Saturday, June 19, 2010
Chesaning Public Library: "We've had to cut and cut and cut...."
Link to June 18 Saginaw News article, "Chesaning Public Library forced to cut staff in half after abrupt budget woes".
Excerpt: The Chesaning Public Library will begin making cuts to services and staff at the end of the month after an abrupt change in expected funding.
The library, 227 E. Broad in Chesaning, will lose three members of its six-person staff — the departing workers have a combined 85 years of service to the library. The library no longer will offer its Dial-A-Story service for children, and it will close every Wednesday for the remainder of the summer effective July 1, said Director Erin Schmandt.
“We’ve had to cut and cut and cut our budget for the last three years,” she said. “We had to cut staff. There was nowhere else to go.”
Video games: 5 trends from Electronic Entertainment Expo
Link to June 19 San Jose Mercury News article.
1. Poetry in Motion (gesture recognition).
2. Going Forward (futuristic settings)
3. Old is New Again (nostalgia factor)
4. Group Dynamics (new multiplayer modes)
5. Up Close and Personal (3-D)
Three Charlotte Mecklenburg Branches Close
Link to June 19 Charlotte Observer article, "Three branch libraries come to The EndPatrons stream in to bid farewell on Friday to cozy Carmel branch that 'was like a family'."
Excerpt: Mourners started showing up at the Carmel library 45 minutes early, and streamed in until the doors were locked seven hours later.
Some came with flowers and candy. A few brought gifts. Others stood at the counter and cried.
It was a day for "thank yous" and "goodbyes" in the same breath, as 25 years worth of readers showed up to mark the death of a library.
Carmel is one of three Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branches closing this week, due to a 45 percent cut in county money. Belmont Center and The CheckIt Outlet shut Friday and Carmel closes today.
The fate of the system's remaining 20 sites is fragile. The library's Board of Trustees meets Thursday to discuss more cuts in hours and staff.
Link to video "Library Closings".
Related articles:
Town of Mint Hill perspective. (6/18/2010)
Five towns tentatively OK $730,000 for libraries. (6/18/2010)
Carmel, two other branches to close. (6/16/2010)
Now that the ax has fallen. (6/16/2010)
Commissioners to vote on budget today. (6/15/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: It's complicated. (6/9/2010)
Mayor wins straw vote at emotional council meeting. (6/7/2010)
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg libraries haven't seen such large-scale reductions since the Great Depression. (3/17/2010)
Brown County Branch Library Going Solar
Link to June 19 Green Bay Post-Gazette, "Kress Library in De Pere to go solar".
Excerpt: A renewable energy project in De Pere is intended to cut energy costs and educate the public about sustainability.
Workers likely will begin installing about 90 solar panels on the roof of the Kress Family Branch of the Brown County Library, 333 N. Broadway, in September or October, said Randy Rake, chairman of SEEDs for De Pere, which stands for Social, Ecological and Economic Development.
Other Brown County libraries are increasing energy efficiency by replacing light bulbs and cleaning air vents.
The De Pere library was targeted for the solar panel project because it is in an ideal spot to capture sunlight and because SEEDs for De Pere helped spearhead the project, said Lynn Stainbrook, director of the Brown County Library System. The project's focus will be educating people about sustainability.
Should They Stay or Should They Go? Wisconsin's Secretary of State and State Tresurer
Gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett has proposed eliminating the offices of Secretary of State and State Treasurer as part of his 'Putting Madison on a Diet' Plan to save state taxpayers $1,100,000,000. Annual estimated saving for this specific recommendations: more than $1,000,000.
This proposal logically raises the question, What are the responsibilities of these two state offices.
Retiring Guy provides a basic overview with information cut and pasted from the State of Wisconsin website.
The Office of the Secretary of State is headed by an elected Secretary of State, whose term of office is four years. Wisconsin's Constitution requires the Secretary of State to maintain the official acts of the Legislature and Governor, and to keep the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin and affix it to all official acts of the Governor.
In addition, the Office administers program responsibilities set forth in approximately 100 sections of the Wisconsin Statutes, including issuing notary public commissions; issuing notary authentications and apostilles; recording annexations and charter ordinances of municipalities; registering trade names and trademarks; publishing legislative acts; filing oaths of office; and filing deeds for state lands and buildings.
The Secretary of State is a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL).
These Wisconsin documents are among those preserved in the Office of the Secretary of State:
The state treasurer, a constitutional officer elected for a 4-year term by partisan ballot in the November general election, heads the Office of the State Treasurer and is the fiscal trustee for the State of Wisconsin.
