Category Archives: Libraries

Goodbye, Columbus & Philip Roth

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Last week we lost one of America’s last true literary lions, Philip Roth. With the many exceptional obituaries that have been published, I won’t attempt to add my own. However, as a book collector and book seller, I often wonder … Continue reading →

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The Effects of Reading

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

This wonderful infographic was created by the folks at the University of Virginia Library to describe what happens when we read a book.

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A New Home for Readers and Writers

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The Center for Fiction, which describes itself as “the only organization in the U.S. solely devoted to the creation and enjoyment of fiction,” has announced that its new home will open in Brooklyn, N.Y. in January 2019. The three-story complex, … Continue reading →

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Book Power

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

BOOK POWER by Gwendolyn Brooks BOOKS FEED AND CURE AND CHORTLE AND COLLIDE In all this willful world of thud and thump and thunder man’s relevance to books continues to declare. Books are meat and medicine and flame and flight … Continue reading →

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You can call me a library rat anytime

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I hadn’t heard the expression “library rat” since my undergraduate university days until I stumbled across this new mural by the Spanish street artist known as Xav. The work, which was commissioned by the Barcelona-based Contorno Urbano Foundation, celebrates those … Continue reading →

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How the dead communicate with us

Posted on April 22, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Last year, British cartoonist, artist, and children’s book writer Chris Riddell published this wonderful series of sketches that illustrate comments by the great Neil Gaiman on a variety of book related topics.

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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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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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National Bookmobile Day

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Almost missed it.

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