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October 30, 2005
If You Missed the First One...
Recently we had an information meeting for people who might be interested in learning more about Catholicism. The response was good, and so we are pleased to announce that there will be regular CATHOLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS every Monday evening at 9:15 p.m. in the library, beginning November 7, 2005. Learn even more about the Catholic faith. Everyone is welcome! For more information, e-mail Judith Koveleskie or call extension 7828.
Sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Mission Effectiveness Committee
Posted by RMLibrarians at 6:32 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2005
Update on Banned Books
Even though it is past mid-term and everyone is really busy, people on campus are still upholding their right to read. All of the banned books that were on display have been checked out. Excellent!
Posted by RMLibrarians at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 20, 2005
Why Do Catholics...
Have a Pope?
Confess their sins to a priest?
Pray the rosary?
Go to Mass on Sunday?
Have a devotion to Mary?
Fast during Lent?
Read a different Bible?
Celebrate Feast Days?
Would you like to know more about the Catholic Church? Let's talk. Come to the library on Wednesday, October 26, 2005, at 9:00 p.m.
If you are interested, but can't come at this time, please e-mail Judith Koveleskie or call extension 7828. Additional sessions may be arranged.
Sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Mission Effectiveness Committee
Posted by RMLibrarians at 4:50 PM | Comments (2)
October 15, 2005
America's Library
Did you know that the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world? Did you know that it serves Congress, as well as all of the people of the United States of America? Learn more about our national library.
Posted by RMLibrarians at 10:36 PM | Comments (1)
October 14, 2005
Vital Link in National Defense
"...a first-class public library is a vital link in national defense.." said Garrison Keillor in his article, "Edith Wharton and the War on Terror." He also promotes public libraries as "a tool in the war against terror." How is this possible? What does he mean?
Librarians, by the nature of their profession, are natural opponents of terrorists. A good library is a harmonious, orderly place where the freedom to read, ponder, and explore are encouraged. It is the closest thing on earth to a utopia where maximum order and maximum freedom go hand-in-hand. Librarianship cannot abide the terrorist mindset of "my way or we'll blow up your highway."
As mentioned in the previous blog entry, library users who enjoy classical literature appreciate the benefits, privileges, and advantages of civilization. The library is one such product of civilization. Since terrorist behavior is most decidedly NOT civilized, it is obvious that this group of library users who read classical literature would be opponents of terrorism, as well.
Some people use libraries as an information source. They go there to learn and to keep themselves informed. People who like to be informed want to know what is happening in the world. Because they are informed, they know that terrorists would seek to curtail their right to be informed. This bloc of library users also, then, would be opponents of terrorism.
Public libraries are family friendly places. Parents take their children to libraries for suitable books, story times, and other programs. Library families are people who embrace life and care about their own children, as well as future generations. Such people are also opponents of terrorism.
Libraries are supported by people who believe in human rights. Believing in freedom of thought, they advocate the right to read and the right to know. They also believe in respecting the rights of others. Such people would also, by their very nature, oppose terrorism.
A deeply rooted part of our country's history, libraries are as American as apple pie: Benjamin Franklin started the first public library in Philadelphia. Such an institution, the very hallmark of democracy, is a slap in the face of terrorism. As long as Americans are free to speak, read, and write, there is no power on earth that can destroy us. Visit your library soon. Remember: libraries are a vital link in national defense!
Posted by RMLibrarians at 12:15 PM | Comments (2)
October 12, 2005
Readers of Edith Wharton, et. al.
"How many readers of Edith Wharton have engaged in terroristic acts? I challenge you to name one. Therefore, the reading of Edith Wharton is a proven deterrent to terror." said Garrison Keillor in his tongue-in-cheek article, "Edith Wharton and the War on Terror." Taken at face value, this may seem like a silly statement. Yet it contains a great truth. Readers of classical literature are well aware of the benefits, privileges, and advantages of civilization. Is there a better deterrent to terrorism?
Posted by RMLibrarians at 4:04 PM | Comments (0)
October 10, 2005
The Ideal Library - Part II
Garrison Keillor's ideal library would contain leather sofas, an espresso bar, Greek columns, a pair of stone lions, a rare book collection, and a three-story lobby with marble floors "so your footsteps echo as if you were in an Edith Wharton novel." He would also include a statue of Minerva, books (of course!), banks of computers with high-speed Internet connections, a movie theater, a children's room, steam room, nap room, hobnob room, and underground parking garage. The librarians there would be trained in pressure-point massage and the reference librarian would have a bun.
This catalog (pun intended) of library attributes appeared in Keillor's article, "Edith Wharton and the War on Terror."
So, once again, tell us, please, about your ideal library. What does it contain? How does it look? What would you like to see? Is there anything special you wish to include? Let your wildest imagination be your guide.
Posted by RMLibrarians at 7:32 PM | Comments (1)
October 7, 2005
The Ideal Library
In his article, "Edith Wharton and the War on Terror," Garrison Keillor begins by lamenting the idiosyncrasies of politics. He then segues into an address to the "English-major community" in which he describes the ideal library, declares reading Edith Wharton to be a proven deterrent to terror, and notes the vital link libraries have in national defense. He concludes by admonishing English majors to make their voices heard to get that ideal library.
Although Garrison Keillor is a humorist and obviously meant this article to be funny, remember that many a truth is spoken in jest. Let us examine (in a multi-part blog) what Keillor has postulated. Very artfully and tastefully, Keillor described his version of the ideal library. What is YOUR version of the ideal library? (This is a question for everyone and anyone, not just English majors.) Give the question some thought. Take a flight of fancy: the sky is the limit. Then come back and tell us.
Posted by RMLibrarians at 11:13 PM | Comments (0)
October 2, 2005
Favorite Books
What is your favorite book? How a person interprets "favorite book" is up to that individual. A number of faculty members have graciously agreed to name their favorite books, and these are part of that list:
The Holy Bible
A Room of One's Own
Mysterious Island
The Human Condition
Tuesdays with Morrie
The Way of Life
The Giving Tree
Misery
The English Patient
Letters to a Young Poet
Delta Wedding
Moby Dick
Dear People: Robert Shaw
Franny and Zoey
Dhalgren
There are many more on the list. Come to the library to see the faculty favorites on display and find out what your faculty members have to say about their favorite books.
By the way, what is your favorite book?
Posted by RMLibrarians at 6:37 PM | Comments (5)