Upcycled

As you know, to fit into our smashingly renovated new interior, I removed, or "weeded," as we say, about 2000 books from the library collection. Many of these were duplicates or were things that I have replaced with electronic versions - if you want the whole story, try this. In any case, I've frequently been asked where old books go when their time is up. Some of them were given to interested faculty and students, some came home with me, many were sent to needy schools in developing parts of the world to help other learners. Some did not find a natural home . . . until now! Mr. Madres' 3-D art class used some of the remaining books in innovative ways, including taking the pages and rolling them into components for sculptures like the one seen here. Come visit these old books in their new guises - maybe you'll be inspired to make your own creations.

Fries with that shake?

I was at a loss for something clever and informative to write about today when this little gift landed right in my lap. I could go on at length about social phenomena, the importance of spontaneity in the education process, suggestibility and peer pressure, or even the benefits of light exercise in the middle of the school day, but I'm just going to let the video speak for itself. Thanks, Andrew!

My funny Valentine

Everyone knows Valentine's Day means love. Or does it? Today we take a moment to consider the real meaning of the word romance, and free it from its customary pink-frosted lace-edged prison. So, dictionary.com defines it as:

1. a novel or other prose narrative depicting heroic or marvelous deeds, pageantry, romantic exploits, etc., usually in a historical or imaginary setting.

2. the colorful world, life, or conditions depicted in such tales.

3. a medieval narrative, originally one in verse and in some Romance dialect, treating of heroic, fantastic, or supernatural events, often in the form of allegory.

4. a baseless, made-up story, usually full of exaggeration or fanciful invention.

5. a romantic spirit, sentiment, emotion, or desire.

Well, we've got that. For example, if you're mathematically inclined, try Flatland: A Romance in Many Dimensions. We've got it on the shelf with a spine, or electronically if you like your romance to be digital. Want something historical? Sit at King Arthur's Round Table. Feel like the distaff side is underrepresented? Try Marion Zimmer Bradley's now-classic Mists of Avalon. Don't know what "the distaff side" means? Go back to dictionary.com! We've also got videos, too: try Cocteau's cinematic masterpiece La Belle et La Bête and see where Disney got his idea for Beauty and the Beast. 

And what about the good saint himself? If you're curious about the legend of St. Valentine, we have Butler's Lives of the Saints. If you're really a history buff, you'll go all the way back to the Roman feast of Lupercalia instead - check the 937's.

Pulling weeds

The future is now, and it's here. Over the last few weeks I have added almost 500 new electronic books to the library catalog, including many important reference titles. Giant stacks of reference books, like the 30-volume Encyclopedia of World Biography, have been converted to electronic titles accessible anytime, anywhere and by unlimited numbers of users, simply by using the library catalog and clicking on the live link.

It's true that I am a little sentimental about taking these old friends off the shelf, and I will miss seeing their colorful covers and comfortingly thick spines each day. But I will not miss dusting them, shifting them, inventorying them, and other aspects of physically managing huge paper books.  I'm enchanted by the prospect of being able to use all the information contained within wherever and whenever I like, and I predict students will be even more charmed by the citation tools that are available - no need to hand-key all that bibliographic info!

Just like weeding a garden is necessary to maintain its health and productivity, we must occasionally weed the library too. These books will go to other needy schools in faraway places and the space on the shelf will be reassigned to a wonderful new collection of CDs and DVDs on everything from philosophy to history to religion to art. So don't be sad! Visit the library catalog instead and see just what kind of terrific, useful things you can find to do your Civil War paper from your bed at 3 a.m. on a Sunday.

It's fun to help in the library!

The library is always happy to have help with things like shelving books, putting stickers on DVDs, making displays - even folding paper to make book sculptures. Community service hours are available, and you'll feel so good that you'll be as happy as this kid (although probably not quite as handsome, if I do say so myself.)

Happy Horrible Holiday Sweaters!

Unbeknownst to me, it's Ugly Christmas Sweater Day! How did I miss that update? Perhaps with all the apocalyptic madness flying around, this vastly more important celebration got lost in the fray. Since it's my job to inform, consider yourself in the know. If you have something in your closet knitted by an aunt/crocheted by your grandmother/bought on clearance during a moment of weakness that you are too embarrassed to wear in the daylight, here's your chance to put on that wreath-decked monstrosity and flaunt it with pride. Below are some fine Out-of-Door examples for inspiration:

Evan is wearing a Bugs Bunny number in holiday red, complete with "What's up, Doc?" emblazoned around the midriff. This is finished with the perfect accessory - his high-wattage smile.

Chase's sweater is less holiday and more horrible, but it scores major points for the sheer vividness of the design. Don't be fooled - the lighting was a bit dim but in strong sunshine this one leaves spots behind your eyelids when you blink. Total knockout!

Sara sports a sassy vest sprinkled with stars and snowmen. Her subdued pants and coordinating shirt make for an ensemble that tells the world, "Hey, I know it's ugly, and I'm rockin' it anyway." Way to keep it classy, Sara!

Saving the most sparkly for last, Matt is dazzling in a vest that will go down in history like Rudolph's nose. Two bedecked Christmas trees complete with wrapped packages festoon this work of, um, art, and Matt's gentle smile lets us know that he is at peace with his inner glitter monster. He wore this all day in an act of fashion heroism. Thanks for your sacrifice, Matt!

Well, there you are. If you are inspired to wear your own terrifically eye-popping holiday dazzler, get in touch and send us a photo. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Tons of ebooks!

How many times have you realized five minutes before class that you left your copy of Dracula at home? And how many times have you come to the library to check out a copy, only to find that someone else got there a few seconds before you did?

Problem solved. The library has just acquired 500 of the most popular classic titles as electronic books. Go to the library catalog, type in your title, hit the search button and up it comes. Click on the book and there will be a link that takes you right to it so you can read it in your device of choice: Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, whatever.

Desperate seekers of Huck Finn, you are welcome.