Blast from the Past

For those of us who may be digging in our heels at the deluge of on-demand technology, I humbly point you to this article. I was a neo-Luddite myself for awhile but happily embrace most new technologies if there is the slightest chance my life will be made a smidgen easier or more enjoyable.

This article brings back fond memories--but my memories go farther back to my Harvest Gold RCA transistor radio. I could hang it off the handlebars of my bike and pedal away with my music with me. I was cool, if only in my own mind. It was only an AM radio, but that was ok, too. It was music I could take with me. Looking back at the list in the article, what do you fondly remember enjoying or using? How would you explain missing a television show or a rotary dial telephone to a 12 year-old?

Uh-oh--check the shelf!

Actually, I don't believe any APL locations really need get too worried, but here is an entire website dedicated to demonstrating the need for timely, consistent weeding. Take a look and laugh. Then, you might want to check just to make sure . . . .

Web 2.0 continued

For those in attendance at Lee Carter's workshop on Web 2.0 technologies, read this to see what you can do when you are committed to something. I do feel a little like a slacker after this article.

For those unable to attend, there will be an encore presentation later this year, and I highly encourage you to attend. Lee covered blogging, social networks, and new technologies. There was a technology petting zoo so people could hold and look at new gadgets. As always, Linda had nutritious, tasty snacks so everyone could keep up their strength.

Cheers,
Melody

The Eastern Front

Here is the display from SW for the Amarillo Reads book.

Lots of interesting items, including a Soviet army hat, combat boots, and other gear.

It is likely that WWII could have dragged on for much longer if the Axis powers were not forced to fight on two fronts. City of Thieves brings the Siege of Leningrad to modern readers.

It is estimated that the Soviets lost close to a million people--mostly civilians--though the official count was considerably less than that, at 632,000, according to Harrison E. Salisbury, author of The 900 Days: the Siege of Leningrad. The winter of 1941-1942 was known as the Hunger Winter. Benioff cites Salisbury as his main source, along with interviews with survivors. Hitler sent invitations to a New Year's Eve party to be held in Leningrad, confident that he would hold the heart of Russia. We know how that turned out.

Bridget and Cynthia worked together on the display and SW, and it is quite moving.