The Office of the State Treasurer serves citizens and local government by providing for receipt, custody, oversight, and disbursement of moneys deposited by law with the state, as well as unclaimed property reported to the state. The office also administers the state’s Section 529 college savings program.
The state treasurer administers the Local Government Pooled-Investment Fund. The office makes a daily determination of funds available for investment by the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. The state treasurer serves as custodian of unclaimed and escheated property that is transferred to the state when owners and heirs cannot be found and runs outreach programs to locate rightful owners. The state treasurer also administers EdVest, the state’s $1.3 billion Section 529 college savings program.
The State Treasurer is a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL).
Those of us with a vested interest in the Common School Fund need to determine how this proposal would alter the authority of what is now a 3-member Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.
This proposal logically raises the question, What are the responsibilities of these two state offices.
Retiring Guy provides a basic overview with information cut and pasted from the State of Wisconsin website.
The Office of the Secretary of State is headed by an elected Secretary of State, whose term of office is four years. Wisconsin's Constitution requires the Secretary of State to maintain the official acts of the Legislature and Governor, and to keep the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin and affix it to all official acts of the Governor.
In addition, the Office administers program responsibilities set forth in approximately 100 sections of the Wisconsin Statutes, including issuing notary public commissions; issuing notary authentications and apostilles; recording annexations and charter ordinances of municipalities; registering trade names and trademarks; publishing legislative acts; filing oaths of office; and filing deeds for state lands and buildings.
The Secretary of State is a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL).
These Wisconsin documents are among those preserved in the Office of the Secretary of State:
- Notaries Public
- Trade names and Trademarks
- City, Village and Town Records
- Forest Land Deeds
- Wisconsin Blue Books (Complete set dating from 1853)
- Statutes and Laws of Wisconsin (Dating from 1836)
The state treasurer, a constitutional officer elected for a 4-year term by partisan ballot in the November general election, heads the Office of the State Treasurer and is the fiscal trustee for the State of Wisconsin.
The Office of the State Treasurer serves citizens and local government by providing for receipt, custody, oversight, and disbursement of moneys deposited by law with the state, as well as unclaimed property reported to the state. The office also administers the state’s Section 529 college savings program.
The state treasurer administers the Local Government Pooled-Investment Fund. The office makes a daily determination of funds available for investment by the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. The state treasurer serves as custodian of unclaimed and escheated property that is transferred to the state when owners and heirs cannot be found and runs outreach programs to locate rightful owners. The state treasurer also administers EdVest, the state’s $1.3 billion Section 529 college savings program.
The State Treasurer is a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL).
Those of us with a vested interest in the Common School Fund need to determine how this proposal would alter the authority of what is now a 3-member Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Entertainment Software Association 2010 Report on Computer and Video Game Industry
(Found via Technology Liberation Front)
The report emphasizes the 'family fun' aspects of gaming, which is demonstrated in this household's enthusiasm for Scene It. Otherwise, it's strictly an Andy and Eddie activity.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is the U.S. association exclusively dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games for video game consoles, personal computers, and the Internet.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries and the Town of Mint Hill Perspective
Link to June 16 Mint Hill Times article, "County, library and towns try to cobble together a plan to save the libraries".
Excerpt: After the third meeting in less than a week yesterday between towns and library officials, a deal seems to be in the works to keep the Mint Hill library open. Library officials drafted a memorandum of understanding that calls for each town to give either cash or in-kind donations that will amount to more than $700,000 between the towns.
Related articles:
Five towns tentatively OK $730,000 for libraries. (6/18/2010)
Carmel, two other branches to close. (6/16/2010)
Now that the ax has fallen. (6/16/2010)
Commissioners to vote on budget today. (6/15/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: It's complicated. (6/9/2010)
Mayor wins straw vote at emotional council meeting. (6/7/2010)
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010)
Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)
Five Towns Tentatively OK $730,000 for Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries
Link to June 18 Charlotte Observer article.
Excerpt: Five more towns in Mecklenburg County tentatively agreed Thursday to help out the struggling Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system with cash, lease deferments or in-kind contributions valued at $730,000.
Library officials had hoped to get at least $700,000 in one-time support from the towns, as part of a plan to offset a 45percent cut in money next year from the county.
"A lot was hinging on this meeting today," said Cordelia Anderson, spokesperson for the library. "Overall, we're very happy. ... This will allow us to continue to serve customers throughout Mecklenburg County from 20 locations, albeit at reduced hours."
