Does Anyone Pick Up Old Refrigerators?

“I’m assisting a relative in going through some things, and we need to know if anyone picks up old refrigerators?”  The Newton Falls Public Library staff understands the need for finding ways to dispose of old household items. Our patron remembered that an advertisement on television mentioned that the Green Team recycled appliances. Unfortunately, we discovered that the it is part of the Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District and the relative’s home is in Trumbull County.

Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District is our local recycling agency. It has appliance collection dates and a listing of local scrap metal dealers on their website www.startrecycling.com. While their listing did not include Falls Recycling in Newton Falls, we found that this business also accept appliances.

FirstEnergy has an appliance turn-in program for their customers through October 31, 2011. The program accepts empty and working refrigerators and freezers. The same conditions would apply to local charities receiving appliance donations. For patrons wishing to repair their non-working appliances before donating them, the library has a copy of Chilton's Guide to Large Appliance Repair and Maintenance by Gene B. Williams available for borrowing.

My XM Radio Isn't Working

“My XM radio isn’t working; it seems to turn on and then the screen goes black. I don’t have a manual. Can you help me?” While the Newton Falls Public Library staff cannot actually repair out patron’s car satellite radio, we can assist in looking for some sort of troubleshooting guide or manual.

The patron’s radio was a Delphi model SA10316. We began the online search using the make, model, and “troubleshooting.” A two page quick start guide was found at www.retrevo.com, but it lacked any information needed to solve the problems.

The next link we examined was the Express RC User Guide, a seventy-six page booklet for our patron’s radio. The table of contents included troubleshooting information which our patron examined. He wasn’t sure it would solve his problem, but he wanted to have a copy of the manual to keep. Rather than print all the pages, he chose to download them to a flash drive which permitted him to see the complete manual on his computer.

There are online discussion groups dealing with repair issues. The website ChaCha.com dealt with the question “How do I reset a Delphi XM radio with a model #SA10316?” It was answered by Jon L. in this manner, “On the back of the Delphi XM radio unit there is a small button that can be pressed using a straightened paper clip. ChaCha! “

Our patron now had some options to try before he sought professional technical assistance.

How do I Change a Lathe Belt?

“I need to find out how to change the belt for a six-inch on a Sears Craftsman metalworking lathe.” The Newton Falls Public Library staff was unfamiliar with this type of equipment, but lack of familiarity does not deter us from finding information.

Audel Machine Shop Basics by Rex Miller and Mark Richard Miller and Machinists Library by Rex Miller were given to the patron. He really needed a manual, so more information was required.

Although a lathe is a power tool; it does not have an engine, so we were unable to use the Small Engine Repair Reference Center database to which the library subscribes. We expanded our search to the Internet and discovered that Craftsman metalworking lathes were made by Atlas, also known as the “AA” Company. This gave us the name of the manufacturing company to search along with Craftsman. The website Rexonavn.Com has a selection of manuals in pdf [Portable Document Format files which look exactly like the original document]. Our patron printed the information he needed from the manual to replace the belt.

Is There a Wiring Diagram for a 21 foot 1976 Starcraft Boat?

The Newton Falls Public Library recently received the following email query. “We have a patron who needs a wiring diagram for a 21 foot 1976 Starcraft boat. Is there a library that has this information?” Libraries are very good with sharing information and on occasion the staff of the Newton Falls Public Library gets requests such as this one from another library.

We contacted the librarian making the inquiry and discovered that her patron did not need information about the Holiday outboard motor attached to the boat, but rather the diagrams for the boat itself. Searching our catalog, we found Outboard Motor and Inboard/Outdrive: wiring diagrams, 1956-1989 and Outboard Motor Service Manual. Since neither had the information needed, we expanded our search online.

Typing in www.OhioWebLibrary.org/smallengine took us to the Small Engine Repair Reference Center database. It includes manuals for All Terrain Vehicles, Generators & Other Small Engines, Marine/Boat Motors, Motorcycles, Outdoor Power Equipment, Personal Water Craft, Snow Machines/Snow Mobiles, and Tractors. Selecting Marine/Boat Motors, we looked at the Electrical System section of Powerboat Maintenance Overview & Information. From there we were able to send on information about auxiliary power plants, battery systems, bonding, lighting, making a wiring diagram, power plant lay-up, and shore power. We were also able to send the Intertec Wiring Diagrams: Outboard Motors & Inboard/Outdrives 1956-1989. Hopefully this information will meet the need of the patron. Newton Falls Public Library card holders can access this website from any Internet access computer.

