Health Care Decoded

If you find the world of health insurance to be confusing, you’re not alone. Many people have a difficult time sorting through the buzzwords and terminology to figure out exactly what they need to know about their health insurance coverage. We’ve rounded up some of the top health insurance terms you’re likely to hear. And we’ve broken them down to explain what they really mean.

More from CDPHP.

The benefit of reading books

"It's no secret that reading is good for you. Just six minutes of reading is enough to reduce stress by 68%, and numerous studies have shown that reading keeps your brain functioning effectively as you age. One study even found that elderly individuals who read regularly are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer's than their peers. But not all forms of reading are created equal."

http://mic.com/articles/99408/science-has-great-news-for-people-who-read-actual-books

20 heroic librarians who save the world

If information is power, then there's no hero mightier than a librarian. Librarians are superheroes, adventurers, explorers and invaluable guides to other heroes. Here are 20 amazing librarians who save the world every day!

As Spider Robinson writes in The Callahan Touch, "Mary Kay is one of the hidden masters of the world — a librarian. They control information..." So here are 20 librarians... who might be a lot of help if you're in a tight corner.

More from IO9

Get ready for National Consumer Protection Week

Every year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), encourages people and businesses to learn more about avoiding scams and understanding consumer rights. This year, NCPW takes place March 1-7, 2015. NCPW highlights free resources from government agencies and consumer organizations to help people make smarter buying decisions and spot rip-offs.

What can you do besides checking out the materials for yourself? Share the NCPW partners’ free consumer publications with friends and family, co-workers and other people in your community. By sharing information about how to avoid frauds and scams, identity theft, staying safe online, using credit wisely, managing debt, and other topics, you can help protect those you care about. Order free materials from the FTC for you,  family and friends.

But there’s more that you can do to join us in National Consumer Protection Week: host an event

Albany Police Department Advisory: Phone Scam Alert

The Albany police have received reports of a phone scam in which the caller claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

In reported cases, the caller has been calling residents and leaving the following phone message:

"Hello we have been trying to reach you. This call is officially a final notice from IRS Internal Revenue Service. The reason of this call is to inform you that the IRS is filing a lawsuit against you to get more information about this case file. Please call immediately on our department number 202-239-7350. I repeat 202-239-7350. Thank you."

The phone message is a scam in attempt for the victim to call phone scammer back and provide personal and financial information.

More from Nixle.

The library as a life raft, by Scott Jarzombek

A new Times Union blog, by the director of the Albany Public Library.

After being away for several years, I was given the opportunity to return to APL and Albany as the executive director. I am very happy to be back. This is an exciting time for the library, and libraries in general. I’m also happy to be back in my adopted “hometown,” this time as a father with a very different perspective on life and community.

Read more HERE.

Come celebrate the new APL Youth Services Room on Tuesday, Feb. 3

The Albany Public Library has been making some great changes at the Washington Ave. Branch. The staff invites you to celebrate the grand opening of the beautiful new Youth Services Room on Tuesday, February 3, at 10 am. The staff will show you the new youth space on the second floor, which features:

· A fresh, colorful, modern look with improved lighting and furnishings
· Separate areas, along with computers and iPads, for children and teens
· Comfortable spots to sit and read, work on homework, and use technology
· Plenty of room for programs, including story times, arts and crafts, and STEM activities
· A daycare quality play kitchen and LEGO table
· Puzzles, games, building sets, and toys to enjoy in the room
· An expanded picture book collection with titles arranged by themes
· An “express checkout station” right in the room for young patrons and their families to check out materials

You will also hear from APL director Scott Jarzombek and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan about the importance of cultivating a love of reading and learning in our city’s youth, which is nurtured every day at the public library.

Please bring your little ones to the event, as there will be a special story time and craft activities for the young visitors.

Come on Feb. 3 for the opening celebration of the Washington Ave. Branch Youth Services Room. Please spread the good word about APL and this special event!

Albany: Learn to download free library books on your e-reader

Librarians from Albany High School and the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library are teaming up to teach people how to download free library e-books and audio books on their e-readers.

