Karl Rove expands on GW Bush's Literary Prowess

This is from the San Jose Mercury News.  I guess according to Karl Rove. President Bush is quite the reader. 

Happy Holiday to All

To all of my loyal bloggers.....Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Seasons Blessings to All . We have been moving to a new home and are without internet for another week. So, the postings may be slow for a few days. Thanks for your patience... back online by 2009 

- Doug 

A poet for the Inauguration.

Another story from the NY Times on Prof. Elizabeth Alexander.

Shutting down Libraries

Ira Ackelsberg is fighting the closing of  Libraries in Pennsylvania. The story is from the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

I am sorry for not posting the last few days

Been busy......but, back up with some new, and interesting stories. Her is one about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation giving money to Libraries. 

Wonderful Exhibit on Marian Anderson

Penn's Annenberg Rare Book & Manuscript Library has a wonderful online exhibit on one of America's treasured golden voices, Marian Anderson. 

Cornell's wonderful online exhibit.

Check this out! A wonderful exhibit. From Manuscript to Print: The Evolution of the Medieval Book.  

Going price for Bush library Web address: $35,000

It looks Like President Bush has a $35,000  cost overrun for his latest building. His Presidential Library. From the Dallas Morning News. 

Where to get a library kick stool

Ever wondered where you get these wonderful library gadgets? This article from Jacket Copy,

 (LA Times) gives you the scoop! 

President -elect Obama wants to "open up" the White House to the artistic and literary world!

From  the Washington Times,  Barack Obama want's to showcase the "tapestry that is America."  This is an extension of the last blog post.  

Wordsmiths see inauguration's poetic possibilities

Is Poetry coming back to the White House? 

Happy 400th John !

John Milton turns 400 today.  If you want to see  a copy of his epic poem "Paradise Lost", take a trip to the University of Western Ontario. There you  will find in the Special Collections this 17th Century Masterpiece! 

A Living Library

This is a wonderful story from the LA Times about people learning about other people in a Library setting. This is a really interesting project that I hope can continue building momentum. 

Emory lands Robinson Crusoe rarities

699 editions of Daniel DeFoe's novel Robinson Crusoe have found a home at Emory.

It's Hard to Believe... Nixon Investigated his Political Rivals?

From the LA Times, a story about the unveiling of a large part of an archival collection from Nixon's Presidential Library. Including  a memo of an"Enemy List" from Halderman to Nixon. Really... these things happen in Washington? 

Latest Exhibit at the Hoover Institute, Shattered Peace: The Road to World War II

This new exhibit will chronicle the events that led up to the beginning of WWII. The exhibit will rely heavily on the wonderful collections located on the campus of Stanford University.  

Jim Dine and Poetry

Jim Dine is inspired by Orpheus

1/7 JK Rowling Book goes on Display in the Big Apple

New York Public Library will display a copy of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard".  Read on to hear all about it! From the A.P. 

Poet of Wales comes to Harvard

Poet Gwyneth Lewis, the first National Poet of Wales recently lectured at Harvard. 

More People Checking Out Books From The Library.

Tis article comes from the LA Times.  It seems that the recession has brought new interest in Libraries with an increase in checkouts and attendance. The question is will this translate into an increase in Library budgets? Don't bet on it! 

Baseball and Music... Ah a great combination

Bill Nowlin has a great life. He is  founder of Rounder Records, and  is also a baseball writer with over 20 books to his credit. 

Sounds great to me!  

The Book World losses a Lion.

The great book collector H.N. Freidlaender  passed away at the age of 95.

100 Notable Books of 2008

The NY Times has listed their top 100 books for 2008 just in time for the Holidays.

FDR books on Obama's nightstand

What is President-elect Obama reading? From the Chicago Tribune. The image is from an upcoming cover of Time Magazine.

WPA Posters

From the LA Times, a review of a new book on WPA posters. I have always enjoyed the vibrant and artistic talents of many WPA workers. This book I hope captures the essence of this great government program of the past. 

Medicine men

Two Boston poets use their art for the good of the tribe. 

From the Phoenix.

NE college says poetry professor stole MA program

New England College sues ex-employee over Poetry program.

Poetry changing lives in prison

This from a Tucson, AZ Television Station on the outreach efforts of Richard Shelton.

Lost & Found.... Gary Snyder

 My close friends Vince & Patty Wixon brought this story from the Reed Alumni Magazine to my attention. 

Reed has recovered a recording from 1956 of Gary Snyder. Thanks for the lead! 

Milwaukee library to host black baseball exhibit

From the Chicago Tribune.

Noteworthy Books 2008: 10 panelists, 10 books each

From the Kansas City Star 

Book Prizes Awarded With Nod to History

From the NY Times

Europe's new Digital Library

France is leading the way to in a new European Digital Library. Checkout what the media is saying about Europeana

UNC gets $1.1M for library science scholarships

Library School gets money for scholarships. 

Batgirl was a Librarian?

This was brought to my attention by my colleague Joanna Haney. Apparently a lost episode of Batman that never aired has Batgirl as a Librarian. Cool 

Does anyone have a million dollars lying around ?

From the front page of the NY Times.

Have a little poetry with your gum

From the Chicago Tribune

A collection of illuminated manuscripts by three gifted young brothers represents a high point in late-medieval painting.

From the LA Times

How many people can you fit in a library?

Major library shuts on Saturdays

These are disturbing trends that effect Libraries around the world.  From the BBC

Q & A with Anita Silvey

From Publishers Weekly

In an impoverished Tehran district, a hairdresser-turned-activist helps girls and women help themselves through books, health workshops and civic acti

From the LA Times.

A mother's bedtime story, told from inside prison

 From today's Oregonian. Reading to your children from prison

Acclaimed Colombian Institution Has 4,800 Books and 10 Legs

One of my favorite book stories of the year. From the NY Times.

A Champion of Literacy!

An Interesting Article about a literary champion from Ethiopia from the Rocky Mountain News.

Rare Shakespeare Texts Donated to Globe Theatre

A wonderful acquisition for the Globe Theater. 

Rare Volumes Left In Charity Bin

From the BBC:  It would be nice to find a set of books like these in our donation box.

Marianne Boruch: GRACE, FALLEN FROM

From the Blog: From One Poet's Notes comes this review of Marianne Borouch's latest poetic offering. For those of you who may not be familiar with her writing, she is a poet originally from Chicago, who teaches in the MFA program at Purdue University. She is a wonderful poet and person. 

Oregon Book Awards 2008

The Oregon Book Awards were held last night in Portland.  Unfortunately one of the Northwest's great poets Judith Barrington did not win... again.  In my opinion she has been passed over to many times. Her writing deserves to be recognized, and rewarded.  Congratulations to all of the finalists and the winners. You are just another reason why Oregon is such a great State!

A Conversation About Literature

Flair Symposium

The Flair Symposium at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas is happening later this week. I was planning on going myself, but had to cancel. It looks like a great opportunity for the literary world to interact with the library world. Wish I was going.