New Art and Recreation Books in the Library

700s February 2010
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

We're excited about two of our new arts book. Obey: Supply and Demand/ The Art of Shepard Fairey takes us on a delightful romp through stamps and propaganda. The free poster that came with the book is nice, too.

For something a bit different, try Drawing Down the Moon/ The Art of Charles Vess. As Susanna Clarke says in her forward, his art is reminiscent of "the Golden Age illustrators of Edwardian story-books." Whatever your taste, stop by and enjoy these or one of our other art books.

Green copying instructions

Green copying instructions
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Saving energy is only a part of the on-going Green Cup Challenge. You can also make a difference by cutting down on your paper consumption. (After all, it does take energy to turn trees into pulp into paper, and transport all that to the various places of processing.)

Our new copier has a double-side function. We made a cheat sheet for you, and posted it on the cork board above the copier. The next time you need to make a copy, try going double-sided!

Roots of Science Fiction

Have you ever thought about where fiction comes from? What about the different genres of fiction?

"Science Fiction came of age in the 19th Century under the talents of writers like Mary Shelley, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells. But before these authors stands a long history of proto-science fiction tales, replete with voyages to the moon, socially and technologically advanced civilizations, and visions of the future." (Read more at io9.)

It's easy to believe that inventions like railroads, vaccinations, and mass media give authors wilder ideas than a two-man saw, for example, even if the latter represented a significant advantage over the one-person model. But would you believe that the first space opera was written in the 2nd century CE? Lucian of Samosata's A True Story places inhabitants not only on the moon but also on the Sun, and does not stop there. Our library does not carry Lucian's works, but we have plenty of sci-fi and fantasy for those days when you'd like to really get your feet off the ground.

Get Your Green On

Get Your Green On 2
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

At the library, we are encouraging awareness of the on-going Green Cup. We are reducing our electricity consumption by turning off the lights upstairs and the study rooms between 4 and 6:30 p.m. If you need the lights on in order to study, please ask at the circulation desk.

As always, feel free to pop in for information and enlightenment. We currently display some materials in the reference area, and we'd be delighted to help you with research.

Student Art in the Student Center

Student Art Works in the Student Center
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Artwork is on display in the Student Center following last week's student art show. Many of these works were entered in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards competition, netting the school 25 awards including four Gold Key Portfolio Awards. At this morning's all-school meeting, kudos were given (a headmaster's tradition) to winning students and their teachers . The Governor's Academy has a history of excellence in art education, and this year's students are all to be congratulated for their outstanding accomplishments.

Salinger Passed Away

One of the great names in American fiction, J. D. Salinger, passed away at the age of 91. Best known for his work The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger wrote many of his works about the dysfunctional Glass family. In the 1970's, Salinger stopped giving interviews. He lived secluded in Cornish, New Hampshire.

We created a small display to commemorate his work. Please come in and have a look.

The 2010 National Green Cup Challenge Is On!

Welcome back from the semester break!

It's time for the 2010 National Green Cup Challenge! Created by schools for schools, the Green Cup Challenge is the original student-driven inter-school energy challenge. Here at Governor's Academy, dorms also compete against each other, and we compete head-to-head against Brooks. We hear there is also a plan afoot to sell "green" carnations the week before Valentine's Day.

This year, the competition runs till February 22nd. Read more at the Green Cup Challenge web site, or come by the library to check out information about different energy sources and policies. We have plenty of materials, ranging from the policy decisions to solutions for the future.

Checking out the videos

Checking out the videos
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

VHS format was great in its time. Starting in 1976 we no longer needed to go to the theater to see a movie. We didn't need to wait for a television station to air old movies in order to see them. And if we wanted to watch the same movie over and over, we could do it as often as we liked. We could own the right to play a movie (for personal home use!) as often as we wanted for a nominal fee. Our recreational choices had expanded. The world would never be the same again.
The Actors Guild was outraged; they feared the loss of income from royalties and even feared that people would no longer go to see movies. Fortunately, everyone seemed to benefit from the advent of the VHS movie format. Movies are at least as popular as they've ever been. Move movies are being made all the time.
But, there was a problem with VHS format - after about 20 years, the tapes degrade and the movies can no longer be viewed.
We're in the process of converting our VHS tapes to DVD format. Not all of our movies are presently available to purchase on DVD, but we've been steadily replacing them.
In this picture, two students are considering the free VHS tapes that we recently replaced in our collection. We now own more than 95% of our entertainment videos in DVD format. It will be a bit longer before that percent of our educational videos become available in DVD format, but we're working constantly to ensure that we can provide the materials our student and teachers need for their educational and recreational fulfillment.

We All Have Dreams - What Are Yours?

We All Have Dreams - What Are Yours?
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

After this morning's assembly, where we watched a tape of the 1963 March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, students attended their normal classes where each teacher incorporated the day's theme into their lesson. Mr. Werner's AP students will be researching the history of integration at the Governor's Academy. Mrs. Rokous's students will watch "The Human Family Tree" to see what science has to say about the concept of race. Each teacher has chosen something meaningful to him or herself to help our students understand what Martin Luther King day is about. The day will conclude with a coffeehouse assembly where students will perform their interpretations of the meaning of the day. The day's theme is "Listen!" and we hope to all be better listeners after today.

