There is still time to pick up a book (or two or three...) before heading out on spring break. Pop in and browse our shelves, or read our Library Thing reviews for information and inspiration.
Some of the latest reviews linked to our "virtual collection" include Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards, The Forgotten Affairs of Youth by Alexander McCall Smith, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
You can always find even more reviews through our LibraryThing profile.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Phone Booths as Guerilla Libraries
The New York architecture graduate John Locke's ongoing experiment to convert phone booths into mini libraries is gaining a lot of attention. He hopes that New Yorkers will browse the books and pick up one while running errands, and perhaps replace it later with another one of their choosing. The goal is to attempt to foster community engagement and see whether phone booths can give value back to a neighborhood.
How does he select the books to go in each library? Locke says:
Read more about Locke and his project in The Atlantic Cities interview.
How does he select the books to go in each library? Locke says:
"I want everything and anything. I don't have much of a budget, so all the books are donated from people that live nearby and off my own shelves, so everything from Oprah-approved to Jane Jacobs. And obviously as people leave their own books, I'd want the collection to become a record of the interests of that particular site."
Read more about Locke and his project in The Atlantic Cities interview.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Amistad and John Quincy Adams
When is the last time you stopped to study one of our daily mini-displays?
Every weekday, we set out a display about a historical event of the day. A short write-up is accompanied by pertinent items from our collection. The display is located right by the entrance in the lobby.
Today you can learn about the connection John Quincy Adams has to the slave ship Amistad rebellion. Adams also has a connection to the Academy. He studied law under Academy graduate Theophilus Parsons who lived in Newburyport. Parsons, who served as a Chief Justice of Massachusetts and author of the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, was on the school's Board of Trustees. Adams took the minutes of the Board and we have them conserved in our Archives. Stop by and ask Mrs. Slater to see his beautiful penmanship!
Every weekday, we set out a display about a historical event of the day. A short write-up is accompanied by pertinent items from our collection. The display is located right by the entrance in the lobby.
Today you can learn about the connection John Quincy Adams has to the slave ship Amistad rebellion. Adams also has a connection to the Academy. He studied law under Academy graduate Theophilus Parsons who lived in Newburyport. Parsons, who served as a Chief Justice of Massachusetts and author of the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, was on the school's Board of Trustees. Adams took the minutes of the Board and we have them conserved in our Archives. Stop by and ask Mrs. Slater to see his beautiful penmanship!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Archival Storage for LIFE
Just like our collection of National Geographic magazines, our LIFE magazines are showing their age. (The oldest issues are from 1969!) And like our National Geographics, we protected them from dust and wear with archival storage boxes.
The LIFE storage boxes are clearly labeled with the magazine name and year(s). They are shelved in their usual spot in the Bragdon Reading Room, in order by year.We encourage you to enjoy our selection. Any time you have questions about our magazine collection, feel free to ask!
The LIFE storage boxes are clearly labeled with the magazine name and year(s). They are shelved in their usual spot in the Bragdon Reading Room, in order by year.We encourage you to enjoy our selection. Any time you have questions about our magazine collection, feel free to ask!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Scientific Blogs Out There
For the scientifically curious, there are plenty of offerings in our library. We carry all the textbooks used at Govs. Our collection of non-fiction contains both books and DVDs in the various sciences, and we subscribe to several popular science periodicals and academic databases. In addition, our catalog links to e-books (available for reading on campus). For those who want more, there are several ways to find interesting writing online. Below are a few possibilities to consider.
The ScienceBlogs portal, launched in 2006, collects more than 80 individual blogs that cover various sciences and the intersection of science with politics and culture. The site classifies the blogs into ten divisions (life sciences, physical science, environment, humanities, education, politics, medicine, brain & behavior, technology, and information science). ScienceBlogs selects their bloggers based on their "originality, insight, talent, and dedication and how we think they would contribute to the discussion at ScienceBlogs," but does not edit their work or tell them what to write about. (Surprisingly many ads might turn off some readers.)
For an ad-free experience, you could head to Scientopia, a collective of people who write about science because they love to do so. This community is "held together by mutual respect and operated by consensus, in which people can write, educate, discuss, and learn about science and the process of doing science." The participating bloggers range from molecular geneticists to graduate students to computer scientists to anthropologists. Their topics and approaches are highly individualistic; there should be something of interest there for most readers.
The blog Not Exactly Rocket Science is another great destination for empty moments. The author, Ed Yong, is an award-winning British science writer. His work has appeared in New Scientist, the Times, WIRED, the Guardian, Nature, and more. This blog is his attempt to "talk about the awe-inspiring, beautiful and quirky world of science to as many people as possible."
The ScienceBlogs portal, launched in 2006, collects more than 80 individual blogs that cover various sciences and the intersection of science with politics and culture. The site classifies the blogs into ten divisions (life sciences, physical science, environment, humanities, education, politics, medicine, brain & behavior, technology, and information science). ScienceBlogs selects their bloggers based on their "originality, insight, talent, and dedication and how we think they would contribute to the discussion at ScienceBlogs," but does not edit their work or tell them what to write about. (Surprisingly many ads might turn off some readers.)
