Effective use of graphics. – Library of Congress collection
Text and book summaries of popular books
Bands on the Blvd are back at the Minnesota Historical Society – Tuesdays in July
For those that seek to learn about some of our important and darker past:
The Poetic Hannah Arendt
Posted in Books and Reading, Holidays
Libraries are an attempt to impose order in a world of clues…They are places of redemption. Stuart Kells
To appreciate a small selection of library wonders, check these magnificent libraries https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/books-about-libraries-history or enjoy a virtual tour of some of the most beautiful “houses of literature here: https://twitter.com/i/moments/988539861127876608
Places to go, Things to do – a sampling
May 5 — Minnesotans will be celebrating with friends of Mexican descent the grand festival that is Cinco de Mayo. The celebration will mean more for those who take time to learn a bit about the history and stories that shape the celebration. History can offers an accessible primer on the how the celebration (which is not Mexico’s national holiday) came to be: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo To learn more about happenings in this area, check this great guide to Cinco de Mayo: https://mailchi.mp/19c63e94fbfc/join-us-this-saturday-for-cinco-de-mayo
May 5 – Researching the history of your Minneapolis Home, 10;30-11:30 – Webber Park Library, 4440 North Humboldt in North Minneapolis. An introduction to house history presented by experts from Minneapolis Central Library archives.
May 5 – Author Talk with Erik Riveness: Dirty Doc Ames and the Scandal that Shook Minneapolis, Minneapolis Central Library, 2:00-3:00 PM
The first weekend of May explodes with energy and ideas generated by Heart of the Beast – Highlight of the celebration is the MayDay Parade, now in its 44thyear. Planners expect more than 50,000 people to fill the streets as participants and spectators. Full details on May Day related events here: https://hobt.org/mayday/
You know it really IS spring when it’s time for Art-a-Whirl, the celebration of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Area. For the 23rdseason AAW will be happening on every street and in every studio, library, and eatery throughout Northeast… It’s one of those events that defies description – you want to be there, and you’ll want to tour more than once. It’s May 15-18, open to all. Check out the schedule of exhibits, activities and open studios as well as the logistics here: https:/emaa.org/art-a-whirl/
Starting on May 9th net neutrality activists and some sites will post “red alerts” to protest the FCC’s effort to roll back net neutrality protections. More here: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/04/30/red-alert-net-neutrality-campaigners-announce-new-effort-overturn-fccs-assault-open To keep up with what’s happening on the net neutrality front, check this updated blog entry: https://marytreacy.wordpress.com/2017/07/08/protecting-whats-ours-on-net-neutrality-day-of-action/
Again this year the American Craft Council Library is sponsoring the popular Library Salon series of presentations. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the conversation starting at 7:00. For more information about the Library or the Library Salon Series contact the ACC at 612 206-3100 or library@craftcouncil.org Forthcoming presentations include
* May 9 – “Reality is only a Rorschach inkblot, you know”, presented by Seattle artist Anna Miasowsky. The artist will discuss how the many states of glass – its mutability, transformative character, and intangible materiality – have been her “alter ego.” Mlasowsky will lead the group through her work and discuss what a material-based contemporary practice can express about our culture and perceptions.
* June 13 – Guest presenter is Dr. Heather Akou who will talk about “Creating African Fashion Histories.” Akou is associate professor of fashion design and merchandising in the School of Art, Architecture, and Design at Indiana University. Also from the American Craft Council – Oral History Interviews with the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley – audio recordings, transcripts and photographs. Details at www.bit.ly/accstcroix
Looking ahead – Thursday, May 24, marks the 30thAnnual Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards. The grand celebration features keynote speaker William Kent Krueger and emcee Barton Sutter. There’s a book fair and reception (5:00) followed by the Awards Ceremony * speaker and reception. Events take place at the Northland County Cub in Duluth. Free and open (umn.edu/nemba or 218 726 7889)
Pew Research Center’s program on Religions & Public Life has produced and is making available a video entitled Being Muslim in the U.S. It’s a look inside the belies and attitudes of Muslims in America, based in part on data from Pew Research Centers 2017 survey as well as the personal stories of Muslims in the US. The accompanying survey report is entitled “U.S. Muslims concerned about their place in society, but continue to believe in the American Dream.” http://www.pewforum.org/2018/04/17/video-being-muslim-in-the-u-s/
Rise Up: The Movement that changed America, is a one-hour documentary from executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter. The documentary follows the inner workings of legislative decisions that resulted, including the Montgomery Campaign, the Civil Rights and the Voting Rights Act.
