CSL Library Blog / Blogue de la bibliothèque

The Modern Scholar

2008-05-08T09:57:00.000-05:00

Do the words The Modern Scholar and The Great Courses sound familiar? For some people, the mere mention has excitement bubbling up in their hearts and their eyes widening with delight with the thought of these fine offerings. For the average individual, it has, hitherto, remained a secret too well kept. It is time to let the proverbial cat out of the bag, or in this case – compact discs and a book out of the box.

Recorded Books and The Teaching Company are the two enterprises, founded in 1999 and 1990 respectively, seeking to bring entire university semesters worth of knowledge into one condensed package, easily portable for listening learning at home, in the car or out and about elsewhere. Various professors from Ivy League universities, Georgetown, Stanford and umpteen other institutions of repute lecture on a vast array of subjects. The best bit of it is, you can learn at your own pace with the recorded courses and accompanying text, free of the stress of tests, exams and papers. Whether it is Science, Religion, Mythology, Music, Literature, Language, History or something in between, there are over forty assorted, condensed morsels of marvelous knowledge just waiting in the Audio Visual Department.

These fertile Spring months of flowers will soon bring the season of sweet Summer outdoor festivals galore, but before those fine moments, remember to pop over to your favourite local library to discover an amazing way to develop your mind. The Audio Courses are an alternative to paying hefty tuition fees, whilst still being able to expand your horizons and learn about an array of jolly things.

New staff displays

2008-04-01T14:59:00.000-05:00

With all the displays going up left and right, front and back, you’d wonder just how much more we can think about? Well, the answer is that there are two new display set-ups just in-between the new arrivals carts and in front of the reference desk. There used to be only one set-up, showcasing English and French new arrivals, but now the focus will be on different displays according to staff suggestions that have some kind of theme to it. There are two displays each, one for English and one for French.

If you have been around recently, you’ve noticed that the English display previously featured the title “Irish eyes are smiling”, in which we put out books written by Irish authors with Irish themes for Saint Patrick’s Day. The display after that was “People of the Bible”, where we had books in fiction and non-fiction, along with videos and learning kits.

Currently up is a display of “Small reads”, which showcase some of the small books that we have at the library. Stay tuned for an upcoming display that will highlight Earth Day: books about the environment. The French display started out with Quebec authors and now features Quebec biographies and documentaries. Keep your eye open for the different and interesting staff suggestions that we will have up. Don’t forget to take a copy of the hand-outs that are usually made to go with the display as well. Ask the Reference librarian about them if you think we ran out; we can always make a copy for you! I hope you enjoy these new displays and I look forward to making one of my own too that I can share with you.

Examining Evanovich

2008-03-25T15:12:00.004-05:00

Winter wanes as does March Mystery Month at the library but not without a fantastic finale. Next Monday at 7:30 p.m., McGill lecturer and cultural guru Andrea Braithwaite will be giving a lively lecture on New York Times best-selling mystery writer Janet Evanovich. Braithwaite, whose lectures have been described as accessible, fresh and entertaining will speak about Evanovich’s saucy mystery novels and unique writing style. So come by for this fun-filled discussion on one of the most prolific mystery writers of our time!

Tickets are $3 and are on sale now.

… “And then I woke up.”

2008-03-20T10:04:00.003-05:00

SPOILER ALERT **

About the ending of No Country for Old Men:

The Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men is that atypical, mostly-mainstream film that defies a Hollywood-style conventional ending. I’ve been asked several times what I make of that ending and while I realize that I’m not sure that I fully "get it," or that I’m completely meant to, I do have a few observations to make about it …

Similar in tone and content to Ingmar Bergman’s classic 1957 film The Seventh Seal, No Country for Old Men plays like a very contemporary American allegory on the omniscience of death—or more precisely, here: random violent death. In this sense Javier Bardem’s Chirugh is no more a flesh & blood character than that of the overt personification of Death in the Bergman movie. Both have a shared otherworldly relentlessness & indestructibility; both play cruel games of chance with their victims; they even have similar dialogue. And like Bergman’s hooded, black-draped figure, Chirugh dispenses death where ever he goes—not across the medieval landscape of plague-infested Europe, though, but through the bleak, desiccated barrens, motels and strip malls of 1980 Texas.

** Somewhat notoriously by now, the film ends very abruptly with Tommy Lee Jones’ Sheriff Bell relating an ostensibly comforting dream—a dream perhaps of the afterlife—in which he catches up to his dead father in a safe, secure spot—only to awaken from the falsity/optimism of that dream (it’s ambiguous) with the matter-of-fact words:
"...and then I woke up."

Cut to end credits.

There are a number of potential ways of reading this …

Morally, I think it may be a way of undercutting our conventional movie-going expectations—even desire for some sort of violent movie conclusion in which the "bad guy"—Chirugh, the figure of "Death"—gets his due. The Coens will not allow us this "pleasure" more typical of highly-dubious, videogame-style films like 300.

