Monthly Archives: April 2018

The Dutch Are Religious About Libraries

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

A few years ago, a disused 15th century church in Zwolle, Netherlands was transformed into a modern library. Now,  a 19th century church in ‘s- Hertogenbosch  has been turned into a stunning 21st century combined library/museum/community center. What a great … Continue reading →

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Bowie : Station to Station

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

This week, New York City transit riders have been lining up to purchase special edition David Bowie MetroCards. The city’s Metropolitan Transit Authority has teamed up with Spotify to offer five different options each celebrating the late artist’s varied personas. … Continue reading →

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Tales of Good and Evil

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I have long been aware that Edward Gorey designed and illustrated his own books, but I was surprised to discover that he worked as a book designer for Doubleday Publishing throughout the 1950s. While employed by Doubleday, Gorey created more … Continue reading →

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Difficult Times

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
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Back to Back

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The antiquarian book above is actually two volumes in one. This rare style of binding is usually referred to as dos-a-dos, from the French “back to back”. As the term suggests, these books share the same back cover. Books bound in … Continue reading →

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Freedom to Read

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

During National Library Week, the American Library Association released its annual Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books . American libraries continue to face challenges—including the potential for censorship—to a variety of books, programs and periodicals. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom … Continue reading →

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My First Memory of Librarians

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

A last tribute to libraries and librarians for National Library Week from the brilliant Nikki Giovanni. MY FIRST MEMORY (OF LIBRARIANS) This is my first memory: A big room with heavy wooden tables that sat on a creaky wood floor … Continue reading →

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Back to Middle Earth

Posted on April 14, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

For readers like me, there is very exciting news about the upcoming publication of a “new” J.R.R. Tolkien book this August. Harper Collins has announced the publication of “The Fall of Gondolin”, a story of a hidden city of elves, … Continue reading →

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Pity the Nation

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

April is National Poetry Month in the United States. I can think of no one better than America’s greatest living poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti to mark the occasion. “Pity the Nation”, which was written in 2007, is especially appropriate in the … Continue reading →

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Maps Telling Stories

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I have always believed that every map tells a story. When it come to exploring a geographic narrative, there are no better vehicles than 20th century illustrated maps. In the second of our series of guest posts from Dutch author … Continue reading →

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