Historic Albany Foundation (HAF) has some interesting events coming up this fall:
Tiptoe through the gardens of the Mansion Neighborhood on their House & Garden Tour, Sunday 7, 2008. Join us noon-5pm, rain or shine, for a tour of stunning mid-1800’s architecture, classic interiors and imaginative gardens. Tickets are available at several places including here at the HAF offices (check the list of sellers on our website http://historic-albany.org/mansion.html). Or purchase tickets the day of the tour at Bleecker Park, corner of Madison Avenue and Eagle Street. Pre-sale tickets are $17, day of are $20. For more information call 465-0876 x10.
Thanks to Thisbe Nissen of Woodstock and her mention of HAF’s Architectural Parts Warehouse in her article documenting the restoration of her historic home, HAF is in this month's issue of Preservation magazine. Preservation magazine is the bi-monthly publication of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Check out the article online here: http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/september-october/place-nissen-house.html.
St. Joseph’s Church in the Ten Broeck neighborhood will host another fabulous concert with ARIA (formerly Albany Ensemble) on September 28, 2008 at 4pm with special guests, national renowned pianist Lincoln Mayorga and singer/songwriter Sheri Mayorga. The Festival of American Music will highlight the works of two prominent American composers: George Gershwin and Scott Joplin. With Lincoln Mayorga at the piano, Gershwin’s renowned Rhapsody In Blue will be the featured presentation. ARIA artists will present selections from Scott Joplin’s ragtime opera Treemonisha and other classic, jazz and folk works from great American composers. Sheri Mayorga will present her original music and American folk tunes. Tickets are $30 at the door. For more information contact 465-0876 x10 or 432-0849 or email info@allegrorep.com
St. Joseph’s is a busy busy place these days. HAF will be hosting the 2008 Summer In The City Youth Talent Exhibition as part of 1st Friday on October 3, 2008. The Summer In The City Exhibition will celebrate the accomplishments of young people in Arbor Hill, showcasing performing arts, multimedia, poetry, cultural and political knowledge projects and more created during the summer of 2008. The Summer in the City program was founded in 2004 by the College of Saint Rose American Studies Program to help inform Arbor Hill families about summer programs for youth with an emphasis on cultural and educational activities. For more information contact HAF at 465-0876 x10.
HAF is so close to finishing the $300,000 matching grant from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. If everyone who’s helped HAF with St. Joseph’s gave only $38 dollars HAF would be all set. So please check out HAF's website and send your check today! http://historic-albany.org/stjoes-donate.html
If you would like to see preservation in action in a possibly precedent-setting case here in Albany then go to the Court of Appeals on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 3:30 pm to hear the case of St. Brigid’s vs. the Archdiocese of New York. The Committee to Save St. Brigid’s was able to get a court injunction in 2006 to stop the demolition of the historic Irish Famine Church designed by Patrick Keely. Patrick Keely is the architect of Albany's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph’s Church. It is thought that St. Brigid’s is the oldest Keely church still standing of the 600 or so he designed. To get more information visit www.savestbrigid.com. The Committee to Save St. Brigid’s would love to see the courtroom packed so head on down and support historic preservation. Look out for HAF Executive Director, Susan Holland. She’ll be there!
Take an architectural trip with the Turpin Bannister Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, September 20-21, 2008 with a bus trip to Newport, Rhode Island. Newport is lousy with beautiful architecture, particularly the grand estates of the gilded age built in the second half of the 19th Century. The cost of the trip is only $280.50, per person, sharing a double room; a single supplement of $35 will be added for a single. Contact Ned Pratt with questions or reservation at 432-0220 or nedprat66@aol.com HURRY RESERVATIONS NEED TO BE MADE BY AUGUST 29TH. SO CALL NOW!
2009 is a major year for Albanians. Not only is it the 400th anniversary of that fateful landing of Henry Hudson, but it is the 35th anniversary HAF. Not so long ago hundreds of buildings were demolished for the South Mall (Empire State Plaza for the young’uns). With more demolitions slated for the Hudson/Park and Center Square neighborhood, a group of residents organized to save the buildings and so was the birth of Historic Albany Foundation.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Might we suggest your neighborhood pool?
Don't forget, the library will be closed this Saturday, Sunday and Monday in honor of the Labor Day holiday.
The Albany Public Library Board of Trustees has moved its next meeting from Monday, September 8th to Wednesday September 10th. It's still slated for 5:30PM on the third floor of the Main Library and, as always, is open to the public.
The Albany Public Library Board of Trustees has moved its next meeting from Monday, September 8th to Wednesday September 10th. It's still slated for 5:30PM on the third floor of the Main Library and, as always, is open to the public.
"Impressionist Giverny" Free on 1st Friday
SEPTEMBER 1st FRIDAY
Friday, September 5
5:00-8:00 pm
Admission: FREE
During the September 1st Friday Program the Albany Institute of History & Art will offer free admission to all participants, including the new exhibition IMPRESSIONIST GIVERNY: American Painters in France, 1885-1915; Selections from the Terra Foundation.
IMPRESSIONIST GIVERNY
IMPRESSIONIST GIVERNY will feature more than 50 oil paintings of Impressionist masterworks by American artists who worked in the small French village of Giverny, the home of Impressionist master Claude Monet, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tracing the chronological, stylistic and thematic evolution of art produced by Americans in Giverny, the exhibit includes work by artists such as John Leslie Breck, Frederick MacMonnies, Theodore Robinson, Willard Leroy Metcalf, Lilla Cabbot Perry, Frederick Carl Frieseke, Dawson Dawson-Watson.
Museum Shop
AIHA members will receive a 10 percent discount on select items in the Museum Shop, which features a wide variety of merchandise of local and regional interest, including books, jewelry, calendars, traditional blue-and-white delft, Tiffany-style lamps, polish boxes, scarves, greeting cards, and more.
Impressionist's Garden Shop
For IMPRESSIONIST GIVERNY, the Museum Shop has expanded to include a special Impressionist's Garden Shop, featuring a wide variety of Impressionism-inspired merchandise,and the lavishly illustrated catalog, Impressionist Giverny: A Colony of Artists, 1885-1915. See the article below for details about the Impressionist's Garden Shop. AIHA members will receive a 10 percent discount.
| IMPRESSIONIST'S GARDEN SHOP | |
| Experience a 19th-century French garden! During the IMPRESSIONIST GIVERNY exhibit at the Albany Institute, visitors to the Museum Shop will discover that the Rice Gallery adjacent to the shop has been transformed into a 19th-century French garden in which shoppers can select from a wide variety of Impressionism-inspired merchandise. The Impressionist's Garden Shop will feature dried flower arrangements by Barbara Jefts of Native Farm Flowers. Also featured will be colorful and impressionistic jewelry by Leni Singerman and Charlotte King, as well as decoupage trays and flower pots by Maggie Correia. The shop will also have a wonderful selection of children's books and coloring books, as well as adult art books, cards, magnets, puzzles, matted prints, ornaments, and art supplies. Also on sale in the shop is the lavishly illustrated catalog, Impressionist Giverny: A Colony of Artists, 1885-1915. The catalog expands the context of Impressionism to include not only American artists, but also European painters who worked in Giverny. Edited by Katherine M. Bourguignon, associate curator at the Musée d'Art Américain Giverny/Terra Foundation for American Art, this scholarly work traces the theoretical context of artists' colonies; the technical and visual characteristics of Impressionism as practiced by Giverny artists; and the colonists' relationship to Claude Monet. The full-color, 224-page book sells for $49.95 plus sales tax; AIHA members' price, $44.95, plus sales tax. For more information on the Impressionist's Garden Shop, please call (518) 463-4478, ext. 459. | |
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Albany library needs volunteers for vacant board seat
From the Times Union, By TIM O'BRIEN, Staff writer, Tuesday, August 26, 2008.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
September is National Preparedness Month
I received an e-mail from the CPM Industry Insider that had a link to the article Survey: American Small Businesses Not Prepared For Power Outages. Probably not coincidentally, on the very same day, SBA sent out a press release about September being National Preparedness Month, from which I will quote extensively:
Homeowners, Renters and Businesses Are Encouraged to Plan Before Disaster Strikes
WASHINGTON – Recent floods in the Midwest and hurricanes/tropical storms in Texas and Florida have cost homeowners, renters and businesses millions of dollars in damages. These events serve as reminders to the public to have a disaster preparedness plan in place.
National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is designed to enhance the public’s awareness of the necessity of having an emergency plan in place to respond to a natural or man-made disaster. The U.S. Small Business Administration is one of the many government and private sector coalition partners participating in this fifth annual National Preparedness Month.
"There’s a tendency – and it’s human nature – to think that a large-scale disaster is not going to happen where you live," said SBA Acting Administrator Sandy K. Baruah. "Accepting the inevitability of an emergency, and then taking responsibility for your own recovery are the necessary first steps toward protecting your family, your assets, and your community."
To prepare for disasters, SBA offers the following tips:
• Develop a solid emergency response plan. Find evacuation routes from the home or business and establish meeting places. Make sure everyone understands the plan beforehand. Keep emergency phone numbers handy.
Business owners should designate a contact person to communicate with other employees, customers and vendors. Individuals and business owners should ask an out-of-state friend, colleague or family member to be a “post-disaster”
point of contact, supporting the flow of information about short-term relocations, recovery, additional sources of assistance, etc.
• Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Disaster preparedness begins with having adequate insurance coverage – at least enough to rebuild your home or business. Homeowners and business owners should review their policies to see what is or isn’t covered. Businesses should consider “business interruption insurance,” which helps cover operating costs during the post- disaster shutdown period. Flood insurance is essential. To find out more about the National Flood Insurance Program, visit the Web site at www.floodsmart.gov.
• Copy important records. It’s a good idea to back up vital records and information saved on computer hard drives, and store that information at a distant offsite location. Computer data should be backed up routinely. Copies of important documents and CDs should be stored in fire-proof safe deposit boxes.
• Create a "Disaster Survival Kit." The kit should include a flashlight, a portable radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, non-perishable packaged and canned food, bottled water, a basic tool kit, plastic bags, cash, and a digital camera to take pictures of the property damage after the storm.
More preparedness tips for businesses, homeowners and renters are available on the SBA’s Web site.
The Institute for Business and Home Safety also has information on protecting your home or business. To learn more about developing an emergency plan, visit the DHS’s Ready Campaign Web site at www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to receive free materials.
The SBA makes low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and non-farm businesses of all sizes. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate. Individuals may borrow up to $40,000 to cover losses to personal property.
Non-farm businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged business assets and real property. Small businesses that suffered economic losses as a direct result of the declared disaster may apply for a working capital loan up to $2 million, even if the property was not physically damaged.
