"China has libraries. Third-world countries have libraries. Prisons have libraries...Now we don't have libraries." Joe Henry of Medford, Oregon.Welcome to day 1 of:The Jackson County Tragedy: A community without a library.As promised, on April 7th, the Jackson County Library system in Southern Oregon has shut down its entire library system.The "15 branches will remain shuttered indefinitely because of a budget shortfall, the largest such shutdown in the nation's history."What if you still have a book checked out? "The fines will continue to accrue at 20 cents per day per item...If someone gets too many fines, we will turn them over...
Book Arts Roundup
The Arion Press Gallery is hosting an exhibit of 22 embroidered bindings by Jill Oriane Tarlau. "Her signature is her exquisitely detailed embroidery, which she incorporates into the design of each uniquely sized, leather-bound book cover". Heidi Benson's review in SF ChroniclePost-Katrina book art. Degrees of Separation is a postcard publication of responses from designers and graphic artists who have a connection to New Orleans. 5% of proceeds will go towards the AIGA New Orleans Design Educational Fund.Thanks to That Ain't Art for the leadUniversity of Cincinnati has an online exhibit called "The Shape of the Book". Starts with a...
Becoming Part of the Book
Ko-Sin Printing of Tokyo has created a process for authors to "add a more personal touch to their printed works by using ink that includes their DNA"They hope the "process will appeal to autobiographers who want to add value to their work by including their DNA, or to people who wish to insert the DNA of beloved pets into printed materials".They have successfully printed some "self-published autobiographies whose title pages are printed with ink that includes the author’s DNA". Talk about a new high in vanity publishing.The DNA can also be extracted from the printed page. Try that with an...
The Library Asylum
Chip Ward just retired after 29 years at the Salt Lake City Public Library. He left as the assistant director and might be the highest ranking library administrator to let the "dirty little secret" out.What's the secret?"Public libraries have become de facto daytime shelters for the nation's street people while librarians are increasingly our unofficial social workers for the homeless and mentally disturbed."Of course this is not news to anyone who frequents the downtown library in any city. We all have our homeless stories.Some of Chip's homeless highlights:Overheard:-"Don't mind me, I'm dead. It's okay. I've been dead for some time...
The Best Under 100
Tyler Cowen over at Marginal Revolution has a nice thread going on the best books under 100 pages.What's yours?