13th-century German prayer book containing the earliest evidence of the Yiddish language. The goal is daunting: Undertake "a worldwide initiative to digitize every Hebrew manuscript in existence." To celebrate the project, the National Library of Israel is opening its vaults to give the world a peek and some of the jewels of their collection. The Associated Press was offered "a rare glimpse at its most prized treasures," some never before seen and others that has been locked away for years. The jewels include manuscripts by Sir Issac Newton and Nobel laureate S.Y. Agnon and a Hebrew vocabuary notebook by Kafka, who took Hebrew lessons...
In the Stacks of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Book Tower comprised of Smithsonian Publications at the Conference on the Future of the Smithsonian, February 11, 1927. For this installment of the In the Stacks we visit The Smithsonian Institution Archives for some bookish love. The SI archives are a repository that: captures, preserves, and makes available to the public the history of this extraordinary Institution. From its inception in 1846 to the present, the records of the history of the Institution—its people, its programs, its research, and its stories—have been gathered, organized, and disseminated so that everyone can learn about the Smithsonian. The history of the Smithsonian is a vital part...
Calgary’s New Public Library will be one for the ages
The latest entry in the elite coolest libraries on the planet club comes from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The competition-winning design from Snøhetta and DIALOG rings in the new while melding into the surrounding communities. The new design will realize the city’s vision for a technologically advanced public space for innovation, research and collaboration while embracing the city’s diverse urban culture and unique climate. Upon entering the library, visitors encounter a lobby awash with natural light. Your eye is drawn up through the sky lit atrium where clear visibility of the library’s public program and circulation along the atrium’s perimeter serve as a wayfinding...
Scared Straight, 1990’s Style: Drug and Alcohol Posters from Uncle Sam
Here's another offering courtesy of the new partnership between the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the Digital Public Library of America. A sampling of Government issued posters from the early 1990's (and one from 1989) dealing with the dangers of drugs and alcohol. All from the vast archive of government posters that reside at the University of Iowa. Enjoy! Previously on Book Patrol: Keeping track for the National Archives and Records Adminsitration
The Horror, The Horror! Books Left for Dead in Abandoned Schools
Community at Work by Stephanie. Philadelphia, 2011. In an era when most schools and kids have glaring book needs it is an utter tragedy to witness these images. All taken within the last five years and all depicting complete neglect. The breakdown of communication somewhere along the line that allows these books to go to an early death without being utilized somewhere is unconscionable. Granted some of the books might be outdated but they still could be of some use to the book artists. All images gleaned from the 5,550+ photos in the Abandoned Schools group on Flickr. Urban School by Nitram242. Detroit, 2013 for some this...