PBS will launch the Great American Read with a two-hour episode on Tuesday, May 22. The series, hosted by TV personality and journalist Meredith Viera, will introduce viewers to PBS’s list of the country’s 100 favorite novels. Learn much more about the ambitious project here: (http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/home/
Style note: Atlas Obscura must have reveled in the opportunity to share the story of “girdle books.” (now rendered obsolete by smart phones and podcasts) Girdle books were small and light, wrapped in leather and carried like a purse. They are commonly depicted in paintings of Medieval bibliophiles. Read more at https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-a-girdle-book)
Digital treasures:
The New York Academy of Medicine is celebrating the 20thanniversary of publication of J.K.Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by showcasing rare books and objects dating back to the 15thCentury. The books and objects reveal the history behind many of the creatures, plants and other magical elements that appear in the Harry Potter Series. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/these-real-magical-texts-are-straight-out-of-harry-potter_us_59504de2e4b02734df2b33e9
The Newberry Libraryhas digitized their collection of early 20th Century Lakota drawings. It’s an open access collection that, according to creators, “tells a curious history”. The collection includes drawings by Sioux Indians, all images from the Edward E. Ayer Digital Collections. Learn much more here: https://hyperallergic.com/438554/collection-of-early-20th-century-lakota-drawings/
Kudos:
Daniel Gullo, Eileen Smith, and David Calabro from the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library are recipients of the 2018 Minnesota Academic Innovators Award. The trio have developed a method to establish new authorities for under-represented communities not commonly found in LC and VIAF authority files – e.g. authors and titles from early modern and medieval Eastern Christian and Islamic writers. The award is sponsored by several library associations’
The Library of Congress has announced that author E. Annie Proulx has been named recipient of the LC Prize for American Fiction. Proulx is author of The Shipping News and Brokeback Mountain. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/annie-proulx-wins-library-of-congress-prize-for-american-fiction/2018/05/01/fb6b3da6-4ca1-11e8-84a0-458a1aa9ac0a_story.html?utm_term=.d73ed5758b7a
Concerned that your carefully crafted turns of phrase will die aborning? Consider the story of “late bloomer” Zora Neale Hurston. A mere 87 years after Hurston penned her novel The Last Black Cargo, Hurston, , who died in 1960, would no doubt be pleased to know that her masterpiece has been published, now renamed Barracoon (in some editions, The Last Black Cargo). See “A long-unpublished book by Zora Neale Hurston” by Casey N. Cap, New Yorker, May 14, 2018 and https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/05/02/zora-neale-hurston-87-years-after-she-wrote-of-the-last-black-cargo-the-book-is-being-published/?utm_term=.ceb3f5178faat
Forecast is turning 40! In its four decades Forecast has emerged as pioneer in a growing movement of which Forecast is a powerful leader. Public Art Review, published by Forecast, stands alone. The 40thanniversary celebration will continue throughout the year, including a June TC’s Public Art Tour, Launch of Forecast’s Public Art Consulting Training Program and a 40thanniversary party and awards ceremony to be held next Fall.
