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| New This Week for December 13, 2007 |
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This Week This week's collection features the recent fast-track interest-rate freeze on mortgages, toxic toys, a reading service for the visually impaired, and an environmental scorecard for ski resorts. Bon appetit from librarians Charlotte, Jennifer, Maria, and Wendy. Tip of the Week Consult our recipes for whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year, and all the rest of them, too. |
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Arts and Humanities
Jane Austen's World
Collection of links to material related to early 19th-century novelist Jane Austen and her life and times. Includes links to full text of her novels, material about film adaptations, culture and fashion of the Regency Era, and academic articles. Also includes links to blogs. From an enthusiast.
URL: http://www.freewebs.com/janeaustenworld/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25040
JFK Video: The Dallas Tapes
This website is "a project to share historic video that aired on Channel 4 [in Dallas] after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The video includes exclusive television coverage -- most from the KRLD-TV/KDFW Collection at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza." Includes video of Kennedy's arrival in Texas on November 22, 1963, Kennedy's breakfast speech in Fort Worth, Lee Harvey Oswald's death on November 24, and more.
URL: http://media.myfoxdfw.com/JFKvideo
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25052
The Man Who Invented Christmas: Charles Dickens & "A Christmas Carol"
This exhibit features illustrations from various editions of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," which "was officially published on December 19, 1843, and by Christmas Eve, five days later, it had already sold six thousand copies, at three shillings and sixpence each." Includes images of other Christmas-related publications from Dickens. From the University of South Carolina University Libraries, Rare Books and Special Collections.
URL: http://www.sc.edu/library/zellatest/dickens/dickensintro.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25019
Business
Consumer Reports: Best Cell Phone Deals
This consumer article provides suggestions for choosing cell phone providers, following the 2007 national annual survey that "found that fewer than half of respondents were completely or very satisfied" with their cell phone service. Explanations and possible solutions are provided for problems such as poor coverage, unsatisfactory customer service, early termination fees, and mandatory extensions. Note: related articles only available to subscribers. From Consumer Reports.
URL: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/phones-mobile...
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25053
Global Credit Squeeze
This collection of news and analysis focuses on "defaults on US subprime mortgages [in 2007, which] have developed into a global issue. Hedge funds and banks have been exposed to the US problems, which has led to a global credit squeeze." The "credit squeeze explained" interactive feature is a good starting point for understanding the issues. From the Financial Times.
URL: http://www.ft.com/indepth/subprime
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25069
Who Qualifies for Help, What Qualifies as Subprime?
Questions and answers related to the "'fast-track' [mortgage] interest-rate freeze" announced by the Bush administration in December 2007. Discusses the subset of borrowers covered by the agreement, how to find out if you have a subprime loan, who qualifies for a rate freeze, and related questions. Includes links to an article with more details about the mortgage plan. From Real Estate Journal, a Wall Street Journal website.
URL: http://www.realestatejournal.com/buysell/mortgages/20071210-simon.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25067
Computers
Deep Packet Inspection Meets 'Net Neutrality, CALEA
This July 2007 article discusses deep packet inspection (DPI) computer technology and its uses for compliance with CALEA (the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, which covers government-ordered Internet wiretaps). Describes how DPI boxes review and manage data that is sent to an Internet server, and how this technology might influence Internet neutrality by creating a mechanism for tiered payment options. From Ars Technica, a magazine that specializes in news and analysis of technology trends.
URL: http://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/Deep-packet-inspection-meets-n...
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25071
Government
Pew Research Center Topics: Publications on Election '08
Compilation of backgrounders, analysis, and other publications related to the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Some of the topics include debates, political endorsements, presidential primaries, religion, specific candidates, news coverage, and candidate websites. From the Pew Research Center.
URL: http://pewresearch.org/topics/election'08/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25045
University of Michigan Documents Center: Elections 2008
Extensive, annotated listing of websites related to the 2008 U.S. national election. Covers presidential and congressional candidates, debates, campaign finance, media coverage, advertising, policy issues (such as energy, gay marriage, and terrorism), elections and voting, and much more. Also includes relevant Library of Congress subject headings and keyword searching suggestions for databases and online search engines. Maintained by political science librarian Grace York and interns at the University of Michigan Library.
URL: http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/elec2008.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25046
Health
HealthyToys.org: The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys
Test results released in December 2007 for toxic chemicals in "over 1,200 toys and children's products." Search by product name, or browse by brand or toy type. Listings include general information (such as country of manufacture), and levels of lead, cadmium, chlorine/PVC, arsenic, and mercury. Also includes a FAQ, background on the chemicals, and a place to submit suggestions for other toys to be tested. From the Ecology Center (Michigan), with the Washington Toxics Coalition.
URL: http://www.healthytoys.org
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25061
Home & Housing
AR Awards for Emerging Architecture
These awards, dating back to 1999, are "intended to bring wider international recognition to a talented new generation of architects and designers, ... [and] have attracted entries from more than 80 countries, representing every inhabited continent." Features photos and descriptions of projects for winners, highly commended and commended entries, and honorable mentions.
URL: http://www.architecturalreviewawards.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25054
People
Karlheinz Stockhausen
Official website for this German composer who died in December 2007, and who is known for his avant-garde and electronic works (and who was pictured on the cover of the Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"). Includes a biography from 2006, memorial booklet, photos, list of works, sound clips of music and interviews, and more.
