In response to the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt called for the creation of several assistance agencies. One of these was the Resettlement Administration (RA) created in 1935. The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was created out of the RA in 1937. This agency was formed to help struggling farmers and sharecroppers.…
News from the Research Desk - Page 13 of 16
Women’s Work in World War I
Women have always participated in support work during wartime. This was especially evident during World War I. Women served in a variety of capacities sometimes very close to the front lines. The National Archives holds a vast collection of photographs in its collection of War Department records. You can see several photographs of women at…
EPA Emissions Testing Notices
Due to the budget crisis in Illinois, the Illinois EPA has suspended the mailing of emissions test notifications. If you have plates expiring at the end of March 2016 you'll be the first group of drivers who do not receive a mailed notification for the emissions test. The EPA encourages drivers to get their emissions test…
Holiday Safety Tips
Some tips from the National Safety Council for over the holidays to keep you safe as you decorate: - Avoid setting your tree up to close to a fireplace, radiator, or other heat source - Plug no more than 3 strings of lights into one extension cord - Be sure the lights your using indoors…
Vehicle Sticker Renewal Notices
Many of you may have heard, but please be aware that the Secretary of State is no longer mailing out vehicle registration renewal notices due to the state budgetary issues. The last group of paper notices was mailed out in early September for those who had stickers expiring in October. If your sticker expires in November or…
How Long to Save Your Important Documents
Trying to organize your important paperwork and questioning what you need to hold onto and what you can just shred or recycle? Here's some guidelines as to how long you should keep your documents. What to Keep for a Limited Time - Household furnishings paperwork - Investment purchase confirmations - Loan documents - Savings bonds…
Roads of Yesterday
Summertime in most areas of the United States heralds road construction season. But what was it like for automobile drivers 100 years ago? This video prepared by the Ford Motor Company shows how the Model T was built and what it was like to drive in those early days of the automobile age. Most roads…
Talk to Your Teens About Money
It's the time of year when many of us make decisions about our employee benefits for the coming year--"open enrollment" season. The Office of Financial Education, a part of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, offers this sound advice: You can guide your children in finding the financial help they need. The financial world of today…
Searching Consumer Reports Made Simple
if you were familiar with the convoluted method of searching the Consumer Reports databases through MasterFILE, you will be relieved to hear those days are over. Consumer Reports is now easier to search through Article Finder, and is available in our web resources. Just go to Consumer Reports and put whatever items you need reviews…
Home Movie Day
Older photographs and home movies are rich treasures of family history. Have you been wanting to look at and preserve your older home movies? The Center for Home Movies has designated October as the month to do just that. Over 100 museums and film societies across the world are hosting special events where people can…