Employment opportunities at the Library

The Library is currently accepting applications for the following positions:

Community Relations Coordinator (full-time)
The Community Relations Coordinator is responsible for promoting and extending community awareness of library services and programs. The Community Relations Coordinator will identify, develop, implement, and evaluate all marketing and promotional strategies for the library district in cooperation with library management. Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field required, or any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education approved by the Library Director. Library experience preferred. Public service experience and working knowledge of computers required. Click here to see the complete job description.

Public Computer Instructor (full-time)
The Public Computer Instructor is responsible for providing introductory and intermediate computer instruction to the public as a group or one-on-one. A major focus will be on resume writing and job searching. While not engaged in these activities, the Public Computer Instructor will assist in other library departments as needed. This multi-function position requires a high level of flexibility and willingness to work at a wide variety of tasks. High school diploma required, bachelor’s degree preferred. Library experience strongly preferred. Public service experience required. Working knowledge of computers, Microsoft Office Suite, and the Internet required. Click here to see the complete job description.

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and completed application to Library Director Donald Wathen via mail or fax.

Henderson County Public Library
101 South Main Street
Henderson, Kentucky 42420
270-826-3712 (tel)
270-827-4226 (fax)

Resumes and applications are kept on file for 6 months.The Library is an equal opportunity employer.

Dental Assisting practice exams

Future Dental Assistants can now practice for important dental assisting certifying exams online at their convenience. This is a welcome addition to the hundreds of practice tests available for free to library patrons through the LearningExpress Library website.



The questions in the LearningExpress Dental Assisting Practices are modeled on those found in official dental assisting exams administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and various state dental assisting associations, and offer test takers the essential practice they need to perform their best on the official exam.



Each Dental Assisting Practice Exam offers:

• 100 multiple-choice questions designed to prepare test takers for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exams.
• Authentic practice with a computerized testing environment
• Instant online scoring and detailed answer explanations
  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Dental assistants, not to be confused with dental hygienists, work closely with, and under the supervision of, dentists. Assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties.
• Dental assistants held about 284,000 jobs in 2007.
• The average annual income in 2007 was $32,280.
• The number of jobs in dental assisting is expected to grow 29% by 2016.

So if you're thinking of a career as a Dental Assistant, be sure to prepare for your tests at LearningExpress Library. Grab your library card and get started now.

DVDs & Music ordered May 27th

Below is a list of the DVDs and Music recently ordered by the library. Click on the titles to see more and request a copy!

DVDs
The butterfly effect 3: Revelations
North country
American Kickboxer
American kickboxer 2
Corky Romano
Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui
Joe's Apartment

Music CDs
Pirates of the Caribbean: At world's end (Music CD) by Zimmer, Hans

New books we ordered May 27th

Below is a list of the books recently ordered by the library. They are grouped by Adult and Children. Click on the title to see more and request a copy!

