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| New This Week for June 12, 2008 |
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This Week Dear subscribers, Apologies for a strangely formatted fancy newsletter, and thank you for your alerts! This week we include a mini-collection on cluster bombs, more than one Chicago 7, a caution about wild animals, mythical creatures, and a real Phoenix. Bon appetit from librarians Maria, Jennifer, Wendy, and Charlotte. Tip of the Week Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a drought for the entire state of California. See this week's entries and others for ways to preserve the stuff of life. |
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Arts and Humanities
The American Founders Online: An Annotated Guide to Their Papers and Publications
"The digital resources described in this guide provide online access, in varying degrees, to the personal papers and/or publications of the major founders of the American Republic -- that is, those men who served in roles of national political leadership between 1765 and 1815 -- and members of their families." Included are John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington, and others. From the Library of Congress (LOC).
URL: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/founders/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25585
Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids
Companion website to a 2008 exhibit that examines "the legend and the science behind some of the most fascinating creatures ever invented. ... [by displaying] preserved specimens, cultural artifacts and works of art." View exhibit highlights related to water (sea monsters and mermaids), land (griffin bones and unicorns), air (Pegasus and other creatures from Greek myths), and dragons from around the world. From the Field Museum.
URL: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/mythiccreatures/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26259
Preservation Chicago: The Chicago Seven
An annual list (back to 2005) of endangered Chicago buildings and urban spaces."The purpose of the Chicago 7 is to raise public awareness of the threats facing some of our city's most at-risk architectural treasures." Listings include photos and background about structures and areas. From Preservation Chicago, and organization "advocating for the preservation of Chicago's historic architecture."
URL: http://www.preservationchicago.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26203
Business
GasBuddy.com
"GasBuddy.com can help you find cheap gas prices in your city. It is a network of [over] 180 gas price information web sites that helps you find low gasoline prices." Search for prices by ZIP code." Information is member-supplied. Registration (free) required to post gas prices on most of the gas sites or to create a fuel log for tracking your expenses. Includes tips for conserving gas, links to news stories, and other resources.
URL: http://gasbuddy.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/11648
Government
Cluster Munitions Dublin Diplomatic Conference
Collection of documents from this May 2008 conference "to negotiate a new instrument of international humanitarian law banning cluster munitions [cluster bombs] that cause unacceptable harm to civilians." Provides opening statements, general statements, and proposals, texts, and other material presented at the conference. Many documents available in English, French, and Spanish. From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland.
URL: http://www.clustermunitionsdublin.ie/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26233
Convention on Cluster Munitions
Website for the Convention on Cluster Munitions, adopted in May 2008, which "prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster Munitions. Separate articles in the Convention concern assistance to victims, clearance of contaminated areas and destruction of stockpiles." Provides related news and background documents on cluster munitions (cluster bombs). "[P]ublished by the states facilitating the Cluster Munitions process."
URL: http://www.clusterconvention.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26234
Creating the United States
"This exhibition offers a remarkable opportunity to learn in a fresh new way how the [U.S.] founding documents ... were forged out of insight, invention, and creativity, as well as collaboration and much compromise." Includes interactive features that "reveal the source documents and the careful crafting of language" in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Also provides related links. From the Library of Congress (LOC).
URL: http://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/creatingtheus/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26089
Politically Connected: Political Conventions
News and analysis related to the September 2008 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and the August 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver. Topics include protester routes and times at the RNC, an RNC bicycle share program, and debates about bar closing hours in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Also includes links to material about other national races, and state and local politics in Minnesota. From the website for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune.
URL: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/conventions/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26205
U.S. Department of State: Cluster Munitions
This collection of documents describes the U.S. position on cluster bombs, noting that "the United States shares in the international concern about the humanitarian impact of all munitions, including cluster munitions" and supporting the position that "[c]luster munitions have demonstrated military utility." From the U.S. Department of State Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement.
URL: http://www.state.gov/t/pm/wra/c25930.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26232
Health
Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes
This June 2008 alert warns consumers about a "salmonellosis outbreak [that] appears to be linked to consumption of certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes. ... The bacteria causing the illnesses are Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella." Provides updates about types of tomatoes to avoid, affected U.S. states and territories, and related information. Includes links to general information about Salmonella. From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
URL: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26279
Home & Housing
Law
Cluster Munitions and International Humanitarian Law
Collection of law and policy documents concerning cluster munitions (cluster bombs), which "can disperse explosive submunitions (bomblets) over very wide areas and civilian casualties can be very high when these weapons are used in populated areas" and which cause future injuries and deaths due to unexploded submunitions. Includes related links. Available in several languages. From the International Committee of the Red Cross.
