Elizabethtown Community & Tech College Library

One of my favorite things about libraries!

2009-05-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me know that I am a huge animal lover. I have always loved the idea of cats hanging out or living in the local library. But, alas many people are allergic to the dander and I think that's why many libraries shy away from keeping a feline resident. Research has show that children, especially developmental readers, benefit from reading to an animal. It builds their confidence and gives the kids a "safe" listener who will not make fun of them but give them snuggles.

There is a GREAT book out right now, "Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World." Review From Booklist:"Her first thought upon hearing a strange sound coming from the book drop one frigid January morning was “this can’t be good.” In fact, for both the tiny kitten found shivering in the metal box’s corner and for Myron, director of the Spencer Public Library, the discovery was the best thing that ever happened to either of them, and to the tiny Iowa farming community beset by an unrelenting string of economic challenges. Filthy and frostbitten, the kitten was in dire need of massive doses of TLC; fortunately, the library staff, patrons, and townspeople had plenty to spare. The story of how a bedraggled orange fur ball became “Dewey Readmore Books,” an enchantingly irresistible library mascot capable of bringing international attention to a small midwestern town and melting the heart of even the most curmudgeonly visitor, is uplifting enough; but woven among the cute-cat anecdotes are Myron’s own inspirational stories of enduring welfare, the abuses of an alcoholic husband, breast cancer, and single motherhood. Myron’s beguiling, poignant, and tender tale of survival, loyalty, and love is an unforgettable study in the mysterious and wondrous ways animals, and libraries, enrich humanity. --Carol Haggas"

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this marvelous site yesterday which maps the world's library cats, past and present. http://www.ironfrog.com/catsmap.html
The names are one of my favorite parts! One observation I did have was that many libraries only had their furry friend for a few years. I hope this was because someone adopted the kitties or perhaps some of these cats found refuge among the books and kindness in the patron for their sunset years. Meow meow!

Next Diversity Event

2009-04-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

After following an awesome event featuring Justice Troy Wayne Poteete, Justice on the Supreme Court of the Cherokee Nation, we are shifting gears a bit. Our next event will be FLAMENCO! Come see this cool, and dare I say sexy, dance when the company flaunts their stuff on ECTC's stage. The group, Camino Flamenco, will be here Wed April 15th from 6:00 - 7:00 in the Science Auditorium. So, if you have done your taxes and will not be in the line at the post office, please come by. Here is their MySpace page for more information. http://www.myspace.com/caminoflamenco

Did You Know?

2009-03-18T09:31:00.001-07:00

That ECTC Library has children's books available for check out. Local school systems are on spring break, so why not rip the kids away from the X-Box or computer and share a story with them. In this librarian's opinion, there is no better way to bond with children then over a good book. Some of my favorites include:

Sarah, plain and tall by Patricia MacLachlan. PZ7 .M2225Sar 1985

Freckle juice / Judy Blume PZ7.B6265 Fr 1971

Frog and toad together / by Arnold Lobel PZ10.3.L787 Fr 1972

The runaway bunny / by Margaret Wise Brown PZ10.3 .B7656Ru5 (One of my all time favorite books, period.)

What are some of your favorite children's books?

Celebrate National Pi Day

2009-03-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow has officially be declared as National Pi Day. March 14 (3/14) get it? So break out your pencils and protractors and do some Math or Science and celebrate this little (ha!) number.

3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679 
 8214808651328230664709384460955058223172535940812848111745028410270193852110555964462294895493038196 
 4428810975665933446128475648233786783165271201909145648566923460348610454326648213393607260249141273 
 724587006606315588174881520920962829254091715364367892590360011330530548820466521384146951941511609...

Happy Birthday Barbie!

