Library helps with perplexing problems

Domestic violence and teen suicide.

Two very disturbing features of our society and our time.

How do libraries -- and how does Your Library, specifically -- aid in the understanding and prevention of these tragedies and the trauma they cause?

By making available current and reliable information about these issues in a variety of formats. By encouraging the type of investigation and discourse that can make all of us more aware of these issues, and give us more knowledge on which to act proactively and responsibly to eliminate them.

The Reference Services Department has created two important bibliographies recently to let people know about the resources available in the Council Bluffs Public Library, one in response to a recent occurrence of teen suicide at a local high school, and the other to observe this past October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. These lists of selected resources are being distributed around the community, and are also available from the Reference Desk of Your Library.

"Domestic Violence: A Bibliography of Suggested Resources", contains lists of books, both fiction and nonfiction, for children and adults, as well as resources found on the Internet, dealing with domestic violence and date rape. "Understanding and Preventing Teen Suicide" is a similar list of resources, in various formats and for a range of ages, on suicide, depression and grief.

Please call the Reference Desk, 323-7553 extension 32, for more information, or come to the second floor of the library to receive personal assistance in finding these resources. Or, go online to www.cbpl.lib.ia.us and consult the online catalog using these keyword search terms.

Libraries are fun places to visit, no doubt. But they can also be sources of facts and statistics, information, knowledge, awareness and even inspiration, to deal with life's most perplexing problems.

Let us help and inspire you today.