The American Library Association has tapped Minnesota librarians Trent Brager (University of St. Thomas), Amy Mars (St. Catherine University), and Kim Pittman (University of Minnesota Duluth) for its 2018 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Instruction Section (IS) Innovation award. The trio developed 23 Framework Things, an “academic librarian-focused, self-paced program [that] encourages participants to read, reflect, and respond to prompts and big questions surrounding the implementation of the [Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education] at their institutions.” According to ALA, the program currently has “more than 300 registered participants from 42 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, along with nine countries outside the United States.”
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
This week (April 8-14) is celebrated nationwide as National Library Week 2018. During the week, I have fervently devoted a good deal of time reading and pondering the expanding and necessary role of libraries in this, the “Information Age.”
By week’s end, I have once again concluded that what we should be celebrating is National Librarians Week. Clearly it is people, not buildings, that shape the library experience today. And never has the role of library workers been more essential for individual seekers of truth, for their communities, and to the fate of an informed and thinking democracy.
As week’s end, I’m at a loss for words to express the urgency I feel about the challenge facing librarians – and for decision-makers who determine the fate of libraries and librarians in a political environment neither recognizes nor values truth-seeking as a priority.
And so, as I grapple with confusion and concern, I look for hope in the words and thoughts of others. I have sought for and embraced articulate defenders, those who understand and write about the range of ways in which librarians create community, inform decision-making, and preserve American values – with gusto.
Overwhelmed by concerns about critical and independent thinking in this democracy I turn to more articulate spokespersons to share their vision and hope for libraries and librarians. Try to take time this weekend to peruse, if briefly one of more of these thoughtful essays:
And, if we have the snowfall that’s predicted, you might want to take a quick look at some past blog posts on libraries and the critical thinking skills that inform and fulfill the hope that inspires this democracy. https://marytreacy.wordpress.com/2017/01/27/information-and-media-not-weapons-but-tools/
ALA’s ‘Most Challenged Books’ List
The American Library Associationreleased its annual Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books, included in the ALA’s State of America’s Libraries Report 2018, which “affirms the invaluable role libraries and library workers play within their communities by leading efforts to transform lives through education and lifelong learning.”
According to the report, libraries continue to face challenges–including the potential for censorship–to a variety of books, programs and materials. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 354 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2017. Some individual challenges resulted in requests to restrict or remove multiple titles or collections. OIF estimates that 82%-97% of challenges remain unreported. Overall in 2017, 416 books were targeted–direct attacks on the freedom to read. The most frequently challenged titles last year were:
By the time you read this post you will have recovered from the Super Bowl and gone back to shoveling, politics and thinking about life, the universe and everything. Consider these possibilities:
Has all the political foment – or maybe it was going to see The Post – inspired you to go back to the Good Old Days of Watergate? Now online at the Library of Congress are the Senate Watergate hearings. The American Archive of Public Broadcasting recently published an online exhibit at LC. Gavel-to-Gavel: The Watergate Scandal and Public Television (https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-17-167/library-and-wgbh-acquire-historic-tv-coverage-of-senate-watergate-hearings/2017-11-03)
While you’re surfing the treasures of the Library of Congress, click on some of LC’s digital trove of resources including, definitely not limited to, these:
Or relax and enjoy this video discussion of Hannah and Sugar, the children’s book written and illustrated by Kate Berube, recently named recipient of the 2017 Ridgway Award. Lisa Von Drasek, Curator of the U of M Library’s Kerlan Collection, shares the book and background on the Ridgway Award, the annual honor presented to an author or illustrator in recognition of an outstanding debut in the world of children’s picture book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWDVlXqxySM
Weather permitting you may want to venture out – bundle up and explore these possibilities:
Click here for information on sponsorship and full season schedule. http://clubbook.org. Note that Club Book presentations are podcast so you can listen at your leisure.