Homeowners, Renters and Businesses Are Encouraged to Plan Before Disaster Strikes
WASHINGTON – Recent floods in the Midwest and hurricanes/tropical storms in Texas and Florida have cost homeowners, renters and businesses millions of dollars in damages. These events serve as reminders to the public to have a disaster preparedness plan in place.
National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is designed to enhance the public’s awareness of the necessity of having an emergency plan in place to respond to a natural or man-made disaster. The U.S. Small Business Administration is one of the many government and private sector coalition partners participating in this fifth annual National Preparedness Month.
"There’s a tendency – and it’s human nature – to think that a large-scale disaster is not going to happen where you live," said SBA Acting Administrator Sandy K. Baruah. "Accepting the inevitability of an emergency, and then taking responsibility for your own recovery are the necessary first steps toward protecting your family, your assets, and your community."
To prepare for disasters, SBA offers the following tips:
• Develop a solid emergency response plan. Find evacuation routes from the home or business and establish meeting places. Make sure everyone understands the plan beforehand. Keep emergency phone numbers handy.
Business owners should designate a contact person to communicate with other employees, customers and vendors. Individuals and business owners should ask an out-of-state friend, colleague or family member to be a “post-disaster”
point of contact, supporting the flow of information about short-term relocations, recovery, additional sources of assistance, etc.
• Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Disaster preparedness begins with having adequate insurance coverage – at least enough to rebuild your home or business. Homeowners and business owners should review their policies to see what is or isn’t covered. Businesses should consider “business interruption insurance,” which helps cover operating costs during the post- disaster shutdown period. Flood insurance is essential. To find out more about the National Flood Insurance Program, visit the Web site at www.floodsmart.gov.
• Copy important records. It’s a good idea to back up vital records and information saved on computer hard drives, and store that information at a distant offsite location. Computer data should be backed up routinely. Copies of important documents and CDs should be stored in fire-proof safe deposit boxes.
• Create a "Disaster Survival Kit." The kit should include a flashlight, a portable radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, non-perishable packaged and canned food, bottled water, a basic tool kit, plastic bags, cash, and a digital camera to take pictures of the property damage after the storm.
More preparedness tips for businesses, homeowners and renters are available on the SBA’s Web site.
The Institute for Business and Home Safety also has information on protecting your home or business. To learn more about developing an emergency plan, visit the DHS’s Ready Campaign Web site at www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to receive free materials.
The SBA makes low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and non-farm businesses of all sizes. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate. Individuals may borrow up to $40,000 to cover losses to personal property.
Non-farm businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged business assets and real property. Small businesses that suffered economic losses as a direct result of the declared disaster may apply for a working capital loan up to $2 million, even if the property was not physically damaged.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Barbara Smith reviews The Intuitionist!
Drop by Tuesday the 26th at 12:15PM for the Friend's Noon-Time Program at the Main Library for what promises to be a lively discussion.
Barbara Smith, 4th Ward Common Council Person reviews The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead. This marvelously inventive, genre-bending, noir-inflected novel, set in the curious world of elevator inspection, portrays a parallel universe, where matters of morality, politics, and race reveal unexpected ironies.
Barbara Smith, 4th Ward Common Council Person reviews The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead. This marvelously inventive, genre-bending, noir-inflected novel, set in the curious world of elevator inspection, portrays a parallel universe, where matters of morality, politics, and race reveal unexpected ironies.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
I Love My Librarian Award Announced
From the announcement:
Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded the American Library Association $489,000 to support a new Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award.
Administered by the ALA’s Public Information Office and Campaign for America’s Libraries, the award will launch this year and will continue annually through 2013. The award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community.
Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded the American Library Association $489,000 to support a new Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award.
Administered by the ALA’s Public Information Office and Campaign for America’s Libraries, the award will launch this year and will continue annually through 2013. The award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community.
Monday, August 18, 2008
State budget cuts?
The state Legislature is being recalled to Albany on Tuesday by Governor Paterson for a Special Session to consider $1 billion in additional cuts to the 2008-09 State Budget to address the state's fiscal situation. Included in the proposed additional cuts is a 6% reduction in Library Aid (on top of the 2% that was imposed back in the Spring). The library community has already done its fair share in shouldering the burden of the state's fiscal situation and now it is time for others to do their part.
If you have not already done so, please contact your state legislators to urge them to reject further cuts in Library Aid. Visit www.nyla.org and click on Contact you Elected Officials button to send a letter today. Thanks for your cooperation.
If you have not already done so, please contact your state legislators to urge them to reject further cuts in Library Aid. Visit www.nyla.org and click on Contact you Elected Officials button to send a letter today. Thanks for your cooperation.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Speed matters: A report on Internet speeds in all 50 states
From Communications Workers of America.
The results of a nationwide study of Internet connection speeds in the United States reveal little progress over the previous year in the country’s median data download speed. At the present rate—with a gain of only four-tenths of one megabit per second—it will take the U.S. more than one hundred years to catch up with current Internet speeds in Japan.
The national report is based on aggregated data from nearly 230,000 Internet users who took the online Speed Matters Speed Test (www.speedmatters.org), a project of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
The Speed Test, which measures the last-mile speed of a user’s Internet connection, shows that the median real-time download speed in the U.S. is a mere 2.3 megabits per second (mbps). The best available estimates show average download speeds in Japan of 63 mbps, in South Korea of 49 mbps and in France of 17 mbps. That means the same multimedia file that takes four minutes to download in South Korea would take nearly an hour and a half to download in the U.S.
The results of a nationwide study of Internet connection speeds in the United States reveal little progress over the previous year in the country’s median data download speed. At the present rate—with a gain of only four-tenths of one megabit per second—it will take the U.S. more than one hundred years to catch up with current Internet speeds in Japan.
The national report is based on aggregated data from nearly 230,000 Internet users who took the online Speed Matters Speed Test (www.speedmatters.org), a project of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
The Speed Test, which measures the last-mile speed of a user’s Internet connection, shows that the median real-time download speed in the U.S. is a mere 2.3 megabits per second (mbps). The best available estimates show average download speeds in Japan of 63 mbps, in South Korea of 49 mbps and in France of 17 mbps. That means the same multimedia file that takes four minutes to download in South Korea would take nearly an hour and a half to download in the U.S.
The Disconnected
Who these 3.8 million people are, and why libraries need to help them
By Kathy Degyansky -- Library Journal, 7/15/2008. APL gets a mention!
By Kathy Degyansky -- Library Journal, 7/15/2008. APL gets a mention!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Albany gun-violence forum set for Tuesday, Aug. 19
Albany's Gun Violence Task Force will conduct a forum on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy at 667 Clinton Ave.
For information contact the Rev. Valerie Faust, the task force's acting chair during August at 364-8931 or e-mail her at maschil7@att.net.
For information contact the Rev. Valerie Faust, the task force's acting chair during August at 364-8931 or e-mail her at maschil7@att.net.
Trustee vacancy
Have you ever thought about serving as a Trustee of the Library? Well, now you have your chance to be appointed.
Due to the untimely passing of library trustee and Board President Jim Gallagher, there is a vacancy on the Board. The Trustees are soliciting letters of interest from residents interested in being appointed to this seat. Visit the APL website or stop into your local Albany Public Library to learn how you can become our next trustee.
If you have questions about the position or just want more information, call Interim Library Director, Tim Burke at 427-4379 or you can email him.
Due to the untimely passing of library trustee and Board President Jim Gallagher, there is a vacancy on the Board. The Trustees are soliciting letters of interest from residents interested in being appointed to this seat. Visit the APL website or stop into your local Albany Public Library to learn how you can become our next trustee.
If you have questions about the position or just want more information, call Interim Library Director, Tim Burke at 427-4379 or you can email him.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Mean Librarian Salaries Up 2% in 2008
To which one librarian quipped, "I wonder what the nice librarians got."
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Canadian dollars per litre
On a website, I saw a reference to the price of gas as 1.279. Initially, I didn't get it. Then I realized I was on a Canadian website and it was a reference to Canadian dollars per liter. So what is that in US dollars per gallon? And how do I figure it out without having to do two calculations, one for liter to gallon and another for the currency.
Google, of course. To use my example, type: 1.279 CAD per litre in USD per gallon and click "Google Search". When I did it at noon on August 11, the result was "1.27900 (Canadian dollars per litre) = 4.58349234 U.S. dollars per US gallon". By the way, it doesn't matter if you spell it "litre" or "liter".
What you will need is the three-letter code for currency, which you can find several places, including here, one of the sites noted on this website.
More about Google's unit conversions g=here.
Tip of the cap to Arthur @ AmeriNZ, who mentioned this on his podcast.
Google, of course. To use my example, type: 1.279 CAD per litre in USD per gallon and click "Google Search". When I did it at noon on August 11, the result was "1.27900 (Canadian dollars per litre) = 4.58349234 U.S. dollars per US gallon". By the way, it doesn't matter if you spell it "litre" or "liter".
What you will need is the three-letter code for currency, which you can find several places, including here, one of the sites noted on this website.
More about Google's unit conversions g=here.
Tip of the cap to Arthur @ AmeriNZ, who mentioned this on his podcast.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Search Engine Use
From Pew/Internet. "The percentage of internet users who use search engines on a typical day has been steadily rising from about one-third of all users in 2002, to a new high of just under one-half (49%). With this increase, the number of those using a search engine on a typical day is pulling ever closer to the 60% of internet users who use email, arguably the Internet's all-time killer app, on a typical day."
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Librarians All a Twitter
I'll admit that I didn't always understand Twitter, its appeal or particularly its functionality. After reading Want to try microblogging, but don’t know how to get started? Read on, I'm definitely seeing the applicability in library, business and news applications.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
State archivist admits stealing more than $50K in artifacts
By CAROL DeMARE, Staff writer, Times Union.
Podcasts from SLA 2008
Here are podcasts of a few sessions from the SLA 2008 Annual Conference. Speakers and facilitators volunteered to have their remarks recorded. While questions were not included in the recording, you will hear the answers to queries from the audience.
Please note: These podcasts are MP3 files; you must have an MP3 player program installed on your machine to hear the recordings. The sound quality varies from one recording to another. In some cases, sound quality varies within a recording. It may take longer than you are used to to load.
