September 2016

The world’s oldest library gets a 21st century face lift

“We were always discovering things as we were ripping out walls,” she says. One standout discovery for her was a hidden room that had a 12th century cupola made with intricate lattice wood.
“It was this extremely refined and unusual type of roof that was hidden away,” she recalls. “It’s typical of the element of surprise you fine in Fez. You’ll have these narrow streets and find a small door that enters into an amazing courtyard.”

From The world’s oldest library gets a 21st century face lift – CNN.com

Librarians Stand Again Against FBI Overreach

“The Connecticut Four” libarians who fought FBI “national security letters” seeking information on patrons and compelling librarians’ silence on the demands are speaking out again. Fresh efforts are afoot in the U.S. Senate to expand the FBI’s ability to require libraries to hand over private information in the absence of a judge’s order. 

From Librarians Stand Again Against FBI Overreach – Hartford Courant

Don’t Call Me Baby, Sweetie or Cupcake!

I’ve worked at my local public library long enough to be on a first-name basis with many of our patrons. And the rest greet me with the courtesy and respect that, as a trained professional, not to mention a woman over 50, I deserve.

Except for when they don’t. From time to time, a patron will call me “sweetie.” Or “honey-bunch.” Or “dear.” I have to put up with it, but I don’t have to like it. And I‘m not alone. Recently a fellow librarian posted this lament on Facebook: “A patron just called me baby. Can I go home now?”

The comments this inspired from other librarians were sympathetic:

From Don’t Call Me Baby, Sweetie or Cupcake! | ZestNow

A Nonfiction Literary Map Of The United States

And what better way to do that than by reading? While Welty was referencing the importance of place in fiction, there is little doubt that its importance in nonfiction is similarly essential. The very best writing about a place can bring the reader a whole new understanding of a life different than their own, as well as, per Welty, a better grasp of their own place in the world. Here then, are some of the best pieces of nonfiction from every state in America. (Plus D.C., naturally; and with a special shout-out to New York City, because, obviously.)

From A Nonfiction Literary Map Of The United States

Australian library releases free, remixable webcomics maker

“Libraries aren’t there to enforce a curriculum: they exist for the whole community to learn and create on their own terms. That’s what makes this comic maker project special: it’s meant to open the doorway to an understanding of ‘digital literacy’ which is not just about consumption; which is open, flexible, and most importantly, capable of surprising us.

From Australian library releases free, remixable webcomics maker / Boing Boing

What Can You Read if you’re Incarcerated in a Texas Prison?

If you’re one of the more than 140,000 people doing time in a Texas state prison, you’re not allowed to read books by Bob Dole, Harriet Beecher Stowe or Sojourner Truth. But you’re more than welcome to dig into Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” or David Duke’s “My Awakening.” Story from LA Times Jacket Copy.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has banned 15,000 books from the correctional facilities it operates, most recently Dan Slater’s new “Wolf Boys: Two American Teenagers and Mexico’s Most Dangerous Drug Cartel,” the Guardian reports.

The news comes in the middle of Banned Books Week, the annual event celebrating literature that’s been targeted by censors.

Deborah Caldwell-Stone of the American Library Assn., a Banned Books Week sponsor, blasted Texas’ decision to ban “Wolf Boys,” about two Texas teenagers who go to work for the Zetas, an infamous Mexican drug cartel, and are caught and sentenced. The book is nonfiction: Both teenagers are housed in Texas prisons.

Six words added to Oxford English Dictionary to celebrate Roald Dahl’s 100th Birthday Anniversary

Roald Dahl, who was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter and fighter pilot, remembered for his witty, beautifully written children’s books, the author having created some of our most beloved fictional characters.

He often used incredibly unique words to describe the vivid worlds of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda.

From Six words added to Oxford English Dictionary to celebrate Roald Dahl’s 100th Birthday Anniversary – MyKotori

Boston looking to turn the page on lack of school libraries

More than half of public schools in Boston do not have libraries, leaving thousands of students — the majority of them in distressed neighborhoods — without a safe place to study and access to resources so they can learn more, according to a new 
district report.

Seventy-three of 126 schools in Boston do not have a library — and even at those that do, most don’t have full-time librarians or enough books, according to the five-year Boston Public Schools library services plan approved by the School Committee this week.

From BPS looking to turn the page on lack of libraries | Boston Herald