According to the Census Bureau, small business firms with fewer than 500 employees represent 99.9% of the 27.2 million businesses in the U.S. Visit HCL's new Small Business Subject Guide full of useful resources for developing a small business.

Welcome to HCL's new Small Business Subject Guide.

Pyongyang, capital of N. Korea, announces it is no longer bound by the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War.  Use the resources on HCL's North Korea page to follow the story and for a history of the area.

Handipoints provides tips and free printable charts to help you set up a system for your family.

Let's take time to reflect on our soldiers, the conflicts and wars they served in, and the homefront during those times. With the Minnesota Historical Society opening a major exhibit on the Minnesota's Greatest Generation , it is an opportune time for the library to provide links to some of the informative and engaging websites on the history of those wars.  Look at the History & Biography Subject Guide under subtopics U. S. History and under World History.

In May 1933 the U.S. Patent Office issued the first drive-in theater patent. It was located in Camden, NJ.

Check the MSNBC website for an overview of the key points to the Credit Card 'bill of rights' recently passed by Congress.  View the full text, get more details and perhaps comment on the bill at the OpenCongress website.

buying investment property or moving to a nicer home.  Can I blame Edmund L. Andrews for falling victim to the same delusion?   Read his account of near financial ruin in Sunday's New York Times.   And please note that his new book "Busted:  Life Inside the Great Mortgage Meltdown" is on order.

Some are only available in library buildings and not from home, but have you checked out the tutorials we have?  You can learn how to use a mouse, or about Microsoft Office products.

Try an online practice test using LearningExpress Library, available from the Library's website 24/7.

Check AIRNOW for air quality information nationwide.

Read a thorough explanation of this system from the MN House of Representatives Research Department  The city of Minneapolis calls it Ranked Choice Voting and wants to use this method in the November 2009 election.  The Minnesota Supreme Court will rule on the issue soon.

Looking for the latest local, national, and international news, try MPR.  This award-winning site provides the current top stories in the world of business, science, politics, and entertainment.  For a change of pace, tune in to "Car Talk" for sound advice on auto repair with a touch of humor and don't forget the ever popular Garrison Keillor and his "Prairie Home Companion."  Minnesota Public Radio has something for everyone!

Fare For All can help you save 30 to 50% on food. Read more at  WCCO.com.

Follow the budget debates, offer budget suggestions, and keep up to date with activities in the waning days of the legislative session with What's New at the Legislature.

The Social Security Administration's list for 2008 has just been released.  Jacob and Emma rank number 1.   Take a look at the entire list or search previous years at the SSA's website.

Vote here for the student-created art for Google Doodles in 4 age categories. Top prize is a college scholarship, the student's school gets a technology grant, and prizes are given to others as well.  One Minnesotan is in the running, a 7-year-old from Grand Rapids (we're region 5).

DigitalTips has this program, with Florence Henderson as spokeswoman, to assist you in helping your parents (and others) convert to digital TV.

According to Nassim Taleb, author of The Black Swan : the Impact of the Highly Improbable, "the global crisis is 'vastly worse' than the 1930s."    Let's hope that the global economy doesn't sing a swan song for us.

Need general clothing advice for up coming travels?  Not sure of what to wear in different climate locations around the world?  Check out Journeywoman as one place to go to find what-to-wear tips for all your traveling destinations.

Kate Kelly's article in the Wall Street Journal gives an indication of the state we're in.   The article appeared on the front page of the May 4, 2009, issue in case you want to read it at your local library.

Learn more about the upcoming 2010 Census on this site designed for teachers and students.

Tchaikovsky, a popular Romantic composer of 6 symphones and some of the world's most performed ballets was born in Russia, May 7, 1940.  Read more about him at Tchaikovsky Research.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America.  Be careful about sharing your number, even when asked for it.  Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number has everything you need to know.

Four women used the local library to get well and improve their health. Read how in Woman's Day.

Not sure how to begin your genealogical research? The Wolverhampton Archives has an excellent online tutorial that will help get you started on your family tree.

Learn how to compost and take care of your yard from the Hennepin County website.  Includes information on composting basics, bins, yard waste drop off sites, sustainable landscaping resources and more.

Ever wondered what legal concerns go into planning a pandemic response for local governments, public institutions, businesses and health care facilities?  Take a look at "Community Pan-Flu Preparedness: A checklist of Key Legal Issues for Health Care Providers"  for a 96 page overview of legal issues and concerns. 

While there have always been women inventors, Mary Dixon Kies was the first female recipient of a U.S. patent in May 1809.

Minnesota Thunder 2009 home opener May 2--professional soccer at its best.  Check  website also for information on the women's team, Minnesota Lightning.