Please note: These podcasts are MP3 files; you must have an MP3 player program installed on your machine to hear the recordings. The sound quality varies from one recording to another. In some cases, sound quality varies within a recording. It may take longer than you are used to to load.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Hill Library Trends Newsletter
In the July 2008 edition of the Hill Library Trends Newsletter, learn what libraries can do to encourage funding and public support, find out which market research firm acquired another, and see how the U.S. House of Representatives is looking into the tracking of your activities online.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Albany Midtown Homeownership Program
This Wednesday, August 6th, the City of Albany, Citizens Bank, Albany
Medical Center, The College of Saint Rose, The University at Albany,
Albany Law School, Albany College of Pharmacy and The Sage Colleges are
hosting an event to promote the Midtown Homeownership Program. The
event will take place from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. in front of Albany Law
School at 80 New Scotland Avenue (the corner of Holland and New
Scotland) to provide information about the program and promote living in
Midtown.
The residents of Albany, the City and its partners would
like to help spread that message and encourage potential buyers to
consider Midtown for their new home. The Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations (CANA) will have representatives there from each of the participating institutions as well as realtors with listings in the area tabling to show off their Midtown properties. Local restaurants will bring samples of their food, donate gift certificates for raffle, or simply provide menus to hand out or display. The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) will be there to promote the wonderful multi-modal, gas-saving, environmentally-friendly transportation available when living in an urban neighborhood as well as to tout their free-pass partnership with the Midtown Homeownership Program. The Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region (AHP) , Albany Community Development Agency (ACDA) and several other well-known and well-loved acronyms will be represented as well.
Strong levels of homeownership are proven to increase the stability and
quality of life of any neighborhood. This program, which provides a
$5,000 forgivable loan toward downpayment and closing, has been
contributing to that goal since 2005. It has already added 50 new
homeowners to your communities. CANA is excited to re-energize and expand
the program, and hope you'll be there to spread good news
about Midtown.
Posted on behalf of CANA
Medical Center, The College of Saint Rose, The University at Albany,
Albany Law School, Albany College of Pharmacy and The Sage Colleges are
hosting an event to promote the Midtown Homeownership Program. The
event will take place from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. in front of Albany Law
School at 80 New Scotland Avenue (the corner of Holland and New
Scotland) to provide information about the program and promote living in
Midtown.
The residents of Albany, the City and its partners would
like to help spread that message and encourage potential buyers to
consider Midtown for their new home. The Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations (CANA) will have representatives there from each of the participating institutions as well as realtors with listings in the area tabling to show off their Midtown properties. Local restaurants will bring samples of their food, donate gift certificates for raffle, or simply provide menus to hand out or display. The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) will be there to promote the wonderful multi-modal, gas-saving, environmentally-friendly transportation available when living in an urban neighborhood as well as to tout their free-pass partnership with the Midtown Homeownership Program. The Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region (AHP) , Albany Community Development Agency (ACDA) and several other well-known and well-loved acronyms will be represented as well.
Strong levels of homeownership are proven to increase the stability and
quality of life of any neighborhood. This program, which provides a
$5,000 forgivable loan toward downpayment and closing, has been
contributing to that goal since 2005. It has already added 50 new
homeowners to your communities. CANA is excited to re-energize and expand
the program, and hope you'll be there to spread good news
about Midtown.
Posted on behalf of CANA
Freedom From Mildew
By NICK TAYLOR
THE Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum at Hyde Park, NY, the nation’s first presidential library, is literally falling apart. The roof leaks, the basement floods, asbestos is flaking from old steam pipes, an ancient electrical system could send the whole place up in smoke. This sorry situation is an insult to the person the library and museum honor: the founder of the New Deal, the greatest investment in our nation’s modern development.
Roosevelt inaugurated the tradition of national presidential libraries when he donated his personal and presidential papers to the government, as well as land from his estate along the Hudson River. Friends of the president formed a nonprofit corporation to raise money to build the library, which was designed by Roosevelt himself with a facade to incorporate the native Hudson Valley fieldstone that he loved. Construction started in 1939 and finished in 1941. Much of it has not been
SOURCE http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/opinion/28taylor.html
SOURCE http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/opinion/28taylor.htmlupdated since. (Yes, the visitors’ center, which opened in 2003, is new, but that’s not where the archives and the historical collection are stored.)
The National Archives and Records Administration runs the library and museum. It is a modest place compared with more recent presidential libraries, but the importance of the New Deal and World War II to researchers of 20th-century American history guarantees that the library’s archives are among the most used of the 12 presidential libraries. And with 110,000 visitors last year, it was among the most popular presidential museums.
While the library sits high above the river, its basement lies below the water table. Sump pumps installed in 1939 are supposed to keep it dry, but don’t. Storms have caused flooding in the basement where collections are stored and in restrooms and public areas. What’s worse, storm and sewer drainage run together, which means they mingle if there’s a backup in the basement.
The electrical system, which was also installed in 1939, has outlived the suppliers of replacement parts. Archivists turn the lights on and off using the original circuit breakers. And with the electrical vault in the flood-prone basement, the library’s director, Cynthia Koch, fears that a short in the system could set the place on fire and destroy the entire collection.
Parts of the steam heating system are also original, including the asbestos that was used to insulate the steam pipes. The asbestos is cracking and peeling, a danger to workers in the mechanical rooms and, less directly, to the public, including the 15,000 elementary and high school students who visit the library each year.
The heating system is so out of date that it can’t be calibrated or repaired. The staff members stuff towels against doorjambs to keep water out. An old transformer contains PCB, a dangerous toxic material. Household dehumidifiers are deployed among the archive stacks and museum exhibits in a losing battle to control damaging humidity. Security and fire systems are outdated. These conditions grossly violate the National Archives’ own standards for preserving its most valuable collections, and probably most local building codes.
The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation has raised donations for new exhibition galleries to replace the current ones, but they can’t be installed until the building gets new electrical and heating and cooling systems. A modest sprucing up of the research room covered new lighting and reading desks, but no data ports or electric outlets for researchers were installed because the electrical system can’t handle them.
The House Financial Services Subcommittee has approved funds for repairs and new equipment at the library, covering the first year of a three-year program. The House Appropriations Committee is the next step, and, of course, the Senate must agree.
We can and should be better stewards of our history. Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal agencies literally rebuilt the United States and brought it from the 19th century into the 20th. It would be sad if the original materials documenting this historic legacy, which brought us roads, bridges, dams and even libraries and museums, could not live on for centuries more.
Nick Taylor is the author, most recently, of “American-Made: The Enduring Legacy of the W.P.A.”
SOURCE
New York Times, July 27, 2008
THE Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum at Hyde Park, NY, the nation’s first presidential library, is literally falling apart. The roof leaks, the basement floods, asbestos is flaking from old steam pipes, an ancient electrical system could send the whole place up in smoke. This sorry situation is an insult to the person the library and museum honor: the founder of the New Deal, the greatest investment in our nation’s modern development.
Roosevelt inaugurated the tradition of national presidential libraries when he donated his personal and presidential papers to the government, as well as land from his estate along the Hudson River. Friends of the president formed a nonprofit corporation to raise money to build the library, which was designed by Roosevelt himself with a facade to incorporate the native Hudson Valley fieldstone that he loved. Construction started in 1939 and finished in 1941. Much of it has not been
SOURCE http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/opinion/28taylor.html
SOURCE http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/opinion/28taylor.htmlupdated since. (Yes, the visitors’ center, which opened in 2003, is new, but that’s not where the archives and the historical collection are stored.)
The National Archives and Records Administration runs the library and museum. It is a modest place compared with more recent presidential libraries, but the importance of the New Deal and World War II to researchers of 20th-century American history guarantees that the library’s archives are among the most used of the 12 presidential libraries. And with 110,000 visitors last year, it was among the most popular presidential museums.
While the library sits high above the river, its basement lies below the water table. Sump pumps installed in 1939 are supposed to keep it dry, but don’t. Storms have caused flooding in the basement where collections are stored and in restrooms and public areas. What’s worse, storm and sewer drainage run together, which means they mingle if there’s a backup in the basement.
The electrical system, which was also installed in 1939, has outlived the suppliers of replacement parts. Archivists turn the lights on and off using the original circuit breakers. And with the electrical vault in the flood-prone basement, the library’s director, Cynthia Koch, fears that a short in the system could set the place on fire and destroy the entire collection.
Parts of the steam heating system are also original, including the asbestos that was used to insulate the steam pipes. The asbestos is cracking and peeling, a danger to workers in the mechanical rooms and, less directly, to the public, including the 15,000 elementary and high school students who visit the library each year.
The heating system is so out of date that it can’t be calibrated or repaired. The staff members stuff towels against doorjambs to keep water out. An old transformer contains PCB, a dangerous toxic material. Household dehumidifiers are deployed among the archive stacks and museum exhibits in a losing battle to control damaging humidity. Security and fire systems are outdated. These conditions grossly violate the National Archives’ own standards for preserving its most valuable collections, and probably most local building codes.
The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation has raised donations for new exhibition galleries to replace the current ones, but they can’t be installed until the building gets new electrical and heating and cooling systems. A modest sprucing up of the research room covered new lighting and reading desks, but no data ports or electric outlets for researchers were installed because the electrical system can’t handle them.
The House Financial Services Subcommittee has approved funds for repairs and new equipment at the library, covering the first year of a three-year program. The House Appropriations Committee is the next step, and, of course, the Senate must agree.
We can and should be better stewards of our history. Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal agencies literally rebuilt the United States and brought it from the 19th century into the 20th. It would be sad if the original materials documenting this historic legacy, which brought us roads, bridges, dams and even libraries and museums, could not live on for centuries more.
Nick Taylor is the author, most recently, of “American-Made: The Enduring Legacy of the W.P.A.”
SOURCE
New York Times, July 27, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Here's Some Weekend Entertainment
Eight examples of Book Cart Drill Teams. Also there's a podcast. Listen to the story on the "Only a Game" website at this link. The librarian story starts at 40:15. You don't have to listen to the whole program. Wait for the feed to load and move the slider to 40:15 and you'll be able to listen.
As a library colleague who pointed this out to me, "Is this wrong?"
As a library colleague who pointed this out to me, "Is this wrong?"
Friday, August 01, 2008
Leonard S. Marcus, author of Minders of Make-Believe, at U Albany
Leonard S. Marcus will be speaking about his book Minders of Make-Believe: Idealists, Entrepreneurs, and the Shaping of American Children’s Literature
When: Thursday October 23, 2008, 4:00 PM,
Where: Standish Room, Science Library, University at Albany, SUNY
Free and open to the public
Leonard Marcus, one of the foremost authorities on the history of children’s literature, will discuss and sign his new book, Minders of Make-Believe (2008, Houghton Mifflin), an animated first-time history of the visionary editors, authors, librarians, booksellers, and others whose passion for books has transformed American childhood and American culture.