Books for Adults (Fiction and Nonfiction)
Fury by Allston, Aaron
Trouble in high heels by Banks, Leanne
Good day! : the Paul Harvey story by Batura, Paul
Brain surgeon : a doctor's inspiring encounters with mortality and miracles by Black, Keith
Gilding Lily by Boncompagni, Tatiana
Confessions of a little black gown by Boyle, Elizabeth
Deep waters by Charles, Kate
L.A. Candy by Conrad, Lauren
Murder in four parts by Crider, Bill
Narrow Dog to Indian River by Darlington, Terry
The everything tropical fish book by DeVito, Carlo
The last assassin by Eisler, Barry
Requiem for an assassin by Eisler, Barry
The 21st-century economy : a beginner's guide : with 101 easy-to-learn tools for surviving and thriving in the new global marketplace by Epping, Randy Charles
King of the screwups by Going, K. L.
The temporal void by Hamilton, Peter
The dreaming void by Hamilton, Peter
The secret keeper by Harris, Paul
The G-free diet : a gluten-free survival guide by Hasselbeck, Elisabeth
Summer world : a season of bounty by Heinrich, Bernd
False step : an Abbot Agency mystery by Heley, Veronica
Driftwood summer by Henry, Patti
Lone Star : an Edna Ferber mystery by Ifkovic, Ed
A kick in the head : an everyday guide to poetic forms by Janeczko, Paul
In between : a Katie Parker production (act I) by Jones, Jenny
Star Wars Darth Bane Dynasty of Evil : a novel of the Old Republic by Karpyshyn, Drew
The end of overeating : taking control of the insatiable American appetite by Kessler, David
Growing up on the spectrum : a guide to life, love, and learning for teens and young adults with autism and Asperger's by Koegel, Lynn
Uneasy alliance by Krentz, Jayne
Steal across the sky by Kress, Nancy
Into thick air : biking to the bellybutton of six continents by Malusa, Jim
The real real : a novel by McLaughlin, Emma
Darling Jim : a novel by Moerk, Christian
Shambling towards Hiroshima by Morrow, James
Eating the sun : how plants power the planet by Morton, Oliver
The soul of medicine : tales from the bedside by Nuland, Sherwin
Sonata for Miriam by Olsson, Linda
Financially ever after : the couples' guide to managing money by Opdyke, Jeff
My sister's keeper : a novel by Picoult, Jodi
The Mao case by Qiu, Xiaolong
WWW : wake by Sawyer, Robert
The prom night murders by Smith, Carlton
The cold hand of malice : a Dci Neil Paget mystery by Smith, Frank
Riches among the ruins : adventures in the dark corners of the global economy by Smith, Robert
Horse soldiers : the extraordinary story of a band of U.S. soldiers who rode to victory in Afghanistan by Stanton, Doug
The last science fiction writer by Steele, Allen
Critical mass by Strieber, Whitley
The Thoreau you don't know : what the prophet of environmentalism really meant by Sullivan, Robert
Shadows of death by Sundstrand, David
All of me by Wilde, Lori
The way we were by Willett, Marcia
This is not a game by Williams, Walter
Jumped by Williams-Garcia, Rita
The disastrous voyage of the Santa Margarita by Woodman, Richard
Your call is (not that) important to us : customer service and what it reveals about our world and our lives by Yellin, Emily

Books for Children (Fiction and Nonfiction)
The art of hand shadows by Almoznino, Albert
Blueberry girl by Gaiman, Neil
Sent by Haddix, Margaret Peterson
Romeow & Drooliet by Laden, Nina

DVDs, Books on CD, & Music ordered May 20th

Below is a list of the DVDs, Books on CD, and Music recently ordered by the library. Click on the titles to see more and request a copy!

DVDs
Any given Sunday
Black August
The Cincinnati kid
House
Learn to play Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar techniques: Vol 1
Learn to play Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar techniques: vol 2
Watchmen
Andre

Books on CD
The women by Boyle, T. Coraghessan
The divine matrix by Braden, Gregg
Not my daughter by Delinsky, Barbara
Almost Home by Macomber, Debbie
50 Harbor Street by Macomber, Debbie
44 Cranberry Point by Macomber, Debbie
92 Pacific Boulevard by Macomber, Debbie
204 Rosewood Lane by Macomber, Debbie

Music CDs
Beyonce: I am-- Sasha Fierce
Hinder: Take it to the limit

New books we ordered May 20th

Below is a list of the books recently ordered by the library. They are grouped by Adult and Children. Click on the title to see more and request a copy!