Related articles:
Carmel, two other branches to close. (6/16/2010)
Now that the ax has fallen. (6/16/2010)
Commissioners to vote on budget today. (6/15/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: It's complicated. (6/9/2010)
Mayor wins straw vote at emotional council meeting. (6/7/2010)
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010)
Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)
Possible Madison Central Library Temporary Location Has Asbestos Problem
Link to June 17 Isthmus article.
Excerpt: The city of Madison is eying a long-vacant office building as a temporary home for its Central Library, perhaps without a full understanding of why it has been long vacant.
"We've gone through it a couple of times," says library director Barb Dimick of the 11-story office building at 316 W. Washington Ave., a stone's throw from the current library site. "It looks like there's possibilities but nothing's been signed."
Don Marx, the city's real estate guru, confirms this: "We're kind of sizing it up to see if it meets our needs." He says the public portion would occupy part of the building's first floor, with perhaps other floors being used for administrative offices and storage.
The library needs to find a home for an 18-month period, beginning, says Marx, "in the second quarter of 2011."
Related articles:
Architectural firm selected for Madison Central project. (5/26/2010)
State Journal editorial board sez Madison City Council made right decision on Central Library. (5/10/2010)
Council vote on library goes under the radar. (5/8/2010)
And the beat goes on. (4/14/2010)
Mayor Responds to Critics on Library Issue. (4/13/2010)
Board Endorses Renovation Plan. (4/6/2010)
Some Council Members Not Ready to Move Forward on Mayor's Renovation Plan. (3/30/2010)
Council President Pro Tem to Introduce Resolution Approving Madison Central Library Renovation Project. (3/28/2010)
'Dissatisfaction' with Collapsed Madison Central Library Project. (3/25/2010)
Fiore Departure Seen as Beneficial to Madison Central Project. (3/23/2010)
Matter of Principle" Dooms New Central Madison Library. (3/20/2010)
Madison Central: The Dream Dies, It's Now Time to Renovate. (3/19/2010)
Dispute over Construction Costs Threatens to Derail New Central Madison Library. (3/17/2010)
Madison Public Library Project Faces Delay in 2011. (3/9/2010)
Construction, Cost Concerns May Delay Madison Central Library Project. (1/25/2010)
New Madison Central Library Wins Council Approval. (11/11/2009)Capital Times Endorses New Madison Central Library. (11/10/2009)
Madison Council Begins Review of Mayor's Budget on Tuesday. (11/6/2009)
More Questions About Madison Central Library Project. (11/1/2009)
New Madison Public Library's First Change Order: Rooftop Garden.
(10/28/2009)
Call for Referendum on New Madison Central Library Not Attracting Support. (10/21/2009)
Madison Board of Estimates Rejects Library Referendum. (10/13/2009)
Some Madison City Council Members Want Referendum on New Central Library. (10/9/2009)
Wisconsin State Journal Editorial on New Madison Central Library. (9/13/2009)
New Madison Central Library: Let the Positioning Begin. (9/1/2009)
New Madison Central Library on Mayor Dave's Front Burner. (8/30/2009)
New Madison Central Library: Build or Renovate? (7/7/2009)
Motley Brown Not Reason Enough. (6/11/2009)
Fiore Plan Receives Unanimous Support. (6/5/2009)
Fiore Plan Gets Nod from Committee. (5/15/2009)
Public Forum Focuses on Central Library Options. (4/24/2009)
Developer Sweetens the Deal. (4/21/2009)
Visualizing a Remodeled Madison Central Library. (4/4/2009)
Renovation Plan Put on Table for Madison Central Library. (3/26/2009)
Residents Critique Proposals to Rebuild Downtown Library. (1/9/2009)
Competing Developers Defend Their Central Library Plans. (1/8/2009)
Comparison of Downtown Madison Library Proposals. (12/17/2008)
Two Proposals for New Madison Central Library. (12/3/2008)
Best Headline of the Week. (9/6/2008)
Editorial: "Don't Punish Winnefox for Lost Fines"
Link to June 18 Appleton Post-Crescent editorial.
Excerpt: What is concerning is that the Winnefox staff chose not to restore the data from a backup of the system immediately afterward because it would have entailed taking the entire system down for two days. Libraries would have had to manually check out materials and then enter the transactions in the system later.
When you're looking at the losses, which are still being calculated, that seems like a small sacrifice. Have we moved so far into the computer age that we can't take the time to do things by hand anymore?
