News from the Research Desk - Page 4 of 16

Looking for answers to complicated questions on Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo can lead to limited results and incomplete information. With complex research questions, finding authoritative, reliable sources is key. That means thinking about life beyond Google and getting creative with search strategies.   The library is here to help with research, and there are many helpful sites available on the web that can…

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Between networking, skills development, applying and interviewing, looking for a job or changing careers can be a full-time job. In addition to the resources available from the library, support for job seekers is available from several local organizations:  North Suburban Cook County American Job Center - Webinars, job fairs, networking and volunteer opportunities are available to job seekers. This location is…

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There has been a lot of information in the media concerning the COVID vaccine booster shot.  It can be difficult to get a clear picture of who is eligible and what kind of shot is available.  Based on the information from the CDC, Walgreens recently posted a short list of answers to these important questions. …

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Changes in the labor market mean that many people are looking for a new job or transitioning to a new industry. Getting started with writing a new resume can be overwhelming, and MPPL cardholders have access to some helpful online resources to support resume and cover letter writing:  Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test and Career Prep - Under the “Explore Career” tab,…

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Many services at local DMV’s, including Des Plaines and Schaumburg, now require an advance appointment. In order to cope with COVID-19 backlogs, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office announced procedure changes for some services.  At some facilities, make an appointment in advance for:*Behind-the-wheel road tests*Applying for or renewing REAL IDs*Applying for standard Driver's License/Identification Card.  For some services, a visit to…

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You can take free permit driving tests for car or motorcycle through our web resources page with our new site, Driving Test Prep. These are multiple choice questions and you can see the results immediately. Also available are practice tests for the CDL (commercial driver's licence). This is an excellent resource for new drivers but…

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Here are some resources for renters that are affected by the recent expiration of the eviction moratorium: Eviction Help Illinois is a new program that offers free legal help for Illinois residents facing potential eviction and landlords not represented by a lawyer. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Look-Up Tool: This tool connects people with local programs that may…

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The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary program from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that provides eligible households discounts of up to $50 a month on their internet bill.  Who qualifies? Any household with a member that:  *Has income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participates in other government assistance programs;  *Receives free or reduced school…

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The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the Illinois Secretary of State DMV are aware of text and email messages being sent fraudulently on their behalf, asking for personal information.   While the messages might look official, a government agency will never request personal information, such as Social…

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There is a lot of economic news to keep track of these days. If you’ve got your mind on your money, the library has some helpful resources to put those economic indicators in perspective.  These databases are freely available from any public computer in the library, or from home with your library card.  Valueline: This investment…

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