Books for Adults (Fiction and Nonfiction)
Boy crazy by Abbott, Hailey
Flirting with boys by Abbott, Hailey
Summer girls by Abbott, Hailey
The sisters antipodes by Alison, Jane
The noticer : sometimes all a person needs is a little perspective by Andrews, Andy
The conservative nanny state : how the wealthy use the government to stay rich and get richer by Baker, Dean
The king's rifle by Bandele, Biyi
As good as dead by Barton, Beverly
The warded man by Brett, Peter
Waiting for you by Colasanti, Susane
Not my daughter (LT) by Delinsky, Barbara
Not my daughter by Delinsky, Barbara
November blues by Draper, Sharon
The branch and the scaffold : a novel of Judge Parker by Estleman, Loren
Neverwhere by Gaiman, Neil
Sizzle by Garwood, Julie
Judas : a biography by Gubar, Susan
When I was Elena by Hiltebrand, Ellen
Belonging : a culture of place by Hooks, Bell
All other nights : a novel by Horn, Dara
The color of lightning by Jiles, Paulette
The book of God and physics : a novel of the Voynich mystery by Joven, Enrique
Girlfriend material by Kantor, Melissa
Prism by Kellerman, Faye
O Dio Mio (LT) by Lamb, Wally
O Dio Mio : a Christmas story by Lamb, Wally
Travelling heroes : in the epic age of Homer by Lane Fox, Robin
Are you kidding me? : the story of Rocco Mediate's extraordinary battle with Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open by Mediate, Rocco
I, Rigoberta Menchú : an Indian woman in Guatemala by Menchú, Rigoberta
Vanishing act by Michaels, Fern
Master your metabolism : the 3 diet secrets to naturally balancing your hormones for a hot and healthy body! by Michaels, Jillian
Mischief 24/7 by Michaels, Kasey
How God changes your brain : breakthrough findings from a leading neuroscientist by Newberg, Andrew
Heaven, Texas by Phillips, Susan
Hog wild by Pickens, Cathy
Hush my mouth : a southern fried mystery by Pickens, Cathy
Laughing in the dark : a comedian's journey through depression by Pierce, Chonda
Seeking peace : chronicles of the worst Buddhist in the world by Pipher, Mary
Dancing Arabs by Qashu, Sayed
TMI by Quigley, Sarah
Shadow and light by Rabb, Jonathan
Push : a novel by Sapphire
Unbelievable : a pretty little liars novel by Shepard, Sara
The jugger by Stark, Richard
The mourner by Stark, Richard
Dirty money by Stark, Richard
Martha Stewart's cupcakes : 175 inspired ideas for everyone's favorite treat by Stewart, Martha
The pain nurse by Talton, Jon
An altar in the world : a geography of faith by Taylor, Barbara
American icon : the fall of Roger Clemens and the rise of steroids in America's pastime by Thompson, Teri
The legend of Sigurd and Gudrún by Tolkien, J. R. R.
Arresting God in Kathmandu by Upadhyay, Samrat
A pilgrim in a pilgrim church : memoirs of a Catholic archbishop by Weakland, Rembert
Storm from the shadows by Weber, David
The enemy at the gate : Habsburgs, Ottomans, and the Battle for Europe by Wheatcroft, Andrew
The wedding girl by Wickham, Madeleine
A homemade life : stories and recipes from my kitchen table by Wizenberg, Molly
Perfectly imperfect : a life in progress by Woodruff, Lee

Books for Children (Fiction and Nonfiction)
Ed Emberley's drawing book : make a world
Ed Emberley's fingerprint drawing book
Ed Emberley's great thumbprint drawing book
Don't tap-dance on your teacher by Applegate, Katherine
Big book of transportation by Bingham, Caroline
Baseball ballerina by Cristaldi, Kathryn
Savion Glover by Feinstein, Stephen
Not-so-perfect Rosie by Giff, Patricia Reilly
A glass slipper for Rosie by Giff, Patricia Reilly
Toeshoe trouble by Goldberg, Whoopi
Marley goes to school by Grogan, John
Angelina ballerina by Holabird, Katharine
A dance of friendship by Holabird, Katharine
Lili at ballet by Isadora, Rachel
How to draw ballet pictures by Levy, Barbara
Nina, Nina ballerina by O'Connor, Jane
The corn grows ripe by Rhoads, Dorothy
The unwilling umpire by Roy, Ron
The vampire's vacation by Roy, Ron
The white wolf by Roy, Ron
The quicksand question by Roy, Ron
The runaway racehorse by Roy, Ron
The school skeleton by Roy, Ron
The talking T. Rex by Roy, Ron
The Maya by Takacs, Stefanie
Anatole by Titus, Eve
Anatole and the cat by Titus, Eve

Certified Surgical Technologist practice exams

Current and future Surgical Technologists can now practice for the important NBSTSA certifying exam online at their convenience. This is a welcome addition to the hundreds of practice tests available for free to library patrons through the LearningExpress Library website.

According to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) website, certification as a "Surgical Technologist demonstrates that the individual meets the national standard for knowledge that underlies Surgical Technology practice." Surgical Technologists who earn their certification by passing the NBSTSA certifying exam have higher pay, are more employable, and are recognized for their knowledge and competence.