What should children read? Marcus tackles this three-hundred-year-old question that sparked the creation of a rambunctious children’s book publishing scene in Colonial times. And it’s the urgent issue that went on to fuel the transformation of twentieth-century children’s book publishing from a genteel backwater to big business. Marcus delivers a provocative look at the fierce turf wars fought among pioneering editors, progressive educators, and librarians - most of them women - throughout the twentieth century. His story of the emergence and growth of the major publishing houses - and of the distinctive literature for the young they shaped - gains extraordinary depth through the author’s path-finding research and in-depth interviews with dozens of editors, artists, and other key publishing figures whose careers go back to the 1930s.
Leonard S. Marcus began his publishing career with Awakened by the Moon, a widely acclaimed biography of Goodnight Moon author Margaret Wise Brown, and last fall Random House released Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children’s Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became an American Icon Along the Way. Marcus, a consummate professional, capable of discourse on a wide range of topics, also possesses a wry wit, hinted at in the picture book he created with his wife, Amy Schwartz, Oscar: The Big Adventure of a Little Sock Monkey (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books).
Free and open to the public. Seating is limited. RSVP to: Brian Keough, at bkeough@albany.edu or 518-437-3931. Sponsored by the University at Albany Libraries & the Marcia J. Brown Fund
When: Thursday October 23, 2008, 4:00 PM,
Where: Standish Room, Science Library, University at Albany, SUNY
Free and open to the public
Leonard Marcus, one of the foremost authorities on the history of children’s literature, will discuss and sign his new book, Minders of Make-Believe (2008, Houghton Mifflin), an animated first-time history of the visionary editors, authors, librarians, booksellers, and others whose passion for books has transformed American childhood and American culture.
What should children read? Marcus tackles this three-hundred-year-old question that sparked the creation of a rambunctious children’s book publishing scene in Colonial times. And it’s the urgent issue that went on to fuel the transformation of twentieth-century children’s book publishing from a genteel backwater to big business. Marcus delivers a provocative look at the fierce turf wars fought among pioneering editors, progressive educators, and librarians - most of them women - throughout the twentieth century. His story of the emergence and growth of the major publishing houses - and of the distinctive literature for the young they shaped - gains extraordinary depth through the author’s path-finding research and in-depth interviews with dozens of editors, artists, and other key publishing figures whose careers go back to the 1930s.
Leonard S. Marcus began his publishing career with Awakened by the Moon, a widely acclaimed biography of Goodnight Moon author Margaret Wise Brown, and last fall Random House released Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children’s Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became an American Icon Along the Way. Marcus, a consummate professional, capable of discourse on a wide range of topics, also possesses a wry wit, hinted at in the picture book he created with his wife, Amy Schwartz, Oscar: The Big Adventure of a Little Sock Monkey (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books).
Free and open to the public. Seating is limited. RSVP to: Brian Keough, at bkeough@albany.edu or 518-437-3931. Sponsored by the University at Albany Libraries & the Marcia J. Brown Fund
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Freddie Mac is seeking a reference librarian
I don't usually post job positions, especially for a job in McLean, VA, but this one caught my interest:
Freddie Mac is seeking a reference librarian to provide comprehensive research, database searching, interlibrary loan, document delivery and collection development services to Freddie Mac staff and consultants. Provide a full spectrum of complex and highly specialized searches, using in-depth knowledge of multiple commercial on-line systems, such as Dialog, Lexis/Nexis, and Factiva/Dow Jones. Job requires an ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science; three years experience as reference librarian in corporate or law library; and a broad knowledge of print and electronic reference sources.
Other duties include:
Marketing the library through various outreach efforts Managing relationship with online service providers, including establishing IDs and troubleshooting end-user issues Serials control Using available research tools to proactively monitor hot topics of interest to library clients Monitoring new technologies for use in corporate library environment
We are looking for a self-starter who is a curious, creative problem solver with a team orientation and strong customer service skills. As part of a small team, must be willing to pitch in on all aspects of corporate information resources work. Experience in providing research for the financial service sector a definite plus.
Freddie Mac is a shareholder-owned Fortune 500 company with an important public mission: to make home possible for more of America's families. To do this, we need smart, creative people from diverse backgrounds who want to
make a difference in other people's lives as well as their own. Freddie Mac is
an equal opportunity employer who firmly supports and recognizes the value of diversity.
Visit http://www.freddiemac.com/careers/jobsearch/ to apply online for position 201280. You may also send resumes to lauren_duke@freddiemac.com.
Freddie Mac is seeking a reference librarian to provide comprehensive research, database searching, interlibrary loan, document delivery and collection development services to Freddie Mac staff and consultants. Provide a full spectrum of complex and highly specialized searches, using in-depth knowledge of multiple commercial on-line systems, such as Dialog, Lexis/Nexis, and Factiva/Dow Jones. Job requires an ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science; three years experience as reference librarian in corporate or law library; and a broad knowledge of print and electronic reference sources.
Other duties include:
Marketing the library through various outreach efforts Managing relationship with online service providers, including establishing IDs and troubleshooting end-user issues Serials control Using available research tools to proactively monitor hot topics of interest to library clients Monitoring new technologies for use in corporate library environment
We are looking for a self-starter who is a curious, creative problem solver with a team orientation and strong customer service skills. As part of a small team, must be willing to pitch in on all aspects of corporate information resources work. Experience in providing research for the financial service sector a definite plus.
Freddie Mac is a shareholder-owned Fortune 500 company with an important public mission: to make home possible for more of America's families. To do this, we need smart, creative people from diverse backgrounds who want to
make a difference in other people's lives as well as their own. Freddie Mac is
an equal opportunity employer who firmly supports and recognizes the value of diversity.
Visit http://www.freddiemac.com/careers/jobsearch/ to apply online for position 201280. You may also send resumes to lauren_duke@freddiemac.com.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Is Cuil Cool?
A new search engine, Cuil - pronounced "cool" - started today. You can read all about its claims of being "better than Google" here and here, among many other places. Apparently, it was having start-up jityters, as one person indicated that one couldn't access it at all fotr a time.
But I got through and tried New York State Small Business Development Center; it actually suggested the whole name after I had typed New York State Sm
My result:
We didn’t find any results for "New York State Small Business Development Center"
Some reasons might be...
a typo. Please check your spelling.
your search includes a term that is very rare. Try to find a more common substitute.
too many search terms. Please try fewer terms.
Finally, try to think of different words to describe your search.
It’s the first item on Google. Meh.
And as a matter of vanity, I cuiled my blogs and they showed on the 7th page, while they're on the first page on Google.
As this writer noted: Cuil Not So Cool.
But I got through and tried New York State Small Business Development Center; it actually suggested the whole name after I had typed New York State Sm
My result:
We didn’t find any results for "New York State Small Business Development Center"
Some reasons might be...
a typo. Please check your spelling.
your search includes a term that is very rare. Try to find a more common substitute.
too many search terms. Please try fewer terms.
Finally, try to think of different words to describe your search.
It’s the first item on Google. Meh.
And as a matter of vanity, I cuiled my blogs and they showed on the 7th page, while they're on the first page on Google.
As this writer noted: Cuil Not So Cool.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Librarians Of The Apocalypse
Star Wars, stand aside! Doctor Who, you're a piker!
"There IS a wise and wonderful plan... of tomes and talismans!"
There was a series of instructional videos from the mid-1980s, put out by Mississippi educational television, called Tomes & Talismans meant to teach children about how to use the library. Described by my friend Dan, who tipped me off to this classic: "It revolves around a low
budget apocalyptic science fiction plot that is generously interrupted to, for instance, explain the Dewey Decimal System. The story is that everybody that matters is abandoning the Earth, while lunatics are running around trying to destroy books and beat up TV newscasters. Time is running out, but the heroine of the story MUST
RETRIEVE THE LAST OVERDUE BOOK. And there is no indication whatsoever that they were being funny or ironic. Absolutely delightful."
The whole Tomes & Talismans series is posted on YouTube, described there as a "Post-apocalyptic library science educational show from the mid-eighties. Learn all about the Dewey decimal system, card catalogues, and microfiche! And the fate of the Earth, of course." Dan had only watched the first episode, which was was broken down in three section and said the real action is in the third part. Each of the 13 episodes runs just under 20 minutes each.
1. Tomes Entombed— overview of library/research skills and concepts
Part 1 - noisy in the first couple minutes, but it clears up
Part 2
Part 3
2. Fact or Fiction— fact and fiction; alphabetical shelving
Part 1
Part 2: she IS a librarian
Part 3
3. Under Cover— parts of a book
Part 1
Part 2
4. In the Cards— card catalog
Part 1
Part 2
5. The System— Dewey Decimal Classification System
Part 1
Part2 : has most of the Dewey Decimal system laid right out for you
6. Information Quick— encyclopedia; typographical clues
Part 1 music to read your encyclopedia by
Part 2: the watermelon episode
7. Hidden Meaning— dictionary; thesaurus
Part 1
Part 2
8. Preference for Reference— special subject reference sources
Part 1
Part 2
9. Direction Unknown— maps; atlases; world almanac
Part 1
Part 2
10. SOS: Skim or Scan— skimming; scanning; paraphrasing; taking notes
Part 1
Part 2
11. Guide to Light— Reader's Guide; Children's Magazine Guide
Part 1
Part 2
12. Show and Tell— audiovisual resources
Part 1
Part 2
13. Final Report— summarizing reports; concluding research; bibliographic sources
Part 1
Part 2
***
Fear the Librarian
ROG
"There IS a wise and wonderful plan... of tomes and talismans!"
There was a series of instructional videos from the mid-1980s, put out by Mississippi educational television, called Tomes & Talismans meant to teach children about how to use the library. Described by my friend Dan, who tipped me off to this classic: "It revolves around a low
budget apocalyptic science fiction plot that is generously interrupted to, for instance, explain the Dewey Decimal System. The story is that everybody that matters is abandoning the Earth, while lunatics are running around trying to destroy books and beat up TV newscasters. Time is running out, but the heroine of the story MUST
RETRIEVE THE LAST OVERDUE BOOK. And there is no indication whatsoever that they were being funny or ironic. Absolutely delightful."
The whole Tomes & Talismans series is posted on YouTube, described there as a "Post-apocalyptic library science educational show from the mid-eighties. Learn all about the Dewey decimal system, card catalogues, and microfiche! And the fate of the Earth, of course." Dan had only watched the first episode, which was was broken down in three section and said the real action is in the third part. Each of the 13 episodes runs just under 20 minutes each.
