Seeking Miscellaneous Products & Services

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  • Researcher to retrieve magazine articles

    – Feb 22, 2022
    (5 replies)

    Dear Amazing BPN people;

    I am trying to find and hire a researcher or an archivist to help me retrieve a series of articles from a magazine from before the digital age (1960’s and 1970’s). The magazine has been unhelpful and the available archive they keep sending me to is impossible to search. I am trying to collect one author for compilation into a book. Any suggestions about finding someone to help with this project would be greatly appreciated.

    Feb 22, 2022

    I wonder if the Internet Archive in SF might be a source:  https://archive.org/

    I would start at your local library. If they cannot source the articles, they should be able to order them through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) - there may be a small fee. Or if you have any privileges at any academic libraries, go there.

    I'd try searching the UC Berkeley library catalogs: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/. Academic libraries often have troves of this stuff. You can gain access to the library for $100 a year (allows you on-site services and some book checkouts—so if they have what you're looking for you can go look through the issues yourself), or you could try getting in touch with a current student to see if they'd do the searching for you?

    A few others...

    1. Hathitrust also has a large collection of magazines and journals available to view online https://www.hathitrust.org/

    2. UNZ - ditto https://www.unz.com/print/

    3. this is a great source for finding out if a book or journal is available to read online put out by Univ of Penn https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/search.html

    4. Worldcat can also help you track down where copies are held https://www.worldcat.org/

    5. University library - like UC Berkeley - check their catalogue online. Universities will have a ton of journals online but unless you have a library card, you probably won't have access to view the issues online. Call and speak to them about it, if they have it you can view on campus https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/

    6. If it's more a general magazine, usually public libraries have those, and as someone already mentioned, start with the reference desk at the public library

    Oh and also tons of libraries use the "chat" feature, just click on that and ask them if they have what you want.

    anyone who lives in Berkeley and has a BPL library card already HAS access to all the UC Berkeley libraries (no need to pay a fee...)  Search the BPL website for the details or go in and ask them  It is a bit of pain--you have to go in person, you don't get digital access, but I suspect you could get help from a UC librarian--usually they LOVE to be asked for help on an interesting question.

  • Need personalized mail collection (am a expat live overseas)

    – Mar 31, 2019
    (4 replies)

    Hi I live overseas most of the year.  I need someone trustworthy and reliable to receive my mail. Most of it will be ads, but sometimes it will be important, like a renewal notice from the dmv or a check, so there will be a personalized element to this too as they'll need to go through things to see what might be important.

    Regular mail collection places seem quite impersonal, some I know even scan the mail but I am looking more for a replacement for a relative who currently does a wonderful job but is sadly moving into a skilled living facility.  I also looked into small bookkeeping offices but didn't see a good fit. It's more like a combo of mail collection and sometimes some errand running. It would be great for anyone who is retired or at home, who is responsible and trustworthy.  All my friends are already over loaded in their jobs/family so I don't want to burden them. 

    Does anyone know anyone who does such a thing? Or something similar who may be interested?  Someone's retired school teacher aunt or maybe a reliable errand person who could receive mail, or someone home on maternity leave?

    Mar 31, 2019

    I don't know of individuals who offer this service, but, UPS Stores have boxes for rent and will cull your mail of flyers and junk then send you the rest, at designated times or whenever you contact them. You can also receive packages from any carrier there and they will hold them for you. You'd have to change your mailing address, however, so that could be a pain in the neck.

    I've had several years of fantastic experience with Jamie of Herding Cats Concierge. She handles a ton of "administrativa" for individuals and small businesses on an as-needed basis. For me, she records, scans and files a lot of sensitive information -  both personal and business (I'm self-employed). Including snail mail. Her website is www.herdingcatsconcierge.com.

    location is important when trying to fill a part -time position. Where is the job?

    Hi I'm the original poster and I've just learned that several people have answered with their emails/contact info - which the BPN wasn't able to post these answers as it included personal info, nor could they forward these to me as I posted my question anonymously.

    So if anyone sees this and would be willing to resend their info, I can be contacted through my BPN username and am still looking! Sorry about the confusion and would appreciate the replies!

  • Looking for a place that makes wooden signs

    – Mar 13, 2019
    (1 reply)

    Hello,

    i was wondering if anyone can suggest a business or a person that can make wooden etched storefront signs. I am opening a business and I am interested in getting a wooden sign. I was wondering if anyone knows a good place locally.

    Thank you in Advance 

    Mar 13, 2019

    I have had Steve from Berkeley Signs, https://www.berkeleysigns.com/, make many signs for my place of work. He's always delivered beautiful work on time. I recommend Berkeley Signs!