The 2013 Library Hall of Fame

So, let’s talk about libraries. Which I know is also the title of my blog, but still. I love them- I love this library, my library back home, the Evansville libraries, etc.  So, I jumped at the opportunity to look at other libraries, and see how they stacked up next to the ones I know. There are many great libraries out there, and I want to know  more about them. So, because it’s National Library Week, I thought I would take a look at some great (and sometimes strange) libraries near and far. Be they big or small, fancy or simple, they are all terrific libraries that want to spread the power of books, knowledge, and telling annoying kids to be quiet.

     George Peabody Library, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore,Maryland

This East Coast library is considered by many to be the most beautiful library in North America, and I can see why. It was founded in 1860 by philanthropist George Peabody, who wanted to create a large library that had all knowledge and literature available in it for everyone. It also happens to be amazingly beautiful. Designed by architect Edmund G. Lind, it has multiple spiraling staircases, art covering the walls, statues, multiple levels, and even, wow, a throne room. How anyone manages to actually get reading done in this giant library museum place, I don’t know. There are manuscripts, pieces of 19^th century literature, and whole histories of the romance languages, history of the US, and other fancy topics that philanthropists in 1860 were really into. If you happen to find yourself in Baltimore, check it out, and let me know how awesome it is ASAP!

 Paul Barret Jr. Library at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee

This library is at the prestigious Rhodes College, and everything about this library screams “hallowed halls and academia”. While the library was built in 2005, it looks like an ancient church, matching the Gothic architecture of the rest of the university. It’s built on rubber and limestone, with two towers, a cloister, and carved symbols all over the building. It houses over 500,000 books, as well as a full viewing movie theater. Somehow thinking about all the old fashioned looking tiles and steeples, along with a full theater playing the newest Michael Bay movie or something, is really funny to me. It’s just such an odd combination, but it seems like it works. I'd think it must be very hard to concentrate on doing your homework in there with so much to look at, but I bet it's still fun!


          Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland
Alright, I’m cheating here, because I wanted to stick with libraries in the USA, but this is one I have actually been to, and I really want to talk about it. Trinity College is one of the most famous colleges in the world, having existed since 1592, and is still one of the most prestigious colleges around. But we aren’t here to talk about the college. We are here to talk about its library! You know when people in movies go to ancient tomes of knowledge, where all of humanity's writings are hidden from the prying eyes of the unworthy? That’s what this place is like. First of all, it houses the Book of Kells,  a 9th century illuminated manuscript containing the four Gospels in Latin, which is considered one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Each day, the library will turn a page of the book, allowing visitors to look at a different amazing page. If you follow the link above, you can get to the digital Book and even get an iPad app for using it! See how wonderful libraries are, in making great stuff available?  There is also an extremely large section where books are stacked on shelf after shelf, one on top of another, with a curved ceiling and the smell of old books that can linger for hours. As far as libraries go, this one, while not enormous or technological, is one of my favorite libraries of those I have had the pleasure to visit.
 

As we have seen, libraries come in all shapes and sizes, and have all kinds of purposes and histories. These are just three, and if they sound interesting, try to look up some more! And if you ever end up at any of these libraries, let me know what you think, and what the old book smell is like! Just remember to turn in your books on time, and show some respect.

CP

There’s a Poem in my Pocket!

In the midst of National Library Week, we have another day to celebrate! I have written a few blogs now on my love of poetry, so you can imagine how excited I am for National Poem in your Pocket day, on Thursday April 18^th! The idea behind it is pretty simple: head over to the library, get one of the poems set out for students, read it, and stick it in your pocket for the day. It’s already conveniently cut to fit your pocket perfectly, so why not? You can read it, share it with friends and family, post it on social media, its your poem to play with! It reminds us on the importance of culture and writing in our daily lives, and it means you can read some great new poems. Want to get a head start? Read a few of these poems right here, and pick the one you want to share the most! The worst that could happen is interrupting your chemistry lab with an impromptu poetry slam.

The First

By Sharon Hendricks

Heart is pounding, pulse is quickening
Two bodies come together.
Both people shaking like a leaf
despite the steamy weather.
This time is absolutely tarrying
Don’t think I am a miss.
Because nothing is more scary
than a very first kiss.

Long Island Sound

By Emma Lazarus

I see it as it looked one afternoon

In August,—by a fresh soft breeze o’erblown.
The swiftness of the tide, the light thereon,
A far-off sail, white as a crescent moon.
The shining waters with pale currents strewn,
The quiet fishing-smacks, the Eastern cove,
The semi-circle of its dark, green grove.
The luminous grasses, and the merry sun
In the grave sky; the sparkle far and wide,
Laughter of unseen children, cheerful chirp
Of
crickets, and low lisp of rippling tide,
Light summer clouds fantastical as sleep
Changing unnoted while I gazed thereon.
All these fair sounds and sights I made my own.

A Book

By Emily Dickinson

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

CP

Happy Library Week to All, and to All a Good Read!

Happy National Library Week! The best of all the library related weeks, NLW is celebrated all across the country, and Rice Library is no exception. Started in 1958, this week was created because the American Library Association feared that people were losing interest in books (and this was WAY before the internet) and losing interest in libraries. So they created this week to celebrate books, libraries, and the people that work there! So join us to celebrate National Library Week, and see what libraries are doing for us all!  The 2013 theme, Communities Matter @ your library, invites campus, school, and business communities to discover libraries as a hub for engaging in creative conversations about the community’s needs. Take this special week to show that your library is so much more than a repository of resources—that it’s the place for discussion that can enrich, shape, and transform your community.

First up, get in on the photo scavenger hunt! Grab some friends and locate pictured items from all around the library, to win a library grab bag and a $25 Starbucks gift card! Sound like fun? Of course it is, you’re being encouraged to play in the library instead of doing homework! Wins for everyone! Check out the Spotlight feature on the library's website to find out how to get started!

Need a new Profile Pic for Facebook? Take a photo with your favorite book in the library's photo booth, which will be set up between April 10th - 17th. Then upload it to libcirc@usi.edu. Bring in your favorite book and contribute to the library's collage of readers on the Information Wall!

Now, you might be thinking, “Gee, the library does so much for me, I sure do wish I could do something for them in return!”  Well never fear students, the library's website is here! All week long, a user survey will be offered, that will allow students to tell librarians what they are doing well, and what can be improved on. So take a few minutes to take the survey on the library's homepage; the link is in red font, and ask not what your library can do for you, but what you can do for your library (just this once!)

CP