Did you know the San Antonio Public Library wants to help keep the wheels of business turning? Whether you are looking for information on starting or growing your own business, learning how to invest, or looking for job training or a new career, there is information at your fingertips.

Need demographic information or want to check your new invention against registered patents? Visit the Government Documents Department, 2^nd Floor of the Central Library, 600 Soledad, for the latest Census figures or to search the records of the National Patent Repository.

Here’s just a sample of the business resources you’ll find at the San Antonio Public Library:

• Value Line Investment Survey - Investment information for stocks in all industries of various sizes. Contains alphabetical industry list, best and worst performing stock information, selection and opinion, industry tracking.

• Morningstar Mutual Funds – Provides much of the same information as Value Line, and includes mutual funds and bonds. Morningstar.com is a very user-friendly web site, with stock information clearly laid out under the "financials" tab.

• Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance (Ref 331.702 Encyclopedia) – Provides career overview, history of the profession, job duties, and educational requirements for 827 career fields.

• Enhanced Occupational Outlook Handbook (Ref 331.70209 Farr) – Combines job descriptions from three important sources by the U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Information Network, and Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Includes trends in occupations and industries, and outlook for future employment.

• Reference USA (available at Central Library Only) - From finding old friends and planning vacations to conducting market research and choosing a health care provider, this extensive database offers the information in a fast, convenient format. The custom search option enables the user to create a search based on specific criteria such as location, business size, headquarters, and ticker symbol.

• World Chamber of Commerce Directory (Ref 380 World) – Contains information about Economic Development Organizations, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, State Boards of Tourism, U.S. and foreign Chambers of Commerce, and foreign tourist information bureaus.

• FIS Online – This database contains public company information on both U.S. and International companies. Each record includes a brief history of the company, its financials, subsidiaries, officers, insider trades, annual reports and more. See the featured database section of this newsletter for a detailed description.

Each year the Newbery Medal is awarded by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year. Named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery, the medal was first awarded in 1922.

Many years later, persons became concerned that the artists creating picture books for children were as deserving of honor and encouragement as were the authors, and in 1937 the annual awarding of the Caldecott Medal was established. It was named in honor of the nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott.

Both of these medals have continued to be awarded annually and this year’s award winning selections can both be checked out at your local SAPL library.

Newbery - A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (Juvenile Award Park).

Linda Sue Park takes readers to 12th century Korea to tell a timeless story of dedication to one's dreams and art. Tree-ear, an orphan who lives under a bridge with his wise friend Crane-man, becomes fascinated with a nearby community of potters. Drawn by their exquisite craftsmanship, the adolescent boy begins to assist the master potter Min.

"Tree-ear's determination and bravery in pursuing his dream of becoming a potter takes readers on a literary journey that demonstrates how courage, honor and perseverance can overcome great odds and bring great happiness. Park effectively conveys 12th century Korea in this masterful piece of historical fiction," said Kathleen Odean, chair of the Newbery Award Selection Committee.

Caldecott - The Three Pigs by David Wiesner (Juvenile Award Wiesner).

The plot and form of a familiar folktale unravel as the pigs are huffed and puffed off the page and into a new world. The trio cavorts through scenes from nursery rhyme to fairy tale, liberating other characters on the fly. Wiesner uses a range of artistic styles and thrilling perspectives to play with the structure and conventions of traditional storytelling, redefining the picture book.

"Pigs burst through the pages' boundaries and soar into new dimensions. Transformations occur as the pigs boldly enter new stories, make friends, and ultimately control their own fate. Witty dialogue and physical humor make this a selection that will have youngsters squealing with delight. Through Wiesner's vision and artistic virtuosity, The Three Pigs celebrates possibility," said Kate McClelland, chair of the 2002 Caldecott Award Selection Committee.