(It was initially reported that the amount of the lost fines wasn't retrievable.)
Related article:
Winnefox attempts to calculate extent of fine loss. (6/12/2010)
Computer glitch erases library fines. (6/11/2010)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Missing statute from Allen Public Library found in pieces in Dallas
Link to June 17 Dallas News.
Excerpt: The Allen Public Library's missing statute of a boy reading a book turned up in pieces at a Dallas recycling yard.
"They'd broken the head off, they'd cut the bench in half, they'd broken his arms off," said Detective John Easton of the Dallas Police Department's metal theft squad.
Easton said he gave the pieces of the 2,500-pound bronze statue to Allen police today, as well as information on two suspects.
Easton said the suspects tried to sell the statue's pieces to Claxton Recycling Inc. on June 4. An employee was suspicious and alerted an off-duty police officer working at the yard, who confiscated the pieces. The suspects were not paid.
Related article:
2,500-pound status stolen from Allen Public Library. (6/15/2010)
Brooklyn Public Library's Brooklynology Blog
Link to June 17 Papermag post, "Brooklyn, Post by Post. Brooklynology Remembers the Borough That Was".
Excerpt: Brooklyn Tuberculosis and Health Association beauty queen; the Brooklyn Bar Maids Local 101, and the Brooklyn-Long Island Cat Club. All of these very real, very remarkable things might not exist any more, but are alive on the Brooklyn Public Library's Brooklyn Collection's charming blog, Brooklynology.org.
The blog, which gets about 600 hits a day and is written by the department's staff, highlights some of the most interesting, amusing, and surprising things to be found in the archives. Books, manuscripts, photos, maps -- anything documenting Brooklyn's history -- make up the collection. (A quick scan over card catalogs in the Brooklyn Collection's reading room reveals subjects ranging from early Brooklyn merchants to transsexual group therapy.) Also included is the morgue of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, published from 1841 to 1955.
So here's how Retiring Guy's brain makes connections.
2010 Child Well-Being Index from the Foundation for Child Development
Link to June 15 Memphis Commercial Appeal article, "First years: Downturn yields long-term setback for young children. Effects could linger well after recovery."
The author of this article, Barbara Holden, is a director at the Urban Child Institute, a Greater Memphis organization dedicated to promoting early childhood development. She strongly advocates for pre-K education. Retiring Guy wishes that she could have included a plug for libraries, particularly in light of
The author of this article, Barbara Holden, is a director at the Urban Child Institute, a Greater Memphis organization dedicated to promoting early childhood development. She strongly advocates for pre-K education. Retiring Guy wishes that she could have included a plug for libraries, particularly in light of
Holden references the following report.
South Carolina House Overrides Archives and Public Library Aid Vetoes
Excerpt: The S.C. House overrode Gov. Mark Sanford's vetoes Wednesday of two critically popular state services, the Department of Archives and History and aid to county public libraries. The $635,445 Archives veto would have eliminated at 18 positions at the agency and forced the department to cut the hours and days the agency could be open, and initiated the loss of federal funds.
The override was 79-35.
On aid to county libraries, lawmakers from smaller counties and rural areas pled with House members to overcome the Sanford veto of $4.6 million, which some said would have caused certain libraries to close, and would have wiped out public access to Internet services, which lawmakers said the public uses to search for employment. The override vote was 110-5. [Emphasis added. Retiring Guy calls this 'building a common agenda'.]
Related article:
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates Launch Philanthropic Challenge to the Super-Rich
Link to June 16 Los Angeles Times article, "'Time to give it up,' Buffett and Gates tell the super-rich".
Excerpt: Warren Buffett and Bill Gates want the richest Americans to promise to give most of it away.
Excerpt: Warren Buffett and Bill Gates want the richest Americans to promise to give most of it away.
In a campaign launched on Wednesday, the two billionaires are calling on the nation’s wealthiest people to formally pledge at least 50% of their money to philanthropic causes and charity during their lifetimes or at their death.
Link to June 16 Forbes article, "The $600 Billion Challenge".
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: Legislators Rely On Special Interests More Than Voters
Source: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Link to June 16 report.
Excerpt: Legislators rely more on far-off, wealthy special interests to fund their election campaigns than on the people who can vote for them, according to a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign analysis that found legislators accepted $2 of every $3 from contributors outside their districts in 2009.
