Panopticon

Been a while, hasn’t it? Hope everyone is having much luck in writing their papers. Thought you might like some diversions, and I do have 1000+ unread items currently in my Google Reader, so here we go!

1) This might be old news already, but… Gov. Deval Patrick is considering closing the State Library of Massachusetts, in order to save the state money. “Cost-saving method” are, in fact, his exact words. There is a petition here, and also a FB page here. Option to fan/friend the page is available, although not necessary to read the page.

2) The Library of Congress’ Print and Photograph Department recently acquired new photos – “Photochroms give us Holland’s Nice, bright colors”. Collection is of 100+ photos showcasing the Netherlands 100 years ago. Link is here.

3) Artist recreates Masterpieces with coffee. She “noticed how similar the java looked to some of the shades she was using and thought that if coffee can stain your clothes, why not try painting with it.” She also apparently loved how it smelled.
Current paintings include works by Da Vinci and Vermeer. I think my favorite is “The Thinker”, which one is yours?

4) Alternately, if you do happen to have any old card catalogue cards just lying around, here’s one idea to put them to good use…

5) The Extraordinary World of Ex Libris Art – tagline? Sometimes the ex libris is more valuable than the book containing it. Artwork here

6) Also? I want this. I mean, doesn’t anyone else?

7) If anyone wants to move to Ireland, might be a job available, as Ireland library opens 20,000 books, but no staff.

And finally a few local items:
8) Boston’s Athenaeum, due to its declining membership, is starting to market itself to a younger generation. Among other marketing techniques, they’ve been advertising in Boston Magazine and Improper Bostonian, and created a fan page on Facebook. Full article in the Boston Globe here.

9) And last:
Boston Public Library is featuring an International Bookbinding Exhibit now through December 13th. Features 117 bindings. According to the exhibit blurb, the ”

This exhibition features 117 extraordinary bindings from the Designer Bookbinders’ first International Competition. The bindings on display show remarkable ingenuity, technical skill, and sophistication. With its impressive range of cultural and geographical differences in the contemporary art of bookbinding, this exhibition offers a fascinating and beautiful overview of the work of 21st-century designer binders.” Exhibit is FREE.

(Thinking of maybe going once the semester is over. Anyone else interested?)

So… there we have it. Link soup! Meantime, good luck on whatever papers and assignments you are currently working on, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!