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This Week's Facts:

1. CDC Offers Access to Vaccine, Vital Records Information

2. Census Provides Resources on Emergency Preparedness

3. 2010 Travel Guides Help Plan Indiana Vacations

Nature Preserves Protect Indiana's Land Assets

Just because it’s cold outside, that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the joys and beauty of nature.  The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Nature Preserves has information and resources about Indiana’s Nature preserves and how to visit them. Under State law, IC 14-31-1, there are over 200 dedicated nature preserves in Indiana.  This represents 32,000 acres spread throughout Indiana devoted to preserving the land and resources.  The first dedicated nature preserve was Pine Hills Nature Preserve in Shades State Park in 1969.  Nature preserves are set aside to protect the plants, animals and natural communities that are found in them.  Hoosiers and people from other states are encouraged to experience the preserves, but visitation is allowed to the extent that the features can tolerate it without deterioration.  Nature preserves are located in just about every county in Indiana. Click here to find the nature preserve nearest you.  There is specific information on each Nature Preserve within each county so don’t wait for spring weather to enjoy them!

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Friday Facts Editorial Team:

Katharine Springer
State Data Center Coordinator

Elisabeth O’Donnell
Federal Documents Librarian
&
Kim Brown-Harden
State Documents Coordinator

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CDC Offers Access to Vaccine, Vital Records Information

Most people know the importance of vaccinating their infants.  They even remember to make sure their kids get booster shots before starting school.  However, the CDC also wants to remind people that pre-teen vaccination is just as important.  There are several vaccines in particular that doctors urge pre-teens to receive: Tdap, Meningococcal  and Influenza.  Additionally, the HPV vaccine is recommended for girls.  Tdap takes the place of what used to be known as the Tetanus Booster.  It now consists of protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).  The Meningococcal vaccine is important because it protects against meningitis and other blood stream infections.  According to the CDC, meningitis can be fatal within 48 hours of contraction the disease; even with treatment 10% of the people who catch it die.  Vaccination is the best way to prevent this.

For further vaccination information, check out the CDC website on pre-teens and adolescents.  It answers questions about the vaccines themselves and also provides information on vaccination for international travel and for locating immunization records.

CDC's Resource Connects Patrons to Vital Records

Whether for genealogical purposes or for their own record, many of our patrons are trying to access vital records.  Most of us generally know where to refer patrons who are looking for Indiana records, but it takes a little more digging to find vital records in other states.  However, the CDC has compiled a list that makes it a little bit easier.  This comprehensive list includes links for states, territories and some major cities, enabling librarians to better point patrons to the right place to go.  Each entry includes addresses, phone numbers and websites and has links for birth, death, marriage and divorce records.  It is important to remember that the federal government does not keep these records itself – rather, they are kept with the relevant state or county.  However, this is a great one-stop shop for taking the first step to locate vital records.

Census Provides Resources on Emergency Preparedness

The Census Bureau website provides an Emergency Preparedness page showing a map of Haiti done by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau that describes the impact of the Jan. 12th earthquake. It shows the areas of Haiti where the earthquake was greatest in intensity, and therefore have the greatest potential for structural damage.  While news from Port au Prince dominates the airwaves nowadays, there were actually quite a few cities with populations above 20,000 that were affected. Also included on the webpage are instructions for accessing data about the Haitian population in the United States. For more information about what the United States government is doing to help in relief efforts, visit the U.S. Department of State’s 2010 Earthquake in Haiti webpage. This includes a instructions for those who are looking for people in Haiti and U.S. citizens in Haiti seeking assistance.

Census Launches Portrait of America Road Tour

Residents of Noorvik, Alaska will be the first people in the United States to be counted in this year’s census. A Monday Census Bureau press release noted that operations have begun in Alaska. Census workers will travel by bush plane, dogsled, and snowmobile to count the rural population before the ground thaws and no longer allows them access.

The Census Bureau launched a 2010 Census Portrait of America road tour this month with 13 different vehicles traveling across the U.S. See the online Road Tour map to track the vehicles’ past and future routes. Check the Census Bureau’s 2010 Census News for ongoing press releases related to the 2010 Census.

2010 Indiana Travel Guides Help Plan Indiana Vacations

The 2010 Travel Guides are available.  The Indiana Department of Tourism has travel guides and other publications to help you plan your stay in Indiana.  The travel guides contain ‘featured deals’ and other discount getaways to help you plan a long weekend or an extended vacation; as well as invaluable maps.  You can enjoy your stay in Indiana whether you’re a lifelong Hoosier or coming here for the first time!

www.library.IN.gov