I haven't been posting much, still reacquainting myself with the world away from England, but I wanted to share a great article that my roommate from Oxford wrote.
So many libraries have been closed over the years due to budget cuts and declining use, but it seems that plans like Mayor Tony Mack's prove the necessity of such institutions. The functions of his new centers are exactly those of a library. So what warrants usurping their influence?
Despite the growth of the digital age, and despite the cynicism towards "antiquated" systems, there will always be a need for libraries. Libraries are actually on the forefront of growing technologies despite popular belief. Besides providing new technology for those who may not have access, the library aims to teach how to use technology, and how to use it efficiently and effectively. They are the true "centers for learning."
I highly suggest reading the full article to get a better sense of what the situation is. Thanks to my roommate for doing a wonderful job bringing this to the public's attention.
Trenton Mayor Tony Mack reopens Briggs Branch Library as Mayor's Learning Center
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
National Poetry Month: Poetry in Motion
It's hard not to think of poetry as a dying art form. As much as it should be included seamlessly with our curriculum, it has become necessary to separate it and treat it as its own entity. Special units where you do a week long crash course on poetry in the classroom do not do the genre justice.
While having a month dedicated to poetry may seem like its perpetuating the same idea, that it's separate from other literature, I think it is important that we separate it in celebration. April is National Poetry Month, and one of my favorite literary events of the year. I think each year I come upon something even more creative and original.
While reading through some articles this year I stumbled upon American Sign Language poetry. They are in the works of a documentary on "deaf poetry jams," where poetry is strictly performed using sign language.
As much as I am a word person, I love that poetry can come through strictly in motion, and that its untranslatable into vocabulary for those who don't know the meanings and connotations of sign. You still get the feeling though, especially with these teens who are so passionate about it.
Give this article a look, and check out the video. These organizations are doing some really cool things.
While having a month dedicated to poetry may seem like its perpetuating the same idea, that it's separate from other literature, I think it is important that we separate it in celebration. April is National Poetry Month, and one of my favorite literary events of the year. I think each year I come upon something even more creative and original.
While reading through some articles this year I stumbled upon American Sign Language poetry. They are in the works of a documentary on "deaf poetry jams," where poetry is strictly performed using sign language.
As much as I am a word person, I love that poetry can come through strictly in motion, and that its untranslatable into vocabulary for those who don't know the meanings and connotations of sign. You still get the feeling though, especially with these teens who are so passionate about it.
Give this article a look, and check out the video. These organizations are doing some really cool things.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
The Beauty of Books
So I haven't been particularly good about posting from abroad, but I hope you can forgive me with my sharing of this beautiful little vignette about a printer in England who still makes hand-bound books.
What a beautiful craft.
What a beautiful craft.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
A Library/UK post all in one!
So my lovely friend Steph sent me a link to an article about an art/community installation in New York, repurposing phone booths into mini community libraries. While I initially was very intrigued and excited about the idea, I started to have my reservations as I thought about it more, which were only repeated in some of the comments on the project, but it's still a noble idea and something worth reading about:
John Locke's Repurposed Phone Booth Libraries
But here's where the UK comes in. I'm scanning through the comments on the article and someone attaches a similar article from the same site (Designboom) with the UK equivalent: James Econ's Phoneboox.
Why do I find this so important? Just the fact that artists and communities are even thinking about libraries shows their relevance. While these ideas may not always pan out as they do in a librarian's dreams, becoming trash receptacles rather than knowledge repositories or other various pitfalls of their designs, the fact that there are artists who understand the importance of reading, communities that try to contribute, programs that support such endeavors, proves that the library still has a place in our society. While these plans are not always realistic, they will always hold a special place in my heart.
John Locke's Repurposed Phone Booth Libraries
But here's where the UK comes in. I'm scanning through the comments on the article and someone attaches a similar article from the same site (Designboom) with the UK equivalent: James Econ's Phoneboox.
Why do I find this so important? Just the fact that artists and communities are even thinking about libraries shows their relevance. While these ideas may not always pan out as they do in a librarian's dreams, becoming trash receptacles rather than knowledge repositories or other various pitfalls of their designs, the fact that there are artists who understand the importance of reading, communities that try to contribute, programs that support such endeavors, proves that the library still has a place in our society. While these plans are not always realistic, they will always hold a special place in my heart.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Time's getting away from me
Wow, I know I've said it before but I'll say it again, I'm REALLY terrible at posting on here. But I guess that also means that I've been busy out and about so I guess that's a good thing. Let me attempt some brief recaps:
Bath and Stonehenge trip. Wow. I have to be honest, I didn't think I would enjoy those places quite as much as I did. Stonehenge felt like a spiritual experience. As much as it was the history and the place, I think it was the day itself. The morning was beautiful blue skies and sunshine, but at this point the sky started to fill with grey, and sun was streaking through the breaks in clouds illuminating the structure. It was stunning. I took pictures, but there's really nothing that can capture the feeling. Then it was off to Bath, and just the level of preservation there was unbelievable. The whole day I was thinking about my Latin and Greek Mythology professor, the pictures he showed me from his trip, how excited he would have been for me. I wish he was still at TCNJ, he was really an inspiration to me in my academic life.
