Now that I have your attention, there is no connection–at least in this article–between bird-watching and unemployment insurance fraud.  However, we have received some really interesting documents on these topics!

The Game of Bird Watching in Coastal South Carolina.  SC Sea Grant Extension Program.

                This is a 2000, 30 minute video of selected birdwatching sites along the coast of South Carolina.  The video takes you through each of the coastal wildlife preserves and parks, showing footage of selected sites and identifying selected birds.  The narration includes mention of when the birds are particularly plentiful, nesting sites, and behavior of the flocks.  Also gives tips for locating backroads to the parks.  The video would be useful for planning field trips or even vacations.  CHECK IT OUT!!  

South Carolina Workforce Trends.  S.C. Employment Security Commission.

                The current issue of this publication has arrived with a cover story on unemployment insurance fraud, a timely concern given the current economy.  The article explains that there are many instances of attempts to continue to receive unemployment insurance payments even after securing a full-time position.  The excuse is usually that “people say they did not know they were required to report their earnings.”  However, ESC follows up on the claimants, requiring a payback agreement.  For less cooperative claimants there may be wage garnishing or denial of benefits in any subsequent application by an individual.  Employers, too, are tracked.  The issue has graphs and maps of unemployment statistics.  Of course, the usual labor force information is included also.  This is a valuable document for South Carolina economics.  It is available online at http://www.sces.org/lmi/pubs/OnlinePubs/wft.asp.

Other notable documents received this month are:

U.S. Marines in Battle An-Najaf August 2004.  U.S. Marine Corps History Division.

                Another battle study written from the perspective of the Marines, soldiers, and sailors who fought in the battle.  The intent is to provide a view of combat for the education and training of Marines who might face similar circumstances.  Includes photos of the area and of individuals involved in wartime activities.

Smithsonian at the Poles.  Smithsonian Institution.

                This 400+ page monograph is a compilation of contributions to the proceedings of the interdisciplinary symposium dedicated to the opening of International Polar Year 2007-2008.  The event was hosted by the Smithsonian Institution on May 3-4, 2007.  The symposium was the fourth IPY, but represents the latest in a long history of the Institution’s involvement in polar research.  There are papers on history and legacy, cultural studies, systematic and biology of polar organisms, methods and techniques of under-ice research, environmental change and polar marine ecosystems, and polar astronomy.  The document is also available online at http://www.si.edu/ipy/.

Mixed-Gender Basic Training, the U.S. Army Experience, 1973-2004.  U.S. Army

                1973 saw both the advent of the all-volunteer force and an increasing number of female soldiers.  This publication is an account of the many currents affecting the Army’s struggle to design a basic training course acceptable to both soldiers and citizens of the country.  While  the emphasis is on the changes 1973 through 2004, the book is organized in both topical and chronological form.  And, as is often the case with the military publications, the focus is on facts, not solutions or judgments.

South Carolina State Employees who hold cards with the library may borrow these items from the library.  Copies are also available for interlibrary loan.