Incunabula Books

I recently read an article discussing incunabula books. Incunabula books are defined as an early print book; especially one printed before 1501. So full disclosure here, I love antiquarian books the older the better. There is something so extraordinary about these ancient specimens. My favorite bookstore (so far) is located a few blocks from my house. Now this is not a Barnes and Noble (no offense). The store has a whole plethora of antiquarian books. Just walking in I can smell the old glue that was used to hold these precious gems together. In the basement of the store is where you can find a whole other set of old books but better yet there is a sub-level which is home to the more rare books. Unfortunately, I have not been to the sub-level. It's on my list of things to do. The whole reason I even want to commit time, effort, and money into graduate college is so I can specialize in rare books and the digitization i.e. saving of these precious books. My heart hurts a little every time I see a oldie but goodie with a torn cover, or a ruined spine. I believe that we were trusted to be the guardians of such important materials. Here is a lovely page where you can get an idea of how expensive, (rightfully so), these books are. Perhaps you have one lying in your families basement? I am still deciding what type of rare book I want to collect. I believe going by subject would be best as a beginning collector. Thoughts?

Bleed Blue

The Saint Louis Public library is hosting a Saint Louis Blues Hockey exhibit from December 5th through March 4th. The exhibit is in honor of The Saint Louis Blues Hockey team celebrating their 50 years of Blood, Sweat, and Cheers. Here is the events link St.LouisBlues. I think it's important to point out that corroboration with different attractions here in St. Louis makes it possible for our city to run. We need people who have differing interests to see that The Saint Louis Public Library carries so much more than books. We hold events in this space which help cater to and support local groups, communities, businesses, and venues. Please swing by and see our incredible exhibit! Go Blues!!!!!

Make America great again with libraries

The link will take you to an excellent article written by David Kipen from the L.A. Times.

Mr. Kipen made some incredible points including, "If, as he claims, our new president really wants to invest in infrastructure, then America will need to build more than just roads and bridges. If Donald Trump is as smart as he insists he is, then he can prove it by strengthening our intellectual infrastructure. That means libraries — and he can start with one audacious symbolic act." -Kipen, David

My belief is that if we are going to, "Make America great again." -Trump, Donald, then we better not burn down our libraries. Seriously though, I believe that if we as a nation wish to be a stronger unified front we need to encourage everyone to utilize what the library has to offer. I don't believe everyone has all the information on what libraries can offer them so here are some examples that go beyond renting books and DVD's; *Free English as a second language classes and group meet-ups. *Free courses including but not limited to coding, web design, using the internet, Microsoft applications, and grants and fundraising. *Meet-ups about writing, scribbling, tattoos, coffee, music, adult coloring, book clubs, etc. *Children's programs that offer free courses on cooking, internet safety, coding, games, reading, the summer reading program and of course children's story time. We also have a recording studio *Central Library St. Louis, MO* Here's a link to our events page. Please stay informed it's a good way to stay ahead of what's going on around you and the people you care about. As my mother always said, "The one thing people can never take away from you is your education." You're right mom.

NaNoWriMo

In case you haven't heard there is a National Novel Write Month aka NaNoWriMo. The month of November is used as a goal for writing a 50,000 word novel. This inspires people to come together and write that novel some of us have had floating in our minds for days, months, and years. At The Saint Louis Public Library one of our own Lainie has created and is hosting a most excellent writers meet-up.

 

 

I have had the opportunity to swing by the first meet-up and enjoyed listening to our guest speakers discuss their personal experiences with NaNoWriMo. I am trudging through my novel ideas and writing as much as I can. Hopefully this NaNoWriMo will keep me accountable or at the very least motivated to write my novel. Good luck to all the writers out there! Follow the link to learn more...http://nanowrimo.org/

 

 

 



Database Review- Book Psychic

I have been perusing Book Psychic which is an optional database on our website SLPL.org.  I wanted to be familiar with this database for our patrons. It’s easy to use and easily accessible once you’re on our library catalog webpage. I simply began clicking and rating books I have read and quickly received a notification that I already have recommendations. I am an Anne Rice fan and really like vampires and the supernatural. With that being said I noticed that as I was rating different titles from various genres the books that popped up for me to rate were almost all related to vampires. I appreciate that the database figured out how much I like vampires, however it would have been nice to continue having more varied options for books to rate. I think due to its easy use and accessibility to our patrons it’s a great place to start for someone who doesn’t know what they want to read next. Though I believe it’s more fun to ask a librarian…but that’s my opinion.

Zines

Zine

zēn/

noun

informal

noun: 'zine; plural noun: 'zines; noun: zine; plural noun: zines

a magazine, especially a fanzine.

• a webzine.

Here's what I know about these little and sometimes big things. I know that anybody can create them. *I just did* I know they are all over the world. I know they can be filled with only words or only pictures or both. I also know the St. Louis Public Library is currently accepting any zines and placing them in our catalog so that anyone can check them out. I also know that the only rule in zine club is there are no rules. So go out there take that creativity you've been holding back and make a zine. It literally took me less than 15 minutes once I had a story idea. Of course mine involves pugs. Thug pugs.

Database review- Ancestry.com

 Ancestry.com-

 I have been using Ancestry as a search database on and off for many years now. What I like about the site is the simple search format. I am one of those people who needs to be able to scroll across an area of the web page and see where different links will take me, or at least have the chance to find what I’m looking for in a few clicks. I think Ancestry provides both of those options. I did do the ancestry.com DNA test. The results were fascinating for me. After my father died I had no idea what his actual race was. We both had been asked for years if we were from Asian descent or Pacific Islander. He and I had no idea. We had the basics i.e. European, possibly Native American. The test was easy to use. You can register online so that when your results come in you get a whole page dedicated to the information found from your results. At long last I found out where our descendants originated from, Ireland and Spain. I love that Central Library gives free access to Ancestry.com. I suggest utilizing this excellent database as much as you can. Who knows you may have a positive experience like I did.