Chicago Library System: Books

Computer website/ book

Fri, 07 Mar 2003 21:11:12 GMT

Computer website/ book:

For those looking for a simple guide to computers, try The Secret Guide to Computers. The 28th ed. (2002), which is available as an ebook on the web, has a wealth of information on personal computers. It, however, does not cover advanced topics like servers or handhelds.

Next Book for "One Book, One Chicago"

Thu, 30 Jan 2003 15:59:49 GMT

Next Book for "One Book, One Chicago":

The next book in the Chicago reading program is A Raisin in the Sun. The Chicago Tribune has this announcement on the program and related literary events. For more information, on the "One Book, One Chicago" reading series, check out the Chicago Public Library's website.

ALA announces award winners

Tue, 28 Jan 2003 17:07:20 GMT

ALA announces award winners:

The American Library Association announced the winners of Newbery, Caldecott, and other awards yesterday at the association's Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.

Release Date for Next Harry Potter Book

Wed, 15 Jan 2003 15:56:11 GMT

Release Date for Next Harry Potter Book:

The release date for the next Harry Potter book has been announced. It's June 21. See this CNN news story for more info.

Bookslut

Tue, 17 Dec 2002 19:15:55 GMT

Bookslut:

Veronda recommends this colorful blog on books and literature.

Smart Mobs

Wed, 04 Dec 2002 17:31:44 GMT

Smart Mobs:

LISNews.com's has an brief article entitled "Mob behavior being altered by technology." It's a synoptic view of Howard Rheingold's new book Smart Mobs.

Americana Exchange Rare Books

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 16:52:03 GMT

Americana Exchange Rare Books:

This site is a resource for collectors and otheres interested in Americana. The features of the site include articles, an auction calendar, and, on an annual subscription basis, an online database of the major Americana bibliographies. The subscriptions have varying levels so one can pick the level they are comfortable at.

Caramelo, Chicago, & Cisneros

Thu, 31 Oct 2002 16:48:53 GMT

Caramelo, Chicago, & Cisneros:

The Chicago Sun Times has an article on Sandra Cisneros and her new book, Caramelo (Knopf). The article also focuses on Cisneros' preceptions of Chicago as she is originally from here and the novel takes place in several locations that include Chicago.

Tuck Everlasting

Fri, 11 Oct 2002 21:25:57 GMT

Tuck Everlasting:

Disney's film version of Tuck Everlasting, based on the award winning children's book by Natalie Babbitt, starts it limited release today. The movie web site has resources for educators, who are using the book in their classes.

Harry Potter Update

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 16:56:57 GMT

Harry Potter Update:

To find out the latest Harry Potter news, check out this link "Kepping Current On Your Harry News" courtesy of [LISNews.com].

Booksfree.com

Fri, 04 Oct 2002 22:01:10 GMT

Booksfree.com:

"Roxanne Volkmann, who describes herself as addicted to mysteries, reads an average of six books a month. At $5.95 per paperback, the cost of that addiction can add up."

"But Volkmann has found a particularly frugal way of feeding her habit: She orders books online from Booksfree.com, receives them by mail, and drops them in an envelope and sends them back when she's done. All in all, her membership costs $9 a month." from The Washington Post via Library Stuff - Updated daily by Steven M. Cohen.

One of the featured sections of the Booksfree site is a "Compare the Value" section, which compares the value of Booksfree.com to libraries, physical bookstores, and electronic retailers. What do you think of this new business?

Intellectual freedom in the Quad Ciites

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 18:23:43 GMT

Intellectual freedom in the Quad Ciites:

"Intellectual Freedom in the Heartland !-) Ranked Google-icious." [LISNews.com] LISNews links to a couple of articles on Banned Book Week and the Quad Cities record with banned books and the effects on the USA Patriot Act on library use.

Bloodhag

Mon, 23 Sep 2002 21:08:53 GMT

Bloodhag:

"Laying eyes on BloodHag's four members is its o .... - "Laying eyes on BloodHag's four members is its own entertainment, especially surrounded by the other patrons of Ballard's Sunset Tavern. Sporting thick glasses, white button-down shirts and ties, they're easy enough to pick out from the ironic-T-shirt-wearing, dyed-haired masses. When they take the stage, one guy at the bar wonders who the ska band is."