Allegorically, of course, "Death" never gets its due …. "death," "random violence," "evil," what have you, will always be with us. They never die.

Narratively, Sheriff Bell’s dream is a premonition of death—perhaps death at the hands of Chirugh.

Structurally, most of us expect a comforting conclusion to the movies that we watch—but the Coens—all credit to them—won’t give it to us. The film itself ends abruptly—just as one’s life might end through an act of random violence. In this sense, the ending of No Country for Old Men gives perfect form to the content of what is depicted within it. It’s as if Chirugh has suddenly terminated the lives of the Coens! Like the deaths of so many characters, the ending, in that sense, is just as "pointless."

Finally, a word on why I think the film has such contemporary relevance:

Sheriff Bell, who mostly operates on the periphery of the movie, makes several earlier direct references to the level of generalized violence depicted within the overall narrative of the film: especially to the drug trade across the Mexican border, which has brought with it a greater level of savagery than ever before. This is why the film is called No Country for Old Men. For weary old Bell it’s time to give up and retire. He’s not equipped—emotionally or otherwise to deal with this type of violence.

But I think this is also why the film resonates so deeply with audiences today because the level of violence we experience, however indirectly, through the movies, on the news, etc. seems more savage, more plentiful, more random than ever before: Iraq, suicide bombers, serial killers, school shootings, etc. Like Sheriff Bell, we are worn out by it.

Who dunit? Mystery Month continues

2008-03-18T16:14:00.005-05:00

I love mysteries. From Sammy Keyes and the hotel thief, Carolyn Keene and the very famous Nancy Drew to classic author Alfred Hitchcock and the three investigators, there is nothing like a great book which leads you though the maze of figuring out who is the murderer.

This month in the Children’s section we are asking the kids for their greatest who dunit story. We would love to read your short story mystery and hey, you may even win a prize for your efforts! Entry forms are available at the Children’s desk.

Canadian Music's biggest night

2008-03-14T15:34:00.003-05:00

Well, celebrating music this side of the border is in full swing. Basking in the afterglow of this year’s Grammys, is the 2008 Juno Awards, Canada’s top musical honours, celebrating the best and brightest in Canadian music. Those in the know seem to think that this year’s gala will center around four top contenders: punk/hard-rocker Avril Lavigne, mega-superstar diva Céline Dion, indie darling singer-songwriter Feist and smooth jazz crooner Michael Bublé.

Comedian Russell Peters will host this year’s awards from Calgary and live performances by Feist, Michael Bublé, Avril Lavigne, Anne Murray and Measha Brueggergosman among others are also slated for the evening’s entertainment. So, if you are either a die-hard Canadian music fan or just a curious on-looker, (or fall anywhere in between), then take a look on April 6th to see what it’s all about. It is an informative, entertaining and inexpensive way to know the “Who’s who” of the Canadian music scene, as well as to experience a slice of Canada’s music culture at it’s best. And of course, it goes without saying, if you like what you hear, then certainly come in and sample our ever-growing collection of Canadian music. Look for the upcoming 2008 Juno Nominees display coming soon.

Who did it?

2008-03-06T09:49:00.002-05:00

March is mystery month!!

The perfect month to become acquainted with the library's mystery displays. They are a great way to become acquainted with mystery authors which deal with particular themes, themes you might not have even imagined existed. To date, we have had one on Jewish mysteries, Culinary Mysteries, Bibliomysteries, Cold Case Files, as well as some author displays which featured well known mystery writers Jeffrey Deaver, Carolyn Hart, Jan Burke, and Edna Buchanan. Look for upcoming displays featuring Senior Sleuths, Forensic mysteries and mysteries where music plays a theme.

Encyclopedia Judaica Online

2008-03-04T19:21:00.000-05:00

You have probably seen the advertising in the library and on our website, and yes, it’s true---the Encyclopedia Judaica is now available online through our website as one of the electronic databases. I have already had people ask me at the reference desk about this and how to access it. All you have to do is go to our website and click on “Reference and Research”. From there you click on “Databases” and then you will get the list, which starts with the online encyclopedias. Encyclopedia Judaica is the first choice. Once you get onto it, there is an option for either the basic or advanced search. Enter anything that you had always wanted information on, regarding Jewish topics, and you will get results within seconds! You can limit your searches to publication title or document type, you can bookmark results that you do find helpful or useful---and best of all, the information is in full text so you will get the whole document. There is also an option to choose subjects or topics that show images (tables and/or charts).