1. Tomes Entombed— overview of library/research skills and concepts
Part 1 - noisy in the first couple minutes, but it clears up
Part 2
Part 3
2. Fact or Fiction— fact and fiction; alphabetical shelving
Part 1
Part 2: she IS a librarian
Part 3
3. Under Cover— parts of a book
Part 1
Part 2
4. In the Cards— card catalog
Part 1
Part 2
5. The System— Dewey Decimal Classification System
Part 1
Part2 : has most of the Dewey Decimal system laid right out for you
6. Information Quick— encyclopedia; typographical clues
Part 1 music to read your encyclopedia by
Part 2: the watermelon episode
7. Hidden Meaning— dictionary; thesaurus
Part 1
Part 2
8. Preference for Reference— special subject reference sources
Part 1
Part 2
9. Direction Unknown— maps; atlases; world almanac
Part 1
Part 2
10. SOS: Skim or Scan— skimming; scanning; paraphrasing; taking notes
Part 1
Part 2
11. Guide to Light— Reader's Guide; Children's Magazine Guide
Part 1
Part 2
12. Show and Tell— audiovisual resources
Part 1
Part 2
13. Final Report— summarizing reports; concluding research; bibliographic sources
Part 1
Part 2
***
Fear the Librarian
ROG
Saturday, July 26, 2008
UN RECRUITMENT EXAM
2009 UNITED NATIONS NATIONAL COMPETITIVE RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION
For U.S. citizens seeking junior professional posts.
EXAMINATION CRITERIA (all must be met)
1. Be no more than 32 years old as of December 31, 2009 (UN requirement).
2. Have at least an undergraduate degree (advanced degree is an advantage but is not required) in one of the following occupational fields or related areas:
· Administration
· Economics
· Finance
· Information Technology
· Public Information
· Social Affairs
· Statistics
3. Be fluent in English and/or French, the two working languages of the
Secretariat. Knowledge of additional official languages of the UN (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is a definite advantage.
NOTE: The exam may be limited to the 40 most qualified Americans per occupational group.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 31, 2008
Detailed information and application forms may be obtained at target=_new>www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/examin/ncrepage.htm
Examination will be held on February 24, 2009, in New York City and San Francisco.
Travel expenses to and from exam site will NOT be paid by the UN or U.S. Government.
For U.S. citizens seeking junior professional posts.
EXAMINATION CRITERIA (all must be met)
1. Be no more than 32 years old as of December 31, 2009 (UN requirement).
2. Have at least an undergraduate degree (advanced degree is an advantage but is not required) in one of the following occupational fields or related areas:
· Administration
· Economics
· Finance
· Information Technology
· Public Information
· Social Affairs
· Statistics
3. Be fluent in English and/or French, the two working languages of the
Secretariat. Knowledge of additional official languages of the UN (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is a definite advantage.
NOTE: The exam may be limited to the 40 most qualified Americans per occupational group.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 31, 2008
Detailed information and application forms may be obtained at target=_new>www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/examin/ncrepage.htm
Examination will be held on February 24, 2009, in New York City and San Francisco.
Travel expenses to and from exam site will NOT be paid by the UN or U.S. Government.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Extraordinary Rendition: The Price of Secrecy
From the American University Law Review.
Sweeping interpretations of presidential power and government secrecy after 9/11 bore fruit in the area of “extraordinary rendition.” Under this doctrine, the President claims to possess inherent authority to seize individuals and transfer them to other countries for interrogation and torture. In the past, Attorneys General and other legal commentators understood that: (1) Presidents needed congressional authority for these transfers and (2) the purpose was to bring the person to trial. Until recently, the Justice Department held that the President could not order someone extradited or rendered without authority granted by a treaty or statute.
Sweeping interpretations of presidential power and government secrecy after 9/11 bore fruit in the area of “extraordinary rendition.” Under this doctrine, the President claims to possess inherent authority to seize individuals and transfer them to other countries for interrogation and torture. In the past, Attorneys General and other legal commentators understood that: (1) Presidents needed congressional authority for these transfers and (2) the purpose was to bring the person to trial. Until recently, the Justice Department held that the President could not order someone extradited or rendered without authority granted by a treaty or statute.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Quiet in the library? Shhh!
Editorial from the Chicago Tribune, which I initially found here.
The library, we thought, was a place for study and contemplation, not a hangout for gamers. Yes, we know modern libraries often have more DVDs than Blockbuster, more computers than the local community college and better coffee than Starbucks.
Comic books and CDs can be checked out along with books and magazines. Yoga and wine-tasting sessions supplement story hour, poetry readings and lectures. Some libraries have become de facto senior centers, resource labs for home-schoolers, rehearsal studios for community dance and theater groups . . . but still. Video games? What’s next—miniature golf? Walk-in medical clinics? Taco Bell?
The library, we thought, was a place for study and contemplation, not a hangout for gamers. Yes, we know modern libraries often have more DVDs than Blockbuster, more computers than the local community college and better coffee than Starbucks.
Comic books and CDs can be checked out along with books and magazines. Yoga and wine-tasting sessions supplement story hour, poetry readings and lectures. Some libraries have become de facto senior centers, resource labs for home-schoolers, rehearsal studios for community dance and theater groups . . . but still. Video games? What’s next—miniature golf? Walk-in medical clinics? Taco Bell?
Summer Reading Program
A mid-summer reminder that the NYS Summer Reading Program website has lots of fun games and activities to supplement your own summer reading programs.-Word games - insect puzzles in English, French and Spanish
-Online jigsaw puzzles - lots of creepy crawlies
-Reading Bug Quiz
-Silly Riddles
... and much more!
And don't forget to make a link to the site from your own web pages.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
APL Branch Construction Update
As construction gets closer for the two new libraries in the Arbor Hill/West Hill and the New Scotland neighborhoods, APL, once again invites the public to a presentation on the designs. While everyone is invited to both meetings, we especially invite our neighbors in the New Scotland/Helderberg/Woodlawn and Arbor Hill/West Hill communities to attend.
Presentations for Arbor Hill/West Hill will be held in the conference room at 200 Henry Johnson Boulevard on Tuesday, July 29 at 7PM and the presentation for the John J. Bach Library will be on Wednesday, July 30 at 7PM at the St. Teresa of Avila School at 8 Hollywood at the corner of New Scotland.
If you'd like more information on these meetings, please contact Tim Burke, our Interim Library Director at 4276-4379 or burket@uhls.lib.ny.us.
Presentations for Arbor Hill/West Hill will be held in the conference room at 200 Henry Johnson Boulevard on Tuesday, July 29 at 7PM and the presentation for the John J. Bach Library will be on Wednesday, July 30 at 7PM at the St. Teresa of Avila School at 8 Hollywood at the corner of New Scotland.
If you'd like more information on these meetings, please contact Tim Burke, our Interim Library Director at 4276-4379 or burket@uhls.lib.ny.us.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
McAfee Experiment on Spam
McAfee, Inc. released the results of its S.P.A.M. (Spammed Persistently All Month) Experiment, in which 50 people from around the world surfed the Web unprotected for 30 days. By taking part in the experiment, participants were given permission to go where most Internet users would not dare, in order to discover how much spam they would attract and what the effects would be.
Monday, July 21, 2008
NYLA - ProQuest Intellectual Freedom Award
The NYLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) is seeking nominations for the NYLA - ProQuest Intellectual Freedom Award.
The Award recognizes an individual, group of individuals or organization engaged in activities which have furthered the cause of intellectual freedom in the State of New York.
The deadline for submitting nominations is July 31, 2008.
The link to the NYLA - ProQuest Intellectual Freedom Award web page.
The nomination criteria.
The link to download the nomination form (in PDF format).
The Award recognizes an individual, group of individuals or organization engaged in activities which have furthered the cause of intellectual freedom in the State of New York.
The deadline for submitting nominations is July 31, 2008.
The link to the NYLA - ProQuest Intellectual Freedom Award web page.
The nomination criteria.
The link to download the nomination form (in PDF format).
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Word clouds
I've read about word clouds, a/k/a tag clouds, how they reflect which words are being emphasized in a website/blog or newspaper or any written document. From Tag Crowd here's the one done on July 15, 2008 of the Albany Public Library website:
And here's one from this blog:
Other sites that can generate clouds are Wordle and the Tag Cloud Generator.
albany attended audio bibliotech bookmobile books branch business content databases e-books friends fun garage hackett happening hills historic history homework kids library life loan local located lodge magazines main materials middle noon north online open pine program public reader reading relaxin research school scotland services size skip south subject transitional
created at TagCrowd.com
And here's one from this blog:
albany annual apl appeal association black blog book branch comments communities computers construction contribution council friends garage green hills joyce labels librarians library lighting links main males matinees meeting needs ny open park pine pm post program public rambo roger senior services space starring state survey systems times words york
created at TagCrowd.com
Other sites that can generate clouds are Wordle and the Tag Cloud Generator.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Norton Online Living Report
The Norton Online Living Report "gives a snapshot of how different cultures and different countries approach the Internet and provides insight into how their daily lives are affected by the online world. All the data is constantly changing and will be updated in further iterations of this first bi-annual report."
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A Day at the Albany Public Library
Susan Arbetter's own words: a web-covered middle aged woman in a spider outfit.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Library support in America
Now available: new OCLC membership report -- From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America
OCLC was awarded a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S. The findings of this research are now available in the latest OCLC report, From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America.
Among the findings from the report:
*Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation.
*Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support.
*Voters who see the library as a "transformational" force as opposed to an "information" source are more likely to increase taxes in its support.
From Chapter 1:
"Public library use is growing...But the public funding...is not keeping up with demand."
The report suggests that targeting marketing messages to the right segments of the voting public is key to driving increased support for U.S. public libraries.
Purchase a print copy of the report or download a free, electronic version at www.oclc.org/reports/funding.
OCLC was awarded a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S. The findings of this research are now available in the latest OCLC report, From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America.
Among the findings from the report:
*Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation.
*Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support.
*Voters who see the library as a "transformational" force as opposed to an "information" source are more likely to increase taxes in its support.
From Chapter 1:
"Public library use is growing...But the public funding...is not keeping up with demand."
The report suggests that targeting marketing messages to the right segments of the voting public is key to driving increased support for U.S. public libraries.
Purchase a print copy of the report or download a free, electronic version at www.oclc.org/reports/funding.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
NBER Economic Indicators and Releases
From the J J Hill Library:
Economics can be intimidating. First, of course, there's the math. But also, it can be hard to track the numerous things that go into the "economics equation." Unless you know about the NBER Economic Releases site.
This site pulls the latest economic reports, information, and updates from numerous government and trade sites and houses it all here. The site is updated daily, and most days see numerous postings. As of this writing some recent updates included: metro area unemployment, American time use, and construction spending.
No non-economist out there will use everything on this site, but if you take a look I bet you'll find something of interest to your line of work. And the NBER can help you keep up-to-date on it.
Economics can be intimidating. First, of course, there's the math. But also, it can be hard to track the numerous things that go into the "economics equation." Unless you know about the NBER Economic Releases site.
This site pulls the latest economic reports, information, and updates from numerous government and trade sites and houses it all here. The site is updated daily, and most days see numerous postings. As of this writing some recent updates included: metro area unemployment, American time use, and construction spending.
No non-economist out there will use everything on this site, but if you take a look I bet you'll find something of interest to your line of work. And the NBER can help you keep up-to-date on it.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
The Survey Says, "Let there be light"
APL is applying for NYS Library Construction Aid to assist the installation of new lights in the auditorium of the main branch. So the library folks are talking to the lighting contractor this week and would love to get your feedback on how the lighting can be improved to create the welcoming community space it really can be. Remember it's multipurpose - community meetings, formal presentations, movies, discussions, activity area for young people and creative space.
Please provide your feedback! Take the 2 minute survey NOW!
Please provide your feedback! Take the 2 minute survey NOW!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Librarians Call for More Black Males in Field
Black men make up a dismal 0.5 percent, or 572 of the 110,000 of the nation’s librarians. And about 1 in 10 Black librarians are men, according to figures in an ALA diversity report issued last year, which were discussed in the ALA conference panel “An Endangered Species: The Black Male Librarians.”
More here.
More here.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
"In many communities the library is the third place."
This article from the "Capital Times" in Madison, Wisconsin is full of great ideas for creating a vibrant library. Now that the plans for the APL's branches are being implemented, I find myself thinking more and more about how we are going to re-design the Main Library.
http://www.madison.com/tct/entertainment/77staging/289537
http://www.madison.com/tct/entertainment/77staging/289537
Plugging
My Times Union blog post mentions: the Fort Orange club parking lot obsession; the underground railroad residence clean-up; and, hey, Albany Public Library.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Pine Hills expected to open tomorrow!*
From APL's Elissa Kane:
Early this morning the library's automation staff moved computers to the Pine Hills Transitional Library at the Elks Club on S. Allen Street . . . which definitely means the doors are in and can be locked.
I know we've been promising for so long and now we're only hours from opening for business. Yea!!!!!! The Pine Hills staff is so eager to see you all again. Thank you for your patience.
*barring any other unforeseen setbacks like chipmunks chewing on data lines or the Elks migrating north.
Early this morning the library's automation staff moved computers to the Pine Hills Transitional Library at the Elks Club on S. Allen Street . . . which definitely means the doors are in and can be locked.
I know we've been promising for so long and now we're only hours from opening for business. Yea!!!!!! The Pine Hills staff is so eager to see you all again. Thank you for your patience.
*barring any other unforeseen setbacks like chipmunks chewing on data lines or the Elks migrating north.
2008 Senior Sundays in the Park
July 6, July 20, and August 10, 2008
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mayor Jerry Jennings, Senior Services of Albany, and Fidelis Care invite you to the Corning Preserve for the 2008 season of Senior Sundays in the Park. The concerts are free, the entertainment is great and lunch is only $2.50. Concert goers also receive a free copy of the Sunday Times Union. Reservations are required through Senior Services of Albany at (518) 456-3325. Transportation is available. Call 1-866-1.866.208.7357 to make your transportation reservation. Plenty of free parking is also available.
Entertainment by: Tony Toscino (July 6th), Judy Polkow's Musical Memories (July 20th) and Wally Hughes (August 10th)
Senior Services of Albany
25 Delaware Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
www.seniorservicesofalbany.com
Enhancing quality of life and fostering independence for all older adults and their caregivers.
Monday, June 30, 2008
New York State Public Library Construction Needs Total $2.2 Billion
From NYLINE:
The 2009-2013 "Estimated New York State Public Library Construction Needs" survey is now complete and is available on the New York State Library’s website here.
This important document provides an overview of the anticipated construction and renovation needs for public library and neighborhood branch facilities for the next five years. Libraries and systems report planned or needed construction projects totaling more than $2.2 billion.
Facility limitations can diminish the quality of service that libraries provide to their communities and inefficient buildings can rob libraries of vital fiscal resources that could be used for program and collection enhancement. A 2006 State Library survey of public libraries and systems found that more than 30% of the libraries participating in the survey were not fully accessible to patrons with disabilities, 38% did not have sufficient space to house their collections, and 42% lacked sufficient space for public access computers.
The 2009-2013 "Estimated New York State Public Library Construction Needs" survey is now complete and is available on the New York State Library’s website here.
This important document provides an overview of the anticipated construction and renovation needs for public library and neighborhood branch facilities for the next five years. Libraries and systems report planned or needed construction projects totaling more than $2.2 billion.
Facility limitations can diminish the quality of service that libraries provide to their communities and inefficient buildings can rob libraries of vital fiscal resources that could be used for program and collection enhancement. A 2006 State Library survey of public libraries and systems found that more than 30% of the libraries participating in the survey were not fully accessible to patrons with disabilities, 38% did not have sufficient space to house their collections, and 42% lacked sufficient space for public access computers.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Action Matinees
Come to the Main Library for four movie matinees, all at 2 p.m.:
Monday, June 30:
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear
starring Noah Wylie
Tuesday, July 1:
The Mummy
starring Brendan Fraser
Wednesday, July 2:
National Treasure
starring Nicholas Cage
Thursday, July 3
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
starring Nicholas Cage.
Monday, June 30:
The Librarian: Quest for the Spear
starring Noah Wylie
Tuesday, July 1:
The Mummy
starring Brendan Fraser
Wednesday, July 2:
National Treasure
starring Nicholas Cage
Thursday, July 3
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
starring Nicholas Cage.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Pine Hills branch news
From Elissa Kane:
Hurry up and wait! The furniture is in, the books are on the shelves and the wiring has been installed for the public computers, but without doors, the Pine Hills Transitional Library at the Elks Lodge on South Allen Street hasn't opened for business.
But the good news is the doors have finally arrived in the State of New York! The unforeseen delay in the delivery of the doors from the manufacturer was a result of the dramatic increase in gas price - the shipper would not transport anything but a full truck, hence the delay in receiving them.
We certainly imagine your frustration about not having the Pine Hills library up a running after announcing last month the new location. We too were hoping to have a seamless transition.
We're terribly sorry for the delay and invite you check out the Bookmobile when it's at a location near you, our other locations in North Albany, Delaware, Howe at South Pearl Street and of course the Main Library.
Hurry up and wait! The furniture is in, the books are on the shelves and the wiring has been installed for the public computers, but without doors, the Pine Hills Transitional Library at the Elks Lodge on South Allen Street hasn't opened for business.
But the good news is the doors have finally arrived in the State of New York! The unforeseen delay in the delivery of the doors from the manufacturer was a result of the dramatic increase in gas price - the shipper would not transport anything but a full truck, hence the delay in receiving them.
We certainly imagine your frustration about not having the Pine Hills library up a running after announcing last month the new location. We too were hoping to have a seamless transition.
We're terribly sorry for the delay and invite you check out the Bookmobile when it's at a location near you, our other locations in North Albany, Delaware, Howe at South Pearl Street and of course the Main Library.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Rezsin's Review!
The grande dame of the local peace and environmental movements, Rezsin Adams, reviews China Road: A Journey Into The Future Of A Rising Power by Rob Gifford.
Rezsin is a longtime member of the national board of the US-China Peoples Friendship Association and a frequent traveler to China.
Stop into the Main Library for the Friend's weekly program on Tuesday, July 1 at 12:15.
Rezsin is a longtime member of the national board of the US-China Peoples Friendship Association and a frequent traveler to China.
Stop into the Main Library for the Friend's weekly program on Tuesday, July 1 at 12:15.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
JEFFREY CANNELL APPOINTED ACTING STATE LIBRARIAN
From NYLINE:
Commissioner of Education Richard P. Mills has announced the appointment of Jeffrey W. Cannell, Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, as Acting State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries following the retirement of Janet Welch earlier this month.
The announcement was made at the June meeting of the Board of Regents.
Jeffrey Cannell has served as Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education since his appointment in March 2007. The New York State Library, the State Archives, the Office of Educational Television, and the New York State Museum comprise the Office of Cultural Education.
During Cannell’s tenure as Deputy Commissioner, the legislature approved new funding for public library construction grants, increased aid for library systems, and increased school library materials aid.
Mr. Cannell has led development of a plan to establish safe and secure storage for New York’s historic and cultural treasures and has worked to secure funding for curriculum based education programs in Museums and other cultural institutions.
He has worked with the Board of Regents to secure more support for outreach and educational programs provided by New York’s public television stations and to expand the NOVELny pilot project into a Statewide Internet Library.
Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, Cannell was Director of the Albany Public Library and had an extensive career in library administration. He served before that as Director of the Wayne County Public Library in Goldsboro, North Carolina; Manager of the Cliffdale Branch of Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center, Fayetteville, North Carolina; Branch Manager of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Bookseller for a number of enterprises; and Reference Librarian at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Comparative Literature and a Master of Library Science, both from the State University of New York at Albany.
A search is currently underway to permanently fill the position of New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries.
Candidates are being sought and qualified individuals are urged to apply. For information on the position and how to apply, go to the New York State Education web site.
Commissioner of Education Richard P. Mills has announced the appointment of Jeffrey W. Cannell, Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, as Acting State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries following the retirement of Janet Welch earlier this month.
The announcement was made at the June meeting of the Board of Regents.
Jeffrey Cannell has served as Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education since his appointment in March 2007. The New York State Library, the State Archives, the Office of Educational Television, and the New York State Museum comprise the Office of Cultural Education.
During Cannell’s tenure as Deputy Commissioner, the legislature approved new funding for public library construction grants, increased aid for library systems, and increased school library materials aid.
Mr. Cannell has led development of a plan to establish safe and secure storage for New York’s historic and cultural treasures and has worked to secure funding for curriculum based education programs in Museums and other cultural institutions.
He has worked with the Board of Regents to secure more support for outreach and educational programs provided by New York’s public television stations and to expand the NOVELny pilot project into a Statewide Internet Library.
Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, Cannell was Director of the Albany Public Library and had an extensive career in library administration. He served before that as Director of the Wayne County Public Library in Goldsboro, North Carolina; Manager of the Cliffdale Branch of Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center, Fayetteville, North Carolina; Branch Manager of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Bookseller for a number of enterprises; and Reference Librarian at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Comparative Literature and a Master of Library Science, both from the State University of New York at Albany.
A search is currently underway to permanently fill the position of New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries.
