http:://search-engines-web.com/ sends ” this story from Reuters.
Despite speculation that the young stars of the Harry Potter films will outgrow their roles, the director of the latest installment believes they can see the popular series through to the end.
“It would be amazing to have the whole series with the same kids,” Alfonso Cuaron, whose “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” opens worldwide on June 4, said on Tuesday.
“It would be priceless. It would be something very special, for the ages.” ‘Azkaban’ is the third of a planned seven films based on J.K. Rowling’s best-selling book series about the magical students of Hogwarts Academy. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) and cinematic sidekicks Emma Watson (Hermione) and Rupert Grint (Ron) have so far maintained their enthusiasm for the work, but many wonder whether they will physically outgrow the characters.The trio, who sign for one film at a time, have already begun work on the fourth movie, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” directed by Mike Newell (“Mona Lisa Smile” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral”).The fifth book, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” was published last year.”
May 2004
Why civilians use Google rather than library databases
David Rothman writes this very insightful commentary about why Google is friendlier than proprietary databases.
“Public librarians love to talk up library databases as a free way to access high-quality information. But wait. There is something you may give up in return–your sanity, considering the Rube Goldbergish tortures that librarians or at least their database vendors often inflict on innocent users.
So far this morning I’ve struck out in my efforts to use two of the three databases that I’ve tried from the library system here in Alexandria, VA. One worked but lacked the article I needed, while two others won’t let me use the information on my library card–those 14 infuriating digits. Adding to the joys, I’ve suffered an arrogant, jargon-ridden error message associated with BigChalk Library, a gem that would do Microsoft proud. Via the message, the library system or at least BigChalk is asking me to scale back on privacy protections–rather ironic, given library world’s laudable fight against the Patriot Act. I’m hardly the first to raise these issues, at least the usability ones; but as a public library booster, I hope that my thoughts will serve as a useful reminder of the problems. More at TeleRead.”
Orlando/ALA Bound? Make Sure You Do the Exhibits
I’ve always been a bit of an exhibit snob, poo-pooing the exhibit hall as a bit of unneccesary fluff that, frankly, I didn’t have time for. At Midwinter, however, I learned that it’s exhibitors who make conference (relatively) affordable for attendees. Were it not for exhibitors, registration fees would be several hundred dollars. Apparently, exhibit hall traffic at Midwinter was so low, that members of the Exhibits Round Table (ERT) threatened to pull out if ALA didn’t institute a no-conflicts time that would give members an open period during which they could visit with vendors, scoop up free pens and get their picture taken with Elvis. ALA heard and responded to the concerns. Here’s an editorial from Library Journal with more details. See you in Orlando where I’ll be putting in time at both the Public Programs Office and U of Illinois booths in the exhibit hall!
Friends Invent Best Seller From Renaissance Tale
The NYT has an interesting article about two friends who have written a bestselling book. The book, “The Rule of Four”, is a novel that looks at the mystery behind a real life book from 1499 Venice, “The Hypnerotomachia Poliphili.” As of this post, “The Rule of Four” was the number 2 bestselling book at Amazon. Some say the book is a cross between Umberto Eco and Dan Brown.
Producer Dean Devlin’s “The Librarian” is…
Who’s the new “Librarian” in town? It’s ER Doc. John Carter…(actor Noah Wyle).
He’s been cast as the lead in TNT’s new tele-pic “The Librarian” according to Daily Variety . Preliminary information on the production was first announced on these pages last May .
Toy library in Hyderabad, India
Anonymous Patron shares this news item from newkerala.com, “Naughty children in Hyderabad, India, now do not pester their parents for the latest toys in the market. They can play with them in a nearby library, which is providing toys to them. Brainchild of Panna Mehta, an ordinary housewife, this extraordinary idea has come as a boon for not only children, but also for the parents. Mehta thought of this idea when she realised that parents had to spend a huge sum of money almost every month to meet the demands of their children for the latest toys.”
I wonder if this could translate to United States public libraries?
Book Gift to Educators
The Journal-News reports that A Kids’ Guide to America’s Bill of Rights: Curfews, Censorship & The 100 Pound Giant, has been donated to a number of New York school libraries. The book explains our civil liberties to fifth and sixth grade students.
Use of Patriot Act Powers Remains Unknown
Fang-Face writes: John Ashscroft has insisted that Section 215 of USAPA hasn’t been used, but
the federal government is refusing to prove it: "In December, the agency argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed because Section 215 had not been used during the time in question. But in a letter dated May 19, Justice Department lawyer Joseph W. LoBue told U.S. District Judge Denise Hood that the agency did not plan to reveal whether any requests for information obtainable under the act had been filed."
The reason given for the refusal is that the DOJ plans to submit a classified report by June 30th to the House and Senate judiciary committees.
Last year, after a scuffle with Ashcroft, who at the time agreed to release this data, ALA president Carla Hayden made the forward-looking statement: "We look forward to learning how the PATRIOT Act is being used in libraries."
David Rothbart’s New Book “Found”
Visiting bookstores and reading from his new scrapbook-like volume, author David Rothbart adds to the lengthening list of bits and pieces found as bookmarks: letters and shopping lists (of course), but also death certificates, tongue depressors, human hair and cold hard cash.
Relevance? In the eye of the beholder…story here.
Injunction Issued Vs. DVD-Copying Maker
A California company that specializes in encryption technology has obtained the latest court order barring a Missouri company’s sale of popular DVD-copying software.
Macrovision Corp. received the preliminary injunction in its patent-infringement lawsuit against 321 Studios Inc., already forbidden by federal judges in recent months from selling its DVD-cloning software.
Read more at Star-Telegram.
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