November 2006

Facts at your Fingertips

Mister Cow Cow writes “It might once have been dry work in dusty rooms, but in the digital age, librarians have a far more dynamic role, says Chris Alden In The Guardian Unlimited Money.

“It isn’t just about turning a dollar,” says Molloy. “It is about making a contribution to world knowledge. That’s why it’s such an important sector — it’s not front-line glamorous and it’s never going to earn you huge amounts of money, but it’s one of those vital professions that keeps ticking over and makes our world a better place.””

Phenomenon of “The American Corner”in The Gambia and 299 other Nations

From The Gambia Daily Observer…information about the new American Corner in the National Library of The Gambia in Banjul. The U.S. Ambassador to the Gambia, Joseph D. Stafford, talks about how “American Corners”, complete with books, videos, CDs and e-mail penpal access, can inform young people from the Gambia about how life is lived by young Americans. Ambassador Stafford further emphasised that the aim of the corner is to bring the true story of the United States to people and foreign countries, to promote understanding of their culture, values and history. He added that the United States of America and The Gambia share many values, especially in the area of commitment to freedom, democracy and human dignity.

I guess he wants to keep his job…

First Timer Takes Bad Sex Award

Anonymous Patron gives us the heads up: The Literary Review’s Bad Sex in Fiction Award has gone to first-time author Iain Hollingshead.

The judges said the award’s mandate is “to draw attention to the crude, tasteless, often perfunctory use of redundant passages of sexual description in the modern novel, and to discourage it”.

The phrase “bulging trousers” in the novel Twenty Something pushed it over the top for the win. BBC News has more.

New library a haven for homeless

From the Seattle Post Intelligencer:

“When the new Central Library opened two years ago, many people wondered if it would simply become a more expensive homeless hangout. But today, the library is doing more to accommodate both rich and poor. There are more programs for a wider audience, from noontime lectures to children’s events to writing workshops for homeless people.”

A Letter About the Closure of the Iraq National Library & Archive

Sent: 27 November 2006 14:12

To: Iraq Crisis List

Subject: [Iraqcrisis] Iraq National Library and Archive

Friends and colleagues,

I have just received the grave and deeply dispiriting news from Dr.
Saad Eskander that he has closed the Iraq National Library and Archive
for the time being as of last Tuesday. On 15 November, he informed me
that his institution had been bombed thrice in three weeks, and
subjected to sniper fire, including directly into his own office.
Another young librarian was recently murdered, and the building had been
shelled several times in the few days previous to the closing (by which
I assume he meant mortar fire).

Dr. Eskander has been a model of progressive action, has increased his
staff substantially, and has striven very hard to gain them training on
several fronts, and otherwise restore functioning to an institution that
was twice set on fire during the initial period of American occupation.
Prompted by a question from me concerning how he was managing to keep
such a large staff coming to work under such perilous circumstances, he
informed me last spring that he was dedicating 30% of his budget to
bussing them all back and forth each day, although three of his drivers
had been murdered in the process.

However necessary, this was financially untenable as a long-term
accommodation to the exigencies of the times. As we all know, the
situation has only grown worse since then, and the repeated direct
attacks on his institution made it a place he could no longer ask his
staff to serve. The forces of intolerance are thriving, and those
institutions and persons representing a progressive and hopeful future
for Iraq are under assault and in retreat.

Yours truly,

Jeff
—————————–
ed. note: the author of this letter is Jeffrey B. Spurr,
Islamic and Middle East Specialist
Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture Fine Arts Library, Harvard University Fogg Art Museum

Sent: 27 November 2006 14:12

To: Iraq Crisis List

Subject: [Iraqcrisis] Iraq National Library and Archive

Friends and colleagues,

I have just received the grave and deeply dispiriting news from Dr.
Saad Eskander that he has closed the Iraq National Library and Archive
for the time being as of last Tuesday. On 15 November, he informed me
that his institution had been bombed thrice in three weeks, and
subjected to sniper fire, including directly into his own office.
Another young librarian was recently murdered, and the building had been
shelled several times in the few days previous to the closing (by which
I assume he meant mortar fire).

Dr. Eskander has been a model of progressive action, has increased his
staff substantially, and has striven very hard to gain them training on
several fronts, and otherwise restore functioning to an institution that
was twice set on fire during the initial period of American occupation.
Prompted by a question from me concerning how he was managing to keep
such a large staff coming to work under such perilous circumstances, he
informed me last spring that he was dedicating 30% of his budget to
bussing them all back and forth each day, although three of his drivers
had been murdered in the process.

However necessary, this was financially untenable as a long-term
accommodation to the exigencies of the times. As we all know, the
situation has only grown worse since then, and the repeated direct
attacks on his institution made it a place he could no longer ask his
staff to serve. The forces of intolerance are thriving, and those
institutions and persons representing a progressive and hopeful future
for Iraq are under assault and in retreat.

Yours truly,

Jeff
—————————–
ed. note: the author of this letter is Jeffrey B. Spurr,
Islamic and Middle East Specialist
Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture Fine Arts Library, Harvard University Fogg Art Museum

Braille Letters from Santa Claus

Jane Karp writes “National Federation of the Blind Partners with Santa Claus

to Support Braille Literacy

Blind Children to Receive Letters in Braille

NORTH POLE (November 28, 2006): The National Federation of the Blind,
the nation’s oldest and largest consumer organization of the blind, and
the leading promoter of Braille literacy in the United States,
announced today that as Christmas approaches the Federation will be
providing a special service for children who read Braille. Blind
children who wish to send Braille letters to Santa will be able to
submit their letters to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan
Institute, which will then Braille Santa’s response. For more information about the Braille
Letters from Santa Program, visit our Web site at website.

Jane Karp writes “National Federation of the Blind Partners with Santa Claus

to Support Braille Literacy

Blind Children to Receive Letters in Braille

NORTH POLE (November 28, 2006): The National Federation of the Blind,
the nation’s oldest and largest consumer organization of the blind, and
the leading promoter of Braille literacy in the United States,
announced today that as Christmas approaches the Federation will be
providing a special service for children who read Braille. Blind
children who wish to send Braille letters to Santa will be able to
submit their letters to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan
Institute, which will then Braille Santa’s response. For more information about the Braille
Letters from Santa Program, visit our Web site at website.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said: “learning to read Braille is critical to the future success of
blind children. Proficiency and fluency in reading Braille are best
achieved by taking every opportunity to read Braille. What could be
more fun for a blind child than receiving a personalized letter from
Santa Claus in Braille?”

The National Federation of the Blind will send Braille replies from
Santa to letters received from blind children and their parents.
Letters to Santa may be in Braille or print. Each reply will be in
Braille and print so that parents and children can read together. The
replies will be in contracted Braille unless otherwise specifically
requested.

Braille or print letters to Santa may be sent to Santa Claus, c/o
National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21230. Letters may also be requested via the Internet at
www.nfb.org . Letters must include the writer’s
name, the child’s name, the child’s birthday, the child’s gender,
mailing address, and a telephone number in case Santa’s helpers at the
National Federation of the Blind have questions.

Letters must be received by December 15 to ensure a return letter is
received before Christmas. For more information about the Braille
Letters from Santa Program, visit our Web site at website.
  “

One Man Charity Sends 30,000 Books to Nigeria

Anonymous Patron writes CBC Ottawa: An underground Ottawa charity — made up of one man and his own money — is about to feed the imaginations of Nigerian children with 30,000 books and magazines.

“You don’t have to be rich to make a difference,” Chiasaokwu says. “If you believe there are things you can do to better the life of people and you believe in it, you will achieve it.””