The Literacy Bridge

Literacy Bridge and the Talking Book from Literacy Bridge on Vimeo.

 

PBS News hour did a nice story on the Literacy Bridge program, which brings talking books to people who cannot read, especially those in Africa.  This is a great example of a very small, simple device which can have a big impact on people's lives.

For Fans of Fonts

A charming and clever little history of typography done with paper cutouts - worth watching!

Two Interesting Stories from CBS Sunday Morning

The Future isn't what it used to be.

 

The treasures of the Library of Congress.

 

BuzzFeed has compiled a bunch of vintage library posters that encouraged (or repelled) school library users. I can't see how anyone would have been enticed by any of these posters to go visit the library, except possibly the last one, as a matter of curiosity! But, I guess in the olden days, these efforts might have seemed innovative.

3-D Printers at Chicago Public Library

Octopus created from one of the 3-D printers at the Maker Lab. (Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune)

It'll be interesting to see exactly how this technology will be used in public libraries, and according to the Chicago Tribune, there  will be restrictions on what can be printed at the library. CPL Librarian Mark Andersen says, "We don't want people printing weapons or anything offensive, of course." Even though use of the MakerBot Replicator 2 is free, the librarians must first approve whatever is designed. A few libraries throughout the country provide 3-D printing, though on a limited basis, usually as part of their makerspace areas. I have to admit, I find it puzzling that libraries should want to enter this minefield at all. It's expensive, possibly dangerous, and do the majority of people really have use for it? We'll just have to wait and see...

2013 Gale/LJ Library of the Year: Howard County Library System, MD

Library Journal article about Howard County Library
 

 

Kudos to one of our own Maryland libraries! Their website happily greets you with its Hi logo, which is packed with intent - Howard County Library - inform + inspire + interact = educate. Read Library Journal's article to find out why HCL is the 2013 Gale/LJ Library of the Year - it's well-deserved!

The Beauty of the Dewey Decimals

I still believe in 398.2 (Fairytales) necklace via etsy.com

Behind the cold, hard numbers of the Dewey Decimal System lies a beating heart. And now they're being worn as jewelry to proclaim one's feelings and philosophy. BookRiot's posting has some nice examples - charming idea!

BuzzFeed's List of 15 Banned Classic Children's Books

Where's Waldo by Martin Hanford via bn.com

The most hilarious example is Where's Waldo (see BuzzFeed article to see why). It appears that Dr. Seuss has been hit a couple of times by censors - he can be a bit irreverent! And who'd have thought Winnie the Pooh could have offended anyone?? Very interesting list.

Notable Government Documents of 2012

Library Journal's Notable Government Documents of 2012

Library Journal has compiled an interesting list and summary of notable Government Documents of 2012, including federal, state, and local publications. There are even some international documents included. Nearly all of the publications are available online, many with no-cost print counterparts. The titles range from Bumble Bees of the Western U.S. to UNESCO's World Heritage Atlas. One of the docs by the CDC, Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic is presented in a graphic novel format, which should appeal to more youthful readers. It all makes for enlightening and sometimes entertaining reading!

Musty Old Books

Old book bindings at the Merton College library, 2005 - photo by Tom Murphy VII, Wikimedia Commons

The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) has an interesting little article about that "old book smell." Apparently, it's more than just mustiness or mildew - the components of old books produce odors that resemble grass and vanilla! It's even possible to determine the age of some books based on their VOC's (volatile organic compounds). It's a matter of personal preference if you like that smell or not - guess it depends on the book too.

Library Signs

Library Meeting Room sign

 

An oft-stated library axiom is that people don't read signs. I guess libraries need to be more creative with their library wording to get patrons' attention. Herewith some interesting and often amusing library library signage:

 

• BuzzFeed's Passive Aggressive Library Signs.
• Library signage a Pinterest user would like to see in their library.
• Another Pinterest user has a list of strange and useful library signs.
• And lastly, Smashing Magazine has a gallery of elegant and interesting library signs from around the world.

Check this (oddball thing) out!

Black Lab by Michelle Buntin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Libraries lend more than just books and media, but some libraries take material loans to interesting lengths. The following links list interesting things you can check out at some libraries, such as guide dogs, tools, fishing poles, and even people!

 

• The Open Education Database website has a nice pictorial list of 11 surprising things you can check out of libraries.
• NPR recently presented, "Weird Public Library Stuff."
• USA Today has an article entitled, "Libraries offer weird things to draw new borrowers."