2009-03-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

America's beloved Barbie turns 50 today. While she may be over the hill, Barbie is still going strong with children and adults with approximately three Barbie dolls sold every second. This year's New York Fashion week even showcased Barbie's premier fashion runway show. Barbie is a global icon, but has also spurred controversy and academic debate. Currently, a West Virginia state legislator has proposed a bill that would ban the sale of Barbie and like dolls. The bill reads,

"It shall be unlawful in the state to sell "Barbie" dolls and other similar dolls that promote or influence girls to place an undue importance on physical beauty to the detriment of their intellectual and emotional development."

Read more about this proposal http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09064/953363-455.stm

So what do you think? Is Barbie bad for body image?

Let's Hear it for Naomi Klein

2009-03-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine wins first Warwick Prize for Writing

From: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/prizeforwriting/news/winner

Naomi Klein was announced last night (Tuesday 24 February, 2009) as the winner of the first £50, 000 Warwick Prize for Writing.

The unique new prize, run and self-funded by the University of Warwick, stands out as an international cross-disciplinary biennial award open to any genre or form of writing.

Canadian journalist Klein’s winning book The Shock Doctrine (Penguin) was chosen from a diverse shortlist of six international titles. This year’s prize theme of ‘Complexity’ was interpreted differently by each writer, all experts in their genres, and ranged from music criticism and scientific theory to Spanish fiction.

Chair judge China Miéville, award-winning author of fantasy fiction, announced the winner at a ceremony at the University of Warwick. Miéville said:

''Every book on the shortlist was exceptional, but of course it had, ultimately, to come down to one. Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine is a brilliant, provocative, outstandingly written investigation into some of the great outrages of our time. It has started many debates, and will start many more, and we're delighted to award it the first Warwick Prize for Writing.”

Klein’s The Shock Doctrine is based on breakthrough historical research and four years of on-the-ground reporting. Using detailed case studies from around the world, Klein charts the rise of disaster capitalism where moments of collective crisis – 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina for example – are exploited by global corporations to usher in radical social and economic change.

David Morley, Director of the Warwick Prize for Writing, comments: “Prizes are important. They offer a beckoning point to a writer. They set the tone of a writer’s progress in the world. The best books defy categorisation. I am therefore delighted that Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine has won the inaugural Warwick Prize for Writing. It is important to recognise her achievement with a prize of international calibre.”

The University of Warwick's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nigel Thrift, said: "I am delighted, that in its very first year, the Warwick Prize for Writing has attracted such an international spread of nominated and short listed publications. This reflects the University of Warwick's own global outlook and the international diversity of its staff and students. I offer my congratulations to Naomi Klein and hope that she will be able to spend a short time with us as one of the many leading international researchers and writers who elect to spend a period at Warwick as a visiting fellow."

Joining Miéville on this year’s judging panel was journalist Maya Jaggi; novelist, translator and academic Maureen Freely; Britain’s first book blogger Stephen Mitchelmore and University of Warwick mathematician Professor Ian Stewart.

The theme of ‘Colour’ was also announced last night for the 2011 Warwick Prize for Writing.

Come find her book in our "New Arrivals" section HB95 .K54 2007

New Beginnings

2009-03-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the ECTC Library blog! Tune in here for the latest in library news, new resources, old favorites, and everything in between.

Don't forget tomorrow 3/5/09 the next installment of the "Embracing Diversity" Lecture Series presents A Day Without a Mexican: Multi-Culturalism & the Paradox of Affluence. The film and discussion runs 5:30 - 7:00 pm in room 112 ADM.

Prepare for the lively discussion with some library sources:

Opening the floodgates : why America needs to rethink its borders and immigration laws / Kevin R. Johnson. KF4819 .J644 2007

Let them in : the case for open borders / Jason L. Riley. JV6483 .R55 2008

America beyond black and white : how immigrants and fusions are helping us overcome the racial divide / Ronald Fernandez. E184.A1 F473 2007

Mongrels, bastards, orphans, and vagabonds : Mexican immigration and the future of race in America / Gregory Rodriguez. E184.M5 R587 2007