I cannot forget to mention that we do have the 2007 edition of the Encyclopedia Judaica in print just behind the reference desk. There are 10 volumes in the collection and they each have photos and maps, which is something nice to take advantage of. Although the print version is only available when the library is open, the online version is a convenient tool to get those answers when it is too late in the night or you can’t go outside. Discover the Encyclopedia Judaica online and all it has to offer. I will be pleased to help with your searches or answer any questions you may have about this recent addition to our online databases.

quel surprise

2008-02-27T17:39:00.003-05:00

"The academy has long been accused of a provincialism woven with leaden taste, but its members proved this year that they will vote for what they perceive to be great work, regardless of its lineage or commercial impact." A.O. Scott, New York Times

Well, it was an interesting show …. Oscar seems to be moving a little out of the American mainstream—by becoming increasingly more international (or at least less "provincial")—and that may account in some part for the low ratings received by the show (the lowest since 1953). Perhaps fewer & fewer of us are watching the Oscars because it is rewarding films fewer & fewer of us want to see. Many of the winners were non-American. Indeed, for the first time since 1964, all the acting awards went to non-Americans: Daniel Day-Lewis from Ireland; Tilda Swinton from Scotland (I think, or is that England); Marion Cotillard (quel surprise!) from France; and Javier Bardem from Spain. Situated in New York—and like Woody Allen before them—the Coen Bros. too, I’m sure, see themselves as firmly outside the Hollywood mainstream—indeed, they looked a little embarrassed to be there. That their relatively daring film No Country for Old Men is the face of new Hollywood is a delicious irony to be savoured by hardcore film buffs and critics who have despaired of the Oscars or long ago written them off as little more than a crass commercial for "the industry." But in the words of David Carr, also writing in the New York Times, The Oscars are now in danger of becoming a way for industry types to demonstrate refinement and cultural ambition that doesn’t yield an economic dividend for the companies that finance them. It’s the kind of good taste that could leave a bad taste if they don’t watch out.

Music’s biggest month

2008-02-18T09:46:00.001-05:00

If ever there was an exciting month for music, February would be it. Where do I begin? The 50th Annual Grammy Awards, East Coast Music Awards, and the Academy Awards. Starting with the Grammys, (Music’s biggest night), this has become such a phenomenal event, watched by millions all over the world. Always creating the most buzz are the performances – it’s all about the performances – and this year’s opener did not disappoint. With the magic of technology, who could have imagined Alicia Keys singing a duet with Frank Sinatra? Another performance which really was quite memorable for me wasa Turner’s and Beyonce’s rendition of “Proud Mary” – two absolute goddesses of Soul/R&B, proving to the world once again, that at any age, when you’ve got it, flaunt it! And of course, there was the much talked about, much-anticipated performance of British singer Amy Winehouse, who performed via satellite from London. Despite her recent publicized troubles, she walked away with five Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. In contrast, however, the not-so-obvious was wonderfully highlighted this year, when Herbie Hancock walked away with Album of the Year for his River: The Joni Letters. This certainly was one of the biggest surprises and upsets of the evening, over the much-favored Graduation by Kanye West.

And now for something completely different on this side of the border. Fredericton, New Brunswick hosted the 20th Annual East Coast Music Awards. This four-day extravaganza of multi-genre musical performances, conference events and workshops, honoured the best in music from the Atlantic region. Hats off to 6-time winner, Halifax band Joel Plaskett Emergency, as well as double award winners Dave Gunning, the Rankin Family, Jamie Sparks and Rose Cousins. If you are not too familiar with any of these names, then check out CBC television on March 2nd at 7:00 p.m.: Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies will host a one-hour special featuring the very best musical performances from the Festival. Certainly, this will be a celebration of east coast Canadian music.

Finally, on Oscar night, it will be all about the movies, but music will feature prominently, even for a short while in the best Music (Score) category. Music, as we all know, plays such a vital and integral part of the film, as it is powerful enough to heighten the drama, create relief, or describe the depths of despair. Who could forget the sweet sounds of the balalaika in “Lara’s theme” from Dr. Zhivago, or the vast sweeping landscape of Tara in Gone With the Wind? It doesn’t have to be a musical theme to be effective. What about those memorable leit-motivs, like Jaws coming in for the kill, or the screeching repetitive rhythmic pattern in Psycho? These great moments are forever etched in our memory. Interestingly, nominees for best Music (Score) include an animated film, Ratatouille, as well as four other very different films: Atonement, The Kite Runner, Micheal Clayton and 3:10 to Yuma. The fact that these scores have been short-listed, makes them all winners in my mind. So, if you would like to hear what all the buzz and excitement is about, then look for upcoming Music displays, and let yourself be the critic!

2008 Academy Award Predictions: Part 1

2008-02-16T14:43:00.003-05:00

The Oscars are going to happen!

Was it ever likely that Hollywood, which lost a reported 1 billion dollars over the course of the writers strike, would forego its biggest collective advertisement for itself in favour of the ungainly sight of a televised press conference? The tentative agreement reached on Saturday has spared us this (unlike with the Golden Globes) or a scaled-down version of it usual over-the-top extravaganza. And who would wish to miss that!

As with last year’s nominees, this year’s batch is a diverse blend of somewhat bleak, somewhat redemptive critical hits with a few box office smashes scattered amongst them. Usually, Oscar-nominated films have only the most casual relationship with quality, but this year both There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men were nos.1 & 3 on Indie Wire’s authoritative year-end poll of North American film critics (http://www.indiewire.com/critics2007/). Each also came in at nos. 1 & 2 in a similar poll conducted by Film Comment (http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/poll/2007pollcritics.html). And both films lead the Oscar field with a surprising (to me at least) eight nominations each. This is a good sign. But since they are both extremely dark, unapologetically weird, and watch-through-your-fingers violent—at least by Academy standards—it’s possible they may end up splitting the vote for Best Picture, allowing the one conventional, feel-good contender, Juno,to sneak up and win the big category.

What follows is my completely objective, totally unbiased prognosis for what is likely to unfold on Oscar night:

Best Picture:
The nominees: “Atonement,” “Michael Clayton,” “No Country for Old Men,” “There Will Be Blood,” “Juno”

Atonement won the Golden Globe award for Best Drama but its musty, old-fashioned Englishness seems somewhat at odds with the spirit of contemporary Hollywood. And, as with last year’s Golden Globe winner, Babel,this is not necessarily an indication of how the Academy will vote. Also, no film has won Best Picture without a single lead actor / lead actress / director nomination. The ‘70s-style paranoia-thriller “Michael Clayton” is good, but there’s not much buzz behind it, and it feels somewhat anonymous alongside the contemporary, in-your-face immediacy of There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men. I predict victory for No Country for Old Men,the slightly less eccentric of the duo, though I’m tempted to go for the dark horse, Juno,which is this year’s Little Miss Sunshine,but which probably won’t win because it lacks the requisite Oscar-worthy ‘gravitas’. But then the Academy may want to select a resolutely upbeat crowd pleaser after last year’s downer, The Departed,so it’s a tough call …

Conventional Wisdom: Atonement
Dark Horse: Juno
What Deserves to Win: No Country for Old Men … or There Will Be Blood
What Will Win: No Country for Old Men

Best Actor
The nominees: George Clooney (“Michael Clayton”), Daniel Day-Lewis (“There Will Be Blood”), Johnny Depp (“Sweeny Todd”), Tommy Lee Jones (“In the Valley of Elah”), Viggo Mortensen (“Eastern Promises”)

The smart money is on Daniel Day-Lewis, here. The Academy likes to reward actors who change their physical appearance and are seen to be A-C-T-I-N-G in the most theatrical, Lionel Barrymore sense of the word. And while this truism adheres to at least three of this year’s nominees (including Depp & Mortensen), it is Daniel Day-Lewis who supplies the necessary gravitas as the larger-than-life American oil tycoon in There Will Be Blood. George Clooney provides a characteristically intelligent performance in Michael Clayton,but he remains, well … George Clooney. (We should all be so lucky!) Johnny Depp has turned out several form-shifting performances over the years and will be recognized with an Oscar someday, but not yet. Tommy Lee Jones is widely respected, but In the Valley of Elah died at the box office. And with the overrated Eastern Promises,Viggo Mortensen is probably just happy to be nominated. This year it’s all about Daniel Day-Lewis.

Conventional Wisdom: Daniel Day-Lewis (“There Will Be Blood”)
Dark Horse: Johnny Depp (“Sweeny Todd”)
Who Deserves to Win: Daniel Day-Lewis (“There Will Be Blood”)
Who Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis (“There Will Be Blood”)

Best Actress
The nominees: Cate Blanchett (“Elizabeth: The Golden Age”), Julie Christie (“Away From Her”), Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), Ellen Page (“Juno”), Laura Linney (“The Savages”)

It’s a lock: Julie Christie. These awards are often as much given for a career’s work as for the ostensible reason for nominating a particular performance. She’s already taken the prize at several earlier awards shows. And here she plays a woman suffering from Alzheimer’s, so what could be more Oscar-worthy? Despite mostly stellar performances all over in this category, it's not likely that most of the others have the buzz to challenge her. Ellen Page, who does have it, is probably too …young, to win. And the awesome Aussie Cate Blanchett is less likely to win here than in the Best Supporting Actress category for I’m Not There(and besides, Elizabeth: the Golden Age is awful). Marion Cotillard chews up all the available scenery in the overblown La Vie en Rose,but is unlikely to win. Disappointment, delusion, death--Laura Linney is superb in the highly-unsentimental The Savages,as a failed playwright grappling with the dementia and Parkinson's disease of her estranged father, but probably has no chance of winning. Quel dommage …

Conventional Wisdom: Julie Christie (“Away From Her”)
Dark Horse: Ellen Page (“Juno”)
Who Deserves to Win: Laura Linney (“The Savages”)
Who Will Win: Julie Christie (“Away From Her”)

Best Director
The nominees: Julian Schnabel (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”), Jason Reitman (“Juno”), Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”), the Coen Brothers (“No Country for Old Men”), PT Anderson (“There Will Be Blood”)

It’s a truism that film directors who score nominations for themselves but not for their films in the Best Picture category, can never win this award. That probably rules out the richly-deserving Julian Schnabel for his excellent “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” If I were suddenly granted the power to make a winner of any of the nominees it would be him. Since Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance dominates There Will Be Blood, much like the proverbial colossus bestriding Rome, I think that the also very-deserving PT Anderson will be overlooked for his work. Jason Reitman, of Juno,and the first-time director, Tony Gilroy, of Michael Clayton,probably are just happy to be nominated. That leaves the traditionally Academy-unfriendly Coen Brothers who may win not just for their strangely zeitgeist-tapping No Country for Old Men,but for their many earlier, no-less-accomplished films that were often just a little ahead of their times. They also won the Director’s Guild Award last month and are apparently better known in Hollywood than most of the other nominees.

