Technology News
•June 29, 2008 • 2 CommentsLibraries and Crime
•June 26, 2008 • 2 CommentsThere is an incredible number of articles on crime that occurs in libraries. The first article listed is a new one for me. A man applied for library cards under the name of fake children in order to steal books from the library. While appalling, I must applaud his ingenuity.
Enjoy!
Man Arrested in Florida Library for Using Fake Library Cards
Man in Ohio Library found wielding a knife
Armed man at University of Richmond evades police
Follow-up – University of Richmond armed man found and arrested
Health News
•June 25, 2008 • 4 CommentsMy blogging mentor and I were talking yesterday about drawing new readers to my blog. His suggestion was to open my blog up to questions. So anyone who wants to ask me a question, personal or otherwise, or have me do a survey is welcome to leave a comment.
And for now, some news in the field of health. Enjoy!
Blood substitute hurts more than helps
24 Million American have diabetes
Anorexics fight for health coverage
Environment News
•June 24, 2008 • Leave a CommentI think it is incredible what options individuals now have when purchasing a fuel efficient vehicle. Considering that a Honda civic, long considered one of the most fuel efficient cars, did not even make this list shows the growth in production of vehicles that are better for the environment.
Top five fuel efficient vehicles (not hybrid)
By 2020, 80% of General Motor cars will be hybrid
Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals found in U.S. drinking water
New Study Shows Global Warming Rates Could Triple
Florida to Buy Sugar Maker in Bid to Restore Everglades (Original Title)
Library News and Information
•June 23, 2008 • Leave a CommentOnce again, I have been neglectful to my loyal readers. I could think of a million excuses that I could list here as to why I have not been blogging regularly, but who really wants to hear it. So instead, I have created a post with twice as many articles as normal. Hopefully, this will make it up to those of you who have been disappointed by my recent absence.
Reference Librarians Now Available by Cell Phone
Truth: Do you know it when you see it
Librarian returns to Ethiopia to set up libraries
Mass Media Representations and Public Perceptions of Librarian (Original title)
Woman donates part of free speech settlement to local library
The Essential Man’s Library from The Art of Manliness – Although this is the title of the list, I would have to say that the list is great for a man or woman, considering how many titles I have enjoyed in the past.
Technology News
•June 9, 2008 • Leave a CommentLibraries and Archives
•June 5, 2008 • Leave a CommentWhen many people hear the word archives, their mind imagines a dusty tomb filled with ancient manuscripts. The definition of archives is actually quite different than the image offered above. According to dictionary.com, an archive is “a place or collection containing records, documents, or other materials of historical interest.” I keep a personal archive of American Libraries, the American Library Association’s publication.
Below are articles about the newest archives being created, as well as some of the oldest books in existence. Enjoy!
Sports Illustrated will offer online archival access
Grateful Dead archives going to UC Santa Cruz (Original Title)
Princeton’s adopt-a- rare-book program
Personal News
•June 4, 2008 • Leave a CommentI have been tagged. The rules of the game are:
- Post 10 random things about yourself.
- Choose five people to tag and a reason you chose them and make sure to tell them.
- Don’t tag the person who tagged you.
Ramblin’ with Roger has tagged me and in the process, invited me into this fun game. He tagged me so that I would write more personal information about myself in this blog. So here goes.
1 – I have an extreme phobia of ants and they have just invaded my house. I spent most of last night imagining there were ants on my feet when there were none and the rest of the time trying to exterminate the ants that were there. I don’t mind snakes, spiders, bees, worms, or any other creepy crawler, but ants really freak me out.
2 – When I was in eighth grade, I went to France for three weeks for a student exchange program. For three of those days I stayed in a hotel room by myself in Paris (the chaperon was next door). This was my first private hotel room.
3 – I have lived in 6 states and visited almost every state in the country. I have only missed California, Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, and Oregon.
4 – My favorite author is L.J. Smith, who writes teen fantasy/romance novels where humans and mythical creatures (usually vampires or witches) fall in love.