Sign of the times: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/youtube-will-start-labeling-videos-from-state-funded-broadcasters/ar-BBIDpOW?ocid=UE01DHP
If the long winter has depleted your “to be read” pile, check out this listing of the National Book Critics Circle finalists for books published during 2017. http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/national-book-critics-circle-announces-finalists-for-2017-awards
Resistance, Resilience, Renewal — a gathering of poetry and song celebrating the enduring legacy and inspiration of Meridel LeSueur. The special event, set for 6:30 p.m. on February 22, is hosted by the East Side Freedom Side Freedom Library and the St Paul Almanac. It’s at 630 PM on February 22. The program begins with presentations and performances of Meridel’s work as well as original work by established and emerging artists. More at https://www.evensi.us/renewal-gathering-poetrysong-celebrating-meridel-lesueur-east-side-freedom-library/244411880
Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. John Boswell
Posted in Books and Reading, Friends of the Library, Hennepin County Library, Libraries and Librarians, Things to do in Minnesota
Tagged American Archive of Public Broadcasting, Club Book, Friends of Minneapolis Central Library, Gavel-to-Gavel: The Watergate Scandal and Public Television, Kate Berube, Library of Congress, Meridel LeSueur, Minneapolis Central Library, Ridgway Award 2017, Talk of the Stacks, University of Minnesota Libraries, Watergate hearings, Westminster Town Hall Forum 2018, World Storytelling Day 2018
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I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. Groucho Marx
The Water Bar & Public Studio celebrates the reopening of their great gathering place Friday, January 26, with a Winter Social and Exhibition Party. Theme of the evening, marking the Water Bar’s first exhibition, is River Relationships: Portraits of a River and Its People. It’s 6:00-9:00 PM at the Water Bar, 2518 Central Avenue NE. Details here: https://www.water-bar.org/events/2018/1/26/winter-social.
The Super Bowl inspires different strokes for different folks. Take a Knee Nation tackles themes of “sports, social justice, labor and race” at the Take a Knee Nation conference set for February 3-4. Learn more about the origins of the event here: https://www.thenation.com/article/colin-kaepernick-was-mocked-and-threatened-for-taking-a-knee-hes-also-winning/ The East Side Freedom Library offers a preliminary kickoff to the conference with a free and open discussion on Wednesday, January 24 – details here: https://www.thenation.com/article/colin-kaepernick-was-mocked-and-threatened-for-taking-a-knee-hes-also-winning/
Also opening this weekend at the ESFL is Nidoto Nai Yoni, John Matsunaga’s exhibit of photographs from the remains of WWII: Forgetting and Remembering the Wartime Incarceration of Japanese Americans. The project, supported by the Minnesota Japanese American Citizens League and the Council on American Islamic Relations-Minnesota, portrays the experiences of immigrants confined in camps in Thailand, Kenya, Laos and other sites. The exhibit opens Friday, January 26, 6:30 PM. On Saturday, February 17, 1:00 PM there will be a discussion of the roles of artists as observers and resisters. http://eastsidefreedomlibrary.org/events/representing-and-resisting-historical-injustices-through-art/
MN Writes MN Reads is a digital age program offered by Minnesota libraries. It’s for writers interested in easy-to-use, free resources for publishing and sharing e-books, and for readers interested in reading e-books by local writers. Learn more at https://www.mnwritesmnreads.org/ or at your local public library.
