Find out by reading, "Take Steps To Stay Safe Around Water" from the American Red Cross.

On Wednesday, July 10th, at 10:30am, meet on the 4th floor of Minneapolis Central Library downtown for a detailed introduction to the Foundation Center Cooperating Collection's print and electronic resources for nonprofit funding research. Advance sign-up is not required. The session lasts about 90 minutes.

For a free, searchable online database of nonprofit organizations, try Guidestar. (Free registration is required.)

Find a free summer meal for kids using the Summer Meal Map through Second Harvest Heartland. The Summer Food Service Program is completely free and provides a nutritious meal to kids ages 18 and younger.

Independent inventors, who meet certain criteria, are now eligible for a 75% discount on regular patent filing fees at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Take advantage of the myriad of opportunities offered by Minneapolis' top ranked park system and the neighboring Three Rivers Park District. With over 200 parks over more than 33,000 acres, there's fun for everyone!

The Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment helps you to know if you need to improve your computer skils. If you take the assessment at a sponsoring organization and pass the accompanying test, you can receive a certificate to list on your resume or show to your employer. Its another way to improve your job prospects.

The Ojibwe People's Dictionary is a searchable, talking Ojibwe-English dictionary that features the voices of Ojibwe speakers. It is also a gateway into the Ojibwe collections at the Minnesota Historical Society. Along with detailed Ojibwe language entries and voices, you will find beautiful cultural items, photographs, and excerpts from relevant historical documents. Whenever possible, examples of documents in the Ojibwe language are provided.

After the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, many communities on the Jersey Shore are considering several innovative ways to protect their communities from the next big storm. At a cost of 25 million dollars, officials in Highlands, N.J. could raise their town 8 to 10 feet to prevent damage from future flooding.

We have a list of HCL mobile apps available, from our mobile catalog, magazines to download, music and more.

See Car Soup for questions, answers and suggestions.

Browse and search the latest issues of Consumer Reports magazine. Through the Library's subscription you can access full text pdf files of articles and ratings reports.

History fans can now download free eBooks from the National Archives and Records Administration. Enjoy titles about the history of baseball, the Emancipation Proclamation or the United States Constitution. Find easy to follow instructions for downloading to a variety of mobile devices.

How to drive in a roundabout and other info from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Consumer Reports has some ideas!

Memorial Day, a federal holiday, allows us to pay tribute to Americans who've died in military service. In their honor, please observe a moment of remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday, May 27. Many events are scheduled throughout Minnesota over the long weekend.

Wondering whether to choose a partnership, sole proprietorship or partnership? Rebecca Bell from LegalCORPS will explain the forms of business organization at a presentation at the Ridgedale Library and identity the factors to consider when choosing the most suitable business structure. Time for questions and discussion follows presentation. Scheduled for June 18, 6:30 p.m. Register Online or call 612-543-8800.

Should doctors be allowed to help terminally ill patients die? This is the topic of a recent report available on CQ Researcher, a database which presents both sides of timely controversial topics. Other recent reports include mental health policy, media bias, and free speech at risk, among many others.

Is an employment listing for a dream job or a nightmare? Here is how one experienced career counselor and webmaster checks out a listing that sounds too good to be true and what steps to take if it is a scam.

Check out the Minnesota Legislature page from Minnesota Public Radio for a rundown on the 2013 session.

Minneapolis Public Works provides many services that help residents support sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices. The department seeks to make its operations easier on the environment through partnership and innovation.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s The Minnesota Grown Directory giveaways have arrived in libraries. “Buy direct or spend the day at one of 970 Minnesota farms, markets, wineries & garden centers.”

The Music Online database searches all nine of HCL's Alexander Street Press music databases at once. Find streaming audio and video, interviews, liner notes, scores, biographies, and cover art and more, with just one search.

Homeowners and trades professionals can create and pay for permits online at the Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI) eTrakit system. Track current and historical permits, review inspection results and pay fees in a matter of minutes.

Voted on by the experts, the Webbys honor the best of the web.

Our database, Minnesota News Collection offers a one stop source for news from around the state. Sources include newspapers, magazines, blogs, websites, and news transcripts.

On Monday May 20, 2013, Project Homeless Connect will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Over 100 organizations will be available to assist people experiencing homelessness find mental and chemical health care, employment training and placement, free haircuts, medical and dental care, ID assistance, and more. Volunteers needed.

Are you wondering about the status of the state budget as it works its way through the legislative process? The Minnesota Senate provides up-to-date 2013 Budget Tracking Spreadsheets that show the status of the appropriations bills and the latest committee action. The Legislative Reference Library also provides a user-friendly online guide to the complex budget process.

952-884-0330. Cornerstone HelpLine 24/7 provides immediate access to emergency services for individuals and families that are in crisis due to family abuse. Bloomington, Edina, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, Richfield and Brooklyn Park. Learn about Ask To Help initiative.

Search for your Native ancestry through our Multicultural Family History links which include Trace Indian Ancestry, Native American Resources on the Internet, and Online Native American Indian Genealogy Records and Databases.

Hennepin Gallery Exhibit- May to June 12, 2013

Hennepin County is home to 28 percent of Minnesota’s Asian population. Who are they and where are they from? This exhibit
offers a glimpse into the lives of Asian communities within the county. It includes artifacts, jewelry, traditional clothing, traditional cooking utensils, pottery, materials and more on loan from: Hmong
ABC Bookstore, St, Paul; the Chinese Heritage Foundation; the Korean Service Center; and the personal collection of Hennepin County Library—Augsburg Park Librarian Phuoc Tran.

Help is available for crime victims at 612-340-5400 through the Council on Crime and Justice. This is a 24 hour hotline available for all crime victims and is free and confidential. Advocates are available to provide guidance, advocacy, information and emotional support.

With online advertising reaching a plateau, newspapers are now looking for additional revenue streams. Many publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle and the Washington Post, are beginning to charge frequent visitors for access to their websites.

A session of "What the new Minnesota health insurance exchange means to your small business" will be presented May 20 5:15-7:30 p.m. by April Todd-Malmlov, the executive director of MNsure, the new Minnesota health insurance exchange. Time for networking and questions and answers will be provided. Sponsored by Small Business Minnesota.

Duolingo is a website for language learning that also offers a free app for learning 'on the go'. This trendy site also offers users the opportunity to comment on the exercises and share their expertise and questions.

See The Auto Channel and check on the "Perfect New Car Match" tool (scroll down). Find vehicles that match your driving needs, desires and budget.

The Minnesota DNR is ready for the fishing opener on May 11; are you? Or honor your Mother by joining Race for the Cure on May 12, Mother's Day. The library has maps and guidebooks on Minnesota fishing and materials on running for everyone.