Of Beasties and Librarians...

I love creative librarians, especially when they embrace silliness and music. While I am not a fan of Lady Gaga, the music video spoofing one of her songs is hilarious.

Add this one to that lovely bag. Librarians and the Beastie Boys seem to make a good fit.

There are also public service announcements to promote the value and essential service of libraries...and zombies.

And also Captain Kirk....

What other library related videos have you seen that make you sit up and take notice? Feel free to post a link in the comments section below. I would love to see them!

Cutest Library Book Ever

Working in a library, you can find some pretty cool things. There was a day I was reshelving books at the Albertsons Library and found a book simply called On Bullshit. Another day, I found a very old and worn copy of the Masonic Dogma and Morals complete with signatures of past masters who had owned the book. I think the item that I revisited many times was the case book on Roswell.

In Special Collections at Wichita State, I have laid hands on a late 10th century copy of Enchiridion ad Laurentium penned by several different scribes on sheepskin. I perused a sixteenth century copy of The Defense of the Aunswere to the Admonition, Against the Replie of T. C (Thomas Cartwright) penned by John Whitgift. There is a rather large tome from the same century which holds delicate leaves and flowers tucked between the pages. 

I own a tiny book. It's a red leather bound copy of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and measures
3 1/4" by 4 1/8" inches.

I never found anything like this, though. Well, that I know of anyway. Such a tiny book!

Libertarian Science Fiction?

I had no idea this sub-genre even existed...I mean, is there fiction devoted to other political ideologies?...I don't think I have ever seen Republican or conservative science fiction...unless that is Fox News...then it makes sense.....what would moderate sci fi be I wonder?....I would probably read that. 

The Libertarian Futurist Society recently announced their 2013 award winners. Frankly I probably would not have even looked at it if it hadn't been for Cory Doctorow's name as this year's recipient of one of the Prometheus awards. Looking further at the previous winners list gave me a better grasp on what is meant by libertarian science fiction, although I certainly never called it that before. Probably wouldn't now either come to think of it. Despite that, it does look like an interesting group. I'll stick with the Mythopoeic Society, though.  

Regardless, here is the link to the awards section of their website:  http://www.lfs.org/awards.shtml

How many of the award winners have you read or are on your list of books to read later?

Pet Sematary and the Library

Things are happening. My love of horror may be put to good use. I can't confirm anything yet. I will add updates as they come. For now, here is a little present. I have also had this song in my head all day....

Bram Stoker Horror Award Winners!

Pardon the short post. I am re-re-editing one of Art's books. We discovered yesterday that the edits it took me a few weeks to do were lost due to some kind of issue with the recent edition of Word. So I will be hustling to get those done. The deadline is this weekend, and damn it, I'm going to be done this weekend.  *enter lots of curse words here

For those interested, the Horror Writers Association recently announced the 2012 Bram Stoker Awards. Weeee! Take a look!

Touring the Corbin Education Center

In celebration of Frank Lloyd Wright's birthday (officially June 8th), the Corbin Education Center at Wichita State University gave tours through their wonderful building designed by the architectural master himself. My friend Gemma and I took the first tour of the day. Our tour guides, Jane and Zach, were incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the building and of Wright as well.

The first thing I noticed when we arrived at the building was how low the ceiling was at the entrance to the courtyard. Seriously low. Art would have had to duck to get through here. Gemma wondered if Wright had been a short man in his lifetime. Turns out that was indeed the case, and he designed things for himself.

After leaving the oppressive entrance, we were welcomed with the sun and a great view of the fountain. I think if we could have gotten away with it, Gemma and I would have dipped our toes in it. It looked quite inviting!

This is one of the classrooms. The windows are almost floor to ceiling and the ones that join in the corner are actually calked together. Jane mentioned that Wright did not want to mar the view to the natural landscape beyond the window with walls and such base things.

I don't know about you, but I don't think I would have been able to concentrate on lectures with the view.

A clock. A simple thing, but unique in its design.

Here  is a shot of the computer lab. Again, another place where  I wouldn't be able to get much done!

The Corbin building was dedicated in 1964. Here is a shot from above of the dedication plaque. There is my little shadow up there. Helloooo!

From the walkway in between the two sections of the building (photos further down) I was able to get a great shot of the fountain. I want this in our backyard....it would take up most of it, but whatever!

Another view from the computer lab. Those fences are placed where the elementary education facility was supposed to be built. Sadly the building was never started.

A long view of the courtyard.

This is a lecturn in the Dean's office, also designed by Wright. Much of the furniture used in the building has the onyx and oak design. This photo doesn't do it justice. These pieces are great.

Here is the walkway from one part of the building to the next. I am so glad we had fantastic weather today!

One of the tour guides is super lucky to have this view from his office...

Another example of the low ceilings Wright employed in his designs.

This is an example of Wright's use of low to high ceilings.

From part of the courtyard.

Another simple thing, bookshelves. It's the way that those bookshelves are mounted on the wall that I wanted to capture.

Look! It's WuShock!!

Again, I was so grateful for the nice weather!

I think I will be spending some lunch breaks here...there is actually seating in between the two sections of the facility where faculty and students venture. Allegedly some awesome professors will use it as a teaching space.

If you are ever in Wichita, come to Wichita State University and see the Corbin Education Building. You will love it!

If it hadn't been for this guy, I don't think I would have the appreciation for Wright's work that I do today. Thanks, Grandpa.

Frank Lloyd Wright Day is June 7th

I will definitely be attending some of this event on Friday. http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=2138

My grandfather was a Wright enthusiast, and it showed in the plans that he drew up for the 1964 addition to the house on Logan St. The angles and materials Grandpa Brown selected were indicative of Wright's style and is still a very unique design.

As much as I liked the old part of the house, the newer part was always my favourite area. There was just something about the design of the second living room, dining room, and kitchen. It was quite some time before I heard anything about Wright and his architectural work. When I saw some of Wright's work and Grandpa's architectural plans next to each other, it became clear to me who Grandpa looked up to as an artist.

There were of course other reasons why I liked this section of the house. The family spent more time in here for holiday gatherings, nibbling on the simple dinners (which eventually turned into four course meals because Grandpa would always add on to the menu much to Grandma's amusement), watching television, and general "chit-chats." This section of the house is where I destroyed my first birthday cake, had my first sip of gin and tonic from Grandma's glass, and said my first curse word (I was three). Good times.

I will post photos of the Frank Lloyd Wright tour later on Friday. For now, here is the link to some of the architecture details courtesy of the College of Education website.