LISNews: Librarian News

Over at Trends in the Living Networks Ross Dawson participated in a Future Directions Forum at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum, which after 20 years in its current location is looking to the future. He says The session raised many interesting questions and thoughts. His points below represent his perspectives as well as reflections on issues raised by people at forum. While the issues below were raised in the context of museums in areas like science, technology, and design, I think you'll be able to connect some of them to libraries as well.

The Newseum.org presents this wonderful reminder of exactly what is important.

Do love and generosity and devotion exist today? I think that is something we must all ensure not just on Christmas but every day.

Happy Christmas to all.

The scandal at the Smithsonian continues, according to the New York Times.

James M. Hobbins, who served as executive assistant to the secretary of the Smithsonian destroyed the minutes from a January Board of Regents meeting in which the board discussed the compensation package of Lawrence M. Small. Small later resigned as secretary in March after an investigation into his housing allowance and other personal expenses that were covered by the institution.

The Washington Post reported Mr. Hobbins's resignation and the destruction of the document yesterday. A Smithsonian spokesperson, Linda St. Thomas, emphasized that Mr. Hobbins, a 40-year veteran of the Smithsonian, had destroyed the initial transcripts of such board meetings as a matter of course since the 1980s, once the full formal minutes were prepared.

Some priceless mementoes of our sixteenth president, including one of only three extant stovepipe hats, will now be housed in his Library and Museum in Springfield IL, thanks to a large acquisition from private donor Louise Taper of Beverly Hills,California. Taper began her fascination with Lincoln as a young mother upon reading Irving Stone's 'Love Is Eternal' (reference this article from American Heritage Magazine.)

In response to the news of the acquisition from the State Journal-Register, one reader (Lincoln Buff) comments "Taper's "addiction" to collecting all things Lincoln began when, as a young person working for a manuscript company, she took her pay in Lincoln documents and the collection had its start. Its exponential growth through her persistence is phenomenal. Thank you, Louise, for your foresight and diligence in bringing these items together. Thanks to both you and the ALPLM for keeping the collection together and bringing it home before the 2009 bicentennial of Lincoln's birth."