Guest column: Amnesty Week a great success at Oak Ridge Library

Amnesty Week was a great success at Oak Ridge Public Library. To celebrate the Library’s 70th birthday from May 27 to May 31, library patrons were invited to return any overdue materials and have the fines forgiven. A total of 145 overdue items were returned for a sum of $421.80 in cancelled fines.

The largest fine forgiven to one patron was $109.50. The most overdue items returned for one patron was 27 items. Four lost items that were due back in December 2011 were returned.

Libraries link people to the world of knowledge. Oak Ridge Public Library now has two databases online, making it easier for everyone to find local information. The Local Organization Index and the Obituary Index are searchable at the Library’s website at www.orpl.org. Library patrons can also get individual assistance with research, résumés, or online job applications.

Are you looking for an Alzheimer’s support group or people interested in crafts? Do you need the contact for a veteran group? The Local Organization list is a record of over 300 clubs, social service, and nonprofit groups in the area. The name of the organization, contact information, and keywords are all searchable online.

Do you know the Library has a database of obituaries? The Obituary Index is a record of obituaries that appeared in two local newspapers, The Oak Ridge Journal and The Oak Ridger from 1943 to the present. The product of dedicated volunteers, this database is an ongoing project and is updated weekly. The Obituary Index includes the name of the deceased, the date of death, the date the obituary appeared in the newspaper, and the page number on which the obituary appeared. Bring this information to the Library to view the obituaries in the newspaper or on microfilm. Copies may be printed for 10 cents each or you can save the information as a digital file on a USB device.

To find these databases, go to the Library’s website at www.orpl.org. Click on the link, Departments and Services, then choose either Obituary Index or Organization Index.

With Reference by Appointment, patrons can obtain one-on-one, in-depth assistance with a trained professional at no cost. Any library patron may schedule an individual appointment to meet with a librarian for assistance. Do you need help formatting your résumé or want to learn how to search census records in Heritage Quest? Are the databases in Tennessee Electronic Library confusing? Does your child need help finding the right map or illustration for a research project? Do you want assistance with basic computer skills or need help setting up an email account?

Reference appointments can last from 15-60 minutes, depending on your individual needs. Staff will try to accommodate your schedule within the weekday hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and can advise you on research materials, formatting documents, or give general assistance with online applications.

For assistance with the online databases or to schedule a reference appointment, please call Reference staff at (865) 425-3465. A librarian will contact you shortly.

Library cards are free for Oak Ridge residents of all ages and provide free access to education and entertainment. Visit Oak Ridge Public Library at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike in the Civic Center. Please see our website at www.orpl.org or call (865) 425-3455 for more information.