Mizna is meeting the challenge of anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-immigrant sentiments by taking the renowned Arab Film Festival on tour. Mizna will tour independent Arab cinema to six Minnesota college campuses and their neighbors. Campuses include Macalester, Hamline, St. Catherine’s, Concordia (TC’s), Metro State and St Benedict’/St. John’s. The tour begins this week and continue through April. Details here: http://mizna.org/articles/events/183.shtml
You might also want to check out yet another timely event at the ESFL here: http://eastsidefreedomlibrary.org/events/mooz-lum-black-history-month-film-screening-discussion/
Poken Sword offers a unique and “luminous evening dedicated to the love of language” on the regular fourth Friday evening of the month, i.e.7:00 PM on January 26 at 2001: A Space, 2001 5th Street NE in Minneapolis. Local emerging and established writers will read on works related to this month’s theme, “torment.” The evening will begin with bluegrass ensemble Pants on a Chair and their songs of heartache and murder: https://www.pokensword.com
The Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum takes a look at an earlier time when the press was cast as the “enemy of the people.” Independent scholar Beth Johanneck will speak about a time in the 1930’s when the Minneapolis underworld was ruled by not-so-Minnesota-Nice gangs that failed to appreciate journalists’ efforts to clean up the city. The MISF meeting, open to all, is at 9:30, speaker at 10:00, at the Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis. http://www.mnindependentscholars.org/node/60
The Minnesota Genealogical Society, and several of its affiliates, have moved from their South St. Paul site to Mendota Heights. New address: 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN. As more MGS library and other resources come online MGS can offer ready access to the unique resources of a host of organizations — here’s a good starting point: https://mngs.org/cpage.php?pt=25
In case you missed the headlines, be sure to check out the new documentary, premiered at Sundance, celebrating the life and times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “RBG” will restore your faith in the rule of law and the wisdom of this stellar jurist. Check it out here: http://ew.com/movies/2018/01/22/sundance-ruth-bader-ginsburg-rbg-documentary-premiere/. More about the filmmakers here:https://www.democracynow.org/2018/1/22/rbg_new_documentary_celebrates_life_of and a fun SNL spoof on RBG’s not retiring here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDXxsRB4s7Y&et=&bu=&cn=&src=&pt=
Whistling Shade, the literary journal and small press, has issued a fun call for submissions for their Spring/Summer issue. They’re looking for poetry, stories, essays, whatever the format on the topic “Food and Drink”. Sounds like a creative way to spend a few snowbound evenings – and to justify some good eats. http://www.whistlingshade.com/submissions.html
Fun read for a winter’s eve: Unique libraries share information about their “oldest holdings.” https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/oldest-library-books-small-specific-libraries-manuscripts
Should you prefer maps you might want to explore the Civil War Maps series recently digitized and available online from the National Archives. https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2017/10/17/rg-109-confederate-maps-series-now-digitized-and-available-online/
Winter in Minneapolis brings out the best in Northeasters – The next Winter Market at the NE Farmers Market is Sunday, February 18, 10 AM-2 PM. Chowgirls Killer Catering will be there with tacos: scrambled eggs, carnitas or mole seitan, white rice and black beans with cilantro and lime spices. DJ theme of the February Market is funk/soul/disco/blues! http://www.facebook.com/NortheastFarmersMarket.
Does The Post (the movie) leave you craving more movies about journalism? Ever aware of readers’ needs the (real) Washington Post has published a list of the ten best movies about journalism – complete with reviews by noted journalists. Seems like another winter project for an enterprising library or other seeker of truth organization. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/2017/12/14/the-10-best-journalism-movies/?utm_term=.92733ffdd1f0
The Blue Ox Review (I love the name!) is a new blog, curated by Lisa Von Drasek, Curator of the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota – who explains the title of her blog as “a nod to independence.” Lisa, a veteran reviewer, is somehow finding time – and “itch – to share her reviewing skills on her own blog: https://www.continuum.umn.edu/kerlan/
The University of Minnesota-Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library and Friends of the Duluth Public Library are now accepting nominations for the Thirtieth Annual Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards. The awards ceremony is set for May 24 –Deadline for entries is soon – February 1! Find all of the details about NEMBA here: https://lib.d.umn.du/about/nemba.
