LIBRARIES ADVANCE AGAINST ALL ODDS

Neil Peirce of the Washington Post writes that "America's public libraries, fast turning themselves into "one-stop shops" for digital job searches, appear to be staging one of their great historic transformations." .... "What's amazing is that many libraries are able to maintain the bulk of their services and adapt to growing needs during a recession, even in the face of snowballing funding cuts by their local governments.

Read the full article.

Top 10 Facebook Fixes [Lifehacker Top 10]

Top 10 Facebook Fixes [Lifehacker Top 10]

Facebook may be the de facto social network of, frankly, almost everyone, but that doesn't mean you have to use Facebook exactly the way its creators, or your Farmville-addicted friends, want you to. Here are 10 tweaks to make Facebook better. More »

Paper cuts: a blog about books

Paper Cuts from the New York Times is a blog about books and other forms of printed matter, written by the editors of the Book Review. Look here for book news and opinion, interviews with writers, regular raids on the Book Review’s archives, and other special features.

New ELI 7 Things... Brief Explores Assessing Online Team-Based Learning

New ELI 7 Things... Brief Explores Assessing Online Team-Based Learning

In team-based learning, students work in groups on outcome-based or problem-based assignments. Assessing the work produced by teams, however, presents a significant challenge, and this difficulty is especially prominent in online environments. Developing and implementing a transparent assessment process that both supports and recognizes individual and group learning can generate a powerful combination of interdependency and peer cooperation.

Online Database: Michigan State University’s Quilt Index Receives 100K Grant from IMLS

Online Database: Michigan State University's Quilt Index Receives 100K Grant from IMLS

Yes, a quilt index. It's even searchable Read on!

Access the the Quilt Index

Search the Quilt Index

Signature Quilt Search

From the Article:

This fall, the MSU Museum's Quilt Index — an online database of more than 50,000 quilt images — will prepare to expand its resources internationally, using an almost $100,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, or IMLS.

[Clip]

The grant period begins Oct. 1 when the MSU Museum will begin contacting potential international contributors, such as libraries and museums, said Marsha MacDowell, the Quilt Index co-director, curator at the MSU Museum and acting co-director for MSU's Museum Studies Program.

[Clip]

The Quilt Index uses technology that allows the MSU Museum to expand its information database and, ultimately, make it easier for the public to obtain knowledge, said Lora Helou, the MSU Museum's communications director.

Access the the Quilt Index

"Socialize" about the Quilt Index on Facebook and/or Follow on Twitter

Source: The State News

See Also: Facts About the Quilt Index

Q.&A.: Bookmarks From A to Z

From from NYT > Personal Tech by By J.D. BIERSDORFER

How do I automatically alphabetize my Web bookmarks?

Q.&A.: Bookmarks From A to Z: "How to put bookmarks in alphabetical order depends on what browser you use.


"

Mobile Web: Library of Congress Launches Their First Mobile App, A Virtual Tour of LC

Mobile Web: Library of Congress Launches Their First Mobile App, A Virtual Tour of LC

The new app (free) for iPhone/Pad/Touch is a virtual tour of the library.

You can download it here.

Matt Raymond writes on the LC Blog:

The app includes highlights of exhibitions and architectural features, with photos, audio by curators and other experts, links to more detailed online exhibitions, and even a video about the history of Thomas Jefferson's Library, which in 1815 reconstituted the Library of Congress after the British burned the Capitol in the War of 1812. The architectural photos come courtesy of Carol M. Highsmith, who has been donating magnificent collections of images to the Library copyright-free, for the American people

Matt adds that the app, "is an ideal companion to an on-site tour, as much of its content tracks with the Library of Congress Experience in the Jefferson Building."

Congrats to everyone at LC especially the three staff members who developed it in-house.

We're downloading it now.

Finally, the blog post end with a reminder that this is the first of many apps. We'll do the best we can keeping you current here on ResourceShelf. Btw, we have sent along a request to find out if the new app (#1) will also be available for Android users. If/when we here back, we will let you know with an update to this post.

Source: LC Blog

See Also: Here's the Description from the App Store:

The Library of Congress is the world's largest library and the largest body of knowledge under a single roof. Whether you're onsite, at home, in a classroom or elsewhere, this app will give you a virtual tour that mirrors the Library of Congress Experience, an award-winning group of exhibitions and features that has drawn record numbers of visitors.

Sleeping In on Weekends Might Help You Catch Up From the Week [Sleep]

Sleeping In on Weekends Might Help You Catch Up From the Week [Sleep]

Contrary to what we've heard in the past, scientists suggest in a new study that grabbing an extra hour or two in one night can help restore your performance after a week of less-than-awesome slumber. More »

Summer Road Trip Movies

from Amazon Daily by Amazon Daily

Summer Road Trip Movies: "

There's just something about the call of the open road that promises a break
from the heat of summer. And while most of us don't seek the kind of
adventures shown in the following list of movies, riding along in the
passenger seat is just right for a lazy summer afternoon. Especially
since the car--usually a classic of some kind--is often as much a
part of the action as the actors. So fasten your seat belts, it's
gonna be a bumpy ride … or at least chock full of ridiculously fun
hijinks.

The Muppet Movie (1979)

Starring:
Jim Hensen (voices) and Frank Oz (voices)

Kermit ditches the swamp and heads for Hollywood, determined to become a
star. The green frog picks up new friends once he hits the
road--Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and more Muppet favorites--and tries
to avoid the evil Doc Hopper, who wants him to promote his frog leg
restaurant. The gang encounter a plethora of Hollywood notables,
including Mel Brooks, Bob Hope, Madeline Kahn, and Richard Pryor as
they try to make it big. The bouncy, Paul Williams penned score will
stick with you for days, and you can't help bob your head as Kermit
and Fozzie sing 'Movin' Right Along' because you want to be there, movin' right along side them.

