Category Archives: Libraries

Think Globally, Act Locally

I was shocked to discover that the Bronx, a New York City Borough with a population of 1.4 million people, has no bookstores. Although the Bronx has undergone an amazing transformation during the past decade,its last remaining bookstore chose to … Continue reading →

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London’s Smallest Library

London’s Borough of Lewisham is home to the city’s smallest public library. The Lewisham Micro Library was created by local resident Sebastian Handly, who purchased the old phone box from British Telecom and outfitted it with shelving, lighting, and a … Continue reading →

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Intellectual Raves

Beginning tonight and running through the early hours of Monday morning, the Institut Français will be hosting a series of all-night marathon “intellectual raves” in dozens of cities around the world. The 2017 La Nuit des Idées or Night of Philosophy and … Continue reading →

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Advice From A Caterpillar

Over the years, I’ve sold copies of a number of versions of Lewis Carroll’s masterwork Alice in Wonderland, but I’ve never owned this 1899 illustrated U.S. edition. Published by M.F. Mansfield and A. Wessels, New York, this wonderful version has 12 full-page … Continue reading →

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Virtual History

On his death in 1837, English architect and avid collector Sir John Soane bequeathed his stately London mansion and personal museum and library to the nation, with the stipulation that it would be preserved intact. He also required that the … Continue reading →

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Floating Libraries (Nordic Edition)

For the last 12 years, Svein Ivar Vinnes has been sailing his floating library through Norway’s fjordland. Focusing mainly on children’s books, the Epsos visits at least three small communities each day. Along with books, librarians, and reading specialists,the flytande bibliotek also offers story … Continue reading →

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Book Boat

Last year, Indonesian journalist and filmmaker Muhammad Ridwan Alimuddina decided to to quit the rat race and make a major life change. Inspired by his love of books and a heartfelt commitment to literacy, he built his own traveling catamaran … Continue reading →

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Speed Reading

Even if you have never visited the New York Public Library’s famed Rose Reading Room, its likely that you have seen it in films or on travel shows. The stunning Beaux-Arts hall just reopened following a two year restoration project. … Continue reading →

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Dispensing Culture

Distriboto is a brilliant project in Montreal that re-purposes old cigarette vending machines to dispense comic books, zines, poetry, stories, mini-CDs, pins,and assorted original artworks. Collaborating with more than 1,000 local artists and writers, the project loads old vending machines with … Continue reading →

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Without Libraries What Are We

Montreal-based Instagramer Olivier Martel Savoie has been traveling the world for the last two years visiting libraries and taking terrific photos with just his trusty iPhone. His series #olive_libraries covers beautiful institutions from Budapest to Boston. “Without libraries what have … Continue reading →

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