Conversation with Books is a tradition at St. Catherine University. Professors and avid reader graduates will discuss the selected books on Saturday, February 2, 1:00 pm at Coeur de Catherine center on campus. Details, including the list of books to be discussed, are online at https://www.stkate.edu/news-and-events/events/conversation-with-books-2018
First Fridays sponsored by the U of M Archives and Special Collections continues in the new year. First Fridays are free and open to the public; light refreshments served at 11 with presentations beginning at Noon. All are in the Elmer L. Andersen Library. For a full schedule of winter/spring 2018 offerings click here: https://www.continuum.umn.edu/event/first-fridays-february-2018/
CraftBOWL is another timely winter event sponsored by the American Swedish Institute. Focus of CraftBOWL is “The Handmade” – a broad look at what “handmade” means in traditional and contemporary, local and global terms. It features the work by three internationally acclaimed craft artists from Sweden: Jogge Sundqvist (wood), Ingegard Raman (ceramics) and Bertil Vallien (glass). https://www.asimn.org/about-us/press-room/craftbowl-exhibition-launches-american-swedish-institutes-2018-year-handmade
Club Book announces the line-up for the Winter/Spring 2018 season. Writers on this winter/spring roster include Omar El Akkad, Peter Geye, William Kent Krueger, Laura Lippman, Ariel Lawhon, Anita Shreve, Patricia Hampl, Emily Fridlund, and Samantha Irby. Fortunately for the homebound and many others Club Book extends the reach of the writers by podcasting the discussions soon after the presentations. The series is funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Events are free and open to the public. Details about writers and their books, dates, locations and more about Club Book here: http://clubbook.org
The Friends of the St Paul Public Library is the monthly sponsor of Books & Bars, a long-running series of book discussions moderated by Jeff Kamin every Tuesday of the month. The February 6 book discussion is on Yaa Gyasi’s novel Homecoming. It’s at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, 5:00 for happy hour social, discussion at 6:15. No registration required. Enjoy Jeff Kamin’s description of the Why of Books & Bars here: https://thefriends.org/2017/06/28/jeff-kamin-on-books-bars-reading-and-why-libraries-are-better-than-netflix/
As the nation commemorates October as National Archives Month the many faces of archival work come into focus, including on the federal government scene. In the headlines this month is the issue of preservation of White House archives. The White House, including the temporary resident, is required by law to preserve all presidential documents, including emails and other electronic records. Because this is not happening it has been necessary for National Archives officials to express serious concerns. A recent [10/17] POLITICO report by Josh Dawsey and Bryan Bender describes the archival challenge in detail. (http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/17/national-archives-trump-documents-preserve-243888)
October 19 – 5:00-7:30 pm In Their Own Words: The Tretter Collection Transgender Oral History Project. Elmer L. Andersen Library, U of M. Vignettes from the “In Their Own Words” project, artifacts, books and documents from the Tretter Collection. Reservations https://www.continuum.umn.edu/reg/reservation-transgender-oral-history-project-exhibit-reception/
October 28 -UPDATE: The Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum reports a special program appropriate to the bicentennial celebration of Henry David Thoreau. Photographer and author Dale Schwie will be speaking at the organization’s monthly meeting. Dale will discuss his recent book, Taking Sides with the Sun, a biography of Herbert W. Gleason whose work includes a major collection of “Thoreau Country” photographs, now housed in the Special Collections of the Concord MA Free Public Library. (https://www.thoreausociety.org/thoreau-country) MISF and guests will meet at the North Regional Library, Lowry and Fremont Avenues North. The library opens at 9:00; meeting at 10:00. Ample parking. Free and open.
The U of M Archivists continue to take a lead in the digital age. New online from the Kerlan Collection is an amazing online exhibit, Children’s Book Art: Techniques and Media. (Z.umn.edu/techniques) The digitized exhibit explores the ways in which artists explore today’s media to express ideas and delight young readers. As with most children’s literature there’s no limit on age or enjoyment of the visual treats.
Bookish.com is launching BookishFirst, an early preview and review platform featuring new books and authors, pre-pub excerpts, blurbs, reviews and more. (https://www.bookish.com)
Everybody needs a break! — There’s a new Nancy Drew TV series in the works! http://deadline.com/2017/10/nancy-drew-tv-series-nbc-tony-phelan-joan-rater-dan-jinks-1202189328/
If Halloween freaks you out, the good people at Poets.org (https://www.poets.org) offer a National Archives Month celebration of poetry appropriate to the season. https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/halloween-poems Do not miss John Berryman’s Halloween, read by the poet – archived by the archivists we honor this month. (https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/stanza/archive-john-berrymans-halloween-reading)
Thoughts of the Children’s Book Art exhibit, combined with the spookiness of Halloween, focus the mind on reading and children, especially children and young people for whom books and reading offer both a challenge and a treasured opportunity. Reading and books will help these young readers to live the life envisioned by Charlemagne who told us that “to have another language is to possess a second soul.”
