Oh how I love Mr. Bean…….the Thanksgiving turkey on this head routine gets me everytime. Of course he would have adventures in the local library…..
June 2009
Monthly Archive
June 30, 2009
June 15, 2009
Library flavoured Ben and Jerry’s ice cream
Posted by spotwin under Uncategorized | Tags: Librarian, Library |Leave a Comment
As I prepare for our trip home to Vermont, ironically, a Facebook page came to my attention. “People for a library-themed Ben & Jerry’s flavor!” Obviously, the more people who join will be of help to the cause…. lobbying our favorite Vermont ice cream manufacturer to create a new flavor. Speaking as a loyal Cherry Garcia gal( I adore the sherbet version), I am intrigued to entertain the notion of a library themed ice cream. After living in St. Alban’s, Vermont, home to the 600 co-op dairy farmers who supply B and J with hormone free milk, I feel a loyalty to this company. Libraries and ice cream….does it get any better than that?
The Logic :
(1) Libraries are awesome;
(2) Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream is tasty; therefore:
(3) A library-themed Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream would be tasty awesome.
Here are some of the current suggestions of names & their recommended accompanying flavors:
Gooey Decimal System= Marshmallow, fudge bits shaped like books, and Gummi Worms (book worms!) in a nice light vanilla. -
Sh-sh-sh-Sherbet! = Key Lime or a Chocolate/Vanilla combination
Cookie Bookie = a combination of cookie bits!
Dusty Stacks = layered ice cream with speckles of cocoa in every layer.
Li-Berry Pie= Lime sherbet mixed with raspberry sauce and pie crust crumbles (cinnamon sugar, butter, piecrust).
Liberry I Scream = strawberry/blueberry sherbet and vanilla ice cream.
Overdue Fine as Fudge Chunk = Hunks of rich fudge brownies in creamy milk chocolate drizzled throughout with golden caramel and sprinkled with mini white chocolate coins.
Rocky Read = vanilla with choc covered nuts choc chunks and raisins.
In the Stacks = butter pecan with fudge swirl
Reference Ripple = anything with PB -
Marian the Librarian Rasberryan= Rasberry and Chocolate with chunks of fudge
Libguide Licorice- Drupal Poopal Fudge
Ranganathan’s Raspberry Rules! = Raspberry and chocolate chips
Free and Open to All = a rainbow of flavors with all kinds of chips-butterscotch, peanut butter, chocolate
Got another suggestion? Contact wawoodworth via Twitter. Keep our Vermont dairy farming friends in demand. Join the cause, won’t you?
As referenced on Facebook. Thank you Andy Woodworth.
June 13, 2009
Do you kindle?
Posted by spotwin under Uncategorized | Tags: Book, books, technology |Leave a Comment
Since the release of Jeff Bezo’s release of the Kindle, and most recently the Kindle 2, I have been wondering the benefits of e-books v.s. a traditional book. What is the advantage of this new electronic medium? Is it better? Worse? Is there really a difference? How can an electronic device allow us to ‘read’ a text (book, newspaper, magazine etc) with the same enjoyment of our traditional paper medium? Internally, I debate its application in the library world. and its ability to promote literacy.
After completing a bit of research, much of it on line……..yes an electronic source….I have whittled my research down to one insightful source. Allan Mott , in Paper vs Plastic? The Books vs Kindle Showdown, has drawn a clear comparison in several varying scenarios. Please remember that each situation is measuring a combined library of 200 traditional books vs. 200 books loaded on a Kindle; as that is the manufacturer’s recommended maximum Kindle capacity.
