY 2008 – FY 2012

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Recently on the NCompass Podcast

Have you listened the NCompass Podcast lately? Here are the episodes from November 2013. To get all of the episodes delivered to you automatically be sure to subscribe via RSS or iTunes.

 

 

Episode 257: Lincoln City Libraries InService Day: Bridges Out of Poverty

Episode 258: Seeing Dots @ Wilson Public Library

Episode 259: New to Talking Book & Braille Service: Downloads and Apps!

Episode 260: Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: Excel at Rearranging Your Library

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NCompass Live: Best New Youth Books of 2013

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Join us for the next NCompass Live: “Best New Youth Books of 2013”, on Wednesday, December 4, 10:00-11:00 am Central Time.

Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services at the NLC, will give brief book talks of new titles that could be good additions to your library’s collection. Titles for preschool through older teens will be highlighted.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Dec. 11 – Turning Your Library Around – Part 2: 4 Years Later
  • Dec. 18 – To Bake or Not to Bake: Library Cake Pan Collection
  • Dec. 26 (Thursday) – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: SHOG.US – Share with Flare

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Leave a comment

Nebraska Learns 2.0: Bitstrips & Cognitive Surplus

Bitstrips-Logo-300x210The Nebraska Learns 2.0 Thing for December is Bitstrips.

After playing with a few different image generators last month we’ve decided that we’re going to continue playing with graphics for another month, this time focusing on a specific one that’s been getting quite popular lately: Bitstrips.

Another facet of Nebraska Learns 2.0 is BookThing. Each month we pick a single title that we feel has relevance to librarianship and/or information theory. Some of the titles will be very obviously related; while others may not seem so on the surface but there is a connection. Your assignment will be to read the book and create a blog post answering some questions about the title.

Cognative SurplusThe BookThing for December is: Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirky.

Nebraska Learns 2.0 (http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/nelearns/ ) is the Nebraska Library Commission’s ongoing online learning program. It is a self-discovery program which encourages participants to take control of their own learning and to utilize their lifelong learning skills through exploration and PLAY.

Each month, we offer you an opportunity to learn a new Thing (or lesson). You have all month to complete that Thing and receive one CE credit. You may choose which Things to do based on personal interest and time availability If the Thing of the month doesn’t interest you or if you are particularly busy that month, you can skip it.

If you are new to Nebraska Learns 2.0, your first assignment is to sign up to participate at: http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/nelearns/sign-up-2/ This program is open to ALL Nebraska librarians, library staff, library friends, library board members and school media specialists.

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New Government Publications Received at the Library Commission

State government publications ranging from Administrative Services to Nebraska Press, received September-October, 2013.

http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/archives/WhatsUpDoc/what%27supdoc11-25-13.pdf

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Deadline to apply for National Friends of Libraries Week Awards extended to Dec. 31

The deadline to apply for United for Libraries’ National Friends of Libraries Week Awards has been extended to Dec. 31, 2013. Nebraska Friends of the Library groups are invited to apply for this award.

Two awards of $250 will be given to Friends of the Library groups for activities held during National Friends of Libraries Week (Oct. 20-26, 2013). Application materials are available at www.ala.org/united/grants_awards/friends/friendsweek.

Applicants will be judged on creativity and innovation; involvement of Friends, library staff, Trustees and/or advisory committee; recognition of Friends group and promotion of Friends group to the community, school, students and/or faculty.

For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the United for Libraries website or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.

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NEH Digital Humanities Implementation Grants – applications due Feb. 19, 2014

National Endowment for the Humanities Digital Humanities Implementation Grants are designed to fund the implementation of innovative digital-humanities projects that have successfully completed a start-up phase and demonstrated their value to the field. Such projects might enhance our understanding of central problems in the humanities, raise new questions in the humanities, or develop new digital applications and approaches for use in the humanities.

The program can support innovative digital-humanities projects that address multiple audiences, including scholars, teachers, librarians, and the public. Applications from recipients of NEH’s Digital Humanities Start-Up Grants are welcome.

Unlike NEH’s start-up grant program, which emphasizes basic research, prototyping, experimentation, and potential impact, the Digital Humanities Implementation Grants program seeks to identify projects that have successfully completed their start-up phase and are well positioned to have a major impact.

Proposals are welcome for digital initiatives in any area of the humanities. Successful projects must make digital innovations and be significant to the humanities.

Closing date for applications: February 19, 2014

For more information, visit http://www.neh.gov/grants/odh/digital-humanities-implementation-grants.

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Applications for Trustee Conference Grant due Jan. 15

United for Libraries is accepting applications for the United for Libraries/Gale Trustee Conference Grant through Jan. 15, 2014. Nebraska library board members are invited to apply for this grant.

The United for Libraries/Gale Trustee Conference Grant enables a public library Trustee to attend the ALA Annual Conference for the first time. A grant of $850 plus full conference registration is awarded annually to a public library Trustee who has demonstrated service to the library. The Conference Grant, made possible by an annual gift from Gale Cengage Learning, is administered by United for Libraries. A formal presentation to the winner is made at the ALA Annual Conference. The upcoming 2014 Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV is scheduled for June 26-July 1, 2014.

For more information and to apply, seee www.ala.org/united/grants_awards/trustees/trusteegrant.

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IMLS and Partners Present Financial Education and Citizenship Webinars

Two new federal partnerships will enhance the work of public libraries as providers of e-government services. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) partnerships with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will result in new resources and tools for public libraries, including two webinars scheduled for December.

Nebraska public libraries are invited to participate in both of these free webinars: CFPB Webinar: Wednesday, December 4, 2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. CT. Click here for more information. USCIS Webinar: Thursday, December 12, 11:30 p.m.—1:00 p.m. CT. Click here for more information. Please join us for these informative sessions and stay tuned for new developments from IMLS and its federal partners. – See more at: http://blog.imls.gov/?p=4396#sthash.qDaLQ9od.dpuf

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