Conventional Wisdom: The Coen Brothers (“No Country for Old Men”)
Dark Horse: Julian Schnabel (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”)
Who Deserves to Win: Julian Schnabel (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”)
Who Will Win: The Coen Brothers (“No Country for Old Men”)

Best Supporting Actor
The nominees: Casey Affleck (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”), Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”), Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Charlie Wilson’s War”), Hal Holbrook (“Into the Wild”), Tom Wilkinson (“Michael Clayton”)

The Academy likes to reward veteran actors / actresses in the Supporting categories. That bodes well for Hal Holbrook, for Into the Wild.(And also for Ruby Dee, see below.) But it’s Javier Bardem that everyone is talking about, and who has already won about a hundred awards for his performance as the other-worldly psycho-killer (with that weird haircut) in No Country for Old Men. Everyone else in this category—as wonderful as they are—seem somewhat overshadowed by him—especially for that creepy / terrifying scene with the gas station attendant. He’s a filmic, twenty-first century symbol of ineluctable death. Casey Affleck’s character of Robert Ford, in my favourite Hollywood film of the year, The Assassination of Jesse James, is less allegorical, more multi-dimensional than that of Bardem’s killer--much more a complex, well-rounded creation. His whiny, ingratiating naivety and disillusioned visions of cheap paperback glory left an indelible impression upon me.

Conventional Wisdom: Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”)
Dark Horse: Hal Holbrook (“Into the Wild”)
Who Deserves to Win: Casey Affleck (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”)
Who Will Win: Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”)

Best Supporting Actress
The nominees: Cate Blanchett “I’m Not There”, Ruby Dee “American Gangster” , Saoirse Ronan “Atonement” , Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone” , Tilda Swinton, “Michael Clayton”

Perhaps the closest race in any of these major categories is the one for Best Supporting Actress. Everyone seems to be talking about Cate Blanchett to win for her talismanic mid-60s figure of Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. But while she is very funny and spot-on in capturing something of Dylan’s weird, self-conscious relation to his own fame, her role is arguably not so much a fleshed-out performance than an esoteric impersonation of a popular icon. If the venerable Ruby Dee wins, it’ll be less for American Gangster and more for her career work. In addition to picking up the Golden Globe she also won the Screen Actors’ Guild award in this category. Amy Ryan has the most Oscar-friendly role as the mother of a missing child in Gone Baby Gone, and it’s possible she may score an upset victory here. Both first-time nominees Tilda Swinton and Saorise Ronan gave fine performances, but they’re definite also-rans.

Conventional Wisdom: Ruby Dee “American Gangster”
Dark Horse: Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”
Who Deserves to Win: Cate Blanchett “I’m Not There”
Who Will Win: Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”

Coming soon: 2008 Oscar Predictions – Part 2

The Show Must Go On

2008-02-14T09:02:00.003-05:00

It seems difficult to imagine the possibility of a year without an Oscars ceremony. Yet that was nearly the case this year with the writer’s strike waging for months on end. For those of you that are out of the loop, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been locking horns with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), for roughly 14 weeks now over contract negotiations. At the heart of the matter, are issues with royalties on Internet downloads and DVD sales and union jurisdiction over animation and reality program writers. Yet as of last week, it seems a temporary truce has been reached between the writers and the studio execs and the 80th Annual Academy Awards show will thankfully take place on Sunday, February 24th.

We here at the library always welcome the Oscars with open arms and were happy to hear that the show will in fact go on. There is always much buzz and chatter around here as to who will win or at least who deserves to win. A few of my personal favourites that are nominated in different categories this year are No Country for Old Men, Once and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

I must say that with the chilly sub-zero temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately, it’s quite nice to have something to look forward to at this month’s end. And the icing on the cake is that the always effervescent Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, will be hosting once again. Stay tuned for more information on the Oscar contest, Oscar nominated DVDs and forthcoming displays our Audiovisual department has to offer you this Oscar season.

Win a DVD and bragging rights

2008-02-12T21:07:00.000-05:00

Are you up to snuff and sharp as a tack in your movie viewing? Even if you shake your head no, venture forth to the library for your Oscar form. Try your hand at choosing who will garner the awards and accolades at the 80th Annual Academy Awards. Only a dozen days remain till the sweet ceremony on Sunday, 24 February 2008 at 8pm.