5 – I love trying new foods. I will try one bite of any food you put in front of me. This does not include Fear Factor type foods.
6 – One of my favorite activities is driving. Although this passion has been curbed (literally) by the steep gas prices, going on a drive with no destination or time frame is heaven in my eyes.
7 – I started reading when I was three years old and haven’t stopped since. Actually, I was able to read before I could tie my shoes.
8 – My first job was cleaning rat cages at the University of New England. I was eleven years old and four times a week I had to feed, water, and change the bedding in the rats cages. Definitely not the most glamorous job, but I learned never to put off something that should be done today until tomorrow unless you want bad things to happen. In this case, having an extremely smelly rat room.
9 – On the first real day of Summer (meaning the first Monday with no school) between 3rd and 4th grade, I was playing on the jungle gym with a friend. She climbed on my shoulders and we were pretending to be acrobats. This was fun until we lost our balance and she fell on my left arm, breaking it right below the elbow. Six weeks later, I feel in a pool with my cast. Worst summer ever.
10 – I was a girl scout for six years.
Ok, now I am supposed to tag five people. Unfortunately, I do not know five other bloggers to tag. So instead, here are three student assistants that I worked with at the New York State Library – Library Nerd, Laura Beane and After the Bar.
NY Libraries
•June 2, 2008 • Leave a CommentLibraries, Censorship, and Privacy
•May 30, 2008 • Leave a Comment“Though I disagree with everything you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it.” - Contributed to a colleague of Voltaire.
Six organizations fight against National Security Letters to protect patron’s reading records
Two gay-friendly books removed from English Elementary schools
Doctorate student in education requests two books pulled at elementary school
Libraries and Crime
•May 29, 2008 • Leave a CommentGangs target one Scottish library multiple times
Two former Sacramento Public Library officials charged with grand theft and bribery
The insatiable curiosity that many librarians have makes them the perfect source for helping to solve unsolved cases. Not that I am saying that we could be a replacement for police investigators. But maybe a fresh, new, and different perspective.
Washington Librarian Helps Nab Montana Library Thief (Original Title)
Maine Librarian Investigates Murder from 1898
This article shocked me and while as a librarian, I hate posting it, I felt I should post as a reminder that everyone should always be alert when you are in isolated places, as in the stacks of the public library.
Library News and Information
•May 28, 2008 • Leave a CommentAuthor writes 200,000 books with help from computers
OCLC and Google to link digitized books to library holding records
This article blew my mind away. It is nice to hear that the IRS thanks public libraries for the services provided, though at first the title was odd. When I read the article, it made much more sense.
IRS Thanks Libraries for Public Service (Original Title)
It looks like I will have to catch up on my cult reading, since I have only read 9 out of the 50 books on this list.
List of the 50 Best Cult Books
I hope that one day I can compete on a book cart team. It looks like loads of fun.
Science News
•May 20, 2008 • Leave a CommentScience has to be one of the most fascinating genres to read in the news. I think that what attracts me most to science news is its connection to past works of science fiction. For decades, and sometimes centuries, authors have contemplated such far-fetched ideas as teleportation and the man carrying a child. And now, what was once considered crazy is becoming reality. That is very exciting. Enjoy!
Snowflakes may be bacteria based
Oldest North American primate found weighed one ounce
Transgender man five months pregnant
Study shows negative relationship between happiness and television watching
Teleportation and forcefields possible within decades (Original Title)
Library Budget News
•May 19, 2008 • 1 CommentPhoenix Public Library to lose up to $7.8 million in funding
Budget cuts in Mesa, AZ to eliminate all certified librarians
2008 Library Journal budget report
Both of the following articles highlight how important community, or “grassroots” efforts are when trying to obtain funding for libraries. Since libraries are the epitome of public service organizations, purely in existence for the patrons, public funding is paramount to their continued existence. And the people who fight for the money are hardworking members of the community who realize the importance of libraries. So please fight for your library, every chance you get.
Spokane Moms Win State Funding for School Libraries (Original Title)
Forty-seven U.S. Senators sign letter to increase federal library funding by $314M
