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Shooting History: Notorious 1963 Photo On Exhibit At Truman Library January 20, 2010

One of the most famous shots (literally and figuratively) in the history of American photojournalism was snapped by a photographer who’d already blown one chance to capture a historic moment, and was sure it was about to happen again. That’s just one of the fascinating stories behind the Pulitzer Prize winning photos on exhibit through January 24, 2010 at the Harry S.Truman Library and Museum. Robert H. Jackson, a 29-year-old photographer for the Dallas Times…

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Libraries Keep MLK’s Crucial Comic Book January 18, 2010

The Comic Book That Changed A Nation. “The comic book [is] the marijuana of the nursery, the bane of the bassinet, the horror of the home, the curse of the kids and a threat to the future.”John Mason Brown. (American literary critic, 1900-1969) In December of 1957 a comic book was published that really did threaten the future–at least the future of American segregationists. Carefully preserved in the special collections of several academic libraries, such…

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Library’s Letters Reveal The Real Van Gogh January 15, 2010

Still Life With Plate Of Onions, 1889, Oil on Canvas.Note the letter and the book. This painting is said to refer to Charles Dickens’ remedy against suicide: “A daily glass of wine, a piece of bread and cheese, and a pipe with tobacco.” London’s Royal Academy Museum and Library will host the city’s first major exhibit of the works of Vincent van Gogh in over 40 years beginning January 23, 2010. Curated in conjunction with…

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These Libraries Are Going To The Dogs January 13, 2010

A “Reading Dog” Offers A Comforting Paw (Images Courtesy Of Librarydogs.) Library cats have garnered nationwide media coverage recently, including here on Book Patrol. Not wishing to offend canine loving readers, today’s post gives library dogs equal time. Libraries across the country from Swampscott, MA. to San Jose, CA. are making exceptions to that arcane “No Dogs Allowed ” rule for a program proven to help struggling young readers. “I need a little help with…

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Library Cats 45, Bookstore Cats 0 January 11, 2010

Before She Was Famous: A Rare Unretouched Photo of Stacks The Library Cat. Cats are drawn to quiet, solitary activity. Writers know that putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, is a magnet for Kitty more potent than fresh catnip. Same goes for knitting, sewing, drawing, paying bills, folding laundry, and, of course, reading. So no surprise libraries and bookstores often have felines in residence. Two recent news stories reveal a trend in the…

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