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| New This Week for August 21, 2008 |
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This Week This week we have miniature livestock, Orwell's diaries, gadgetry, Labor Day, innovative storytelling, and glorious artifacts from Afghanistan. Bon appetit from librarians Wendy, Jennifer, Maria, and Charlotte. Tip of the Week Read more about the polar regions and the current two-year-long 4th International Polar Year. |
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Arts and Humanities
Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures From the National Museum, Kabul
Companion to a 2008 exhibit of "artifacts unearthed in modern Afghanistan ... [and which] attest to the region's importance as a vital and ancient crossroads of ... the Silk Road." Features an introductory video, maps with images and video clips of sculpture and jewelry, timeline of treasures (dating from 2200 B.C. to 200 A.D.), and extensive related material from National Geographic. From the National Gallery of Art.
URL: http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2008/afghanistan/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26270
Banned Books Week
Website about the events related to this celebration (started in 1982 and observed in late September-early October), which "was launched to draw attention to the growing number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries." The site, launched in summer 2008, has a growing list of banned book displays and events at libraries, schools, and bookstores. Also includes links to related resources. From the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.
URL: http://bannedbooksweek.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26688
How Labor Won Its Day
This article traces the history of Labor Day back to "Peter McGuire, an Irish-American cabinet maker and pioneer unionist who proposed [in 1882] a day dedicated to all who labor." Also describes Labor Day activities in Detroit, such as the annual march across the Mackinac Bridge, and how Labor Day rallies in Detroit became the launching pad for Democratic presidential candidates to announce their campaigns. From the Detroit News.
URL: http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=...
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26536
State Digital Resources: Memory Projects, Online Encyclopedias, Historical & Cultural Materials Collections
This page provides a convenient set of annotated links to digital initiatives related to the history and culture of specific U.S. states. Included in the list are links to several multi-state collaborations. Compiled by Christine A. Pruzin, Digital Reference Specialist at the Library of Congress.
URL: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/statememory/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26651
We Tell Stories
In this "digital writing project ... Penguin challenged some of its top authors to create new forms of story -- designed specially for the internet," and which were inspired by literary classics. For example, "The 21 Steps" (inspired by "The 39 Steps") uses Google Maps technology. Other sources of inspiration include "Hard Times," "Thérèse Raquin," and "1001 Nights." From Penguin books.
URL: http://wetellstories.co.uk/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26664
Business
International Miniature Cattle Breeds Registry
This site presents "information on all 26 breed categories of miniature cattle." Includes a list of mini cattle breeds and photos, breeding program descriptions, articles, and related material. Provided by a farm that breeds miniature cattle.
URL: http://www.minicattle.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26716
Miniature Livestock: An Overview
Overview of small livestock breeds, which are gaining in popularity because "[f]orward thinking farmers are now looking to miniature livestock for their economical and environmental benefits. Smaller animals eat less food, destroy less land in their wake, and often produce the same amount of product as their larger counterparts." Provides introductions to miniature horses, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens. From an enthusiast.
URL: http://hubpages.com/hub/Minature-Livestock-An-Overveiw
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26718
Computers
Broadband DSLreports.com
Reviews and news about broadband technology and providers. An extensive collection of FAQs covers topics such as DSL, cable modems, wireless ISPs, VoIP, bandwidth, file sharing, and many specific providers. Also includes forums and frequent news updates about new technologies and services, prices, industry activity, and more.
URL: http://www.dslreports.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/13533
Digital Image Resources on the Deep Web
This article describes "some of the visual resources available on the web. The deep web. These images won't show up in search engines' image searches or on Flickr (save one exception). ... The images are a part of online collections created by institutions in the U.S. Some of the images may be a part of the public domain, but many will require permission or accreditation in order to use." From ReadWriteWeb.
URL: http://blogwww.readwriteweb.com/archives/digital_image_resources_on_th...
