ALA and The Hollywood Librarian

This past June, I and other fellow NVCC librarians attended the 2007 American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. A highlight of the weeklong events was the world premier of The Hollywood Librarian, the first full-length documentary film to focus on the work and lives of librarians.

Take a look at the video below! Ellen Wertman (Reference & Collection Development Librarian at Annandale) and I are shown in the third shot seated on the floor. Ellen is wearing pink and I am in the jean jacket. Does this mean we’re famous librarians???

Award-Winning Graphic Novels

Stop by and check out these new award-winning graphic novels recently added to the collection:

The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation
by Sid Jacobson

From the publisher:
Using every skill and storytelling method Jacobson and Colón have learned over the decades, they have produced the most accessible version of the 9/11 Report. Jacobson’s text frequently follows word for word the original report, faithfully captures its investigative thoroughness, and covers its entire scope, even including the Commission’s final report card. Colón’s stunning artwork powerfully conveys the facts, insights, and urgency of the original. Published on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States, an event that has left no aspect of American foreign or domestic policy untouched, The 9/11 Report puts at every American’s fingertips the most defining event of the century.

Winner of Publishers Weekly's Best Comics of 2006
HV6432.7 .J33 2006


Blankets: An Illustrated Novel
by Craig Thompson

From the publisher:
Wrapped in the landscape of a blustery Wisconsin winter, Blankets explores the sibling rivalry of two brothers growing up in the isolated country, and the budding romance of two coming-of-age lovers. A profound and utterly beautiful work.

2004 Winner of the Best Graphic Album Eisner Award
PN6727.T48 B58 2004


Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
by Marjane Satrapi

From the publisher:
Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi's wise, funny, and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq.

2004 Winner of the ALA Alex Award
PN6747.S245 P4713 2003

Wired Laptop Area Coming Soon!!!

Do you have trouble connecting to the wireless internet in the library? Never fear! Beginning this fall semester, we will be providing a wired laptop area.

10 study carrels along the back of the stacks, located across from sections T - TS, will have wired internet connectivity. There will not be printing capabilities, but you can research, study, or google to your hearts content.

Don't forget to BYOL! (Bring Your Own Laptop)

Closed 4th of July

The Woodbridge Campus Library will be closed, Wednesday July 4th, in honor of Independence Day.

While many people may celebrate by having cookouts and shooting fireworks, here's how a village in New York used to celebrate in the mid 1950s...I wouldn't try this at home!

Well after the turn of the century the village of Gilbertsville, New York, was still celebrating the Fourth of July in an unusual way...More unusual were the "fireballs." A day in advance a few older girls, instructed by a very old man, would gather to make them. Candlewicking was twisted into loose balls about the size of a small grapefruit. With a long needle and string they were stitched through and through to hold the wicking together. The finished balls were left to soak overnight in pails of turpentine.

On the evening of the Fourth, as soon as it was dark, the balls were taken out and lighted with matches. They were then thrown up and down the main street of the village. Arching overhead with a blaze of two or three feet, they made an impressive display. Competition to throw them was keen, and there was a scrimmage over each ball as it fell.

Strange to say, the flaming balls did not burn the hands. Turpentine burns at a moderate temperature. The motion of snatching the ball from the ground carried the flame away from the hand. In the split second of throwing the only damage was to singe the hair on the back of the hand.

Source
Ecob, Katherine G. "Homemade Fireworks." The Folklore of American Holidays. Eds. Hennig Cohen and Tristam Potter Coffin. Detroit: Gale, 1991. 269.