The LearningExpress Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exams offer Surgical Technologist certification candidates the essential, authentic practice they need to perform their best on this crucial professional exam.

Each Certified Surgical Technologist Practice Exam offers:

• A complete 200-question, multiple-choice practice exam designed to familiarize students with the content, format, and timing of the NBSTSA's Surgical Technologist Certifying Exam
• Authentic practice with a computerized testing environment
• Instant online scoring and detailed answer explanations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Surgical technologists assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel.
• In 2006, there were approximately 86,000 surgical technologist jobs in the U.S.
• The median annual income in 2006 was $36,080.
• The number of jobs in surgical technology is expected to grow 24% by 2016.
  

So if you're thinking of a career as a Surgical Technologist, be sure to prepare for your tests at LearningExpress Library. Grab your library card and get started now.

How to Manage Your Financial Risk

Financial security is something everyone is after. But economic instability, job cuts, and Wall Street losses all make for a worrisome environment.

In times like these it is critical to minimize risk and maintain a measure of financial safety. This means analyzing expenses, seeking diversification, and scrutinizing spending.

What are some things you can do to limit risk? How can you cut unnecessary spending? Are you diversified enough?

The Morningstar Investment Research Center has published a brand-new guide to help answer those questions. Topics include:

• Are You Adequately Insured Against Risk?
• How to Set Up an Emergency Fund
• 101 Ways to Cut Expenses
• Is Your Mutual Fund Taking Too Much Risk?
• Why Diversification Still Matters
• Setting Up Your Budgeting Plan/Budget Worksheet

The title of the guide is How to Manage Your Financial Risk and is available for you to view and/or download.

Morningstar Investment Research Center is great tool for new and veteran investors. It's chock full of unbiased analyst reports, tools for evaluating your portfolio, and lessons on how to invest. The best part is that it's free to all valid library cardholders! Begin now or learn more.

DVDs, Books on CD, & Music ordered May 13th

Below is a list of the DVDs, Books on CD, and Music recently ordered by the library. Click on the titles to see more and request a copy!

DVDs
The crew
Heat
The hills have eyes 2
In the line of fire
Notorious
Things we lost in the fire
Barbarians
Barbarians II
Duplicity
Race to Witch Mountain
World War II: Behind closed doors
An American tail
An American tail: Fievel goes west
Hello bunnies!
Tigger & Pooh and a musical too
The pagemaster

Books on CD
People of the book by Brooks, Geraldine
The Rosetta key by Dietrich, William
Uncommon by Dungy, Tony
Quiet strength by Dungy, Tony

Music CDs
Bettye LaVette: Child of the seventies
Ciara: Fantasy ride
Pablo Garibay: Guitar
Bettye LaVette: The scene of the crime
Joe Cocker: Heart & soul

New books we ordered May 13th

Below is a list of the books recently ordered by the library. They are grouped by Adult and Children. Click on the title to see more and request a copy!

