November 2004

The Authentic History Center website has scanned several issues of Treasure Chest, a monthly comic book published by the Catholic Guild. In 1961, they ran a 10-issue series called, “This Godless Communism.” The first issue shows what would become of the United States if it became a communist country (for one thing, the government would be moved to Chicago).

So what does this have to do with libraries? Check out the first two panels on this page (or see the transcript below):

The Authentic History Center website has scanned several issues of Treasure Chest, a monthly comic book published by the Catholic Guild. In 1961, they ran a 10-issue series called, “This Godless Communism.” The first issue shows what would become of the United States if it became a communist country (for one thing, the government would be moved to Chicago).

So what does this have to do with libraries? Check out the first two panels on this page (or see the transcript below):The Reds have another powerful weapon. Almost every country in the world has a Communist Party which takes its orders from Moscow. The smallest group in the Party is called a “cell” which holds regular meetings.
– “Our latest directive from our superiors is to steal all anti-communist books from our American city libraries.”

Cell members come from all walks of life.
– “Since I am a public librarian that should be easy.”
– “As a university teacher, it will be easy to take care of the library there.”
– “I’ll take care of my labor-union library!”

(via)

The Curmudgeony Librarian writes “The patrons of the First Regional Library System, in Hernando MS have a new director this week as Catherine Nathan replaces Jim Anderson. Ms. Nathan was previously First Regional’s assistant director for public services. Ms. Nathan has been a part of First Regional as assistant director since1994, and was previously with the Huntsville AL public library and the Savannah GA public library. She replaces outgoing director Jim Anderson who has served as director since 1972. The First Regional Library System, services 13 libraries in DeSoto, Lafayette, Panol and Tate counties in Mississippi.”

kmhess writes “OCLC Research has compiled a list of the top 1000 titles owned by member libraries—the intellectual works that have been judged to be worth owning by the “purchase vote” of libraries around the globe.

I’m trying to imagine Casey Kasem long distance dedication for the Census…”

If you’re looking for a good read in Wales, the nearest location might be at your “local”…the pub that is. The Lighthouse Inn, just outside Newport, has branched out and is now lining its shelves with books as well as spirits. It’s proven very handy for people who want to pass a bit of time without going into town to visit the library. The books are changed regularly by the library system, and visitors to the pub can also order books for delivery.

Believed to be the first pub in Wales that also offers a library service, the cosy pub overlooking the Bristol Channel offers regulars the chance to curl up in front of the log fire and escape into a book. Story here.

mdoneil writes “In the Great White North two students put anti-Semetic coded messages in their School Yearbook. All copies of the book were destroyed after the administration was alerted.

More from the Globe and Mail.”

ffirehorse writes “More on the Salinas library crisis from the LA Times:

‘Another was that many people did not take the issue seriously. Some said the city was crying wolf and would find a way to pay for the services. Other voters said the shortage was the result of fiscal mismanagement, and they refused to throw more good tax dollars after bad. Still others decided they were just too poor to approve any more taxes.’“

Bob writes “Arthur Hailey best known for “Airport” and other best-sellers has died at his home in the Bahamas. Panned by critics but adored by millions of readers:
http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,6109,1 360166,00.html“

Reuters Reports The world’s first known piece of printed pornography, described as the “quintessence of debauchery,” is expected to reach up to 35,000 pounds ($65,040) when it is auctioned next month.

“Sodom,” penned in the mid-1670s, has been attributed to John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester and is described by auction house Sotheby’s as a “closet drama rather than for the stage” with pornography “in almost every line.”

search-engines-web.com writes “from the “Perking up you Friday with Innocent Funnies” Dept

http://www.librarybooks4u.com/jokes.html

http://www.ifla.org/I/humour/humour.htm

http://www.erving.com/library/jokes.htm

http://www.wacona.com/thigpen/thigpen.htm“

search-engines-web.com writes:

The Boston Teachers Union initiative will pay 27 Hub teachers to spend two hours a week on some weekday evenings offering free tutoring. It’s also a good chance for the teachers union to be seen as proponents of – rather than obstacles to – progress.”

Boston Herald

Daniel Adds, I’m all for greater cooperation between schools and libraries, but I wonder if anyone’s studied the effectiveness of tutors by training (i.e. Are classroom teachers more effective one-on-one than either college students, or even peer tutors?)