Sometimes life brings gnarly problems,
uninvited and unwelcome guests that dampen a happy-go-lucky demeanor and darken
the day. Problems can roll in like
boulders, refusing to budge until the riddles they pose are solved.
No worries, a deep breath and
a trip to the library can help transform those problems into a valuable
experience instead. No matter the
dilemma, there are few problems that a good book, a helpful website, a kind hand,
or a few moments of quiet contemplation could not change for the better.
Discover some of the more unique problem-solving resources available from
Rowan Public Library:
AutoMate: Got car trouble? There is no trouble like car trouble, like that
weird light that comes on or the scrapping noise that is hard to locate. These symptoms might be listed in AutoMate, a free online car care
database available 24/7 in NC Live that has repair and troubleshooting guides
for 38,000 vehicles. Need to purchase a
car? The same database offers the blue
book value, and shows the common automotive problems of that little sports car
the neighbor is selling.
DIY manuals: House repairs looking difficult? Someone has faced it before. From electrical to plumbing to roofing, there
are DIY (do-it-yourself) guides to solve most every handy problem that might be
encountered. Even if DIY is not an
option, knowing what needs to be done can assist in finding a good repair
person and might even prevent getting
taken for a costly ride.
Health and Legal Databases: Have
a scary legal or medical problem? Available in NC Live online anytime, the Merck Manual Professional and Consumer Health Database provide informative
articles on medical conditions and procedures as well as self care. Criminal
Justice Database and LawHelpNC.org
are available anytime through NC Live online, offering legal definitions and
walk-through help for veterans, divorce, and other legal difficulties.
Career Development and Job
Hunting: Need career help? Rowan County Library offers a host of free online
and in-house resources such as website listings and links to local papers and
job boards free software and software training . Cypress Resume or Microsoft
Word is on offer to create a resume in minutes.
If certification is required, Testing
& Education Reference Center, in
NC Live, offers study guides and
practice tests for vocational exams for virtually every industry including real
estate, cosmetology, ASVAB, civil service exams, courts, and many others. Gale
Courses offer online classes to help build skills in software applications,
health/ medical certifications, or to develop personal interests while job
hunting to stay positive. A cool
computer lab complete with printers, scanners, and faxes makes job hunting a
breeze.
Budgeting, Consumer Reports,
Morningstar: Having trouble making
ends meet? The library provides books
and magazines with ideas on budgeting, how-to guides for just about everything
including fixing a lawn mower, starting a business, cooking and preserving
food, gardening and more to help stay within budget. Consumer
Reports helps make wise big ticket purchases, and databases such as Morningstar Investment Research Center provide
research tools for making smart choices with 401K, or to impress in an
interview. Librarians can also help find local resources to help save on
expenses, find a repair person, a support group, a food pantry, or a supportive
agency.
Last but not least, the best
kept secret, Films on Demand, offers
free online videos covering all kinds of topics from vocational trades, crafts,
residential & auto repair, health issues, science, history, national
geographic, and much more.
There is nothing like solving
a problem to make a person feel like a superhero. Discover solutions at the library, and send
troubles packing. Cape and tights are
not required.
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