Candidates are being sought and qualified individuals are urged to apply. For information on the position and how to apply, go to the New York State Education web site.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
100 Awesome YouTube Vids for Librarians
Librarians should no longer be thought of as fuddy duddy types with long dusty cardigans or pince-nez dangling around their necks. These days, public librarians and academic librarians are on the cutting edge, dedicated to bringing their resources and their patrons into the 21st century with technology. Librarians are also bloggers, IT professionals, database managers, technology mavens; and these YouTube videos and tutorials are just for them. Watch these vodcasts and recordings to learn about new library tools, interesting literacy campaigns and outreach programs, and even hysterical videos about library stereotypes that are circulating on the Internet.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Garage Bands in The Garage!
Meet APL behind the library, that's right, in the garage on June 27th at 6PM for the Ben Karis-Nix and the Scientific Maps. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs!
See you there for the second in the award winning series of summer concerts!
See you there for the second in the award winning series of summer concerts!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Legends & Legacies
Join Don Hyman as he presents "Uptown Stars, Chocolate Celebrities". Between 1950 and 1959, some of the most prominent African-American entertainers in the 20th Century resided in Harlem - Sammy Davis Jr., Eartha Kitt and Harry Belafonte.
Sunday, June 22nd, 2PM, Main Library
Sunday, June 22nd, 2PM, Main Library
Memo to the President-Elect
Shawn Morris, President of the Albany Common Council, will review Madeline Albright's Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore
America's Reputation and Leadership. Join the Friends on June 24th at 12:15 for 45 minutes of provocative insights.
America's Reputation and Leadership. Join the Friends on June 24th at 12:15 for 45 minutes of provocative insights.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Open Book New York
"New Yorkers should know where their tax dollars are going. Open Book New York is part of State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s effort to promote more openness in government and give taxpayers better access to the financial workings of government."
"Easy-to-use online search tools identify spending for 113 State agencies and public authorities and display more than 60,000 State contracts. These tools will help you find out how much state government spends on everything from travel and employees’ salaries to telephones and consultants. You can also search State contracts in real time to see who is doing business with the State."
"Easy-to-use online search tools identify spending for 113 State agencies and public authorities and display more than 60,000 State contracts. These tools will help you find out how much state government spends on everything from travel and employees’ salaries to telephones and consultants. You can also search State contracts in real time to see who is doing business with the State."
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Carl strock
If you're from the Capital District and you haven't heard of Carl Strock, you haven't been reading the Daily Gazette!
Join the Friends on Tuesday, June 17th at the Main Library for their weekly (12:15) gathering for light refreshments, discussion and insights into The View From Up Here.
Join the Friends on Tuesday, June 17th at the Main Library for their weekly (12:15) gathering for light refreshments, discussion and insights into The View From Up Here.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Troy Food and Film Festival. June 28-29, 2008.
Save the date....The Troy Food and Film Festival will be a fabulous party on Saturday and Sunday, June 28 –29, in Troy. Sponsored by the Troy Community Food Coop and Troy Cinema, this will be a weekend brimming with attention to food and films. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a celebration in Barker Park (3 St. and State St. in downtown Troy) with food, music, performance, and events for children. Later, at 7pm that evening, films for foodies will be shown at the Arts Center, including some by local filmmakers. The Troy Cinema and Visual Arts Group will also show the runaway successful short documentary The Real Dirt on Farmer John which has garnered so far 31 awards worldwide. Next day, the celebration will continue with a fundraising Sunday Brunch at the Martinez Gallery at noon. Look for more information on the festival, see the Troy Community Food Coop’s web site (www.troyfoodcoop.com) and the Troy Cinema and Visual Arts Group's web site—www.troycinema.org
Intellectual Freedom Award
The NYLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) is seeking nominations for the NYLA - ProQuest Intellectual Freedom Award.
The Award recognizes an individual, group of individuals or organization engaged in activities which have furthered the cause of intellectual freedom in the State of New York.
The deadline for submitting nominations is July 31, 2008.
The link to the NYLA - ProQuest Intellectual Freedom Award web page.
The nomination criteria.
The link to download the nomination form (in PDF format).
The Award recognizes an individual, group of individuals or organization engaged in activities which have furthered the cause of intellectual freedom in the State of New York.
The deadline for submitting nominations is July 31, 2008.
The link to the NYLA - ProQuest Intellectual Freedom Award web page.
The nomination criteria.
The link to download the nomination form (in PDF format).
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Quotations About Librarians
From The Laughing Librarian. See also the sidebar to the right for humor about
Libraries & Librarism
Books & Reading
Knowledge & Information
Internet & Computers
Hodgepodge
Some other librarian-centric quotes, from the BUSLIB listserv:
"I'll have to admit that he's a very competent scholar." [said Belgarath.] "Isn't he just a librarian?" Garion asked, "somebody who looks after books?"
"That's where all the rest of scholarship starts, Garion. All the books in the world won't help you if they're just piled up in a heap."
-Fantasy writer David Eddings in "King of the Murgos"
"Librarians are the secret masters of the universe. They control information. Never piss one off." --Spider Robinson
"My family never talks about library standards. And every time I try to steer the conversation that way, they make me feel like a nerd." - Lisa Simpson, The Simpsons
"In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties and teach us how to swim." -- Linton Weeks (Washington Post article, 13 January 2001, p. C01)
"If I could've made close to the same amount of money I made in modeling in a library, man, you would not be able to pry me away from there." - Paulina Porizkova, May 1, 2008
"You see, I don't believe that libraries should be drab places where people sit in silence, and that's been the main reason for our policy of employing wild animals as librarians." — Monty Python skit
"I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book." - Groucho Marx
"Librarian is a service occupation. Gas station attendant of the mind." - Richard Powers, In The Gold Bug Variations p.35, 1991.
"Harold:
Madam Librarian
What can I do, my dear, to catch your ear I love you madly, madly Madam Librarian...Marian Heaven help us if the library caught on fire And the Volunteer Hose Brigademen Had to whisper the news to Marian...Madam Librarian!
What can I say, my dear, to make it clear I need you badly, badly, Madam Librarian...Marian If I stumbled and I busted my what-you-may-call-it I could lie on your floor 'Till my body had turned to carrion....Madam Librarian.
Now in the moonlight, a man could sing it In the moonlight And a fellow would know that his darling Had heard ev'ry word of his song With the moonlight helping along.
But when I try in here to tell you, dear I love you madly, madly, Madam Librarian...Marian It's a long lost cause I can never win For the civilized world accepts as unforgivable sin Any talking out loud with any librarian Such as Marian.....Madam Librarian."
Harold Hill from "The Music Man" as cited here.
Libraries & Librarism
Books & Reading
Knowledge & Information
Internet & Computers
Hodgepodge
Some other librarian-centric quotes, from the BUSLIB listserv:
"I'll have to admit that he's a very competent scholar." [said Belgarath.] "Isn't he just a librarian?" Garion asked, "somebody who looks after books?"
"That's where all the rest of scholarship starts, Garion. All the books in the world won't help you if they're just piled up in a heap."
-Fantasy writer David Eddings in "King of the Murgos"
"Librarians are the secret masters of the universe. They control information. Never piss one off." --Spider Robinson
"My family never talks about library standards. And every time I try to steer the conversation that way, they make me feel like a nerd." - Lisa Simpson, The Simpsons
"In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties and teach us how to swim." -- Linton Weeks (Washington Post article, 13 January 2001, p. C01)
"If I could've made close to the same amount of money I made in modeling in a library, man, you would not be able to pry me away from there." - Paulina Porizkova, May 1, 2008
"You see, I don't believe that libraries should be drab places where people sit in silence, and that's been the main reason for our policy of employing wild animals as librarians." — Monty Python skit
"I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book." - Groucho Marx
"Librarian is a service occupation. Gas station attendant of the mind." - Richard Powers, In The Gold Bug Variations p.35, 1991.
"Harold:
Madam Librarian
What can I do, my dear, to catch your ear I love you madly, madly Madam Librarian...Marian Heaven help us if the library caught on fire And the Volunteer Hose Brigademen Had to whisper the news to Marian...Madam Librarian!
What can I say, my dear, to make it clear I need you badly, badly, Madam Librarian...Marian If I stumbled and I busted my what-you-may-call-it I could lie on your floor 'Till my body had turned to carrion....Madam Librarian.
Now in the moonlight, a man could sing it In the moonlight And a fellow would know that his darling Had heard ev'ry word of his song With the moonlight helping along.
But when I try in here to tell you, dear I love you madly, madly, Madam Librarian...Marian It's a long lost cause I can never win For the civilized world accepts as unforgivable sin Any talking out loud with any librarian Such as Marian.....Madam Librarian."
Harold Hill from "The Music Man" as cited here.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
2008 Exhibition by Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region June 21-August 10, 2008
The 72nd EXHIBITION BY ARTISTS OF THE MOHAWK-HUDSON REGION will be presented by the Albany Institute of History & Art from June 21 through August 10, 2008. Established in 1936, the MOHAWK-HUDSON REGIONAL is one of the longest running regional exhibitions in the country. This annual, juried exhibition occupies a major role in the history of contemporary art activity in the Upper Hudson Valley. The juror for the 2008 REGIONAL will be the internationally renowned American sculptor, Joel Shapiro. Highlighting the work of many of the artists working within a 100-mile radius of Albany, the exhibition rotates every three years among the Albany Institute, the University Art Museum at the University at Albany, and the Hyde Collection. The REGIONAL has become a barometer of contemporary art as well as a means of support for emerging and established artists in our community. Many local arts patrons and businesses provide cash prizes and gift certificates that the juror awards to selected artists. This recognition is essential to the growth and vitality of the arts in the Capital Region.
Albany Institute of History & Art
125 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
Tel: 518.463.4478
E-mail: information@albanyinstitute.org
MUSEUM HOURS
Wednesday-Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: Noon-5:00pm
Tuesday: Registered groups only
Closed Mondays & Major Holidays
Sunday, June 08, 2008
2008 Hidden City House and Garden Tour
The annual Hidden City House and Garden Tour will take place this year on Thursday June 19, 2008 from 5:00-8:00 pm. Visit homes, gardens and courtyards in the downtown Albany neighborhoods of Center Square and Hudson/Park. Ticket prices are:
$15 per person if prepaid prior to June 12th. Purchase prepaid tickets by calling 436-5618 or online at http://centersquare.org/hidden-city/
$20 per person June 13th-18th. Purchase tickets in person at Ben & Jerry's, 250 Lark Street (cash or check only), or at Historic Albany Foundation, 472 Madison Avenue (check or charge only).
$20 per person June 19th (day of event).
Purchase tickets or pick up prepaid tickets at Ben & Jerry's, 250 Lark Street, 5pm-8pm.
For more information, call 436-5618 or 465-0876 x 10.