This is your chance to win a DVD, of your choosing, from amongst the nominees of the year. Of course, being able to brag to all your family and friends about how you predicted the outcome of the 2nd annual Audio Visual Department competition is also great fun. Everyone can participate and all you need is a pen or pencil to fill in the circles for the sixteen questions.

When you pop over for your entry form, do stop for a moment to talk shop. We are always ready to discuss excellent entertainment and speculate lightly on who some of the possible winners may be. While in your favorite local library, do see what new DVDs are available and what other intriguing items we have on hand.

Weird Science

2008-01-10T09:36:00.000-05:00

When I think back to my grade school days, I remember my absolute favourite part of science class was the hands on portion where we would conduct experiments in the lab. It was so neat to see every day household items such as baking soda and vinegar transform into something different all together. Eventually as I moved upwards from grade level to grade level, the experiments became more complicated but that spirit of newfound discovery remained the same.

In keeping with this spirit, the Children’s Department will be offering a Mad Science: Dry Ice Workshop on Sunday, January 13th at 3:00 pm. It is geared for children ages 7 to 12 and it will be nothing short of fantastic! Children will conduct experiments with smoke, color changing, boiling potions and fascinating gas explosions in a safe controlled environment. Spaces are limited therefore all of our young scientists are encouraged to register early (Cost is $5.00). So button up your lab coat and get ready for some fun in our Mad Science lab!

Get Healthy @ your library

2007-12-14T11:20:00.000-05:00

I am on a new kick these days, and one that I hope not only sticks, but spreads to those around me. I’ve been cooking almost all my food, eating ten servings of fruits & veggies a day, and otherwise feeling great.

Part of this involves thumbing through cookbooks. Ok, that’s not quite accurate. It’s more like obsessively poring over recipes, devouring pages and really putting the instructions to the test. I like owing them, but I take them out of the library as a sort of quality preview. If I dread giving it back, then it’s a sign that perhaps it needs to be purchased, and this has been done with abandon of late.

All of this – all of it – began with a book. I read the Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan and it affected me greatly. I got to thinking about what it is that I’ve been ingesting, and how processed our food is, and how much gas is used to get these fruits here from across the world. Then I started reading labels and noticed the chemical content of what we eat. It led to different choices, but also, to more books: The 100-Mile Diet, for example, and the more practical Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer. We have so many titles that could fuel this fire.

This post isn’t just about food and eating though. It’s about many other things too. Informing yourself through reading. The ability of books to change lives. Acquiring skills through books (yes, that is how I learned how too cook). Using your library as a life tool.

If we help you help yourself, then we have done our job. Eat, read, love.

Displays all around …

2007-12-11T18:45:00.000-05:00

Just another friendly blog to make you aware of what the reference librarians are up to by giving you ideas and sparking the interests for those who want a good book to read. Even before you enter the library, there is a nice display of books in the window that gives readers a chance to take out or put on hold a title they may want to read. The display case changes about every few weeks with a different theme in mind. The one currently on display is “New Arrivals”, but there have been specific themes as well, such as “Library Staff picks”, “Jewish Book Month” or “Latin American Authors”.

If in case you’re wondering---the books in the display case are NOT real copies of the book. They are actually books the library no longer circulates. We’ve placed the covers of the featured books on top, just to show what we have.

One of my favorites from the previous display is: “The curious incident of the dog in the night-time” by Mark Haddon. If you haven’t read it yet, I urge you to pick up a copy. It is a fast-flowing book that I couldn’t put down and along with some laughs, there is a bit of a mystery to solve too. It is written in the view-point of an autistic teenage boy, and you begin to sympathize with the character right away.

Another little display we have at the Reference desk are books periodically put out according to a theme (such as art in fiction), or are in sync with an event that is happening at the time. Right now, we have a display of books from the author Norman Mailer, to honor his passing away several weeks ago. If you are a fan of him or want to check out what he wrote, come to the Reference desk and ask any of the librarians for his books---or help yourself to one of the books at the desk.

When you walk to the Mystery section, you will see a display up of Jewish Mystery books, accompanied by a bibliography and bookmarks. This display also changes often. We had featured mystery authors previous to this and will continue to do so when the Jewish Mystery display is done. Come by frequently to see the changes of all the displays and don’t miss out on taking home a few great books, even if they are not the newest ones out there!

The State of Things

2007-11-29T15:52:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, we hosted a public libraries class that came for a tour and to hear about what we do here for our public and as professionals. Apart from the fact that they were really delightful, it hit me when we were talking that we really are a dynamic bunch.

I love this library. I love experimenting with new ideas and that we have the freedom to do so. I love trying to pull off really cool programs and watching people relish in the results. I love that our staff has some of their own and that they’re successful. I love that we keep adding new things and that our public is enthusiastic about it. I love that we work in the kind of city where even the City Manager has a book club. I love my management team, who really reinvented their respective departments to make them fabulous. I love that we have a volunteer program that allows residents to contribute to the betterment of the library. I love that we always look forward. I even love our new furniture.