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26696
Government
Politics of Pakistan
News and background about politics in Pakistan, including material on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (who announced his resignation in August 2008) and the late Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. Includes a government profile, timeline of key events back to 1947, lesson plan, video interviews, interactive map (with a focus on "efforts to clamp down on fighting in tribal regions along the Afghan border"), links to related reports, and more. From the PBS Online NewsHour.
URL: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/asia/pakistan/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26703
People
The Orwell Prize
Website for the Orwell Prize, "the pre-eminent British prize for political writing." Site features a list of winners back to 1994 (and recent nominees) and background about the life and work of George Orwell, including a brief biography and images of a poetry manuscript and photos of Orwell. From the Orwell Prize, in association with the Orwell Trust, Political Quarterly, and the Media Standards Trust.
URL: http://www.theorwellprize.co.uk/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26679
The Orwell Prize [Orwell Diaries]
"From 9th August 2008, [George] Orwell's domestic and political diaries (from 9th August 1938 until October 1942) will be posted in real-time, exactly 70 years after the entries were written. Orwell's 'domestic' diaries begin on 9th August 1938/2008; his 'political' diaries (which are further categorised as 'Morocco', 'Pre-war' and 'Wartime') begin on 7th September 1938/2008." From the Orwell Prize, in association with the Orwell Trust, Political Quarterly, and Media Standards Trust.
URL: http://orwelldiaries.wordpress.com/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26678
Ready Reference & Quick Facts
Sites and Soundbytes
This blog, which grew out of a list of "cool places online," features links to websites for and about libraries and librarians, Internet technology, and online reference sources. Searchable; or browse by subject or by date back to 2003. From Tasha Saecker, director of the Menasha Public Library, Wisconsin.
URL: http://sites.menashalibrary.org/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26629
Recreation
Grand Canyon National Park
Detailed information for the traveler to this national park, including maps, lodging, camping, transportation, ranger programs, hiking, mule trips, air tours, weather, sunset and sunrise times, news releases (such as about rescue operations), and more. Provides fact sheets on the Hualapai Tribe and Skywalk, and on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. From the National Park Service.
URL: http://www.nps.gov/grca/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/6569
Regional: California
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment
This July 2008 study found, among other results, that "[f]ifty-one percent of Californians favor more oil drilling off the coast -- a 10-point increase since July 2007." It also includes findings on California opinions about energy, global warming, transit, and other environmental issues. Provides the press release (in English and Spanish), full report, and links to related reports. From the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).
URL: http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=834
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26616
Which Way, L.A.?
Website for this public radio discussion program that "draws from newsmakers around Los Angeles, the state, North America, and from around the world to present all sides of the issues" of concern to Southern Californians. Some of the topics include the foreclosure crisis, school construction bonds, prison integration, and the activities of California elected officials. Archives go back to 1990. From KCRW.
URL: http://www.kcrw.com/news/programs/ww
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26322
Regions of the World
Makinac Bridge Walk
Website for the annual Labor Day walk across the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan (in its 51st year in 2008). "The Labor Day bridge walk is the sole exception to the rule prohibiting pedestrians on the bridge." Also includes link to material about the history of the bridge, a photo gallery, and related material. From the Mackinac Bridge Authority.
URL: http://www.mackinacbridge.org/annual-bridge-walk-7/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26535
Pakistan's Political Crisis
Collection of features, views, and analysis about the political situation in Pakistan, including President Pervez Musharraf's resignation in August 2008 and the December 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Includes a timeline, key facts about Pakistan, videos related to Musharraf's resignation, profiles of Musharraf and other key people in Pakistan, and more. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/south_asia/2007/pakistan/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/24848
Science
The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization
Frequently asked questions about the Bigfoot/Sasquatch mystery, early American legends, theories, evidence (or lack thereof), research and projects, news, and a Bigfoot sightings database are some of the highlights of this site, which explores the question: "If these creatures exist, why are they still undocumented after all this time?" Browse the sightings database by region and reports recently added. Maintained by the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), an "all volunteer scientific and investigative organization."
