2008 Hugo Award Winners Announced

Link. The Hugo Awards are given for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy

Best Novel: The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon (HarperCollins; Fourth Estate)

Best Novella: “All Seated on the Ground” by Connie Willis (Asimov’s Dec. 2007; Subterranean Press)

Best Novelette: “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate” by Ted Chiang (Subterranean Press; F&SF Sept. 2007)

Best Short Story: “Tideline” by Elizabeth Bear (Asimov’s June 2007)

Best Related Book: Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction by Jeff Prucher (Oxford University Press)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: Stardust, written by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Charles Vess Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Paramount Pictures)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Doctor Who “Blink”, written by Steven Moffat, directed by Hettie Macdonald (BBC)

Best Editor, Long Form: David G. Hartwell

Best Editor, Short Form: Gordon Van Gelder

Best Professional Artist: Stephan Martiniere

Best Semiprozine: Locus

Best Fanzine: File 770

Best Fan Writer: John Scalzi

Best Fan Artist: Brad Foster

Consumers Cool to Blu-ray DVDs (So Far)

Blu-ray DVDs have arrived at the Half Hollow Hills Community Library (great website!), which serves the residents of Dix Hills and Melville, Long Island, New York.

Is this the right move for your library?

Link to August 1 ABI Research post, "Consumers Delaying Blu-ray Player Purchases".

Excerpt:
Blu-ray players are not flying off retailers’ shelves, at least not in the numbers the industry might hope for. A new consumer survey from ABI Research has revealed a widespread reluctance to commit to a Blu-ray player in the near future: over half of the 1000 respondents, citing “other priorities,” say they have no plans to purchase one; a further 23% are likely to buy, but not until sometime in 2009.

ABI Research principal analyst Steve Wilson says that much of the lukewarm response can be attributed to consumers’ perceptions about the value proposition that Blu-ray delivers. “Consumers were happy to embrace standard DVD when that format arrived because the improvement in quality over VHS videotapes was dramatic. Standard DVD didn’t require the purchase of a new TV either. In contrast, while half of the respondents to our survey rated Blu-ray’s quality as ‘much better’ than standard DVD, another 40% termed it only ‘somewhat better,’ and most are very satisfied with the performance of their current DVD players.”

I still live in a tube TV household, so don't ask me for any cutting-edge advice on this topic.

Congratulations to John Stoneberg

Link to August 6 Eau Claire Leader Telegram article, "New library director knows facility well".

Excerpt:

John Stoneberg joined the library staff when the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library building on Eau Claire Street was only one year old.

Now, about 30 years later, he's been named director of the institution and will oversee renovation of that building.

"Right now the renovation plans are front and center," Stoneberg,55, said Wednesday, his first official day in the director position. He had served as interim director for the past month and a half after Michael Golrick and the Library Board parted ways.

Aside from the $1.57 million renovation project planned for next year, Stoneberg said the library's other big challenge will be navigating through tight budgets the city faces now and in the future.

Link to WQOW news story.