Puzzlers

Puzzles
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

In addition to the ever popular daily tangram, we now have several new puzzles to challenge our students.

Haiti Aid at TGA and Elsewhere

We've had some problems accessing our blog provider, but we're delighted to be back.

This week's big news is the massive earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday Jan 12th. The State Department has set up a telephone number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti. The toll-free number is 1-888-407-4747.

Several efforts are underway to send help to Haiti. President Obama promised the Haitians "will not be forsaken." Not all calls for help are legitimate, though. The FBI has issued a warning for Haiti relief scams. We encourage you to use well-known organizations (for example, the American Red Cross and Doctors without Borders) to channel your help.

At TGA, students have organized a Jeans day on Monday for Haiti. They're asking for a $5 donation. Look for Imogene and Mei Li, or check your e-mail for more information.

The boy who harnessed the wind

The boy who harnessed the wind
Originally uploaded by afromusing

Last Friday’s convocation speaker was Chris Bradford, cofounder of the African Leadership Academy. He began by telling us the tale of William Kamkwamba, the subject of the book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. William came to the attention of Mr. Bradford after the news media spread the story of a boy without a high school education who used a library book to construct windmills. He used those windmills to provide electricity for his family and village. The founders of the African Leadership Academy are dedicated to helping those future leaders of Africa who show the determination act in order to solve the problems they perceive.
The Governor's Academy is looking forward to their partnership and student exchange being planned with the African Leadership Academy.

The boy who harnessed the wind photo Originally uploaded by afromusing

Peak Performance and Emotional Balance

This week’s faculty meeting included a talk by Richard Ginsberg Ph.D.,designed to help us balance our students’ desire for peak performance with their need to grow up healthy and emotionally balanced. Dr. Ginsberg spoke about the adolescent body and mind and how it develops. He helped us understand what we should expect at various ages. He explained what top athletes experience during peak performance as well as helping us understand what psychology professionals consider to be an emotionally healthy adolescent. What he left us with, however, was a re-affirmation of our core values as a school and a commitment to work hard to enable our students to become young adults whom we will be proud to have taught.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Welcome back from the break! I hope your holidays were invigorating. Students are back at the library, and the campus is full of energy!

We here at the library have been busy right from the start. There are five new displays to check out.

The first, right by the circulation desk in the lobby, celebrates yesterday's convocation speaker Frank Shaeffer and his work. In the corridor we have two displays, one about the wild west and the other about short stories. The reference area hosts a series of videos on Martin Luther King, Jr., and human rights issues around the world. Lastly, we commemorate the late Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy with a display.

Please stop by and be inspired for the new year!

Frank Schaeffer Convocation Display

Frank Schaeffer Convocation Display
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Today, Frank Schaeffer, author of Portofino, Crazy for God, and several other books spoke to our community. During his introduction he promised to tell us how he "commits spirituality." Regaled by tales of his life in a cult-like evangelical community followed by his involvement in big-time politics and the creation of the right-wing of the Republican party, he proceeded to explain his world-view. In brief, he said that "the most dangerous thing in the world is absolute certainty." He deftly clarified, when asked, that this is not only his view, but a paradox that fits into his philosophy that the question is the answer; the really big questions have no right or wrong answers. He advocated embracing paradox, considering that the question may actually be the solution.

What Mr. Schaeffer meant by the danger of absolute certainty is that insisting that everyone who disagrees with you is wrong, stupid, or evil leads to acts of hatred, war, and terrorism. He warned us of the danger of needing to be right, how it leads to an inability to see the complexities of the world for what they are. Those who write off everyone who doesn't think like them can quickly learn to view their verbal opponent as the enemy. It also leaves us easily manipulated by the power hungry.

Spirituality, to Mr. Schaeffer, does not involve being right about who or what God is. Instead it is about becoming the person who would make a good husband, grandfather, neighbor, or companion on a desert island. It was easy to see how Mr. Schaeffer's life led him to this conclusion. He grew up in a fundamentalist evangelical hippie community and was later courted by the powerful people searching to transform America into a myopic society. I look forward to reading his books.

Paul Revere and Exam Week

We like to save exam week for special projects. The building is empty of students for several hours and we can truly concentrate rather than multi-task! This year we spent time with our archivist, Laurie DiModica, and the school's original seal fashioned by Paul Revere. We knew that the seal had been used for Trustee business and were curious as to what was on it and any symbolism.
We initially bought sealing wax that was made from a 300 year old formula, thinking historical accuracy. But as we burned it, the soot and ash smeared the image we were trying to see. So, we went 20th century and chose sealing wax designed for a glue gun. The image was clearer. We all made an imprint for how often do we get a chance to be hands-on with history?
Laurie did some reasearch into the Trustee minutes and found in a meeting on November 22, 1786 (handwritten by John Quincy Adams):
"Voted, that a vote of the Trust passed the 7th of April 1786 for procuring a seal and directing the devise of it be, and the same is hereby annulled--and further voted, that the Treasurer [Micajah Sawyer Esq.] be, and he hereby is directed to procure a seal for and at the expence of the Trust of about the size of an English Half Crown; and that the devise of it, be the figure of Apollo holding out a laurel, with this label from his mouth, "Detur Digniori," and a number of pupils looking at the laurel. With these words round the margin Sigillum Academiae Demmerianae 1763."

