Category Archives: Libraries

Lunar Library

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, a SpaceX rocket launched a lunar landing module from its base in Florida. That would be interesting in its self, but the mission is an Israeli crowdfunded project to land a module the size of a home washing … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Books, Libraries, Middle East, Tech, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Fun With Maps

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Those of you who regularly visit TBTP know how fond I am of maps—both real and fictional. New York City-based artist Jake Berman does deep dives into archives and library collections to discover historic plans and engineering documents from municipal … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Libraries, Maps, Public Transport, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Wise Men Fished Here

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 2005, the legendary Gotham Book Mart in New York City closed its bricks and mortar store. By 2007, the iconic Manhattan bookseller was out of business for good.  Fortunately, the University of Pennsylvania was gifted much of the contents … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, History, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

But What Happens To The Books

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

When I read about the death of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld the other day, my first thought was “what happens to his books?”. To be honest, I don’t know much about the German tycoon other than the reports from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Libraries | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Center for Fiction

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Awhile ago I shared a story about the imminent big move for New York City’s historic Center for Fiction from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Well, it has finally happened and the new site’s grand opening is on Tuesday February 19th. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, History, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Still Alarming

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I first discovered the science fiction novels by Ray Bradbury when I was 10 or 11 years old. In retrospect I’m certain that many of the themes of his books went way over my head. But when I read Fahrenheit 451 I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Freedom of Speech, Libraries, Tech, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Library is a time machine

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I am a huge fan of the Little Free Library movement and I am also a life-long Doctor Who devotee, so I couldn’t resist this amazing neighborhood library in Minneapolis.

Posted in Architecture, Books, Libraries, USA | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Visit the Library Planet

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Library Planet is a new crowdsourced online travel guide for libraries around the world. Created by Danish librarians Marie Engberg Eiriksson and Christian Lauersen, who proclaim their mission to make library tourism easier and to share enthusiasm for visiting libraries. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Europe, Libraries, Maps, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

There and back again (again)

Posted on January 12, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Last year I posted a story about the Oxford Bodleian Library once-in-a-lifetime exhibition Tolkien: Maker of Middle Earth, which was the most extensive public display of original Tolkien materials ever gathered in one place. This week I was dead chuffed to discover … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Libraries, Maps, movies, Museums, Photography, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bookstore Tourism: Austin

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years I’ve visit dozens of library book sales and used book outlets, but I think that Austin, Texas has to have the biggest bookstore. Situated in an unappealing stripmall. Recycled Reads is a surprising find. The city of Austin has … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Libraries, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment