Category Archives: Libraries

In Motion, Frozen

Observed in the courtyard of the Boston Public Library: Thankfully, it’s supposed to warm up….

Posted in Boston, Libraries

Building Boston at the BPL

The Boston Public Library has five linked exhibits, “Building Boston“, which are free and open to the public: Building Boston is a citywide celebration of Boston’s public spaces – the architectural and cultural cornerstones that have provided a place for … Continue reading

Posted in Boston, Libraries, Museums etc. | 1 Comment

Library in Repose

The Washington Room at the Boston Public Library: It looks almost like a courtroom.

Posted in Boston, Libraries

Disaster Capitalism Meets the Boston Public Library

By way of Universal Hub, we discover that the greatest crisis the City of Boston (God save it!) faces is some excess space in the Johnson Building (aka the ‘New Wing’*) of the Boston Public Library (boldface mine): The first … Continue reading

Posted in Boston, Funding, Libraries, Massachusetts, Taxes | 2 Comments

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

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