"Not ska, friends. Speed metal. They're named BloodHag. Think about it..."(from The Seattle Times) [Library Stuff - Updated daily by Steven M. Cohen]

Bloodhag's website is as interesting as their science fiction inspired music. So much so that when you open their website you get a windows warning pop-up box that says "Warning: May Induce Literacy."

Book Clubs and Women

Wed, 18 Sep 2002 22:10:39 GMT

Book Clubs and Women:

The Chicago Tribune has this article that looks at the social issues surrounding book clubs and women, entitled "Book Groupies." You may need to complete the free registration to access the Tribune site.

history of the book online database

Fri, 06 Sep 2002 16:02:42 GMT

History of the book online database:

"BHO is a database in English on the history of the printed books and libraries...." (via Academic Info) [Library Stuff - Updated daily by Steven M. Cohen]

Sandburg and Chicago Materials at Auction

Wed, 04 Sep 2002 18:13:59 GMT

Sandburg and Chicago Materials at Auction:

Sandburg papers go for $80,000 [LISNews.com]

This is an interesting item in that a small regional auction house in Pennsylvania, Tom Hall Auctions, was able to land such a prestigious collection of Chicago related materials. They didn't really publicize this auction to Chicago area collectors and libraries.

Another commentary on the European Copyright Directive

Thu, 22 Aug 2002 21:50:16 GMT

Another commentary on the European Copyright Directive:

"European Copyright Directive. From Andrew Orlowski in London: The UK's take on the "European DMCA" - the European Copyright Directive - will make..." [Blogcritics]

Blogcritics is a new searchable blog site that provides reviews of news events, music, and books.

Water and books

Thu, 22 Aug 2002 20:03:41 GMT

Water and books:

It's been a rainy day in Chicago with some flash floods warnings. More rain is in the forecast. In the event of preparedness, here's some resources that will help you should disaster strike:

Electronic discussion lists:

CONSDIST@LINDY.STANFORD.EDU Conservation DistList - Conservation of Archive, Library, and Museum Materials
EXLIBRIS@LIBRARY.BERKELEY.EDU Rare Books and Special Collections

On the web:

Library HQ’s Disaster Planning & Recovery

NEWS LIBRARIES: PRESERVATION AND DISASTER CONTROL

SLA's Disaster Planning Portal

Thu, 22 Aug 2002 16:52:08 GMT

A movement towards paperless libraries?:

The Bookless Library, Continued [LISNews.com]

We'll see more news items like the one above and this one that was in Wired a few weeks ago about the West Des Moines campus of the Des Moines Area Community College move to a paperless campus and library. Looks like a trend to watch.

Tue, 20 Aug 2002 17:26:08 GMT

"Know your federal judge - the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary is a great publication, but for years it was only available in print. It has biographical information on all of the judges in the federal judiciary. Stuff like who appointed them, date of birth, educational and professional background and so forth. It also now includes financial information gleaned from the mandatory disclosures that the judges are required to file. By far the most useful facet of the work is the anonymous comments of practioners I haven't used the book lately (because it costs a lot to update and our copy has most of the judges that we need to know about), but when I did last look at it I was impressed at how useful and accurate the comments (taken in the aggregate) were. The Almanac, which is published by Aspen Publishers, is now available online. The bad news is that it costs $1,900 (although you can try it free for 10 days). The online service provides a directory of court guidelines that is updated 3 times a year. If you spend a significant amount of time in federal courts outside of your home turf then the price of this publication is a pittance." [Ernie the Attorney]

Thanks to Ernie the Attorney and his ab fab blog for reviewing this legal resource.

CLS members: What do you think of this? How useful is it to you? Please let us know if this is of interest to you as a CLS member library in CLS Online. If there's interest, I'll see if Aspen would be willing to work out a consortial discount for CLS members.

Tue, 20 Aug 2002 16:22:26 GMT

"One Book, One Chicago:"

The Chicago Public Library has announced the next book in its "One Book, One Chicago" reading series: Willa Cather's My Antonia. The reading of My Antonia will culminate with the city's annual reading festival in October, The Chicago Book Festival: City of Big Readers. Previous reads in the series include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Night by Elie Wiesel. The Chicago Sun Times ran this story on the series on August 15.