I was toying with the idea of posting a year in review, recapping everything that happened in 2007, but somehow it didn’t feel right. Don’t get me wrong, I could go on and on about events like the one we had for Marie Antoinette, or our new AV Department. The truth is, I am always more excited about what is to come than what has been. In a library setting, resting on laurels means stagnation. We must always look ahead and strive for more.

Hot Picks from Behind the Scenes

2007-11-27T17:16:00.000-05:00

Though the recent snow made it look a lot like the holidays were upon us, the Autumn New Music brochure is hot off the press and ready to provide a guide to the wondrous selections to warm your ears and heart. Do visit your favourite local library post haste to pick up a copy before there are none left. When you have your hands on the fine little bright orange number you will see the seven sweet categories with all manner of exciting music over the twenty one pages. There are brand new music discs from Canadian Reggae fusion stars Bedouin Soundclash, with Jay Malinowski and company, and even a fantastic compilation called Reggae 2007. These are a couple of hot topics. Polaris music prize nominees and the winner are to be found within the pages too, along with Classical, Jazz and Popular Music selections like Paul Anka and The Band.

The vast assortment of music is a marvellous delight. Everyone can come in to borrow four CDs for three weeks. I have said it before and I will say it again, there really is something for everyone. The Music Librarian, who you will find out a bit more about in a moment, and I do concur that J.S. Bach's Alles mit Gott, performed by the Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists under the direction of John Eliot Gardiner to be an absolute aural treat. And for a new twist on an old favourite, Sting plays a lute and sings Dowland - this is my new discovery for the day and will keep me well pleased over the next while. Enough with the high brow, if you need a good Brit Pop fix like Maximo Park, Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, The Streets, The Verve, The Charlatans UK or maybe even some more Maximo Park then we have the ticket to the British Isles without ever leaving the neighbourhood. At length I could go on, though a visit to Audio Visual will set you right and if you're not sure what you need then please ask us. Or if we happen not to have it, do write it into the Suggestion Book.

And now, behind the scenes, sometimes on Reference and always diligently minding and enhancing the collection, we have Farah Mohammed, our trusty Music Librarian for the last dozen years and she has a McGill Music education, fifteen years participating as a soprano in The Orpheus Singers and is an accomplished piano accompanist. She has a flair for finding selections in Classical, Jazz, Jewish, Opera, Popular and World Music genres. Periodically she presents musical gems during the Passion for Music series which she hosts and speaks specifically on a certain topic. She is the one to go to with obscure and unusual music questions and is more than happy to share her knowledge about the collection. There are over two thousand five hundred compact discs at the ready and on display so there is no reason to leave the library without at least one or three CDs, even if it is something you have never heard of, you may discover a stylish new favourite form of music.

Concerts or bust!

2007-11-23T14:15:00.000-05:00

It seems that not even inclement weather can keep our concert goers at bay. Despite the dreary weather yesterday a huge flock of you came to the library for the Musicians of the OSM concert. Our next and last concert for the winter season, The Three Sopranos, is from the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal and promises to be just as delightful and well-worth the wait. Leticia Brewer, Caroline Bleau and Marianne Lambert and their chevalier servants will perform at the library on December 6th at 7:30 pm. On the program for the evening are works by Rossini, Cantalani, Bizet, Strauss and Puccini just to name a few. For only three dollars you won’t want to miss this performance- rain, sleet, snow or shine. And to all the brave souls who made their way to the library last night I just wanted to say thank you and kudos to you for your dedication to the arts!

Need a suggestion?

2007-11-20T20:47:00.000-05:00

If you're ever scratching your head and wondering what is the next thing you should be reading, take a look around the Reference desk and see the new things that were printed just for that purpose. Right now, there is a display of nine beautifully colored book marks---each with different genres to give you an idea of what is out there. Behind each of these book marks, you will find a list of authors who write that certain genre. Not only do you have a way to keep your place in a particular book you are reading, you are given more suggestions to keep you reading! I went crazy for these when I saw them, because even as a librarian, I sometimes turn to them for ideas---plus they’re just fun.

Other things to look for are the bibliographies that we have just put out at the Reference desk. The new ones for November are “Thrillers” and “Jewish Love Stories”. These booklets are filled with suggested readings with a little synopsis of what each book is about. If you can’t get enough of suspense and want to see what is recent, pick up a copy of the Thrillers bibliography. If you are in a more cozy mood and want to read a selection of older and newer books with Jewish romance, take a copy of the Jewish love stories bibliography. Bibliographies are made by the librarians and we try to release a new subject or two about every month. The last bibliographies that were on display were “Science Fiction” and “Chick Lit”. If these still interest you, you may come to ask for them at the Reference desk or ask to browse through the Reference copies.

