Twitter Messages as Primary Sources?

Twitter Donates Entire Tweet Archive to Library of Congress

Since they are first-hand accounts, Twitter messages, or "tweets," might be used as primary sources by future historians! The Library of Congress now has an archive of all public tweets from the 2006 start of Twitter through the present. Although the entire archive will not be posted online, the Library of Congress may post tweets focused on particular themes.

University of Southern Maine: Osher Map Library & Smith Cartographic Center

Thousands of maps, each revealing its maker’s worldview - The Boston Globe

"On the building’s facade are 104 aluminum panels whose 156-by-26-foot etching of a Dymaxion Map is possibly the largest exterior map installation in the world. The map was invented by the futurist Buckminster Fuller in 1946 to depict the globe with minimal distortion and make a political statement about the interconnectedness of continents and peoples."

"OML has earned a national reputation for its commitment to the use of maps in kindergarten through college education. The library offers workshops and online resources for educators ... "

Official Osher Map Library Web site.

Translation as Art

The other author of 'Don Quixote' - The Boston Globe

MSLA Bookmark Contest

Like to draw? The Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) is sponsoring a bookmark contest for students. Winners receive (among other things) a book store gift certificate, an enlargement of your bookmark, a framed award certificate, and an invitation to participate in the awards ceremony at the State House. Click here for more information.

A Dedication to Craft: North Bennet Street School @ 125

"A successful bookbinding is a suit of armor that looks like a tuxedo and fits like a glove."

An exhibit showcasing the craftsmanship of graduates of Boston's famed North Bennet Street School runs through March 21, 2010 at the Concord Museum. The above quote is posted by cases containing examples of books beautifully bound in wood, tooled leather, and decorative papers. In addition to bookbinding, exquisite furniture, clocks, custom carpentry, locksmithing, instruments, and jewelry are on display.

Release Party for Inbound 4: A Comic History of Boston

The Boston Comics Roundtable has just published Inbound 4: A Comic Book History of Boston. Among the dozens of comics included are those telling stories of the Great Molasses Flood, Shay's Rebellion, Charles Ponzi's original scheme, the Gardner Museum heist, Mark Twain's encounter with Boston literary society, and the 1970s busing crisis.

This Saturday, December 5, the writers and artists are celebrating with a release party at the Atomic Bean Cafe in Cambridge. For more info about this free event, click here.

"This unconventional account of our city's history brings a diverse cast of Bostonians to life: sports heroes and serial killers; pirates and punk rockers; founding fathers and favorite sons. An unexpected and delightful assortment of Boston lore!" - Jane Clayson, host of WBUR's "Radio Boston"

Author Tracy Kidder on Libraries and his New Book

An interview with Tracy Kidder - Cohasset, MA - Cohasset Mariner

October 21 - November 8, 2009

"Two weeks of talks, readings, and discussion celebrating the written and the spoken word."

Most events are free and the Chef Fest at Verrill Farm, which was canceled last year due to the fire, will be held Saturday, October 24 at 12-2:00 pm. Howard Dean will be the opening day speaker and will address the health care debate. A print copy of the newspaper supplement detailing the Concord Festival of Authors events is available in the L-S Library.

Author of BLACK WALDEN to speak in Concord

A lecture by Dr. Elise Lemire, author of Black Walden (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009), will be held on Sat., Oct 17 at 5:00 p.m. in the main lobby of the Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main St., Concord, MA. It is free and open to the public. Dr. Lemire, who grew up in Lincoln, is an Associate Professor of Literature, School of Humanities, Purchase College, SUNY. Black Walden was designated a “We the People” project by the National Endowment for the Humanities. (Press release from actionunlimited.com)

A copy of Black Walden is available for check out at the L-S Library.

U.S. Poet Laureate Louise Glück @ Concord Public Library

U.S. Poet Laureate Louise Glück will kick off this year's Poetry Reading series on Saturday, September 26th at 7:30 p.m. at the Concord Library. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. Her new book, A Village Life, was reviewed in the New York Times. [Read review] Some of her award winning books include: The Wild Iris (Pulitzer Prize) Averno (National Book Award finalist) The Seven Ages (New Yorker's Book Award in Poetry) Ararat (Library of Congress Prize for Poetry) Triumph of Achilles (National Book Critics Award)