Books for Adults (Fiction and Nonfiction)
American progressivism : a reader
The best skillet recipes : a best recipe classic
Literature of Australia : an anthology
Ted Kennedy : scenes from an epic life
The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian by Alexie, Sherman
Harry Truman's excellent adventure : the true story of a great American road trip by Algeo, Matthew
The case for God by Armstrong, Karen
The Mary Kay way : timeless principles from America's greatest woman entrepreneur by Ash, Mary Kay
Audrey, wait! by Benway, Robin
Through black spruce by Boyden, Joseph
The sweetness at the bottom of the pie by Bradley, C. Alan
Younger (thinner) you diet : how understanding your brain chemistry can help you lose weight, reverse aging, and fight disease by Braverman, Eric
Breathers : a zombie's lament by Browne, S. G.
Omnibus by Brunstetter, Wanda
Losing Mum and Pup : a memoir by Buckley, Christopher
Crafty Chica's guide to artful sewing : fabu-low-sew projects for the everyday crafter by Cano-Murillo, Kathy
The complete idiot's guide to bipolar disorder by Carter, Jay
'wichcraft : craft a sandwich into a meal-- and a meal into a sandwich by Colicchio, Tom
Maximum security by Connors, Rose
Columbine by Cullen, David
The Dakota cipher : an Ethan Gage adventure by Dietrich, William
The alchemist's pursuit by Duncan, Dave
The National Parks : America's best idea by Duncan, Dayton
The ground truth by Farmer, John
A cancer battle plan sourcebook : a step-by-step health program to give your body a fighting chance by Frähm, David
Naturally thin : unleash your skinnygirl and free yourself from a lifetime of dieting by Frankel, Bethenny
The wolf in the parlor : the eternal connection between humans and dogs by Franklin, Jon
Hand of Isis by Graham, Jo
War of necessity, war of choice : a memoir of two Iraq wars by Haass, Richard
Deeply rooted : unconventional farmers in the age of agribusiness by Hamilton, Lisa
The summer I turned pretty by Han, Jenny
The spy game : a novel by Harding, Georgina
A bone to pick : an Aurora Teagarden mystery by Harris, Charlaine
Act of Will by Hartley, A. J.
The everything health guide to schizophrenia : the latest information on treatment, medication, and coping strategies by Haycock, Dean
Genealogy online for dummies by Helm, Matthew
Nothing was the same : a memoir by Jamison, Kay
So not happening by Jones, Jenny
On the loose by Jones, Jenny
I'm so sure by Jones, Jenny
The big picture by Jones, Jenny
Are u 4 real? by Kadefors, Sara
The ex-Mrs. Hedgefund by Kargman, Jill
Ulysses and us : the art of everyday life in Joyce's masterpiece by Kiberd, Declan
Admission by Korelitz, Jean
Schizophrenia for dummies by Levine, Jerome
Healing depression the mind-body way : creating happiness through meditation, yoga, and, ayurveda by Liebler, Nancy
Best intentions : a novel by Listfield, Emily
The new terrarium : creating beautiful displays for plants and nature by Martin, Tovah
Attitude 101 : what every leader needs to know by Maxwell, John
Badwater by McKinzie, Clinton
Point of law by McKinzie, Clinton
Rapture of the deep : being an account of the further adventures of Jacky Faber, Soldier, Sailor, Mermaid, Spy by Meyer, L. A.
The mirror by Millhiser, Marlys
Esther : it's tough being a woman : member by Moore, Beth
All the living by Morgan, C. E.
I wouldn't start from here : the 21st century and where it all went wrong by Mueller, Andrew
The murder of King Tut : the plot to kill the child king : a nonfiction thriller by Patterson, James
The murder of King Tut (LT) by Patterson, James
Ani's raw food kitchen : easy, delectable living foods recipes by Phyo, Ani
Merv Griffin : a life in the closet by Porter, Darwin
The Diabetes Dtour Diet : the revolutionary new food cure by Quinn, Barbara
An American gospel : on family, history, and the kingdom of God by Reece, Erik
Antarktos rising by Robinson, Jeremy
Kronos by Robinson, Jeremy
No right to remain silent : the tragedy at Virginia Tech by Roy, Lucinda
Bait by Sanchez, Alex
One nation under dog : adventures in the new world of prozac-popping puppies, dog-park politics, and organic pet food by Schaffer, Michael
The online genealogy handbook by Schepp, Brad
Vanished smile : the mysterious theft of Mona Lisa by Scotti, R. A.
The Secret Circle by Smith, L. J.
The Spartacus war by Strauss, Barry
Surviving schizophrenia : a manual for families, patients, and providers by Torrey, E. Fuller
Back to life, back to normality : cognitive therapy, recovery, and psychosis by Turkington, Douglas
Life's greatest lessons : 20 things that matter by Urban, Hal
The flame and the flower by Woodiwiss, Kathleen
Ashes in the wind by Woodiwiss, Kathleen
Wolf and the dove by Woodiwiss, Kathleen
Corvus : a life with birds by Woolfson, Esther

Books for Children (Fiction and Nonfiction)
The amazing Spider-man : the ultimate guide by DeFalco, Tom
Fritz danced the fandango by Potter, Alicia

Summer Reading Program 2009

Summer will soon be here, and the library has a great lineup for children and youth of all ages! Registration for the popular Summer Reading Program begins Tuesday, May 26. Size is limited, so please register early. All programs are free of charge and will be held June 15 through July 24.

