November 2009

Supreme Court: Miami school can ban book on Cuba

School board members in Miami have won their battle to remove a children’s book from the shelves of Miami-Dade school libraries because they said the book presented an inaccurate picture of life in Cuba.

On Monday, the US Supreme Court declined to take up the case of “Vamos a Cuba” – the little book that sparked a big controversy over alleged censorship in Miami.

The action lets stand a 2-1 ruling by the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals that the school board’s decision to remove the book was not censorship in violation of the First Amendment. Instead, the Atlanta-based appeals court said the school board was seeking to remove the book because it contained substantial factual inaccuracies.

Full story

November 17, 2009 by Books Censorship Libraries School Libraries

Cheshire library to keep book on Petit murders

A controversial book about the Petit murders will stay on the library shelves.

The Library Board sided with Director Ramona Harten and her staff in their decision to order two copies of “In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood” by New York author Brian McDonald.

The book tells the story of the 2007 home invasion and triple murder from the perspective of Joshua Komisarjevsky, one of two men accused in the murders. McDonald interviewed Komisarjevsky in prison and exchanged several letters with him, material which he used for the book.

Full story

November 17, 2009 by Books Librarians Libraries

Paul McCartney to be honoured by US Library of Congress

Paul McCartney is to be awarded the Gershwin Prize For Popular Music in Washington in spring 2010.

The former Beatle will be the third musician – and the first non-American – to receive the prize, which is awarded by the US Library Of Congress. Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon were the previous recipients, with the former’s award being presented to him by US President Barack Obama in February 2009.

Full story

November 17, 2009 by Librarians Libraries Music

A Win for the Stacks

A Win for the Stacks
The Syracuse University Library system is facing the classic book-lover’s dilemma: too many volumes, not enough shelves. Faculty members delivered a petition against the plan signed by more than 100 humanities scholars, whose fields would be hurt more than others by the book relocation.

November 17, 2009 by Libraries

Glyde Aims to Simplify Online Sales of Used Media

People whose old books, CDs, DVDs and video games are collecting dust on their shelves will soon have another way to resell them on the Web.

On Monday, Glyde, a start-up based in Palo Alto, Calif., plans to introduce a Web site intended to make it simple for people to buy and sell used media products.

The company, which will be challenging formidable giants like eBay and Amazon.com, is the brainchild of Simon Rothman, who worked at eBay from 1999 to 2005 and was the primary creator and executive in charge of its automotive site, eBay Motors.

Full article in the New York Times

November 16, 2009 by Internet

Overdue library books returned half century later

Overdue library books returned half century later
A high school librarian in Phoenix says a former student at the school returned two overdue books checked out 51 years ago along with a $1,000 money order to cover the fines.

Camelback High School librarian Georgette Bordine says the two Audubon Society books checked out in 1959 and the money order were sent by someone who wanted to remain anonymous.

November 15, 2009 by Books Librarians Libraries School Libraries Yahoo

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