This blog began in 2003 as Mrs. Rabbitt's Bookbag and continued as From the Library Director from 2005-2010. You can read my newspaper columns at FromtheLibraryColumn published Thursdays in the Norwood Transcript and Bulletin.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Listening In


"lively and revealing conversations to more readers than our radio signal reaches ... [and] with the generous and visionary support of The Leo S. Guthman Fund of Chicago, [OpenBooks] is able to provide free downloadable Open Books audio files Open Books Radio is home to a substantial archive of author interviews, a collection that will continue to grow as we add new shows each month. Visit our Interviews page for a list of the writers appearing on Open Books."

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Too Many Books, Too Little Space

The British Library's collection is growing every year, just as our Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Libraries who are 'copyright houses' are weighed down with that responsibility. Read the article in The Guardian to learn just how much space is needed to house books that no one is currently reading.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Reinventing the Book?

"The book, just turns out to be an incredible device."

says Jeff Bezos, 43, the CEO of Internet commerce giant Amazon.com. Read the article in Newsweek. From Library Link Of the Day Bezos believes the concept of perfection can be improved upon. Do you?

Friday, November 16, 2007

Sci Fi and Fantasy and Cups of Tea

Nancy Pearl and I are on the same page - science fiction and fantasy are not our genre. However, Nancy has picked a half dozen must-reads and you can listen to the NPR podcast, or read the reviews. From the I Love Libraries.org newsletter.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Star Images

The top 100 images from the Hubble Telescope can be found at Space Telescope.org
"The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured the sharpest view yet of the most famous of all planetary nebulae: the Ring Nebula (M57). In this October 1998 image, the telescope has looked down a barrel of gas cast off by a dying star thousands of years ago. This photo reveals elongated dark clumps of material embedded in the gas at the edge of the nebula; the dying central star floating in a blue haze of hot gas. The nebula is about a light-year in diameter and is located some 2, 000 light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Lyra."

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

"Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man"



One of the best uses of tube time is viewing the Up Series. By now the original series (Seven-Up) has gone thirty-five years beyond its original filming. In 1964 director Michael Apted filmed fourteen seven-year olds (in England) and provided us with an inside view of their lives. He followed it with 7 Plus Seven in 1971, 21-Up in 1978, 28-Up in 1985, 35-Up in 1992, 42-Up in 1999 and 49-Up in 2006. It is an intriguing series and one that hooked me in 1999. Watch the whole thing - you'll be mesmerized. It runs for many hours - plan the whole week to watch it.

From Amazon.com

Starting in 1964 with Seven Up, The UP Series has explored this Jesuit maxim of "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man." The original concept was to interview 14 children from diverse backgrounds from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Every seven years, renowned director Michael Apted, a researcher for Seven Up, has been back to talk to them, examining the progression of their lives.
From cab driver Tony to schoolmates Jackie, Lynn and Susan and the heart-breaking Neil, as they turn 49 more life-changing decisions and surprising developments are revealed.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Glasswing


I had to share this photograph of a glasswing butterfly from South America. Simply gorgeous. Click for more photos.


And here: Art in Hand

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Missed the Debate?

If you missed the Democratic debate last Tuesday night, you can watch it through the NY Times link here for a time. The buffering is great and you can read the transcript as you watch. Also remember to catch up on all Election 2008 news go to Road to 2008.com or perhaps Comedy Central's Indecision 2008 is more your cup of tea. It's a humorous look at the 2008 Presidential race.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Daylight Moving Time


Two books written about the 'daylight savings' insanity are Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time by David Prerau and Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Timeby Michael Downing.