Legislators raised $1.29 million in contributions of $100 or more in 2009, including $823,915, or 64 percent, from individuals outside their legislative districts and $461,907, or 36 percent, from people who can vote for them.
With all due respect to the work of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, it's not unusual for individuals to make a contribution of, say, $100 to a candidate they support who doesn't represent their district. Retiring Guy falls into this category. Guess that makes him part of "this bunch".
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Nordic Noir All the Rage
Link to June 16 New York Times article, "A Dark Scandinavian Trilogy Sets Publishers Seeking More".
Excerpt: Camilla Lackberg has written seven blockbuster novels in her native Swedish but, until now, no one bothered to translate and publish any of them in the United States.
And she has a tattooed, secretive, bisexual computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander* to thank for it.
Publishers and booksellers are in a rush to find more Nordic noir to follow Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy, known for the indelible characters of Ms. Salander and the investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist. The books have become a publishing phenomenon, selling 6 million copies in the United States and 35 million copies worldwide — nearly four times the population of Sweden. The third and final book in the series, “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest,” was published last month in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf and instantly became the must-read book of the summer.
But Mr. Larsson died in 2004 at the age of 50; the series is seemingly at an end just at the moment when the public’s appetite for Mr. Larsson’s brand of Scandinavian mayhem is at its peak. (An unfinished fourth manuscript may extend the series.
*Or, as she is known at Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon, "The Girl Who's Paying Our Salaries for the Next Few Months".
Other authors mentioned in article.
Camilla Lackberg.
Henning Mankell.
Karin Fossum.
Jo Nesbo.
Kjell Eriksson.
Yrsa Sigurdardottir.
Arnaldur Indridason.
Leif G. W. Persson.
Rural Dane County Residents Make a Case for Broadband
Town of Berry (R07E/T08N)
Link to June 15 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article, "Residents beg for broadband. Dane County enclave says it deserves service". (No local coverage?)
Excerpt: Angry about not having high-speed Internet service, a group of rural Dane County residents have complained to the state Public Service Commission in a case that could set a precedent for other communities.
Some of those filing the complaint live on the edge of suburban Madison, one of the most Internet-wired cities in the Midwest, and they include attorneys, doctors, university professors and scientists.
In their complaint, filed this week with state regulators, they say a lack of broadband service has hindered their professional lives and lowered property values because some people won't buy homes in areas that lack high-speed Internet access.
It's an issue that irks residents in the Town of Berry and some parts of Black Earth and other rural areas less than 20 miles from the state Capitol.
"This is a rural community, but it doesn't mean we are Dogpatch or Hayseed," said Chris Arenas, who lives in Black Earth and teaches online marketing classes at Madison Area Technical College.
The complaint includes the Town of Berry, a community of about 1,124 residents that has sought broadband service for years.
Carmel, Two Other Charlotte Mecklenburg Branches to Close June 19
Link to June 16 Charlotte Observer article, "Saying goodbye to Carmel Library".
Excerpt: This week, local patrons of the library said they were sad this chapter in the library's history is ending.
Fred Prince, 77, goes to the Carmel Branch two or three times a week, even though the Morrison Regional Branch is closer to his home. He reads books, magazines and newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Charlotte Observer.
"It's less crowded," he said. "There's a pleasant environment."
Library customers who have items on hold at a branch that's closing will not lose their place in the hold queue, although wait times may become longer. Currently, all pending holds at Carmel will be sent to South County Regional Library at 5801 Rea Road.
The library will redistribute materials, supplies, technology, equipment and furniture to the remaining 16 locations. Some items will be put in storage, for security purposes and other reasons.
Related articles:
Now that the ax has fallen. (6/16/2010)
Commissioners to vote on budget today. (6/15/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: It's complicated. (6/9/2010)
Mayor wins straw vote at emotional council meeting. (6/7/2010)
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010)
Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: Now That the Ax Has Fallen
Link to June 16 Charlotte Observer article, "What will change in next year's budget". (Fiscal year 2010-11)
Excerpt:
Cuts to libraries: Three of the library's 24 branches - Belmont Center, Carmel and Checkit Outlet - will close indefinitely Saturday, and others may follow. Library officials await word on how much money, if any, Mecklenburg's six towns will give to the system. The city of Charlotte chipped in $1.4 million to help save branches and services. Library trustees are expected to decide June 24 what will stay open.
Related articles:
Commissioners to vote on budget today. (6/15/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: It's complicated. (6/9/2010)
Mayor wins straw vote at emotional council meeting. (6/7/2010)
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010)
Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)