The Dewey Blog

025.431: The Dewey Blog

This is a great little blog on various and sundry topics, all tagged with Dewey decimal numbers so you know just where to look in the library for books on those subjects. The full name of this blog is 025.431: The Dewey Blog, the classification number referring, of course, to Library Operations. The blog is worth exploring just to get an idea of the how the classification scheme works, plus the topics lead to other topics of interest and sometimes even down a rat hole. But when you have nothing better to do one evening, it can be an enlightening and diverting occupation!

Tumblr's Library Tags

You can become really immersed in Tumblr's endless stream of library lore - images tagged #library, #books, and #reading. This flow of books, reading, and library spaces is pretty amazing - take a gander!

 

George Orwell's 110th Birth Anniversary

“The best books... are those that tell you what you know already.”
~ George Orwell, 1984

George Orwell's farsighted and frightening novel Nineteen Eighty-Four has widely influenced modern language by his neologistic creations such as Big Brother, Cold War, Thought Police, among others. The Guardian has an interesting article on what it took for Orwell to write his opus magnum, including an analysis of the process of creating the futuristic language and society. It's a novel that first time readers always find timely and contemporary. As to why he chose 1984 as his title, the author of the article states, "Orwell's title remains a mystery. Some say he was alluding to the centenary of the Fabian Society, founded in 1884. Others suggest a nod to Jack London's novel The Iron Heel (in which a political movement comes to power in 1984), or perhaps to one of his favourite writer GK Chesterton's story, "The Napoleon of Notting Hill", which is set in 1984." He also states that upon publication, it was considered an instant classic, "even by Winston Churchill, who told his doctor that he had read it twice." GoodReads has a comprehensive page of Orwell's quotes, many of which are heavy and ponderous, but always seemingly relevant to almost any historic era. Cautionary tales are not always easy to read, but they are often the most compelling and enlightening ones.

Bookstore Porthole

Bookstore Porthole at J. W. Doull Bookstore - Photo:  Celia Moase Photography

Boing Boing recently posted a very curious and whimsical photo of a porthole constructed of books located at the John W. Doull Bookseller store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. After doing a double-take, the viewer is invited in to peruse a wonderful collection of antiquarian and rare books. Read more about this special second-hand bookstore on their website and on their Tumblr page.

 

 



J. W. Doull Bookstore

America's National Park Libraries

View of the Yosemite Valley, 1865, by Thomas Hill - Collection of The New York Historical Society

American Libraries magazine has a great article on America's NPS libraries throughout the country. I wonder how many people even know about this wonderful resource? These libraries hold a great many resources on the history, geology, geography, and preservation of, as Ken Burns put it, "America's best idea." The Parks' collection is searchable online, so one can limit results to a particular park, such as the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, as examples. The Parks libraries also participate in the world-wide Ask-a-Librarian program where you can chat with NPS librarians to find out more about our national parks. What a truly great, underutilized and largely unknown library resource!

Summer Reading 2013

Summer Reading 2013 - Dig into Reading!

This year's theme for public libraries' Summer Reading program is, "Dig into Reading." Interesting idea which can relate to animals that burrow, digging for archaeology, or just getting into reading. The poster above is an inviting one, with the Mole and Mice families reading together!

Seattle Public Library Using Pedal Power to Peddle Books on Bikes

 

Leave it to Seattle Public Library to come up with a novel way to deliver books through their Books by Bikes outreach program. This pilot program is designed to reach patrons at community events throughout Seattle and provide them library services. It's good for the community and good for the librarians involved - a great way to work out during work!



Gentle Reads

English Country Scene - John S. Goodall, illustrator of books of a gentle persuasion

As I get older, my bedtime reading has become far mellower than in my youth. These days, I can no longer read Stephen King or Dean Koontz, or other more intense authors just before bed. I now wade in the more soothing waters of Miss Read, Alexander McCall Smith, or Bill Bryson. The genre of Gentle Reads is known for comfortable environments, predictable routines, and calm endeavors. Also, regular meals, eccentric but kindly neighbors, pleasant little villages where problems are resolved amicably - perfect for a peaceful retirement! These locales almost seem hermetically sealed off from the real world, but they are more aspirational than fantastic. Everyone has a precious place in their heart where they dream of living someday, where people are civilized and caring. That's what Gentle Reads are about.  For those wishing to learn more, GoodReads has a nice compilation of authors and titles in this genre. A Google search on gentle reads produces hits on library readers advisory sites with lists of their recommendations. Gentle Reads are almost exclusively within the purview of public libraries, as many readers visit them for their extensive collections. Gentle Reads for Gentle Readers!