If the patron is interested in more information there are websites such as http://www.iboats.com/. This website had a page which gave more details about the 1976 Starcraft Holiday 22, a 21.42 foot outboard boat and how to purchase a manual.

I Need to Repair My . . .

“A friend of mine said you had a manual for working on my Honda ATV.” “Do you have a manual for repairing weed wackers?” “A belt broke on my mower and I need to know how to replace it. Do you have anything that can help me?” Spring weather brings many people to the Newton Falls Public Library looking for information about working on vehicles and outdoor equipment.


The library staff was able to direct these patrons to our extensive collection of print materials ranging from the Air Conditioning Service Manual to Yard and Garden Tractor Service Manual: [single-cylinder models]. We also have a wonderful online resource available to those seeking to work on their All Terrain Vehicles, Generators & Other Small Engines, Marine/Boat Motors, Motorcycles, Outdoor Power Equipment, Personal Water Craft, Snow Machines/Snow Mobiles, and Tractors. The Small Engine Repair Reference Center can be accessed from any Internet computer. Go to http://www.ohioweblibrary.org/ and have your Newton Falls Public Library card number available when it is requested. Select: Resources, Locally Purchased Databases and then Small Engine Repair Reference Center EBSCO. Choose the category of equipment needing repair until you reach the manual for the piece of equipment on which you are working. For those who don’t have computer access at home, this information can be retrieved using the library’s public access computers, and the staff is always willing to assist patrons in finding what is needed.


For those individuals working on their cars, the library has a database which can be accessed only at the library. AllData is the world's most comprehensive resource for automotive diagnostic and repair information, including Technical Service Bulletins, items of Customer Interest, and wiring diagrams. Vehicles from 1982 to 2010 may be searched, and the information is specific down to engine size. There are also numerous Chilton and Motor repair guides as well as books of wiring diagrams and auto body repair.

Car Trouble

“My car is doing something strange; when I turn the motor on and off my head lights and daytime running lights flicker. I want to see if I can find out what is causing this.” The Newton Falls Public Library staff understands that during this difficult economic time people are seeking information for working on their vehicle or before taking them to a mechanic.

The library subscribes to the online database, AllData, which provides comprehensive automotive reference for domestic and foreign cars, trucks, and vans from 1982 to the present. Maintenance information, technical service bulletins, schematics and diagrams are included. Since access to the database is only available within the library, the patron ‘borrowed’ a computer using her library card.

We selected her vehicle by year, make, model, and engine. Under the section, Lighting and Horns, we looked first at the Technical Service Bulletins. Under the heading Symptoms, there was information about Erratic Operation. One of the conditions dealt with in this area was “intermittent front lamp concerns.” The database included the cause of the problem and the procedure with illustration for dealing with it. The patron was able to print the information, hopeful that the simple steps given would solve the problem.

Car Trouble

“I’m having trouble with my car. Where are your auto repair books?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff instructed the patron in the use of our online catalog to find the location of the auto repair manuals.

There is a large selection of repair materials in the books numbered with 629s, but these did not have the information needed by the patron. After discussion with her, she said, “The problem isn’t with the engine, the wiring, or the body. The problem is with the seat arm; it has begun tilting downward and it is driving me crazy.” The library has purchased the use of the online database, AllData, which provides comprehensive automotive reference for domestic and foreign cars, trucks, and vans from 1982 to the present. Maintenance information, technical service bulletins, schematics and diagrams are included. Since access to the database is only available within the library, the patron ‘borrowed’ a computer using her library card.

All Data is accessed by going to “Library Databases” on the library’s homepage. Then from All Data, she selected the year, make, model and engine of her vehicle. It is possible to do a component search in All Data, but we first went to the Technical Service Bulletins. There was nothing of interest listed under Recalls, but there was an extensive list of things under Customer Interest. A bulletin was issued for “Armrest Angled Down on Front Driver or Passenger Seat When Seat is in Upright Position.” This was exactly the problem the patron was experiencing with her vehicle. She printed a copy of the information, including the instructions on how to correct the problem. Since the vehicle was still under warranty, the dealership repaired the armrest for her free of charge. It was interesting looking at all the noises reported by other customers who own the same vehicle. Apparently hissing, squeaking, whistling, squealing, fluttering, shuddering, vibrating, whining, clunking, popping, rattling, and itching noises have been reported to dealerships. This is a useful tool in understanding one’s vehicle, and learning what may be a concern which should be dealt with by a mechanic.