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Written on: November 8th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
No. I have no idea what Bruce Springsteen is reading (although it’s interesting to speculate what’s on Michael Scott reading list- any ideas?), but I did notice for the first time a recurring feature in the New York Times business section profiling various corporate head honchos, which includes in many cases a mention of what they most recently have been reading. This week’s entry, for instance, was for Mark Dunkerly, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, who listed Alexander Massie’s Peter the Great.
We should probably let better analysts than I consider whether or not a prolonged exposure to the reformist Czar’s story will lead to any similarly ruthless acquisitions and expansions in the airline business, but if so, it will be an interesting example of the continuing salience and significance of historical examples, and how business intelligence is more than just a close reading of 10-Ks.
Other entries in the same occasional series featured Valencia Adams (enter library card number and ID to read the article through your library’s Newspaper Source database), BellSouth’s Chief Diversity Officer, who was reading Millionaire Women Next Door
Written on: November 7th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
Burned on the water… For her own person,
It beggared all description: she did lie
In her pavilion, cloth-of-gold of tissue,
O’erpicturing that Venus where we see
The fancy outwork nature. On each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With divers-coloured fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool,
And what they undid did.”
So goes Enobarbus’ deathless description of the first time he and Antony laid eyes on Egypt’s queen, from Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. This enigmatic and wily monarch has remained a perpetual subject of fascination for writers and biographers from before Shakespeare to the present day. This week’s New York Times includes a review of Stacy Schiff’s new biography, Cleopatra: A Life.
Schiff’s self-professed aim was to “restore context”, and while many 20th Century biographers have already buried the classical writers’ propoganda which portrayed her as little more than a shameless seductress, Schiff also emphasizes her prodigious political savvy and intellectual prowess, while not denying that sex and sexuality were one among the many tools that she wielded in the pursuit of personal power and Egyptian independence from Rome. Schiff also makes the case, as Shakespeare’s words make plain, that Cleopatra’s effortless skill in using the power of spectacle to inspire her subjects and to dazzle potential allies, was a vital part of her strategy in dealing with both domestic and imperial politics.
If you can’t wait that long, there are dozens of other books and videos on the same subject available from your Delaware libraries, varying in emphasis from romantic to academic, and for readers of all ages.
After reading one of more of these, you might be inspired to plan a final visit to Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, where the National Geographic exhibition Cleopatra: the Search for the Last Queen of Egypt is heading into its final weeks.
Written on: November 4th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
The Government Post Office recently released the Naval War College’s Armed Groups: Studies in National Security, Counterterrorism, and Counterinsurgency, an authoritative academic study that groups traditional terrorist organizations in a spectrum with militias, crime cartels, and other organizations. You can read most it on google books:
Back in June, we published a terrorism bibliography culled from other government and military-sourced recommendations. You can see that article here.
Written on: November 3rd, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
Where will you be when the last newspaper goes to press? According to this futurist, that day isn’t all that far off in the U.S. and parts of Europe.
You can view the full Newspaper Extinction Timeline along with some notes on the methodology, or find out more at Ross Dawson’s blog
Maybe as a last gasp, more and more newspapers are moving away from making their content available for free online- the advertising revenue hasn’t been making ends meet for a long time. From the Times of London to the Worcester Mass. Telegraph, “paywalls” are becoming more and more common. The New York Times will be implementing a modified paywall access model early in 2011.
Clearly, publishers are hoping that a combination of micropayment options and the sale of mobile apps will prove to be a viable business model- but all of these models take the news further away from print delivery. This seems like a good time to remind you one more time that as part of your library privileges, access to all kinds of daily newspapers is included at no cost to you- whatever the publishers decide to do in the short-term. You can still access articles from the Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and thousands of other titles via library subscription databases such as Newspaper Source. Click here for access to our news and magazine databases, or bookmark our mobile-friendly database format at this link (enter library card number and PIN for access.)
