Pete writes “Some news about that other Dylan, Dylan Thomas from The BBC
“A computer-generated Dylan Thomas reading one of the poet’s most famous works is due to be launched in Swansea.
A 3D film version of Thomas, recreated from his death mask, old photographs and voice recordings will read Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.
Fifty-two years after his death in New York, the new animated film, complete with a 16-minute documentary about its making, will be shown at Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Centre on Wednesday.””
November 2005
Vonnegut praises suicide bombers
Jet sent in One From The Australian on Kurt Vonnegut who has praised terrorists as “very brave people” and used drug culture slang to describe the “amazing high” suicide bombers must feel before blowing themselves up. In discussing his views with The Weekend Australian, Vonnegut said it was “sweet and honourable” to die for what you believe in, and rejected the idea that terrorists were motivated by twisted religious beliefs.
Unix or Windows for your Automated Catalog?
This was recently sent to the Web4Lib E-Mail list service:
Dear Colleagues,
Our library is in the process of selecting a new automated system. We are a medium-sized library with 30 service points, one of which is a large central library. Our current platform is off the table as an issue, as is any expertise I bring to the discussion after twenty odd years of automating libraries. Since I’ve been told that I — as a mere librarian — do not have the requisite perspective to make such a decision, I was wondering if you all would be willing to help me out?
What are the pluses, and minuses, of each platform? Thanks for your assistance.
This was recently sent to the Web4Lib E-Mail list service:
Dear Colleagues,
Our library is in the process of selecting a new automated system. We are a medium-sized library with 30 service points, one of which is a large central library. Our current platform is off the table as an issue, as is any expertise I bring to the discussion after twenty odd years of automating libraries. Since I’ve been told that I — as a mere librarian — do not have the requisite perspective to make such a decision, I was wondering if you all would be willing to help me out?
What are the pluses, and minuses, of each platform? Thanks for your assistance.
I thought this to be an interesting question that warranted some discussion here.
Windows has the disadvantage of requiring so many service packs, and of course needing the reboot after. As for Unix, I found that vendors don’t upkeep the Operating System for you, so unless there is someone on staff who is not afraid to get their hands dirty, you might wind up with a system that can be easily compromised. What do other LISNews users say?
Never Too Early For Books
In an effort to encourage more parents of newborn babies to read to their children at an early age, the Redwood City, California, Public Library is giving all babies born at Sequoia Hospital their first library card.
CBS5.com Has More.
State in India to set up libraries in slums
Chief Minister Dharam Singh today launched ambitious project to set up libraries at the centres for continuing education in the slum areas of Bangalore, at Hampinagar in Binnypet Assembly constituency on Saturday. More.
Oxford University Libraries Join Fight Against Govt. Censorship
Oxford University has thrown its weight behind a campaign to amend the government’s controversial new terror laws after top librarians warned that the legislation could spell the end of free access to information. Oxford librarians are concerned that the terror laws could force them to withdraw books from public access and that students could be prosecuted for lending terrorist books to a friend. More at the Oxford Student.
Books for Lending, Data for Taking
The NY Times (reg. req.)looks at libraries that are borrowing techniques from Amazon, Netflix and other Internet companies that keep information about their customers’ purchases and preferences so they can better cater to their needs or tastes.
Yet for the libraries, privacy remains an important issue.
Chick Lit With A Conscience
Columbia News Service Author Jessica Heasly says some new authors craft characters who enjoy shopping and margaritas but love God even more.Christian romance novels have been around since the 1970s, most of them historical “prairie” epics of rural or small-town life. Books like “Emily Ever After,” on the other hand, are thick with modern day chick lit dramas -dating perils, shoe yearnings, big city independence — all recounted in a witty voice that makes the reader feel as if she’s chatting with her best friend.
Congress Funds Nixon Library Archives Move
The Associated Press is reporting Lawmakers have approved $4 million to move Richard Nixon’s papers to his presidential library in California, the first big appropriation for the effort to transform the library from a private to a public facility.
Half of the money will be spent to begin moving records, staff and operations from the Washington area to the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda, Calif., and the other half for an addition to house them.
California is book country
This One originally ran in the Los Angeles Times. Kenneth Turan enjoys the company of books, especially on vacation. No matter which country he visits — even such places as China, Japan or Greece, where deciphering the language is not an option — he seeks out bookstores and hang around. So when he heard that one of the great Western concentrations of independent booksellers, more than two dozen establishments at last count, was just a few hours away from LA, a trip seemed mandatory.
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