Students in grades 1-3 can join the library's summer reading club, Be Creative while students in grades 4-8 can join the Express Yourself club. Preschoolers ages 2-3 can sign up for Hot Tots, and preschoolers ages 4-5 can sign up for Summergartners.

We also need teen volunteers to help with all of the exciting activities this summer. Teens have an opportunity to help Ms. Glenda with crafts, storytelling and general library duties. Get great library experience and have fun at the same time! Click here for Teen Volunteer Guidelines and Duties.

Click here for more information about the programs and registration or call the library at 826-3712.

Benefits of dollar-cost averaging

How Dollar-Cost Averaging Can Smooth Your Returns

Investing tip of the month from Morningstar Investment Research Center by David Kathman, CFA, Fund Analyst.

The market volatility of the past two years has left a lot of investors badly shaken. Even though stocks have rebounded significantly from the lows they hit in early March, just about everybody has lost a lot of money over the past year, and there's still plenty of uncertainty over whether the market has really hit bottom. Many people have retreated into low-risk investments such as Treasury bonds or cash while waiting out the market storm.

If you've stayed invested in the stock market, either directly or through mutual funds, it's natural to be looking for ways to smooth out your portfolio's returns going forward. And if you've retreated to the sidelines, you may be wondering if now is a good time to get back in. One way for both sets of investors to achieve peace of mind is through dollar-cost averaging, a simple, time-tested method for controlling risk over time. We've mentioned dollar-cost averaging before in passing, but it's a topic worth revisiting in light of the market's recent gyrations.

How It Works
The basic idea behind dollar-cost averaging is straightforward; the term simply refers to investing money in equal amounts at regular intervals. One way to do this is with a lump sum that you'd prefer to invest gradually--for example, by taking $1,000 and investing $100 each month for 10 months. Or you can dollar-cost average on an open-ended basis by investing, say, $100 out of your paycheck every month. The latter is the most common method; in fact, if you have a 401(k) or similar defined-contribution retirement plan, you've probably already been dollar-cost averaging in this way.

One reason dollar-cost averaging is so attractive is that it forces you to invest no matter what the market is doing, thus helping to avoid the poor decisions most people make when trying to time the market. When the stock market is going down, as it has over most of the past year, lots of people become fearful and reluctant to put money into stocks. That may help avoid some losses in the short term, but when markets eventually start going back up, as they have over the past month, someone who has avoided stocks will lose out on the gains. Those who invest a fixed dollar amount every month, on the other hand, will be in a much better position to benefit when the market bounces back, and meanwhile they'll often be buying stocks at bargain prices.

In a bull market, the opposite is true: dollar-cost averaging prevents you from getting carried away and putting too much money in stocks that may be too expensive and poised for a fall. In the raging bull market of the late 1990s, lots of otherwise rational people were swept up in the mania and loaded up on stocks trading at exorbitant prices; when the market crashed, many of those investors got badly burned. Investors who dollar-cost averaged into a stock portfolio missed out on some of the upside at the height of the bubble, but they were generally in much better shape when the market went south.

Why It's a Good Idea
As these examples show, dollar-cost averaging can help investors limit losses, while also instilling a sense of investment discipline and ensuring that you're buying shares at ever-lower prices in down markets. Numerous studies have confirmed that it also results in better returns than strategies that involve moving in and out of the market.

For example, one recent study by Fidelity looked at how several different strategies would have performed from January 2000 to January 2004, a period that included the previous bear market and the start of the subsequent recovery. The study found that the best results came from steadily investing $500 every month into an S&P 500 stock portfolio. This dollar-cost averaging strategy even outperformed a "bear-market dodger" strategy that started putting all its new money into cash in April 2000, at the height of the market bubble. Strategies that shifted into cash after the market had declined 20% (bear-market refugee) or at the market bottom (doomsday capitulator) did even worse.

It's still too soon to say how the current market turmoil will ultimately play out, but this bear market has been similar in depth to that of 2000-02 (albeit over a shorter time span). Certainly it's possible in retrospect to identify plenty of times over the past two years, such as the summer of 2008, when you would have been better off moving temporarily into cash. Such times are only obvious in retrospect, though. Somebody who moved into cash in early March of this year, when market sentiment was arguably worse than last summer, would have missed the strong gains of the past month. The point of dollar-cost averaging is that it's impossible to predict the market's ups and downs accurately, and most investors who try to do so end up hurting their returns.