Written on: November 2nd, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
That’s National Novel Writing Month, by the way, not the newest indie-rock sensation or social media platform. NaNoWriMo provides support, ideas, motivation, tips, and a wonderfully organized way to promote writing and literacy (through the Office of Letters and Light, out of San Francisco) for teens and adults.
Guest writers, such as Neil Gaiman, give pep talks to keep the momentum up. Participants plug along and come up with a (often rough) 50,000 novel by the end of November. Those who complete the 50,000 word limit are also given a certificate and an opportunity to have professional editing, all for free (of course, donations are accepted).
This year, NaNoWriMo is promoting library use. Next April, they’ll be promoting a screenwriting event- Script Frenzy, and every year there is an emphasis on involving young adult writers.
Get your pencils sharpened! Or alternatively, you could write your book using Google docs- click here for an example
Written on: November 1st, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
As ever, this week’s Sunday book reviews showcased a number of fascinating-looking titles, available from your local public library:
Written on: October 28th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
A coalition of Delaware non-profit organizations involved in arts and cultural activities throughout the state recently produced this non-partisan guide for voters, which outlines candidate’s views on the arts in educations and the Delaware economy:
Written on: October 20th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
The Delaware Heritage Commission, a sister agency of the Division of Libraries, will be holding its annual Delaware Authors Day on Saturday November 6th at the Agricultural Museum in Dover. It’s a free event running between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
If you’re a Delaware author interested in participating in the event, it’s not too late to sign up. Check the Heritage Commission website for more details. This year, in anticipation of the forthcoming observance of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, there will be speakers whose specialty is the Civil War, and they will kick off Delaware’s official schedule of events observing the anniversary.
The works of some of the featured authors are also available from your local library- aviation historian Jan Churchill, Terri Clifton, Rehoboth humorist Fay Jacobs, and Bradley Skelcher are among the many attendees who have books available in the collections of various libraries.
If you can’t wait until November, Oak Knoll Books is having its very own mini- local authors day on Oct. 23rd. Click here for more info.
Written on: October 14th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
Every year for more than half a century, the National Book Foundation brings together writers to select the best of American writing in various categories. The 2010 nominees were announced recently and as usual, are some of the most incredible, provocative, challenging and thought provoking works in the world. Most titles are available from your Delaware public library- click on the title below to connect to the listings in the online catalog to find out more, read reviews, and find a copy in your local library (or have one sent to you from anywhere in the state)
Awards in Fiction
Non-Fiction
You can see the full list, including the poetry and Young Adult categories, at this link
Written on: October 13th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
On Tuesday Oct. 12th, A candlelight vigil for the victims of homophobic bullying was held at the Wilmington riverfront. Hundreds of people gathered to remember teenagers who ended their lives because of others’ intolerance of their perceived sexuality. Among the speakers were New Castle County Executive Chris Coons, Sussex County Recorder of Deeds John Brady, and a number of clergy, activists, and allies. Governor Markell’s representative read a letter from the Governor- you can read Governor Markell’s letter here.
A previous blog post suggested a number of anti-bullying library resources and state programs. In the aftermath of the Tyler Clemente tragedy there has been a renewed focus on the impact of bullying on gay teens. SafeSchools.org produced this factsheet on the issue (opens in a new window), as did the advocacy group Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). You can view the GLSEN resource page at this link. Carrie Gilman’s 5 Steps to Safer Schools is available from the Delaware Library Catalog’s ERIC educational database- click here to read the article (enter your library card number and PIN for access)
Titles added to the Delaware Library Catalog on the subject- many of which include a renewed emphasis on cyber-bullying and bullying based on gender or sexual difference- since the original list was created include:
UPDATE: In response to these recent incidents database publisher Rosen has made its Teen Health and Wellness database available for free until November 15th. This resource includes great resources on this topic as well as many others. For access information, click here for the recent Library Journal bulletin.
Finally, it’s crucial to remind the victims of anti-gay bias: for most, it does get better: Video Testimonials on YouTube
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