James Vincent McMorrow at the O2Academy was absolutely phenomenal. I'm so glad I went. Beforehand Em and I went to this really kitschy place called Atomic Burger which was good, and then I stayed for the show. The opener, Rob Bravery, was really great. I'm still trying to figure out what artist he sounded like but I really enjoyed his show. And James Vincent McMorrow... his voice... no words. His whole band was phenomenal. The harmonies, the fullness of the sound. Such a great concert, despite it being about 100 degrees in there and packed.
This past week I set up a meeting with the librarian at New College to see some of their manuscript and original print collections. I was presently surprised that a fellow OSAP-er had a similar idea, so we got a tour from one of the library certification students into the bell tower. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. It reminded me exactly why I want to go into libraries and archives. The system here is really unlike any other, and while I know realistically it wouldn't be the best choice to do field experience here, I think I really want to consider that as an option for my master's program. Just to be around the variety of books they have I think would be so fascinating and educational. Though their system is complex and unusual, it would definitely be worth it. One of the things most fascinating about the experience, though, was the physicality of the book itself. The care that used to go into making books is fascinating. It also puts into perspective how the craft has diminished. I think I will be picking up that book on bookbinding afterall...
Next week is going to be hectic, but with all wonderful things. Sunday we have a trip to Windsor Castle, Wednesday is my SECRET KEVIN DEVINE SHOW IN LONDON WITH EM, then Saturday Em and I are back to London to see Zach Braff's play All New People. Plus I have two tutorials this week. So now I am off to read some more Shakespeare!
Bath and Stonehenge trip. Wow. I have to be honest, I didn't think I would enjoy those places quite as much as I did. Stonehenge felt like a spiritual experience. As much as it was the history and the place, I think it was the day itself. The morning was beautiful blue skies and sunshine, but at this point the sky started to fill with grey, and sun was streaking through the breaks in clouds illuminating the structure. It was stunning. I took pictures, but there's really nothing that can capture the feeling. Then it was off to Bath, and just the level of preservation there was unbelievable. The whole day I was thinking about my Latin and Greek Mythology professor, the pictures he showed me from his trip, how excited he would have been for me. I wish he was still at TCNJ, he was really an inspiration to me in my academic life.
James Vincent McMorrow at the O2Academy was absolutely phenomenal. I'm so glad I went. Beforehand Em and I went to this really kitschy place called Atomic Burger which was good, and then I stayed for the show. The opener, Rob Bravery, was really great. I'm still trying to figure out what artist he sounded like but I really enjoyed his show. And James Vincent McMorrow... his voice... no words. His whole band was phenomenal. The harmonies, the fullness of the sound. Such a great concert, despite it being about 100 degrees in there and packed.
This past week I set up a meeting with the librarian at New College to see some of their manuscript and original print collections. I was presently surprised that a fellow OSAP-er had a similar idea, so we got a tour from one of the library certification students into the bell tower. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. It reminded me exactly why I want to go into libraries and archives. The system here is really unlike any other, and while I know realistically it wouldn't be the best choice to do field experience here, I think I really want to consider that as an option for my master's program. Just to be around the variety of books they have I think would be so fascinating and educational. Though their system is complex and unusual, it would definitely be worth it. One of the things most fascinating about the experience, though, was the physicality of the book itself. The care that used to go into making books is fascinating. It also puts into perspective how the craft has diminished. I think I will be picking up that book on bookbinding afterall...
Next week is going to be hectic, but with all wonderful things. Sunday we have a trip to Windsor Castle, Wednesday is my SECRET KEVIN DEVINE SHOW IN LONDON WITH EM, then Saturday Em and I are back to London to see Zach Braff's play All New People. Plus I have two tutorials this week. So now I am off to read some more Shakespeare!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
An Incredible Short
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is an animated short that has been nominated for an Academy Award. It is one of the most endearing and creative things I've watched in a while, I hope you enjoy it as well! (It's only 13 minutes long, I think you can handle it)
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A Non-England Post
I know I haven't been posting nearly enough about England to warrant posting something not about England, but this event can't fly under the radar:
World Book Night is an amazing opportunity to spread the love of books that I'm assuming you all have to others. Basically, you send in a little application about why you want to get involved, and if you are accepted they give you twenty books to give out to light or non-readers on April 23rd to promote reading. This is a wonderful wonderful cause and I am definitely signing myself up and if you're an avid reader I think you should too. We all know what it was like to read that first book that really got to us, that made us the literary lovers that we are today. Why not share that moment with someone else?
Check out their website, this is definitely a cause worth involving yourself with:
Check out their website, this is definitely a cause worth involving yourself with:
Cheers! (I'll try to get some more Oxford posts up sometime soon, just haven't had much time or energy to do it)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)