Library News

Training videos

If you feel like you would like to learn about new web social networking sites–and how to use basic software–and you don’t want to go to a conference to learn, www.teachertrainingvideos.com has great videos on basics or special applications using Second Life, Flikr, Audacity and around 40 others.聽 They may not be as good as ElementK, but they cover new technologies that ElementK may not have. The target audience is teachers and the focus is how to use these technologies to improve your teaching. Karen

Election Day! Go Vote!

Hi everyone — just wanted to remind you all to make sure you vote today! I won’t push my view on anyone, but this is what democracy is all about. Whoever your candidate is — make sure your voice is heard! 馃檪 And if you’re interested in some good election and polling analysis, one place you can find it is www.fivethirtyeight.com.

Ex-BPL head Bernie Margolis compared to Babe Ruth…

“Just as the Yankees took Babe Ruth, Boston’s loss is our gain,” said Tom Dunn, New York Education Department spokesman, speaking of Boston’s well-liked ex-public library head, Bernie Margolis.聽 Margolis was ousted from the Boston Public Library last year by Mayor Menino, and has just landed a very plum job as State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner of Education for the state of New York.聽 Congratulations, Bernie, it was good to know ya! Read more in yesterday’s Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/10/22/ex_bpl_chief_margolis_lands_library_education_post_in_ny/ Karen Merguerian

Fall Football Preview

Tomorrow @ Noon, Snell Library will host former NFL player Mark Bavaro and footbal statistician Aaron Schatz.聽 The two are discussing their repective books, Rough & Tumble, and Pro Football Prospectus.聽 Join us in 90 Snell for a spirited kick-off of one of the season’s great pleasures–football (and the Meet the Author Series)!

Pinball Wizardry

Once again, the Research & Instruction department held its annual Pinball Tournament. R&I Librarians competed for a deluxe championship prize in this annual event. Previous champion (yours truly) got the contestants on track, made sure flippers worked and that the contestants knew how to find the controls. For 30 minutes, the sounds of pinball filled the room. Winner was Sandy Dunphy, with a top score of 3,915,000 points. I’d post a few photos, but nothing will load them up. Congratulations to Sandy, our new Pinball champion!