October is Bilingual Child Month
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P.S. from the Roseville Library (Ramsey County)
Fake News: a History
October 25 – Roseville: 12:30 p.m. Roseville Library – What explains the recent rise of fake news and wily accusations of “fake news”? Join University of Minnesota scholar Harshit Rathi for a different look at the news media and how we got here. Cost: Free. For more information contact them at 651-724-6022.
American Politics in the Age of Trump: A First Look at History
October 31, November 7 and 14 – Roseville: 12:30 p.m. Roseville Library – Whatever your political point-of-view, it’s time to take a first look at what will certainly be one of the major historical events of the 21st century. This series features speakers from a variety of political positions, in which will consider the first draft of a history of the Trump Presidency. For more information contact them at 651-724-6022.
Posted in Books and Reading, Things to do in Minnesota
Tagged Bilingual Child Month, BookFirst, Children's Book Art: Techniques and Media, Halloween-Poetry, Kerlan Collection, minnesota independent scholars forum, Nancy Drew TV, National Archives Month 2017, Poets.org, University of Minnesota-Tretter Collection
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning. ~~ Mark Twain
The Great Minnesota Get-Together 2017 is history, and yet the Fairgrounds will come alive October 13-14 as bibliophiles gather from far and wide to celebrate “the right word.” It’s the annual Twin Cities Book Festival. (http://www.raintaxi.com/twin-cities-book-festival/
Sponsored by Rain Taxi, the free and open tribute to the book is the call for “word people” to meet and learn from bibliophiles who write, publish, read, edit, sell, and otherwise shape and share the “right words.” It’s a time to refresh the mind and soothe the soul of the faithful who cling to the idea that the right words not only read well but speak truth.
The agenda for TC’s Book Festival is robust, overflowing with exhibits, speakers, opportunities to meet and greet – the Festival calls for serious preparation! If, perchance, you can’t attend, the website itself offers a great read and reminder of the many faces of the state’s book world! The online guide to the Festival includes authors of every genre, publishers, booksellers (new and used) along with myriad options, including but not limited to food vendors — Be sure to save time to experience the Poetry Bus! (http://www.raintaxi.com/twin-cities-book-festival-poetry-bus/)
A recent issue of Access Press overflows with both information and reminders. Front page information is that Stuart Holland who has managed the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network since 1986 is retiring. His retirement prompted the newspaper to published a great review of the RTB history written by Jan Willms. It’s a good read and a good reminder. http://www.accesspress.org/blog/2017/09/08/retirement-awaits-new-chapter-for-radio-talking-books-holland/
But don’t stop there, subscribe to Access Press online or pick up a free copy at a convenient newspaper rack. AP is a timely and indispensable source of information about what’s happening in the disabilities community – a tool for anyone who has a disability or who is in a position to share the news with friends, family, patrons, the faith, academic or other community. So many resources, so many opportunities to share the word! Much more about the mission, content and programs of Access Press here: (http://www.accesspress.org)
“Feast” is the theme of Interact Visual Artists’ exhibit (https://interactcenter.org/artists/visual-arts/) open through October 8 at Birchwood Café in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis. (http://birchwoodcafe.com) The exhibit explores the subject of food and the relations and perceptions of food and art. Individual artists assume varying relationships with food by exploring different ethnic foods and approaching the issue in a variety of media and styles.