| Traditional Book | Kindle (e-book) | |
| SITUATION #1If you are moving into an apartment on the top floor of a 5 floor building without an elevator, you consider the effort required to carry your entire library of 200 books up a flight of stairs. Traditional books would require possibly 4 or 5 heavy cardboard boxes. Thus 4 or 5 trips from the sidewalk to your apartment on the fifth floor. Comparatively Your Kindle can hold up to 200 e-books, thus one non strenuous trip. | WINNER | |
| SITUATION #2In the quest to enlighten our children, censors, over religious fanatics who do not agree with the masses reading anything enlightening wish to resort to a symbolic public immolation of texts that contain dangerous free thinking thoughts. 200 traditional books can provide a drastic visual for the news cameras that have bothered to show up to report the act of banning freedom of speech. Burn baby burn. Kindles, however, are much difficult to ignite and produce an unpleasant toxic odor. | WINNER | |
| SITUATION #3 Many of us who enjoy a freshly made caffeinated frothy mocha chino at a local Seattle based coffee shoppe franchise (no corporate endorsement here) also enoy kicking back reading our thrilling novel with that coffee drink. Traditional book readers will have their book jackets exposed, thus instigating discussion as to what is happening on any given chapter. In-depth discussions are most likely to ensue. Kindle readers will be able to keep their reading selection a secret and enjoy without pesky neighboring coffee drinkers reading over your shoulder. |
WINNER | |
| SITUATION #5You are barricaded in a safe house. Zombies and strange aliens have broken through the barricades. Traditional ammunition is having little affect as you attempt to defend yourself. Your Kevlar vest and tinfoil helmet allow you enough flexibility to throw items at the advancing intruders. A collection of 200 traditional books will allow you to defend yourself for an additional 3 minutes. With luck, your pitching arm will allow you to propel a traditional book off of the zombie in question. Armed with one sole Kindle and you have only one chance to defend yourself. Five seconds at best. | WINNER | |
| SITUATION #6 During a recent rainy Saturday, your child makes a loud proclamation “Reading is soooo boring!” A collection of 200 traditional books is not viewed as exciting, say, compared to the latest Playstation game in the living room. Kindles, however, can be passed off as a text enriched adventure video game. Hence, your child is flexing their literacy muscle without being full aware that you have tricked them into reading. |
WINNER | |
| SITUATION #7 You are the chief investigator for the FBI and are about to begin questioning the leader of a world terrorist group. The White House has given you permission to question the prisoner, though not to torture in an inhuman fashion. You know what hurts more than a paper cut? A thousand paper cuts. World terrorism secrets will spill once a traditional book is produced in the interrogation room. Jack Bauer, take note. Kindles cannot cause a paper cut, and thus are not considered a tool of mass destruction. |
WINNER | |
| SITUATION #8 Grandma’s antique china cabinet keeps shaking every time you walk past it. Surely one of your 200 traditional books is just the right thickness to wedge under the uneven cabinet leg. Kindles are thin, though the Kindle 2 is even thinner…what are the chances that the Kindle device will fit? |
WINNER | |
| SITUATION #9 The latest Twilight, Happy Potter, Ranger’s Apprentice, Percy Jackson (insert your choice of popular novel franchise here) is about to be released at midnight. To purchase a traditional book, you must wait in a line with 500 other frenzied local fans in the book shoppe. Kindle users can down load the text within seconds, from the comfort of their home , or local coffee shoppe franchise, and often at a lower cost than the traditional book’s sticker price. |
WINNER |
In conclusion, at 5-3 in favor of owning traditional books has the upper hand over a Kindle reader device, much of the debate is based upon your own personal taste and situation. Many friends and colleagues who travel frequently swear by their Kindle device. As the cruise ship goes down, they will be searching for an available life boat, I know they will have their Kindle in hand. Some of us prefer the immediately gratifying crack of a traditional books as it is opened for the first time, the smooth pages under our finger tips, the weight of it in our hands. On a personal note, while see my I Phone’s Kindle app as a fun application to play with on a long car trip, I will admit to succumbing to the pleasure of a book in my hands, the cream coloured pages revealing a text which engages my imagination. I prefer a traditional book, at this time. However, to best enjoy the literate world, it is up to each individual to select the device which works best for them, regardless of the situation they are in. Zombies not withstanding…..
As referenced from http://www.bookgasm.com/features/books-vs-kindle/
Thank you, Allan Mott.
June 12, 2009
Remembering Ed Lathem
Posted by spotwin under Uncategorized | Tags: Book, Librarian, Library |Leave a Comment
A long-time literary figure at Dartmouth has died.
Edward Connery Lathem, librarian, editor, and for nearly sixty years an administrative officer, died unexpectedly on Friday, May 15, 2009 , while still at his desk at Dartmouth College, where he had worked in various capacities since 1952. Born in Littleton, New Hampshire on December 15, 1926. He was 82 years of age. As anybody who knew him realized, this was a remarkable man.
Ed was a close friend of Robert Frost. Indeed, when Ed married in 1957, Frost served as his best man.
He met the poet while an undergraduate at Dartmouth, and Frost quickly adopted him as one of his so-called “boys” – that was the term Frost used for the young men who became his protégées.
But Ed Lathem was more than this, over time. Indeed, he published a formidable edition of the complete poems of Robert Frost in 1969 – a book that’s familiar to a generation or more of grateful readers.
In all, Ed Lathem published some thirty books, and he wrote many articles, including several about his closest friend and college roommate, Theodore Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss.
And yet this only begins to explain Ed Lathem.
One hears this said about various people, but it was true of Ed Lathem: he was a gentleman of the old school. He wore a suit every day, with a white shirt and – always – a white tie. That tie was a kind of signature. He had a soft voice and quiet laugh, and his eyes sparkled as brightly as his conversation. He was full of good stories.