URL: http://www.stockhausen.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25070
Ready Reference & Quick Facts
Social Explorer
This site "provides easy access to demographic information about the United States, from 1940 to 2000," by featuring "thousands of maps and hundreds of reports with thousands of variables." Includes interactive census maps (showing population, age, race, occupation, and other factors) and related reports. Additional features are available for a fee.
URL: http://socialexplorer.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25076
Recreation
The New York Times: Crosswords/Games
Free content from The New York Times includes a free weekly crossword puzzle from the online archive (updated every Monday), a daily sudoku puzzle, and articles about crossword puzzles, bridge, and chess. Also includes links to the Learning Network with crosswords for young solvers (with puzzles on topics such as American history, geography, and science), and a daily news quiz. Also includes links to related sites. Additional material is available for a fee.
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/crosswords/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25043
Ski Area Citizens' Coalition
This organization grades western U.S. ski resorts on their environmental policies and practices. Provides information about impacting roadless areas, logging in old growth forests, purchasing clean energy, using cleaner fuel, and other environmental topics for ski resorts in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
URL: http://www.skiareacitizens.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25055
Regional: California
CA.gov: Rebuild Your Life
This California state government website "is a resource for consumers who are seeking information about what they need to do to recover from a disaster." It provides listings for housing assistance, replacing lost documents, financial assistance, tax advice, and other emergency recovery services. Documents cover topics such as disaster debris management, hazardous waste, and fire ash. As of late 2007, the main focus of this site is the 2007 Southern California wildfires.
URL: http://www.rebuildyourlife.ca.gov/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25049
California of the Past
Collection of short videos of first-person narratives from community members about their California experiences. The videos were produced by public libraries in Benicia, Covina, Hayward, Orange County, Sacramento, and South San Francisco, California. From Media Arts Center, San Diego.
URL: http://www.mediaartscenter.org/site/c.dfLIJPOvHoE/b.3469463/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25068
Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP)
Website for this California state mandated program, under the governance of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), that consists of "the California Relay Service [CRS] which includes Speech to Speech and the California Telephone Access Program [CTAP] which provides assistive telecommunications equipment." Features FAQs, program highlights, and updates about the CRS and CTAP. Also includes links to related sites.
URL: http://www.ddtp.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25015
Pacific Institute
Website for this "independent, nonpartisan think-tank studying issues at the intersection of development, environment, and security," with a focus on issues in the western U.S., especially California. Features an overview of programs, and publications on water issues, sustainability, global change and climate, wildlife, the economy, social justice, and more.
URL: http://www.pacinst.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24929
Regions of the World
Christmas in Mexico Cultural Articles
Collection of articles about the celebration of Christmas and other December and January holidays in Mexico. Topics include Our Lady of Guadalupe Day on December 12, the first of nine posadas held on December 16, and Three Kings Day on January 6. Also includes recipes for traditional Mexican Christmas foods such as atole, hot chocolate, and buñuelos de Navidad (Christmas sweet fritters). From a company that produces educational videos about Mexico.
URL: http://www.inside-mexico.com/christmasinmexicoarticles.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25041
Science
Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI)
Website for the "world's first research institution solely dedicated to the new field of energy bioscience ... [It] is initially focusing on the development of next-generation biofuels, but will also look into various applications of biology to the energy sector." Features presentations, a brief glossary, news bulletins, event listings, and background about the institute. A collaboration between the University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Illinois, and BP.
URL: http://www.energybiosciencesinstitute.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24279
Natural History of Holiday Plants
This exhibit features natural history for selected plants commonly associated with winter holidays, such as the Christmas tree, poinsettia, holly, mistletoe, and Christmas cactus. Includes an extended list of holiday plants (with common spice and herb plants), and answers to questions such as whether male or female holly plants are most often used in holiday decorating, and what day length and darkness have to do with holiday flowers. From the San Diego Natural History Museum.
URL: http://www.sdnhm.org/research/botany/hp_photos.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25060
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The United Nations maintains this website "to support arrangements for meetings organized under the [Climate Change] Convention, [and] to transmit official documents and reports. ... It also serves the Kyoto Protocol." Features background about climate change science and what can be done, discussion of methodologies and tools to evaluate global warming impacts, reports and data (such as greenhouse gas emissions data), and related material.
URL: http://unfccc.int/2860.php
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25057
Society & Social Science
ReadThisToMe.org
Site for this "free reading service for blind and low-vision people, powered by volunteers and Internet collaboration. ... [It] allows blind and low-vision people (clients) to have printed documents read to them over the phone. All a person needs is a phone line and a fax machine (no computer is required)." Includes a FAQ and details about volunteering.
URL: http://readthistome.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25074
Religion and Politics '08
Public opinion, analysis, and other documents concerning religion in the 2008 U.S. presidential elections. Some of the issues discussed include candidate preferences of various religious groups, evolution, abortion, and social-issue voters. Provides profiles of candidates, and candidate view comparisons for issues such as church and state, faith-based initiatives, and stem cell research. From the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
URL: http://pewforum.org/religion08/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25048
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Thanks for reading LII New This Week!
Jennifer English, Liaison to Califa Library Group
Wendy Hyman, Senior Editor
Maria Brandt, Associate Editor
Charlotte Bagby, Senior Weeder
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