Category Archives: Libraries

Stand Up for Our Libraries

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The American Library Association has released a massive infographic describing the myriad of problems facing American libraries since the Great Recession. Public libraries have been an essential force for democracy and public education in the U.S. for more than two centuries. … Continue reading →

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Indie Bookstores Represent Everything You Want

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

“Barnes Kong is on a rampage! The simian chain bookstore monster could go on stomping on independent bookstores and kidnapping dead authors forever, but the fearsome Amazilla has other plans: He wants in on the action. As the two battle … Continue reading →

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

It’s Alive !

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, the New York Public Library‘s Biblion: The Boundless Library digital series released a fantastic free iPad app based on Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein. The intuitive, interactive app features a treasure trove of materials from the NYPL’s Pforzheim … Continue reading →

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Salman Rushdie Hates The Plan

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Author Salman Rushdie, along with more than 700 writers, scholars, publishers and artists, has sent a scathing letter to the President of the New York Public Library (see below) protesting the city’s $300 million restructuring plan for the flagship 42nd Street … Continue reading →

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Never Enough Books

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

I can’t think of a more appropriate way to camouflage unsightly electrical transformers. The Library Place Apartments, adjacent to the Everett, Washington Public Library have just added this wonderful installation. It’s called the “Book Stack” and it stands 8-feet-tall and … Continue reading →

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Occupy Libraries

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In December, 2011 The Detroit Public Library Commission voted to close four branches of the city library. Some library-loving Detroit 4th graders decided to take matters into their own hands and fight back. The 4th grade class at Detroit’s Marcus … Continue reading →

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Books Nights and Day

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

April 23rd is a big day (and night) for book lovers and bibliophiles around the world. Since 1995 the day has been designated by UNESCO as World Book and Copyright Day in honor of the birth and death of Shakespeare … Continue reading →

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Visit Newark (really)

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The Harlem Book Fair is coming to Newark, New Jersey for the first time and celebrating two days of literary-filled events next week. Newark Mayor Cory Booker and city leaders kicked off the “2012 as Year of Newark Literacy” campaign … Continue reading →

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What’s That Smell

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

For dyed-in-the-wool bibliophiles there’s nothing quite as pleasing as the unique aroma of old books. When we enter an antiquarian bookshop or historic library, we invariably assume the soporific mien of a somnambulist. Now, our friends at Abebooks.com in conjunction with … Continue reading →

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Peace Through Literature

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Argentinian artist/activist Raul Lemesoff has found a unique way to promote his “peace through literature” project. Lemesoff has transformed his old 1979 Ford Falcon into a traveling library shaped like a tank. The Arma De Instruccion Masiva or Weapon of … Continue reading →

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