Sunday February 7th, 2010 Reference Questions

We receive all kinds of requests for information in the reference department. Everything from population statistics, telephone numbers, and current car values to the more complex questions involving local history. During our annual survey week in November 2009, the library system fielded 1878 questions, 596 of which required more in-depth research. Email is also a popular method of query. Last year we received 194 queries through our just ask us email web form on our website. Here is a recent sample of some of the questions we’ve received.

What is the lowest recorded temperature in the world?

The lowest recorded temperature in the world was -89.4 degrees Celsius, which occurred on July 21, 1983 at the Vostok Research Station in Antarctica. Source: Time Almanac 2009.

The lowest recorded temperature in Canada happened on February 3, 1947 in Snag, Yukon at
-62.8 Celsius. The Canadian Encyclopedia online at: www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com

How many trees does it take to make 500 sheets of paper?

This was a tough question. We could not find an answer in any print resources in the library and so turned to the internet. According to the website for Conservatree, a ream of photocopy paper, or 500 sheets, uses approximately 6 percent of a tree. Of course there are many variables involved, such as the size of the tree and the quality of the paper, making an accurate answer impossible. Their calculations are based on a 40 foot tree of between 6 to 8 inches in diameter. For the complete calculations and other paper facts visit the website at: http://www.conservatree.com/learn/EnviroIssues/TreeStats.shtml


How do I find a list of the DVD’s in the library?

Quite a few people have asked this question. It is possible to bring up a list of just the DVD’s in our catalogue however the list is quite large with approximately 5000 entries. If you don’t mind browsing here’s how you do it: from our website click on find books tab, then library catalogue. The default search is title, using the drop down menu change this to keyword and type into the search box DVD. The next default option is view entire collection; using the dropdown menu, change this to DVD/VHS, then click search. You can see the list is very large. It is possible to narrow down this list. Starting a new search, click on the advanced search option. In the first ‘any field’ search box type DVD. From the options below change the default of view entire collection to DVD/VHS. In the locations field you can make selections by branch and adult or children’s items. You can also search by year range if you are looking for newer titles.


Is there a minimum height requirement for a basement ceiling?

According to the Ontario Building Code Compendium 2006, a basement ceiling must be 6 feet 11 inches over at least 75 percent of the basement area except under beams and ducts where the clearance is permitted to be reduced to 6 feet 5 inches. The two volume set can be viewed at the Brodie or Waverley Reference departments.


Where can I find a court form for a divorce application?

A divorce application form 8A can be found in the Ontario Annual Practice 2010 book of forms available in the Brodie Reference department. The family law forms, as well as the rules of civil procedure and small claims court forms can all be found in this publication.


I want to add tinted accessories to the taillights of my vehicle. Is there a standard that I need to follow?

Lighting on a vehicle cannot be coated, covered or modified so that the glass area of the lens is reduced and/or the intensity is diminished, according to the book Vehicle Modifications And The Law, available at both the Waverley and Brodie reference departments. By diminished, the Highway Traffic Act section 62(7) defines this as a modification which would reduce the effective illumination to less than 150 meters.


If you have a question that needs answering don’t hesitate to call the library. Staff would be more than willing to assist you.


Michelle Paziuk, Library Technician