URL: http://www.bfro.net/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/18398
Discover: Technology/Gadgets
Collection of articles about technology developments such as wireless communications, fuel cells, holographic digital storage, robots, jet packs, self-sustaining dog houses, spy devices, imaging, and much more. Archive goes back to 1992. From the website for Discover magazine.
URL: http://discovermagazine.com/topics/technology/gadgets
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26639
Forces of Change
This site explores the natural and human forces that contribute to changes in our environment and how life on earth adapts to these changes. Topics include warming and erosion in the Arctic, changes in the composition of the atmosphere throughout earth's history, El Niño, current conditions (temperatures, precipitation, earthquakes and volcanoes, and vegetation), and a 2008-2010 exhibit on soil. From the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
URL: http://forces.si.edu/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26540
History's Greatest Gadgets
"It's not all about circuits, silicon and stock options: mankind's been making technology since the dawn of time. Here's ten of the most wonderful gadgets from centuries -- and millenia -- past." Includes brief discussion and images of gadgets such as the Antikythera Computer (1st century B.C., from Greece), The Turk and El Ajedrecista (chess-playing machines, the former hiding a human within it), and the pocket watch. From Wired magazine.
URL: http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/02/historys-greate.html
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26647
Invisibility Shields One Step Closer With New Metamaterials That Bend Light Backwards
This August 2008 article describes how "scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have for the first time engineered 3-D materials that can reverse the natural direction of visible and near-infrared light, a development that could help form the basis for higher resolution optical imaging, nanocircuits for high-powered computers, and ... cloaking devices that could render objects invisible to the human eye." Includes illustrations. From University of California, Berkeley, News.
URL: http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/08/11_light.shtml
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26715
Science, Life and Travel in the Earth's Cold Regions
Collection of resources to "give you some idea of what the polar regions are like." Includes material about Greenland's ice, and links to articles and sites on major polar science studies, graphics, details about living and working in polar regions, frequently asked questions, and related material. Note: Video clip is not available. From USA Today.
URL: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/coldscience/acoldsci.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26720
Scientific American: Extreme Tech
This collection of technology articles covers topics such as using gold nanoparticles to block HIV, space sail technology, personal jet packs, robots, digital glove handwriting technology, and holographic film for 3-D use. Browsable by topic. Includes photos, diagrams, and slide shows. Archive goes back to early 2008. From the website for Scientific American magazine.
URL: http://www.sciam.com/section.cfm?id=extreme-tech
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26641
Teachers' Domain: Polar Sciences Collection
Collection of science resources celebrating the fourth International Polar Year (2007-2008), an "international campaign to advance polar science and better understand global climate change through an interdisciplinary approach." On this site learn about Arctic and Antarctic atmosphere, ice, oceans, people, and the land. Register to download, share, and save resources. Funding provided by the National Science Foundation. Teachers' Domain is a Pathways project of the National Science Digital Library.
URL: http://www.teachersdomain.org/exhibits/ipy07-ex/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26719
U.S. Army Transportation Museum: The Cold War
Historical overviews of some of the Cold War experimental operations of the U.S. Army transportation corps, such as the Airgeep (a "flying jeep"), a cybernetic walking machine, the Rocket Belt (a low-power rocket propulsion device), an aerial tramway, and an early personal "flying platform" called the De Lackner Aerocycle. Includes many photos and diagrams. From the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.
URL: http://www.transchool.eustis.army.mil/Museum/ColdWarIndexpage.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26637
Society & Social Science
Labor Day
Collection of links relating to Labor Day. "Labor Day -- the first Monday in September -- celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America." Topics include history, facts, labor unions, and job search. From USA.gov, the U.S. government's official Web portal.
URL: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Labor_Day.shtml#vgn-history-of-labor-day-vgn
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/26537
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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. |