$15 per person if prepaid prior to June 12th. Purchase prepaid tickets by calling 436-5618 or online at http://centersquare.org/hidden-city/
$20 per person June 13th-18th. Purchase tickets in person at Ben & Jerry's, 250 Lark Street (cash or check only), or at Historic Albany Foundation, 472 Madison Avenue (check or charge only).
$20 per person June 19th (day of event).
Purchase tickets or pick up prepaid tickets at Ben & Jerry's, 250 Lark Street, 5pm-8pm.
For more information, call 436-5618 or 465-0876 x 10.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
NYLA Proposed Information Literacy Standards
A NYLA Task Force on Information Literacy Standards has completed its work and the Task Force's recommendations have been approved by the NYLA Council and is now posted on the NYLA website at www.nyla.org for further input from the library community.
These proposed Information Literacy Standards will then be sent to the State Education Department and the NYS Board of Regents for their consideration and hopefully adoption.
These proposed Information Literacy Standards will then be sent to the State Education Department and the NYS Board of Regents for their consideration and hopefully adoption.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Alive at Five. Summer 2008
Albany's free Thursday night summer concert series begins on June 5. Thursdays 5:00-8:00 p.m. Albany Riverfront Park at the Corning Preserve. Rain Site: Corning Preserve Boat Launch (under the 787 overpass). www.albanyevents.org. 434-2032
The summer 2008 schedule is:
June 5
Classic Rock Night
FEATURING: Dennis DeYoung and the Music of STYX
OPENING BAND: Melodrome
June 12
Beach Night
FEATURING: The Ventures
OPENING BAND: Rocky Velvet
June 19
Oldies Night
FEATURING: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
OPENING BAND: New York Players
June 26
Singer/Songwriter Night
FEATURING: Joan Osborne
OPENING BAND: Sean Rowe
July 10
American Idol Night
FEATURING: Bo Bice
OPENING BAND: Sirsy
July 17
Disco Night
FEATURING: Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge
OPENING BAND: The Trammps
July 24
Zydeco Night
FEATURING: Terrance Simien
OPENING BAND: Captain Squeeze & The Zydeco Moshers
July 31
Groove Night
FEATURING: WAR
OPENING BAND: Solid Smoke
August 7
Local Latin Night
FEATURING: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra
OPENING BAND: Sensemaya
August 14
Irish Night (plus FIREWORKS!)
FEATURING: The Prodigals
OPENING BAND: Brother
The summer 2008 schedule is:
June 5
Classic Rock Night
FEATURING: Dennis DeYoung and the Music of STYX
OPENING BAND: Melodrome
June 12
Beach Night
FEATURING: The Ventures
OPENING BAND: Rocky Velvet
June 19
Oldies Night
FEATURING: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
OPENING BAND: New York Players
June 26
Singer/Songwriter Night
FEATURING: Joan Osborne
OPENING BAND: Sean Rowe
July 10
American Idol Night
FEATURING: Bo Bice
OPENING BAND: Sirsy
July 17
Disco Night
FEATURING: Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge
OPENING BAND: The Trammps
July 24
Zydeco Night
FEATURING: Terrance Simien
OPENING BAND: Captain Squeeze & The Zydeco Moshers
July 31
Groove Night
FEATURING: WAR
OPENING BAND: Solid Smoke
August 7
Local Latin Night
FEATURING: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra
OPENING BAND: Sensemaya
August 14
Irish Night (plus FIREWORKS!)
FEATURING: The Prodigals
OPENING BAND: Brother
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WALKING TOUR on Father's Day
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WALKING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS CAPITAL REGION AFRICAN AMERICAN
ABOLITIONISTS AND FREEDOM SEEKERS
Celebrate Fathers’ Day by hearing a new interpretation of an old story in this 90-minute walking tour to be held on Sunday, June 15 in downtown Albany. Historic Capital Region Underground Railroad abolitionists and freedom seekers will be featured in this tour that begins at 1pm at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center. Join independent researchers Paul and Mary Liz Stewart to hear about and celebrate the stories of Capital Region residents who engaged in the 19th century national movement of civil disobedience known as the Underground
Railroad movement while visiting documented locations where these activists walked, lived, and worked. Dad's walk free of charge. Cost is $7 for those walkers 16 years and older. Walkers under 16 years are free, Further information is available by calling 518-432-4432 or visiting www.ugrworkshop.com.
Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to researching, celebrating, and preserving the story of the Underground Railroad in the Capital Region with an emphasis on African American abolitionists and freedom seekers.
ABOLITIONISTS AND FREEDOM SEEKERS
Celebrate Fathers’ Day by hearing a new interpretation of an old story in this 90-minute walking tour to be held on Sunday, June 15 in downtown Albany. Historic Capital Region Underground Railroad abolitionists and freedom seekers will be featured in this tour that begins at 1pm at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center. Join independent researchers Paul and Mary Liz Stewart to hear about and celebrate the stories of Capital Region residents who engaged in the 19th century national movement of civil disobedience known as the Underground
Railroad movement while visiting documented locations where these activists walked, lived, and worked. Dad's walk free of charge. Cost is $7 for those walkers 16 years and older. Walkers under 16 years are free, Further information is available by calling 518-432-4432 or visiting www.ugrworkshop.com.
Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to researching, celebrating, and preserving the story of the Underground Railroad in the Capital Region with an emphasis on African American abolitionists and freedom seekers.
Monday, June 02, 2008
REGENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL ON LIBRARIES REPORT
REGENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL ON LIBRARIES RECOMMENDS INCREASED STATE FUNDING FOR LIBRARIES TO BOARD OF REGENTS
The 2008 report of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries to the Board of Regents on the needs of New York’s libraries and library systems is now online.
The report highlights the Council’s discussion of the impact of the two percent across-the-board cut to New York State’s Library Aid Program. Citing that the cut amounts to approximately $1.9 million of the $94 million ongoing Library Aid Program, the Council expressed concern that New York’s libraries would be able to offer fewer books, fewer programs, and shortened hours to New York’s library users.
The report also outlines the Council’s recommendations to the Board of Regents for 2009 budget and legislative priorities for libraries.
This includes:
* $5 million in state funding for the New York Digital Collection
Initiative
* $20 million for the Public Library Construction Grant Program
* $10 million in Aid to Library Systems
* An increase to $10 per pupil in School Library Materials Aid
* State funding for the Statewide Summer Reading Program, Early
Literacy Programs, and English as a Second Language Programs-$7 million
* State funding for Library Book Aid, Statewide Trustee Training and Support, Library Services for the Disabled, and Saturday hours for the State Library and State Archives-$12.05 million
The recommendations presented to the Board of Regents include a new proposal for a New York Digital Collection Initiative. The Initiative is a collaborative project involving libraries, archives, historical records repositories, museums, public broadcasting, and other partners.
It will incorporate the NOVELNY pilot project/Statewide Internet Library. The purpose of the Initiative is to promote the use of digital technologies to broaden and enhance access to information available from local, regional, and New York State cultural education institutions.
More information about the Digital Collection Initiative is available
online.
Please contact Lucretia McClure, Chairperson, New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries with any questions concerning the Council’s 2008 report to the Board of Regents.
The 2008 report of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries to the Board of Regents on the needs of New York’s libraries and library systems is now online.
The report highlights the Council’s discussion of the impact of the two percent across-the-board cut to New York State’s Library Aid Program. Citing that the cut amounts to approximately $1.9 million of the $94 million ongoing Library Aid Program, the Council expressed concern that New York’s libraries would be able to offer fewer books, fewer programs, and shortened hours to New York’s library users.
The report also outlines the Council’s recommendations to the Board of Regents for 2009 budget and legislative priorities for libraries.
This includes:
* $5 million in state funding for the New York Digital Collection
Initiative
* $20 million for the Public Library Construction Grant Program
* $10 million in Aid to Library Systems
* An increase to $10 per pupil in School Library Materials Aid
* State funding for the Statewide Summer Reading Program, Early
Literacy Programs, and English as a Second Language Programs-$7 million
* State funding for Library Book Aid, Statewide Trustee Training and Support, Library Services for the Disabled, and Saturday hours for the State Library and State Archives-$12.05 million
The recommendations presented to the Board of Regents include a new proposal for a New York Digital Collection Initiative. The Initiative is a collaborative project involving libraries, archives, historical records repositories, museums, public broadcasting, and other partners.
It will incorporate the NOVELNY pilot project/Statewide Internet Library. The purpose of the Initiative is to promote the use of digital technologies to broaden and enhance access to information available from local, regional, and New York State cultural education institutions.
More information about the Digital Collection Initiative is available
online.
Please contact Lucretia McClure, Chairperson, New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries with any questions concerning the Council’s 2008 report to the Board of Regents.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
MYERS RESIDENCE CLEAN UP
Join in on Saturday, June 7 from 9am - 1pm for the first grounds clean up of the year! The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, 194 Livingston Avenue, Albany needs your help to get ready for spring. If you can, bring gloves and tools, but most importantly, bring yourself!
Refreshments will be provided. Call 518-432-4432 with questions or email to info@ugrworkshop.com.
Refreshments will be provided. Call 518-432-4432 with questions or email to info@ugrworkshop.com.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Revolution in the Stacks
"To appeal to a new generation, some libraries are positioning themselves as places to create content." From Governing magazine.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Google vs. educational databases and libraries
"A fellow teacher asked me the other day as he was planning a research project for his class, Which is better, Google, or one of the databases we subscribe to?" The answer? See here.
***
The Library in the New Age, Robert Darnton
Information is exploding so furiously around us and information technology is changing at such bewildering speed that we face a fundamental problem: How to orient ourselves in the new landscape? What, for example, will become of research libraries in the face of technological marvels such as Google?
The New York Review of Books, Volume 55, Number 10 · June 12, 2008
***
The Library in the New Age, Robert Darnton
Information is exploding so furiously around us and information technology is changing at such bewildering speed that we face a fundamental problem: How to orient ourselves in the new landscape? What, for example, will become of research libraries in the face of technological marvels such as Google?
The New York Review of Books, Volume 55, Number 10 · June 12, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
First Time Homebuyers Program
Thinking of buying your first home? The Library's the place to be on Saturday, May 31st from 9AM to 4:30PM, Main Library for the First Time Homebuyers Program.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Garage Bands Rock
Drop by the Library's Garage on Friday (yes, this Friday, May 30) for a FREE concert by local Garage Bands, Alta Mira and The Sense Offenders. Check out Sarah's tips for more info to stay on top of the Entertainment Scene in Albany! The Library presents five nights of Summer fun...all at 6PM, all at the Library's Garage and all fun!
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