You can learn how at one of two sessions, the first of which will be held Wednesday from 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the Community Room of the Pine Hills Branch, located at 517 Western Ave.

City School District of Albany students will be able to download books from the district's online library. Others with Albany Public Library cards will be able to download books from the public library's collection.

Please bring your device with you. For more information, call the Pine Hills Branch at 482-7911 ext. 223 or the Albany High library at 475-6320.

Another session will be held Feb. 11 at the Pine Hills Branch.

Progress in the Making: 3D Printing Policy Considerations through the Library Lens

Libraries nationwide are expanding access to 3D printing. Library makerspaces that offer 3D printing services provide people with the ability to create essentially any object they can imagine. These libraries serve as labs of innovation and experimentation for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to bring new products to market — and for everyone to advance learning and creativity.

As 3D printing becomes more common inside and outside of libraries, it has the potential to transform our society in a number of ways and, in the process, raises numerous new issues for policymakers to consider.

This paper provides a history and overview of 3D printing technology; discusses the potential economic impacts of the growth of the 3D printing industry; outlines the role 3D printing now plays in formal education and libraries; provides an analysis of the policy implications of 3D printing; and offers insight into the role the library community should play as lawmakers, government agencies, companies and the courts craft frameworks for 3D printing activities. The paper’s public policy discussion cuts across a number of issues, including intellectual property, intellectual freedom and individual liberty and product liability.

Why reading paper books is better for your mind

You got an e-reader over the holidays. What should you load it up with?

Beach reads? Sure. “Ulysses”? Probably not.

We know a lot about the pros and cons of reading a hard-copy book vs. reading electronically. The problem is, many of us refuse to listen.

Don’t get me wrong: Digital reading has some real advantages. Ask people what they like most about reading on digital screens, and you hear over and again about convenience.

More from the Washington Post.

National Drug Facts Week, Jan. 26-Feb. 1

There are less than two weeks till National Drug Facts Week, January 26-February 1. National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) aims to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse for teens, using science and support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and locally-organized events. NIDA provides a wealth of ideas and materials for schools, groups and event organizers, including many that can be used anytime:

• NDFW teaching guide
• NIDA teaching guides 
• Activity ideas for NDFW events
• Online toolkit for promoting NDFW events
• National Drug IQ Challenge quiz
• Marijuana: Facts for Teens 
• Free materials to download or order
• Drug Facts Chat Day, a live online chat held between high school students and NIDA scientists

Sonny Hausgaard obituary

He was a member of the board of the Friends of the Albany Public Library.

Hausgaard, Olaf "Sonny" VOORHEESVILLE Olaf "Sonny" Hausgaard, 76, (but always a kid at heart) passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, January 3, 2015. He is survived by his beloved wife, Anne Hausgaard; and his four children, Lene Hausgaard, Elizabeth Countryman (Jeff), Olaf Christian Hausgaard (Alisa) and Eric Hausgaard (Andrea); Sonny was a very devoted grandfather to his grandchildren, Jason and Bryan Countryman, Emily, Marie and Jacob Hausgaard, Amber and Emily Drew and Becky Hausgaard. A memorial service will be held at B'nai Sholom, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany on Monday January 5, 2015 at a time to be announced in Monday's newspaper. Shiva will be observed Monday and Tuesday evenings commencing at 7 p.m. at 49 Severson Hill Road, Voorheesville. For directions or to sign the online guestbook, please visit, levinememorialchapel.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion-albany/obituary.aspx?n=olaf-hausgaard-sonny&pid=173720140&fhid=27355#sthash.eKrHLKWg.dpuf

Green Education and Legal Fund meeting at Arbor Hill/west Hill branch of APL Jan 6

The Green Education and Legal Fund will hold an organizing / planning meeting to discuss how to organize a campaign to get NYS to commit to 100% green renewable energy by 2030. The meeting will be at 7 PM on Tues. Jan 6 in the large meeting room of the Arbor Hill / West branch of the public library, 148 Henry Johnson Blvd. Howie Hawkins will be one of the speakes. The technological steps are laid out in the Jacobson study; how do we organize to make the political steps happen
For more info, Mark Dunlea, dunleamark@aol.com