Finalists for 2012 National Book Awards

                                   Come check out the National Book Award Finalists display at the Al Harris Library! When the 2012 winners are announced on November 14, the display will be updated with winner information.

Sponsored by the National Book Foundation, the National Book Award winners are selected in four categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People’s Literature. The National Book Award began in 1950 when a consortium of book publishing groups sponsored the 1st annual National Book Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Their goal was to enhance the public's awareness of exceptional books written by fellow Americans and to increase the popularity of reading in general. For more information on the National Book Awards, go to http://www.nationalbook.org/.

Remember, Remember! The fifth of November!

V for Vendetta

The Al Harris Library is home to a diverse collection of graphic novels and related films. To coincide with November 5th, Guy Fawkes Day, we have chosen to feature the graphic novel V for Vendetta, by writer Alan Moore and artist David Lloyd.

V for Vendetta tells the story of a vigilante seeking revenge against an oppressive government that is set within a dystopian future. The story, although fictional, borrows liberally from the historical figure of Guy Fawkes, who along with thirteen co-conspirators, attempted to blow up the English Houses of Parliament in 1605.

Moore uses the construct of the vigilante revenge tale to effectively provide not only an exciting work of populist fiction, but also a politically charged tale of fascism versus anarchy. It also provides a political critique of former English Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and what Moore interpreted as the failings of England’s political environment and domestic policy during her administration.

To check out this graphic novel, or any of the associated books or media in the front display case, just ask for assistance at the circulation desk!

Guy Fawkes:
A Complete History of the Gunpowder Treason

For further information on Guy Fawkes and the history of the Gunpowder Treason, please consult Guy Fawkes: A Complete History of the Gunpowder Treason, by Rev. Thomas Lathbury, M.A. - A concise non-fictional history of the Gunpowder Treason that attempts to assemble all available information on the subject from various historical perspectives.

Available as a digital textbook via Ebrary.

Click Here to Access Book.

Veterans Day 2012

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month...

In Flanders Fields

by Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

 

Honoring Our Veterans

Democrats and Republicans

Both the Democratic and the Republican National Conventions are now over, campaigning by the presidential candidates from the two major parties is in full swing, and the General Election will be held on November 6. So in a few weeks, we will need to decide which candidate will get our vote. Would you like to know more about the history of the Democratic and Republican parties? The Al Harris Library has several resources on the histories of the two parties and how they evolved into what they are today.

The American party system was born in the policy conflicts between the followers of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson during Washington’s presidency, but the Republican party is the younger of the two major parties. Although the definitions of Republican and Democrat have changed over the years, a two-party system has always flourished in the United States.

Come check out the two displays of the Democrats and Republicans at the Library! Become informed and remember to vote on November 6!

For more information about the Republicans and the Republican Convention, see http://www.gop.com. For more information about the Democrats and the Democratic Convention, see http://www.democrats.org.

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

For more than 200 years, the White House has been more than just the home of the Presidents of the United States and their families. Throughout the world, it is recognized as the symbol of the President, of the President's administration, and of the United States.

On November 1, 1800, John Adams and his wife Abigail were the first family to take up residence at the White House, a then unfinished building in the heart of Washington, D.C. Since that time, each President has made his own changes and additions to the facility. The White House is, after all, the President's private home. It is also the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public, free of charge.

Throughout its history, the President's residence was also referred to as the President's Palace, the President's House, and the Executive Mansion. The popular designation "White House" did not become official until 1901, when Theodore Roosevelt had the name engraved on his stationery.

Some interesting details about the White House include: 

• The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface. 
• There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.
• The White House grounds cover 18 acres. Before the construction of the North Portico, most public events were entered from the South Lawn, which was graded and planted by Thomas Jefferson.
• With 5 full-time chefs, the White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000.
• For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, jogging track, swimming pool, movie theatre, and bowling lane.

This is your opportunity to take a quick trip to the White House. Visit the book display located by the front door of the library where a computer monitor is positioned. Use the computer to take the interactive tour of the White House and see what is inside. The virtual visit will give you a chance to look at the structure and visit the West Wing, Residence, East Wing, and South Lawn of this landmark dwelling place that becomes the home and work location for each President of the United States and the presidential family during the President's term of office.

Graphic Novel Display: The Dark Knight Rises

The Al Harris Library is home to a diverse collection of graphic novels. On July 20th,
The Dark Knight Rises 

premieres on the big screen. 

To coincide with the release of the final chapter in this contemporary trilogy of Batman films, we have collected some of the graphic novels in our collection that detail the history of DC Comics’ Dark Knight. These books served to inspire this film.

 

Batman debuted in Detective Comics #27 May 1939), created by writer, Bob Kane and artist, Bill Finger.

Although the concept has been modified, extrapolated and adapted into other media, the Batman mythos continues to evolve and serve as a reflection of the times.  

Please be advised, this display contains books that are representative of the serious, dark tone reflected in the newest films, and, as such, depict the Batman in an equally mature manner.

Feel free to check out any of these books!

Just ask the staff at the Circulation Desk for assistance.

Explore the Lives of Others Through Biography

Would you like to learn more about people who have in some way made changes to our world?  Reading a biography is a great way to find out more about the individuals who have influenced us. The Al Harris Library owns many books that have been written about the lives of people from different backgrounds, locations, fields of study, and various occupations. The books displayed are just a small sample of what is available for check out on the second floor of the library.  Videos and audiobooks are also available for you to check out and enjoy.

The display also provides a small sample of video resources that focus on the lives of others through both popular films and documentaries.  These examples include the popular films: Pollock, The Hiding Place, Tuskegee Airmen, and A Beautiful Mind along with clips from the documentaries: Woody Guthrie, Hoop Dreams, and Indians, Outlaws and Angie Debo.

As the summer continues, relax and experience a life of the past or the present by reading an interesting biography. It's a great way to enjoy a hot summer day.