Category Archives: Libraries

Natural and Political History of the Gerry-Mander!

You might have heard of the political term gerrymander, which is the creation of absurd political districts to ensure that certain candidates will win. An exhibit at the Map Museum of the Boston Public Library reminds us that the first … Continue reading

Posted in Boston, Libraries, Massachusetts, Museums etc., Voting | Leave a comment

How About We Spend Some Money on Libraries?

During the stimulus debate, people kept saying how hard it would be to spend money. Leaving aside the ridiculous notion that a local or state politician couldn’t figure out how to use freely given money, it was painfully obvious that … Continue reading

Posted in Libraries | 2 Comments

Even in 1719, We Knew California Was a Little Bit Apart

I visited the Boston Public Library’s shiny new Map Center, and saw this map by Henri Abraham Châtelain from 1719 which amused me: If that’s not clear, here’s a close up:

Posted in Boston, Libraries, Maps, Museums etc.

Boston Public Library’s Civil War Exhibits

Several good Civil War exhibits in Boston.
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Posted in Boston, Libraries, Museums etc.

Boston Public Library To Be Closed Sundays

What’s really shameful is that in a wealthy city, in a wealthy state, in a wealthy country, we can’t seem to find the money to keep libraries open, but we can start wars of choice.
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Posted in Funding, Libraries | 2 Comments

A Modest eBook Proposal for Publishers and Libraries

Treat eBooks like…books.
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Posted in Books, Libraries, Publishing | 5 Comments

Boston of the Future Viewed from 1908

Boston didn’t end up looking like this.
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Posted in Boston, Libraries, Transportation | 11 Comments

Neo-Liberal Class War Reaches the… Library? (Now Can I Have My Pitchfork?)

Why would a successful, well-liked library system like the one described in The Times article feel the need to privatize?
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Posted in Libraries | 8 Comments

Two Exhibits Worth Seeing

One in Boston, one in D.C.; both online too.
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Posted in Libraries, Museums etc., Transportation

If Physical Books Are Dead in Five Years, How Do the Poor Find Books? Whither (or Wither?) the Library?

Books need to be accessible to all, not just those able to afford internet access and Kindle.
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Posted in Books, Boston, Libraries | 11 Comments