Alan Moore, one of the scariest guys in the comic book industry (unless you're afraid of pouches, tiny feet, and big veins in illustrated format, in which case Rob Liefeld's the scariest guy), speaks out on why libraries are important.
You may recall Alan Moore as the author of The Black Dossier, mentioned way back in the day in the whole League of Extraordinary Porn* kerfuffle.
In any case, agree that libruries are important or I swear he'll stab someone.
* I was being cheeky.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Another One About Books vs. E-Books
Another article about books vs. e-books.
More of the same, though some newish points:
Overall, the sky doesn't appear to be falling from this article's viewpoint.
More of the same, though some newish points:
- Losing a hardcover isn't as bad as losing an e-reader, cost-wise
- E-books don't have everything, like esoteric stuff and newly published stuff by young writers
- Most readers will probably use e-readers to augment, rather than replace, their libraries
Overall, the sky doesn't appear to be falling from this article's viewpoint.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Are Libraries Finished?
An article from BBC News, which I take a little more seriously than one from a country that isn't reporting massive libraries closures: Are libraries finished? Five arguments for and against.
The basics -
Only at the library:
Just read the full article anyway.
The basics -
Only at the library:
- Specialist research
- Environment to learn
- Expert staff
- Free internet access
- Engage in social democracy
- Searchability
- Digital books
- Comfort in numbers
- Brings niches together
- Self-publishing
Just read the full article anyway.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Your Favourite Book in Four Panels
Sadly, the contest is closed now, but CBC Canada's All in a Day radio show asked for people to send in summaries of their favourite books in four panels in honour of Jeff Lemire, one of five finalists in the Canada Reads contest. His novel, Essex County, is the first graphic novel to make the finals. The article shows a few entries; I wish they'd had more. My favourite was The Great Gatsby as rendered by Ian Martin, 17.
The facial expressions are awesome. I love the panel where Gatsby demands Daisy look at the money he earned so as to win her love: "LOOK AT IT". The hand drawing and (lack of) punctuation remind me of Kate Beaton, whom I apparently pimp out at every opportunity.
LOOK AT IT
The facial expressions are awesome. I love the panel where Gatsby demands Daisy look at the money he earned so as to win her love: "LOOK AT IT". The hand drawing and (lack of) punctuation remind me of Kate Beaton, whom I apparently pimp out at every opportunity.
LOOK AT IT
Thursday, February 3, 2011
E-Readers in Ghana
Hey, it's my favourite bugaboo about the digital divide turned on its ear! Worldreader.org is sending e-readers to students in Ghana and it seems to be going well so far. They also have a project in Florida. One thing both projects have in common: kids are great hackers. There are some differences, too:
One of the differences is in motivation. If a teacher in Florida doesn't want to bother with the training or believes the technology is a distraction, it is probably because they already have access to the paper books the texts are from. In Ghana, that is not so. In Ghana, the e-reader program has made the difference not between one type of book or another but books or none.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chocolate Library, Library of Alexandria, and Condiment Crime Updates
Those upset that the Chocolate Library store was asked to shut down can rejoice: Chocolate Library is go. The shop will also be adding books to its wares... books about chocolate. Everybody wins!
In other good news, the Library of Alexandria (the new one opened in 2002) has thus far been kept safe - people have actually been guarding it.
(Read more about the vandalism of the Egyptian Museum.)
In other news, the woman accused of condiment crimes has plead guilty to the charges. The reason for dropping condiments in the book drop? Past conflicts with library patrons and staff. Way to ruin it for the rest of the people, lady. But then, what made her want to ruin the library for others in the first place?
In other good news, the Library of Alexandria (the new one opened in 2002) has thus far been kept safe - people have actually been guarding it.
...When unrest broke out on Friday, a cordon of young people rushed to surround the Library complex (which includes conference halls and a planetarium) and protect it from vandalism.
...The move to protect the Library—as with similar efforts by protesters in Cairo to protect the Egyptian Museum after a group of looters smashed display cases and destroyed two mummies—is not only a matter of guarding the books and other splendid collections housed beneath its circular roof: it is a matter of guarding an idea.
(Read more about the vandalism of the Egyptian Museum.)
In other news, the woman accused of condiment crimes has plead guilty to the charges. The reason for dropping condiments in the book drop? Past conflicts with library patrons and staff. Way to ruin it for the rest of the people, lady. But then, what made her want to ruin the library for others in the first place?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Writing in Margins Again
Another piece on writing in margins. Still can't not shudder. Haven't read it all; I mean to go back, but now it's my bedtime. That's right, 9PM. Wild times.
Posts