October 5 – Talk of the Stacks features journalist and food industry authority Larry Olmsted, 7:00 PM at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. Olmsted’s book, is entitled Real Food Fake Food: Why you don’t know what you’re eating and what you can do about it…. The event is free, doors open at 6:15; programs begins at 7:00 PM
October 12 – The City of Minneapolis is offering a class for group that are interested in creating a cooperative. Sessions run October 12-December 7. Details here: http://webbercamden.org/2017/09/27/city-of-minneapolis-free-class-on-creating-a-cooperative/ To learn more about the history and present state of coops check this recent talk given by Tom Pierson at the Seward Coop –https://seward.coop/posts/1048
October 18 – The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) announces the Autumn Open House, 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the historic Crosby Mansion, 2105 First Avenue South. RSVP by Friday, October 14 at iatp.org/open-house. Speakers include IATP ED Juliette Major and Tara Ritter, Senior Program Association for Climate and Rural Communities. Free and open RSVP by 9/14. (https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/15ed34ccdaf2ec36 . IATP is also developing a robust distance learning component, including an informative podcast series on NAFTA(https://www.iatp.org/blog/201709/trade-ag-your-ears-our-new-podcast-uprooted) Take time to explore the many facets of IATP, a robust and timely resource essential in this world of global/corporate economic flux. (https://www.iatp.org/nafta-portal)
October 20 – Insurgent knowledges: Book talk with Damien Sojoyner and Sabrina Vaught. Sojoyner is the author of First Strike: Educational enclosures in Black Los Angeles (U of M 2017) and Vaught is the author of Compulsory: Education and the dispassion of youth in a prison school, U of M Press 2017,7:00 PM at the East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier Street in St. Paul. Details online.
October 21 – A Resister’s Handbook: A benefit performance for East Side Freedom Library. Xavier Morilla, described as “a labor leader, activist, podcaster, writer and storyteller” – not to mention President of SEIU Local 26. Working with Levi Weinhagen, Morilla has created the presentation in which Morilla will share his “wit and optimism” with ESFL supporters at a fundraiser event, 5:30-7:00 PM. A minimum tax-deductible gift of $25 is requested at the door.
November 2- ESFL will also co-sponsor a timely presentation, The Origins of the Radical Right and the Crisis of Our Democracy, a talk by Nancy MacLean, Professor History and Public Policy at Duke University. The event is sponsored by ESFL, ISAIAH-Minnesota and the U of MN History Department.7:00 PM at ESFL 1105 Greenbrier Street in St. Paul, 651 230 3294. http://eastsidefreedomlibrary.org
A recent study by the Pew Research Center reports on details of the digital divide. Data re the Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington area are above average, with plenty of room for improvement. Broadband access in households with income under $20K was 55.5% while 86.6% of 20K+ households enjoy broadband access.
The latest greatest fad at Eat My Words bookstore is Squibs. Squibs are short one-to-ten-page writing pieces – with or sans visuals – described by Squibs hosts as “mini-stories with a beginning, middle and end.” They can be about any topic that helps get the writer writing. To follow the EMW muse to a new life of squibbing, join a Squib writing session, Saturdays Noon-1:00 PM at EMW Bookstore, 214 13th Avenue NE (new location) 651 243 1756 or more at www.eatmywordsbooks.com.
Note to out-of-control bibliophiles: Help is at the ready: https://www.bustle.com/articles/183327-9-things-book-lovers-do-in-the-fall-because-autumn-is-the-perfect-season-for-reading
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As we plunge into the season’s political melee, it might be a good time to catch up on some basics of the democracy. Following are some tools to help us review and put in contemporary context some of the basics:
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* Quote from L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Posted in Books and Reading, Disability Issues, Twin Cities, MN
Tagged Access Press, Biblioiphiles, Damien Sojoyner, East Side Freedom Library, Eat My Words, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Interact Visual Artists, Larry Olmsted, Levi Weinhagen, Nancy MacLean, Sabrina Vaught, Squibs, Talk of the Stacks, Xavier Morilla
Poking Around with Mary 
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