For an ad-free experience, you could head to Scientopia, a collective of people who write about science because they love to do so. This community is "held together by mutual respect and operated by consensus, in which people can write, educate, discuss, and learn about science and the process of doing science." The participating bloggers range from molecular geneticists to graduate students to computer scientists to anthropologists. Their topics and approaches are highly individualistic; there should be something of interest there for most readers.
The blog Not Exactly Rocket Science is another great destination for empty moments. The author, Ed Yong, is an award-winning British science writer. His work has appeared in New Scientist, the Times, WIRED, the Guardian, Nature, and more. This blog is his attempt to "talk about the awe-inspiring, beautiful and quirky world of science to as many people as possible."
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Families Getting Along Display
In honor of Parents Weekend we have put up a display about celebrities and their parents. It doesn’t matter how rich or famous you are, everyone has parents. Our families influence us in so many ways; it is no surprise that some celebrities give their parents credit for their unwavering support. So take a moment this weekend and think about how your parents have supported you and remember to try and get along famously!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Military Tradition at the Academy
The display in this case pays tribute to this military tradition at the academy, and includes a sword used by the Dummer Guard, an on-campus military training unit, during the 1880’s. In addition, we have a Civil War letter from a graduate writing about seeing one of the early ironclad ships, the Keokuk, with Nehemiah Cleaveland in NY. We also have a photo of students in their military training garb and a scrapbook which includes an article about Benjamin Perley Poore’s “savages.”
Monday, February 13, 2012
New Archival Display Case
This new display case in the foyer will contain items from the archives.
As you probably know by now, our new archivist, Ms. Slater, has instituted "history mysteries" - a question or questions to do with the school's history and often connected to an item or items from the archives. The first correct answer will receive a prize from the archives’ prize vault. Some weeks, the mysteries will be found here.
We are very excited to have additional display space for our school's treasures!
As you probably know by now, our new archivist, Ms. Slater, has instituted "history mysteries" - a question or questions to do with the school's history and often connected to an item or items from the archives. The first correct answer will receive a prize from the archives’ prize vault. Some weeks, the mysteries will be found here.
We are very excited to have additional display space for our school's treasures!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Guess the Kisses!
Our annual February contest asks you to guess the amount of Hershey kisses. Last year we used a cube. This year the container is tall and flared. Ms. Marnell found an article with a formula for calculating jelly beans in a cylinder and has challenged students to come up with a formula to calculate this year’s guesses. Good luck!
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Dickens 200 Years
February 7th marks the 200th anniversary of the birthday of Charles Dickens, the continuously beloved British author. Dickens' work transcends his time, language, and culture. He continues to be a tremendous influence throughout the world, and his writings continue to inspire on popular culture like film and TV, plus art, literature, artists, and the academia.
We built a wonderful display around this auspicious anniversary. Among books and posters, there are a handful of more exotic items. One of our staff members, Ms. Lojek, lent for our display four vintage Dickens prints passed on to her by her family. There is also a Dickens action figure equipped with a quill, ready to rhyme.
For an online Dickens experience, check out for instance the Charles Dickens Museum and Dickens 2012.
We built a wonderful display around this auspicious anniversary. Among books and posters, there are a handful of more exotic items. One of our staff members, Ms. Lojek, lent for our display four vintage Dickens prints passed on to her by her family. There is also a Dickens action figure equipped with a quill, ready to rhyme.
For an online Dickens experience, check out for instance the Charles Dickens Museum and Dickens 2012.
Monday, February 06, 2012
Latest Reviews: February 2012
Welcome back! We hope everyone had a great semester break.
If you are looking for outside reading for a class, or something to relax with in between managing text books and new assignments, you could turn to our Library Thing reviews for inspiration.
Some of the latest reviews linked to our "virtual collection" include Boomerang by Michael Lewis, Moonlight on Linoleum by Terry Helwig, and The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides.
You can always find even more reviews through our LibraryThing profile.
If you are looking for outside reading for a class, or something to relax with in between managing text books and new assignments, you could turn to our Library Thing reviews for inspiration.
Some of the latest reviews linked to our "virtual collection" include Boomerang by Michael Lewis, Moonlight on Linoleum by Terry Helwig, and The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides.
You can always find even more reviews through our LibraryThing profile.
Friday, February 03, 2012
Today in History
As you walk into the library, stop by the table and read about today and an event which makes it memorable. Some days it may commemorate a birthday or a pivotal moment in history. Some days it may reflect a current event. Every day, it's intriguing! And, matched with a book or two from the library, opportunity abounds to learn even more.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.
“The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” will be considered for an Academy Award in animated short films. Wonderful on so many levels!
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