Library News

The Story of Stuff

This is probably the most delightful video I’ve seen in at LEAST two days. It talks about the environmental and social impact that occurs at each stage of the production/consumption of goods. It’s cute and funny and personable, but it also goes remarkably in-depth into the issue of, as Annie Leonard calls it, ‘Stuff’. This little video covers where it (stuff) comes from, how it’s processed, how it’s consumed, and how it’s discarded – things that are easily forgotten in that intial flush of excitement after purchasing a new little ipod or trinket. It makes me very guilty about my own obscene, unnecessary collection of random stuff. Just last night, for example, I bought seven sheets of handmade artisan wrapping papers from Papyrus. Why? No reason other than they were pretty (they really are so incredibly pretty) – and now they are sitting on my shelf as glaring, accusatory reminders of my own role as significant contributor to society’s manic, superfluous consumption of ‘stuff’. Sigh. http://www.storyofstuff.com/

A Day in the Life of a Reference Librarian

AL Focus, the media arm of American Libraries magazine, has produced a series of funny videos for National Library Week. This one, featuring what it’s like to work at the reference desk, is genius: Hope you chuckle as much as I did!

a little slow

I cannot believe I’ve never heard of PowerPoint Karaoke – and it’s been around for some time. This has to be one of the best ideas I’ve heard of recently.

Join us for Bringing Human Rights Home: A Panel Discussion on Human Rights in the United States

Maria Green, Assistant Professor at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management will moderate a panel discussion with guests Martha Davis, Northeastern University Law Professor; Wendy Pollack, Director of the Women’s Law & Policy Project for the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law; Eric Tars, Human Rights Attorney for the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty; and Cathy Albisa, Executive Director of the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Noon

333 Curry Student Center

Watch the following video too!

The MFA: A Great Getaway

In the midst of classes coming to an end, I’ve found myself with a lot of unexpected (but fantastic) free time. At first, I did the usual things- watching T.V., playing addicting games online, and even a weak attempt at playing Xbox, but none seemed to quite capture the awesomeness of the “free-ness” of free time. I took a walk over to the MFA (out of complete desperation) and suddenly found what I was looking for- inspiration. I didn’t realize this, but the MFA is FREE to NU students- at any time! And by the way, the newest exhibition, British Prints, is fantastic, especially if you have an interest in screen-printing. After my MFA visit, I headed over to an art supply store and spent the rest of my weekend painting away. I feel like I’ve tapped into creativity I never knew I had. To top everything off, I checked out a few books on my favorite artists from Snell, so that I have inspiration with me at home. In other words, take a trip out to the MFA the next chance you have some free time, you may learn something about yourself you never knew existed.