URL: http://www.icrc.org/eng/cluster-munitions
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26231
Famous Trials: The Chicago Seven
Background about "the 1969-70 trial of seven radicals accused of conspiring to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago." Includes an essay about the protests at the 1968 convention and the trial, and links to material about some of the participants (some links broken). From a professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.
URL: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/trials2.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26202
People
Famous Firsts by African Americans
List of firsts by African Americans, such as "the first African-American billionaire, combat pilot, Nobel Prize winner, poet laureate, Oscar winner, and Miss America." Browse list by category such as government (such as Barack Obama, first African American to head a major party ticket in a presidential election), law, diplomacy, military, science and medicine, scholarship, literature, film, sports, and more. Includes links to related material. From Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. Note: Generates pop-ups.
URL: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmfirsts.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26276
John McCain, Veteran War Hero: Yes. But a Descendant of Robert the Bruce?
This March 2008 article, written on the occasion of a trip by John McCain to England, considers whether the claim that McCain's family "was descended from the Scottish king, Robert the Bruce" is supported. From Guardian Unlimited, the website of the British newspaper, The Guardian.
URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/21/johnmccain.uselections2008
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26281
Traveling With Obama Through Africa
In this August 2006 article "CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery ... [outlines] traveling with Sen. Barack Obama on his trip to Africa. Here, he recounts his travels in the senator's homeland [Kenya]." This day-by-day account describes a safari, anti-corruption efforts, and travels to Obama's roots. ("Obama's now-deceased father was an economist for the government," and the family's ancestral compound is near Lake Victoria, Kenya.) From CBS 2, Chicago.
URL: http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/Barack.Obama.Obama.2.331757.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26280
Regional: California
California Department of Water Resources: Water Use and Efficiency Transfers
Website for this state government department that "provides support for the stewardship of California's water resources by promoting and facilitating the energy efficient use of water (including water transfers) and facilitates in the CALFED solution area." Features the 2008 Urban Drought Guidebook (for drought planning and implementation by local governments), water conservation tip sheet and links, links to information about the 2008 statewide drought, and other drought preparedness materials.
URL: http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26278
California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC)
The CUWCC "was created to increase efficient water use statewide through partnerships among urban water agencies, public interest organizations, and private entities." Its website features updates about drought and water shortages, selected downloadable publications, and a virtual home tour in which you can "investigate your water saving opportunities in each area of your home" and can view a garden guide "where you will find inspiration for beautiful water conserving gardens."
URL: http://www.cuwcc.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26215
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
In 2008, California State Parks will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Allensworth, the only California town to be founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Includes information about centennial celebration events, history of this town located 30 miles north of Bakersfield, dozens of photos, a video, and a park brochure. From California State Parks.
URL: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=583
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/925
Where Does My Water Come From?
"This website is intended to help Californians identify their source(s) of drinking water, learn more about how drinking water is treated, and learn how to help prevent pollution of our groundwater and surface water supplies." Discusses water sources such as the Central Valley Project, the State Water Project, the Colorado River, groundwater, local streams and reservoirs, and other major water systems. Also includes discussions about desalination and water recycling. From the Water Education Foundation.
URL: http://www.water-ed.org/watersources/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26216
Regions of the World
Bombies
Website companion to a documentary about cluster bombs ("small explosive bomblets carried in a large cannister that opens in mid-air, scattering them over a wide area.") and their effect in Laos following 1964 through 1973, when "the United States conducted a 'secret' war, dropping over two million tons of bombs on the mountains and jungles of Laos." Includes a fact sheet on cluster bombs, which were called "bombies" by Laotians. From Independent Television Service (ITVS).
URL: http://www.itvs.org/bombies/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26235
Science
Keep Me Wild
Website for a campaign that urges Californians not to give wild animals handouts or let wild animals have access to human food garbage because "if wild animals have access to human food and garbage, they want more and more. They lose heir natural fear of humans and can become aggressive." Find information for various species (black bears, mountain lions, and others), and links to wildlife-proof products. From the California Department of Fish and Game.
URL: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26176
Phoenix Mars Mission
Background and updates about this NASA Mars mission "designed to study the history of water and habitability potential in the Martian arctic's ice-rich soil." Features press releases, images, background about the mission (which launched in August 2007 and landed on Mars in late May 2008), blogs, podcasts, a section for children, and more. From the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.
URL: http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26197
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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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| Funding and Support Primary financial support for LII (Librarians' Internet Index) from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. LII is also supported by the IPL Consortium, and hosted by The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology. Other sources include California Digital Library. |