December 2008

Runner braves snow to visit all 27 Seattle libraries today

Runner braves snow to visit all 27 Seattle libraries today: For a guy who once ran 51 marathons in 50 days in 50 states, today’s venture is a Sunday stroll for ultramarathoner Sam Thompson.

The snowfall? No problem, said Thompson, who plans to run to all 27 Seattle library branches today. And to have his library passport stamped — presuming the branches are open.

“I heard about library passport program and thought it was really cool,” said Thompson, 28. “I love going to my library. It’s such an incredible resource. My goal is to get people excited about visiting their local branch.”

December 18, 2008 by Libraries

Library needs experienced librarian, not retail guru

This Letter To The Editor caught my eye:

Like many other patrons of the East Columbia branch of the Howard County Public Library, I was so disappointed to hear that acting branch manager Herb Malveaux was passed up in favor of an outsider who comes from a retail background rather than from one of library sciences. If I want something more like Borders, I’ll go to Borders. Or, more likely, just stay home and surf over to Amazon.

December 18, 2008 by Librarians Libraries

Falling for Science

Sherry Turkle is a professor of the social studies of science and technology at MIT. Turkle thinks that when you get your first microscope, or your first set of Legos or take apart your first broken radio, you become an explorer. She says that for some kids, the thrill of touching, fastening, examining, rebuilding and unbuilding is life-changing, mind-changing and never goes away.

She recently published a book, Falling for Science: Objects in Mind
, which collects essays written by senior scientists (artificial intelligence pioneer Seymour Papert, MIT president and neuroanatomist Susan Hockfield and architect Moshe Safdie, for example) and by students who passed through her classes at MIT over the last 25 years. They were all asked the same question: “Was there an object you met during childhood or adolescence that had an influence on your path into science?”

Click here for the full piece on NPR to hear the story of a little girl (now a computer scientist) and her Easter basket.

December 18, 2008 by Uncategorized

The Most Expensive Tolkien Book in the World

GTC Roadshow AG announces the acquisition of the most expensive Tolkien book ever sold; a signed first edition of “The Lord of the Rings” dedicated to the “Queen of the Hobbits”, for 104.000 USD. A further 5 lots were acquired in the same auction: the first translation of The Hobbit dedicated to E. Griffiths, a signed US first edition Lord of the Rings, P. Baynes’ original art, a signed map of Middle-earth and a book dedicated to Tolkien’s son Michael.
The pieces will add to the largest Tolkien collection ever compiled and will be offered to the public in a unique exhibition.

December 17, 2008 by Books

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