New History DVDs

December 2009 dvds History
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

We have approximately 2,000 DVDs in our collection and add to the list each month. Half of our movies are entertainment and heavily used by boarding students and day students alike. Our faculty makes good use of the remainder of our collection by showing videos in class or assigning them to be watched for homework. Additionally, many junior history thesis papers are written with the aid of our extensive history video collection. For more information on these videos see our flickr page, or search our catalog.

More Book Lists

Yesterday we blogged about reading suggestions displayed on our Christmas Book Tree. There are plenty of other sources, too, for suggested reading. Check out these lists, for example:

Reading Suggestions by the Glenview (IL) Public Library
Reading Suggestions for Teens by the Sunnyvale (CA) Public Library
Books & More, Teens by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

And if you're heading to college next year, you might want to have a look at the following lists:

College Bound Reading List by the Arrowhead (WI) Library System
101 Great Books by The College Board
College Bound Reading List by EducationPlanner.org

Christmas Book Tree

Christmas Book Tree
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

"Tis the season for jolly reading! The Christmas book display in the foyer is loaded with holiday stories. Choose from among Jeff Guin's How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas or his Autobiography of Santa Claus, Wally Lamb's Wishing' and Hopin', or Let it Snow (three novellas by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.) Just added this week is the new Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs.

Reindeer in the Trees

Reindeer in the Trees
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

The Holiday Break is fast approaching. The library shows its best decorations to get you in the mood. Here are some adventurous reindeer.

Before the break, however, there is a week of exams. Please remember: the whole library is dedicated to silent study this week. Be considerate of your fellow students.

Carollers at the Library

For me, the best day of the season is when the carollers come. Today Mr. Seufert's German class sang O Tannenbaum and Stille Nacht while Miss Keegan's Class sang Santa Claus Esta Viniendo a la Ciudad.

Copyright-Free Photos Online

Need a picture for a report, letter, or a card - and fast? Instead of googling and grabbing something at random, why not try searching for photos taken by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duty. Many of them are free of copyright and free to use - not to mention simply gorgeous. Photos are provided by the Agricultural Research Service, FEMA, Antarctic Photo Library, and the Department of Defense, for example.

The Roots of the TGA Student Exchange

Yesterday we blogged about TGA's newest cross-cultural activity, the Cultural Awareness Student Association (or CASA for short). But did you know that the Academy sent exchange students out to Europe already in the 1920s? Two boys from the school went to Denmark to live with “high class Danish families and absorb the traits of their life and customs.” Read more in the May 1927 issue of The Archon in our Archives blog.

Cultural Awareness Student Association

Casa
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Students of the newly formed Cultural Awareness Student Association created displays for the library to share what their new club is about. The new club plans on celebrating cultural diversity and awareness through music, dance, food.... Their organizational meeting is tonight at 6:30 in Frost Old Library.

This Just In!

December 2009 dvds Fiction
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

We literally just finished processing a set of new books and DVDs, including these movies and much more. Check out the new books shelf!

Inspirational speakers and videos

New DVDs 700s December 2009
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

On Wednesday the entire community was treated to a talk by Paul Deegan, travel author and adventurer. He spoke of three trips that tested his, and others, limits and abilities. He spoke cogently of understanding one’s own desires and abilities, planning properly, and reaching our dreams in spite of any handicaps life may have handed us.
Hopefully these two new videos, Intrepid Descent and Blood, Sweat & Gears, will give us further inspiration to follow Mr. Deegan’s example.

Reminder: Lost and Found

Despite the fact that the semester is ending (or maybe because of it?) , the contents of the Lost and Found bin in the copier room keep growing. Please come and claim your shoes(!), hats, jackets, shirts, notebooks, textbooks, dictionaries, and novels. You're sure to need at least some of them before the Holiday Break.

To Kindle or not?

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Sherman Alexie
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

Digital or print? This Sherman Alexie interview offers an interesting (and humorous!) perspective from an author point of view.

Back to Work

Welcome back from the Thanksgiving break! We hope you've had an enjoyable holiday.

These final weeks before the Holiday Break are going to be busy for everyone. The freshmen will continue their civics meetings with library staff to learn about the Noodle Tools bibliography software. Juniors will continue researching and writing their history papers. The exam week is almost here.

With all that's going on, it's easy to feel stressed out. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, teens are just as stressed as adults (if not more so). (Check out the Editorial of The Governor for Nov 20th.)

While we here at the library can't do your research or write your paper for you, we can give advice and point you to the right sources. Don't forget to take the opportunity to talk to Mrs. Allen and Mr. Quigley. And when your brain is full, pop into the library for entertainment. We have novels, magazines, movies, and more.