How to Do It
If you decide that dollar-cost averaging is a good idea, there are a number of ways to implement such a plan. If you're really disciplined, you can set one up on your own, figuring out how much you want to invest and then sending in a check each month. However, most people find it easier to stick to a dollar-cost averaging plan that's set up to work automatically. As noted above, most 401(k)s and similar retirement plans, such as 403(b)s, involve a form of dollar-cost averaging, as they take a fixed percentage of your paycheck and invest it in a prearranged group of funds or other investments. It's best not to mess around too much with the percentage you contribute to your 401(k). The advantages of dollar-cost averaging will be diluted or lost if you change this percentage in response to market conditions, for example, by cutting back your contribution when the market is going down.

Many mutual funds also have automatic investment plans that allow you to invest a fixed amount automatically every month. In many cases, the minimum initial investment needed to get into these funds is much lower if you set up an automatic investment plan; this makes such plans especially attractive for kids or recent college graduates who want to invest but don't have a lot of money up front. A fund's prospectus will tell you whether it offers such a plan, and you can also find this information on its "Purchase Info" page on Morningstar.com, where "Initial AIP" shows the minimum initial investment for an automatic investment plan. Similarly, quite a few big stocks have direct investment plans that allow you to buy stock directly from the company as long as you agree to buy a fixed amount every month. A stock's Company Profile page on Morningstar.com tells whether it offers a direct investment plan. However, dollar-cost averaging may not be feasible if you have to pay loads or brokerage commissions every time you invest, so it's best to make sure that won't be an issue before you set up a plan.

Morningstar Investment Research Center is great tool for new and veteran investors. It's chock full of unbiased analyst reports, tools for evaluating your portfolio, and lessons on how to invest. The best part is that it's free to all valid library cardholders! Begin now or learn more.

New download service - books, music and more

Power up those computers and get out your iPods, the Library has a new downloadable service with something for everyone. Yes, you read it correctly, we now offer (limited) iPod compatibility! The Library has joined the Kentucky Libraries Unbound consortium to offer you a large selection of downloadable audiobooks, ebooks, videos, and music. An Internet computer, one-time software download, and a valid library card are all you need to start enjoying your favorite authors and bestsellers.

Kentucky Libraries Unbound is a consortium of 27 libraries in Kentucky who purchase materials for its patrons to download and enjoy. The patrons of all 27 libraries have access to this large and growing collection of downloadable media.

What’s available?

• Audiobooks – a recorded reading of a book by a narrator or cast of actors
• eBooks – digital versions of print books that have been optimized for on-screen reading
• Videos – selections include children’s programs, mysteries, feature films, dramas, documentaries, and more
• Music – selections include classical, blues, jazz, folk, rock, and more
  

Features

• Kentucky Libraries Unbound offers a wide selection of popular authors, titles, and bestsellers. Enjoy your favorite authors such as John Grisham, Nora Roberts, and Patricia Cornwell.
• Many of the titles are now compatible with Apple products such as iPods, iPhones, and Macs.
• A wide variety of formats. Example: Debbie Macomber’s 16 Lighthouse Road is available as an ebook, an audiobook that will play on your computer or portable device or, you can burn it to a CD.

Start browsing Kentucky Libraries Unbound now or read more in the FAQs.

We hope you enjoy this new service. Please call (826-3712) or drop us an email if you have any questions, comments, or problems.

DVDs, Books on CD, & Music ordered May 6th

Below is a list of the DVDs, Books on CD, and Music recently ordered by the library. Click on the titles to see more and request a copy!

DVDs
Agatha Christie collection
Faith like potatoes
Hamlet
The Ritchie boys
Road house 2
Rollerball
Shine
A bit of Fry & Laurie: the complete collection
Coraline
Lost in Austen
The Pink Panther 2
Wuthering Heights

Books on CD
The shimmer by Morrell, David

Music CDs
Eminem: Relapse

New books we ordered May 6th

Below is a list of the books recently ordered by the library. They are grouped by Adult and Children. Click on the title to see more and request a copy!