Rain Man (1988)

Starring:
Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman

When hot-shot Los Angeles car dealer Charlie (Cruise) learns that his late
father has left a $3 million estate to his heretofore unknown--and
mentally disabled--brother Raymond (Hoffman) and all he got was a
1948 Buick convertible, he sets off in the car to kidnap his brother
and get the money for himself. As with any good road trip, the
hijinks involve a stop in Vegas after Charlie discovers Raymond's
autistic savant carries over to counting cards. Still, the touching
story offers a journey of discovery for Charlie as he gets to know
the brother he wasn't even aware he had and you feel his loss as he
realizes he isn't capable of caring for him alone. Winner of the 1989
Academy Award for Best Picture.

Thelma and Louise (1991)

Starring: Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis

A short weekend getaway turns into the fugitive road trip of a life
time when Louise (Sarandon) shoots the man who tried to attack Thelma
(Davis). With the feds on their tail, the women decide to make a run
for Mexico and lead the authorities on a cross-country chase. More
than just a chick flick, the strong female characters offered
audiences a smart and funny gender reversal on the typical
buddies-on-the-road formula of the day. And no one will forget the
now iconic shot of the '66 Thunderbird flying out over the canyon.
Girl power was never the same.

Road Trip (2000)

Starring: Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, and Amy Smart

Appropriately named, this by-the-numbers teen flick follows Josh (Meyer) as he
tries to intercept a package containing a videoed encounter with an
infatuation (Smart) that was accidentally mailed to his girlfriend.
Friends E.L. (Scott), Kyle (D.J. Qualls), and Rubin (Paulo
Costanzo) hit the highway with him and, predictably, hijinks ensue: a
car explodes, a bus is stolen, French toast is horribly violated …
but for all that, no schmaltzy lessons are learned along the way.
This is simply a tale of three guys on the road with one mission in
mind, okay, maybe two: get the package and have fun.

Harold
and Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)

Starring: John Cho and Kal Penn

Taking place over the course of one, munchie-induced night, Harold (Cho) and
Kumar (Penn) set off in search of the nearest White Castle. The two
burger-seeking buddies are sidetracked by skateboarding hooligans,
racist cops, an inbred tow truck driver and his hot wife, and Neil
Patrick Harris (as himself). And while the audience might
occasionally wonder how much of their road trip adventure is
influenced by Harold and Kumar's choice of herbal refreshment (a ride
through the woods on a cheetah?!) it's a blast to go along as they
seek their fix, finally hang-gliding off a cliff for their ultimate
and well-earned sweet reward.

Eurotrip (2004)

Starring: Scott Mechlowicz, Jacob Pitts, and Michelle Trachtenberg

Head across the pond for a post-high school romp through Europe. After
getting dumped by his girlfriend, Scott Thomas (Mechlowicz) confides
in his German pen pal, Mike. When Mike makes a romantic advance upon
hearing the news, Scott tells him he never wants to hear from him
again. Then Scott learns that Mike is actually Mieke, a girl … a
hot girl, who has now blocked all his calls and attempts at apology.
Determined to make amends in person, Scott, his girl-crazy best
friend Cooper (Pitts), and twins Jenny (Trachtenberg) and Jamie
(Travis Wester) head to Berlin. Though their improvised trip through
Europe is full of clichés and stereotypes, it's all good natured and
you find yourself hoping the guy gets the girl in the end.

Into the Wild (2007)

Starring: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, John Hurt

Inspired by a true story, recent college grad Christopher McCandless (Emile
Hirsch) rids himself of all possessions and donates his entire
savings to charity and sets out to hitchhike to Alaska. McCandless'
quest takes him from his safe life in South Dakota to the
non-conformist refuge in Slab City, CA before he heads into the wilds
of the Alaska. Along the way he meets a series of characters who not
only change his life, but benefit from his influence as well.
Unmentioned in the credits, the sweeping scenery plays more than a
supporting role. Academy Award nominated.

Wild Hogs (2007)

Starring: Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy

Four mid-life crises + motorcycles = adventure on the open road for adults
instead of teens this time around. Doug (Allen), Woody (Travolta),
Bobby (Lawrence), and Dudley (Macy) set out to break up their hum
drum suburban lives. So they dub themselves the Wild Hogs and go off
in search of adventure. But an encounter with the Del Fuegos, a real
biker gang lead by Jack (Ray Liotta), adds more spice than the
weekend warriors were looking for. When Dudley's bike is stolen by
the Del Fuegos, the Wild Hogs hatch a plan to get it back.

The Hangover (2009)

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis

Four guys. A bachelor party in Vegas. A borrowed classic Mercedes Benz.
What could possibly go wrong? Try everything, including a missing
groom-to-be. While most of this movie takes place in Sin City and not
in a car, the time these four friends spend on the road sets the tone
for the rest of the unbelievable bachelor party weekend (a tiger, a
missing tooth, a baby). They search Las Vegas, piecing random bits of
memory and clues together as they try to find their missing friend
before his wedding. Golden Globe winner for Best Motion Picture:
Musical or Comedy.

What movies (or TV shows) make you want to head out on the open road?

--Jill Corddry

"

$200 Textbook vs. Free. You Do the Math.

From The New York Times:

PING: $200 Textbook vs. Free. You Do the Math.

Two founders of Sun Microsystems have created two nonprofits to bring open-source textbooks to kindergarten through high school classes.

http://nyti.ms/bmYKfl

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