In 1952, he was England with Frost. The poet was to receive honorary degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge, and a special dinner was held for him in London. It was hosted by T.S. Eliot, about whom Frost had rarely had anything good to say. Ed had perfect recall for such anecdotes, and he told me how Frost had squirmed in his seat at Eliot heaped praise on him, calling him the most important American poet of his era. From that day on, Frost cooled it when talking about Eliot. No more derogation.
He was a figure who inspired many with his integrity and sense of life, his high spirits, his innate generosity.
Like many, Ed Lathem will be missed. His death marks the passing of an era. He was a fine man, a brilliant editor, a clear-eyed companion, and the last of a rare breed.
As found on http://www.vpr.net/episode/46144/
Thank you Vermont Public Radio, and Peter Gilbert, of the Vermont Humanties Council.
June 11, 2009
Tina Fey, Elmo…. Book-aneers
Posted by spotwin under Uncategorized | Tags: Book, children's literature |Leave a Comment
Thank you Tina Fey. Thank you for helping the cause.
June 10, 2009
In preparation for my trip to Chicago to study architecture, I find myself reading up on the Art Institute of Chicago, located a few blocks away from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. I am eager to visit the A Sunday afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884) by George Seurat. This has me thinking about my first love: art history. After some reseach, I found an image that I enjoyed while at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
- Girl Reading at Table. 1934 Pablo Picasso Oil and enamel on canvas; H. 63-7/8, W. 51-3/8 in. (162.2 x 130.5 cm)
Pablo Picasso was born in 1881 in Malaga, Spain, and grew up in Barcelona, where he associated with a large group of artists and writers that gathered at Els Quatre Gats café. In 1904 Picasso settled in Paris and became friendly with artist Georges Braque, with whom he developed Cubism, and writers Max Jacob and Guillaume Apollinaire. Picasso’s painting style changed many times throughout his career, and he produced a range of images from classical figures to radical abstractions. He exhibited widely and is considered one of the most important and influential figures in twentieth-century art. Besides being a prolific painter and draftsman, Picasso was also an accomplished sculptor and printmaker and produced ceramics and theatrical designs. He died in Mougins, France, in 1973.
In 1927, when he was forty-five, Picasso met Marie-Thérèse Walter. In this painting of Marie-Thérèse, the time is night and the scene is intimate: she sits reading at a table in a room illuminated by only a small lamp. One hand gently holds open the pages of her book while the other touches her garland-crowned head with fingers that resemble feathers. The space of the room is compressed, but the resulting distortions are never severe. Sinuous rhythms absorb the straight linear accents of the table, and the exaggerated height of both table and plant emphasizes the young woman’s childlike appearance. Her pale blond hair and blue-white skin make her look especially ethereal within this dark and deeply colored interior.
Bequest of Florene M. Schoenborn, in honor of William S. Lieberman, 1995
June 5, 2009
Traveling around America this summer? Open up some of these great books….
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Are you traveling around America this summer? Planning on getting on a plane to see Grandma in another state? A road trip to Disney World? Why not read up a bit on the state you will be visiting to better understand the world around you? Inserted below is a list of picture books from our library collection which are set in a variety of states. Our Grade two children , as part of their social studies lessons, invite their parent in to read one of these books.
Alabama Y is for Yellowhammer: An Alabama Alphabet
Going North . Harrington, Janice N
Alaska L is for Last Frontier: An Alaska Alphabet
Alaska’s three bears Gill, Shelley
Arizona G is for Grand Canyon: An Arizona Alphabet
Butterfly dance. Dawavendewa, Gerald
Cactus Hotel. Guiberson, Brenda
Arkansas N is for Natural State: An Arkansas Alphabet
California G is for Golden: A California Alphabet
Our Community Garden. Pollak, Barbara.
Colorado C is for Centennial: A Colorado Alphabet
Goodnight Denver. Brouse, S.
Connecticut N is for Nutmeg: A Connecticut Alphabet
Blueberries for the Queen. Paterson, John
Delaware F is for First State: A Delaware Alphabet
Florida S is for Sunshine: A Florida Alphabet
Georgia P is for peach: a Georgia Alphabet. Carol Crane
Pink and Say. Polacco, Patricia
Hawaii A is for Aloha: A Hawaii Alphabet
Dumpling Soup. Rattigan, Jama Kim
Gift of the Aloha. McBarnet
Idaho P is for Potato: An Idaho Alphabet
Fire Storm. George, J.