Books for Adults (Fiction and Nonfiction)
Charmed by Audrey : life on the set of Sabrina
The Pen/O. Henry Prize Stories 2009
World War II : the definitive visual history
American grit : a woman's letters from the Ohio frontier by Bentley, Anna
Letters to a secret lover by Blake, Toni
Tempt me tonight by Blake, Toni
Swept away by Blake, Toni
One reckless summer by Blake, Toni
The indifferent stars above : the harrowing saga of a Donner Party bride by Brown, Daniel
Beyond uncertainty : Heisenberg, quantum physics, and the bomb by Cassidy, David
Talent is overrated : what really separates world-class performers from everybody else by Colvin, Geoffrey
The talent code : greatness isn't born, it's grown; here's how by Coyle, Daniel
Persona non grata : a novel of the Roman empire by Downie, Ruth
Shooting for Tiger : how golf's obsessed new generation is transforming a country club sport by Echikson, William
Resilience : reflections on the burdens and gifts of facing life's adversities by Edwards, Elizabeth
Perennial companions : 100 dazzling plant combinations for every season by Fischer, Thomas
Abigail & John : portrait of a marriage by Gelles, Edith
The dirty truth by Hampton, Brenda
The forge of Christendom : the end of days and the epic rise of the West by Holland, Tom, Dr.
Nobody move by Johnson, Denis
Eiffel's tower and the World's Fair where Buffalo Bill beguiled Paris, the artists quarreled, and Thomas Edison became a count by Jonnes, Jill
What's a golfer to do? by Kaspriske, Ron
Savage spawn : reflections on violent children by Kellerman, Jonathan
The selected works of T.S. Spivet by Larsen, Reif
Talk to the hand by Lee, Darrien
Paul Newman : a life by Levy, Shawn
The Wall Street Journal guide to power travel : how to arrive with your dignity, sanity, & wallet intact by McCartney, Scott
Succubus heat by Mead, Richelle
Disconnected kids : the groundbreaking brain balance program for children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological disorders by Melillo, Robert
Woman with birthmark : an Inspector Van Veeteren mystery by Nesser, Håkan
Stone's fall : a novel by Pears, Iain
Ani's raw food desserts : 85 easy delectable sweets and treats by Phyo, Ani
A failure of capitalism : the crisis of '08 and the descent into depression by Posner, Richard
Cleopatra and Antony : power, love, and politics in the ancient world by Preston, Diana
Closing time : a memoir by Queenan, Joe
A-Rod : the many lives of Alex Rodriguez by Roberts, Selena
Dodge & Plymouth Neon automotive repair manual : 1995 Thru 1999 by Scott, Ed
The drowning pool by Seewald, Jacqueline
WWE encyclopedia : the definitive guide to World Wrestling Entertainment by Shields, Brian
The secret speech by Smith, Tom
Impeached : the trial of President Andrew Johnson and the fight for Lincoln's legacy by Stewart, David
Brooklyn : a novel by Tóibín, Colm
Higher hope by Whitlow, Robert
Soldiers once : my brother and the lost dreams of America's veterans by Whitney, Catherine
The protest singer : an intimate portrait of Pete Seeger by Wilkinson, Alec
Black diamond by Williams, Brittani
China witness : voices from a silent generation by Xinran
The girls from Ames : a story of women and a forty-year friendship by Zaslow, Jeffrey

Books for Children (Fiction and Nonfiction)
The magic in you! by Taylor, Sally

Summer tai chi class

Summer tai chi classes will be offered by the Library on Saturdays beginning in May. The one-hour class will be taught by Diana Hobgood, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and certified massage specialist.

The class times are as follows:
10:00 am on Saturdays: May 23 - July 18 (no class July 4)

A $40 registration fee is due before classes begin. Class size is limited, so please register early by stopping by the Library at 101 South Main Street. (Checks or cash only, please)

Benefits of tai chi exercise, which is a slow, gentle exercise system based on Chinese martial arts, include:

• improved posture
• flexibility
• balance
• lower body strength
• coordination
• physical endurance
• breath control
• stress management

If you have questions, please call the Library at 826-3712.