The last two weeks have been very busy here at the Ledyard Libraries. School is out and children are pouring in to play the summer reading games. I just haven't had the time to write. Hopefully, you have all been too busy to read because you were preparing for your own summer vacations. Probably not the ten week variety like the school children, but at least a week or two in some warm, sunny location where you can just relax, forget about work and read a good book.
That's right! Haven't you all just been waiting for those great beach reads that seem to hit the shelves every year, just as you are heading off to soak up the sun. While you are packing for the long weekend coming up or daydreaming about your plans for August, here is a list of new books that will fit nicely in your beach bag. Library books, however, prefer to stay high and dry.
If you are looking to solve global warming or find world peace, I will do another list for you later. This list is for pure enjoyment.
Fearless Fourteen. Janet Evanovich-Stephanie Plum rides again.
The Host. Stephanie Meyer-The Twilight author for grownups.
Sail. James Patterson- Yes, another Patterson book.
Chasing Harry Winston. Lauren Weisberger- More gossip from the author of The Devil Wears Prada
Love the One You're With. Emily Giffin- Depends on who you are vacationing with?
Nothing to Lose. Lee Child- The latest Jack Reacher.
The Beach House. Jane Green- The first of several that just scream summer reading.
Summer Blowout. Claire Cook - The second " " " ".
Moon Shell Beach. Nancy Thayer - The third " " " ".
Odd Hours. Dean Koontz - Scary and odd once again.
Sleeping Arrangements. Madelaine Wickham - The real Sophie Kinsella.
Phantom Prey. John Sandford - The umpteenth prey novel.
The Queen of Babble Gets Hitched. Meg Cabot - For those who loved the Princess Diaries.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames. David Sedaris. Only 3% fiction but a great read.
Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. Chelsea Handler- For those having a fun vacation.
A little something for everyone to enjoy for summer reading.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
What was Dewey Doing?
Many of you have some knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System, but do you know who came up with the system? In the library world, we have many reasons to be thankful for Melvil Dewey.
Mr. Dewey was born in the hamlet of Adams Center, New York in 1851. For those of you who didn't grow up in another hamlet, not far from Adams Center, like I did, more information might be necessary. Adams Center is located in Jefferson County, which borders Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in northern New York State. Adams Center is about ten miles south of Watertown, the largest city in the county. It was reported in Melvil's obituary that he walked to Watertown to purchase his first dictionary.
From his humble beginnings, however, Melvil Dewey went on to Amherst College, where he received both bachelor and masters degrees. It was while working in the college library that he came up with his decimal system of classifying books. This system uses numbers to divide all subjects into ten main classifications. Those ten sections are further broken down into subject areas that are represented by decimals. Although subjects have changed over the last 130 years, Dewey's system has accommodated those changes. He may have never forseen computers, but they were able to fit nicely into 000-099. Take a look in the 100's for philosophy, 200's are religion, 300's social sciences, 400's language, 500's pure sciences, 600's technology and applied sciences, 700's the arts, 800's literature and 900's geography and history. Since most public libraries use Melvil's system, you can be assured of finding what you are looking for whatever library you visit.
Mr. Dewey didn't stop with his decimal system, however. He went on to establish the first library science school and found the American Library Association and the Library Journal. He was even on the organizing committee for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics in 1932. Unfortunately, he died in December of 1931, but not before accomplishing much in his 80 years.
Mr. Dewey was born in the hamlet of Adams Center, New York in 1851. For those of you who didn't grow up in another hamlet, not far from Adams Center, like I did, more information might be necessary. Adams Center is located in Jefferson County, which borders Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in northern New York State. Adams Center is about ten miles south of Watertown, the largest city in the county. It was reported in Melvil's obituary that he walked to Watertown to purchase his first dictionary.
From his humble beginnings, however, Melvil Dewey went on to Amherst College, where he received both bachelor and masters degrees. It was while working in the college library that he came up with his decimal system of classifying books. This system uses numbers to divide all subjects into ten main classifications. Those ten sections are further broken down into subject areas that are represented by decimals. Although subjects have changed over the last 130 years, Dewey's system has accommodated those changes. He may have never forseen computers, but they were able to fit nicely into 000-099. Take a look in the 100's for philosophy, 200's are religion, 300's social sciences, 400's language, 500's pure sciences, 600's technology and applied sciences, 700's the arts, 800's literature and 900's geography and history. Since most public libraries use Melvil's system, you can be assured of finding what you are looking for whatever library you visit.
Mr. Dewey didn't stop with his decimal system, however. He went on to establish the first library science school and found the American Library Association and the Library Journal. He was even on the organizing committee for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics in 1932. Unfortunately, he died in December of 1931, but not before accomplishing much in his 80 years.
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