Illinois L is for Lincoln: An Illinois Alphabet
Indiana H is for Hoosier: An Indiana Alphabet
A goose names Gilligan. Hay, Jerry
IowaH is for Hawkeye: An Iowa Alphabet
Kansas S is for Sunflower: A Kansas Alphabet
Cabin in the snow. Hopkinson ,
Kentucky B is for Bluegrass: A Kentucky Alphabet
Louisiana P is for Pelican: A Louisiana Alphabet
Keeper of the swamp. Garrett, A
Maine L is for Lobster: A Maine Alphabet
Johnny Appleseed. Kellogg, Steven
The late loon. Bennett, Dean S
Blueberries for Sal. McCloskey, Robert
MarylandB is for Blue Crab: A Maryland Alphabet Menendez, Shirley
Massachusetts M is for Mayflower: A Massachusetts Alphabet
You can’t take a balloon into the Museum of Fine Arts. Weitzman, Jacqueline Preiss
A big cheese for the White House. Fleming, C
M is for Mayflower. Raven, Margot Theis
Michigan M is for Mitten: The Michigan Alphabet
Christmas tree farm. Purmell, Ann.
A hero named Howe. Leonetti
Minnesota V is for Viking: A Minnesota Alphabet
Mississippi M is for Magnolia: A Mississippi Alphabet
I dream of trains. Johnson
Missouri S is for Show Me: A Missouri Alphabet
Montana B is for Big Sky Country: A Montana Alphabet
Once we had a horse. Rounds, G.
Nebraska C is for Cornhusker: A Nebraska Alphabet
Going North . Harrington, Janice N
Nevada S is for Silver: A Nevada Alphabet
Ride like the wind. Fuchs, B ,
New Hampshire G is for Granite: A New Hampshire Alphabet
New Jersey G is for Garden State: A New Jersey Alphabet
New Mexico E is for Enchantment: A New Mexico State Alphabet
New York E is for Empire: A New York State Alphabet
Tar Beach. Ringgold, Faith
September Roses. Winter, Jeanette.
You can’t take a balloon to the Metropolitan Museum. Weitzman, Jacqueline Preiss.
Milly and Macy’s parade. Corey, Shana.
Little chapel that stood. Curtiss, A. B
City of Snow. High, Linda Oatman
Adventures of Maxi The Taxi Dog. Barracca, Debra
New York’s bravest. Osborne, Mary Pope
The Man who walked between the towers. Gerstein, Mordicai
North Carolina T is for Tar Heel: A North Carolina Alphabet. Crane, Carol
Silver Packages. Rylant, Cynthia.
Year of the perfect Christmas tree. Houston, Gloria
NASCAR ABCs. Jacobs
North Dakota P is for Peace Garden: A North Dakota Alphabet
Dakota dugout. Turner, A
OhioB is for Buckeye: An Ohio Alphabet. . Schonberg, Marcia
Johnny Appleseed. Kellogg, Steven
Lentil. McCloskey, Robert
Oklahoma S is for Sooner: An Oklahoma Alphabet
Grady’s in the silo. Townsend
Oregon B is for Beaver: An Oregon Alphabet
Pennsylvania K is for Keystone: A Pennsylvania Alphabet
Substitute Ground Hog. Miller, Pay
What’s the big idea , Ben Franklin. Fritz, Jean
Rhode IslandR is for Rhode Island Red: A Rhode Island Alphabet. Allio, Mark
South Carolina P is for Palmetto: A South Carolina Alphabet
South Dakota M is for Mount Rushmore: A South Dakota Alphabet
A dinosaur named Sue. Relf, Patricia
Tennessee V is for Volunteer: A Tennessee Alphabet
Texas L is for Lone Star: A Texas Alphabet
Armadillo from Amarillo. Cherry, Lynne
Armadillo rodeo. Brett, Jan
Bluebonnet at the Texas …. Casad, M
Utah A is for Arches. Hall, Becky.
Vermont M is for Maple Syrup: A Vermont Alphabet
Snowflake Bentley. Martin, Jacqueline Briggs
At Grandpa’s Sugar Bush. Carney, Margaret
Waiting for the evening star. Wells, Rosemary
Virginia O is for Old Dominion: A Virginia Alphabet
Washington E is for Evergreen: A Washington Alphabet
A day at the market. Anderson, Sara
Salt and Pepper at Pike’s Place Market. Losi, Carol
Washington DC N Is For Our Nation’s Capital: A Washington DC Alphabet
Capital. Melmed, Laura Krauss.
The Wall. Bunting, Eve
House mouse, senate mouse. Barnes,
West Virginia M is for Mountain State: A West Virginia Alphabet
John Denver’s take me home. Canyon
Wisconsin B is for Badger: A Wisconsin Alphabet
Wyoming C is for Cowboy: A Wyoming Alphabet. Gaglaiano, Eugene