The best thing about the bookmarks and bibliographies is that they are free! We try to give the best kind of reader’s advisory for those who need a little push for what to read next or maybe introduce a new type of book that someone has never considered to read before. Come on over to the Reference desk and ask what is out there, while picking up a few of these “helpful hints”. Remember, we’re always here at the desk to give you suggestions for any type of reading, even if it is not on a bookmark or in a bibliography. I hope you will see how fun these materials are to help you in your quest for the next great book, and we’ll make sure that you’ll never run out of things to read!

Word Search Game

2007-11-07T17:26:00.000-05:00

This game is for those who are comfortable searching the online catalogue. It is an entertaining romp down the wide and wonderful, lush boulevard of periodicals. You may have seen the wondrous wall in the second lounge in your favourite local library, replete with all manner of journals, magazines, newsletters and newspapers. What you may not have realised is the collection is listed online as well. Before even venturing forth to the library you can have a list in hand of all the good things you need to read once here.

Let's begin. Think of a word, any word - art, film, music. The list could go on and on. Amble on over to the main search page of the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library catalogue and choose the fourth option, WORD, from the left menu. Click on it, you are whisked away to the second page, type in your word, tap the "Submit" button and then behold your lovely results.

But it does not end there. Wait. It gets better. At the top of the page you will see "WORD" in the left drop down menu field, your specific word queried in the centre field and then "View Entire Collection" from the right drop down menu field. Instead of seeing all the library has to offer, choose "Periodical Collection" and voila – a narrowed field, focusing on all the fine literature to read whilst taking time out of your hectic day to just delight in the glossy printed pages of magazines from all over the world. And if you happen to need some extra advice or want to practice the game with a pro, wander over to the library and ask your friendly Audio Visual Desk Clerk for assistance with the word search game.

Book Club Frenzy!

2007-10-30T18:28:00.000-05:00

For all you readers out there who have got that burning desire to get together with others and discuss the literary themes of an intriguing book, you’re gonna love the new service we now have at the library.

First and foremost, if you are interested in starting a book club but don’t know which book to choose, we now have book club kits in English and French that can be borrowed from the Reference desk. There are currently fourteen kits, each containing eight novels and a folder with information about the book, such as reviews, biographies of the author, interviews, and discussion questions. These kits are a great start to having and continuing that book club you have always wanted.

If you have found the kit you want but have no place to discuss, there’s a solution to that too! We now offer a room every Thursday that you can reserve for these book club discussions. The room is available the whole day and can be booked in four hour slots. Meet up with your group every month in the morning, afternoon, or evening---whichever is better for everyone.

For more information about what kits are available and to reserve the room for your club, just call the library at (514) 485-6900 and ask for Reference. I personally have never been part of a book club but it really is a fun way to wind down and share your thoughts and ideas with friends about how stories affect you. It gives you the excuse to really commit yourself to something you love and look forward to every month, and in between----you’re reading! While I’m at the reference desk, I invite you to come by to express your interest in this great idea. I hope you will be excited as ever to start a club and use the services and facilities that we have to offer. Happy reading to all and enjoy!

Electric Movie Energy

2007-10-22T10:18:00.000-05:00

Only days remain until the third presentation of Passion for Movies on Wednesday, 24 October 2007, at 7pm to be exact. Those in attendance at the last couple of events already know it is a wonderful chance to hear a bit more about film favourites from various Audio Visual staff members.

What is not widely known is the amazing effort put into the one night of cinematic magic. Sarah, Manager of Adult Services, is the talented Master of Ceremonies as the evening unrolls. Dolores, Programs Assistant, works on all the behind the scenes elements like seating, ensuring the handout looks great and finding Fair Trade coffee to correspond with one of her film presentations. Angela, Desk Clerk extraordinaire, works with you to ensure your entertainment needs are met. Deby is the one who makes sure all the Audio Visual material looks so sharp before it hits the shelves. Steven starts the ball rolling by choosing the good things and cataloguing them.

I, your humble scribe and Audio Visual Desk Clerk, Patricia, am looking forward to your presence on Wednesday, the 24th of October at 7 at night. All of the diligent work from our talented team will pay off in spades, as we wait with bated breath to share with you some new movies, a classic, those dear to our hearts, ones that inform, entertain, enlighten and intrigue us.

Un nouveau visage de notre bibliothèque

2007-10-16T17:38:00.000-05:00

Le comptoir de prêt a récemment été aménagé d’un grand écran, offrant ainsi aux fidèles membres de la bibliothèque aussi bien qu’à ses chers visiteurs, une nouvelle tonalité, un sens visuel. Cet écran vise d’abord et avant tout à vous informer, vous les résidents de Côte Saint-Luc, de ce qui se passe dans votre propre communauté comme par exemple les dates de : la rencontre mensuelle avec le maire, les prochaines séances du conseil de la ville, la collecte des résidus… Toutefois, il y en a aussi de quoi occuper tout le monde : les nouvelles, la météo, les divers événements de la bibliothèque, les nouveautés en matière de lecture, de la publicité…

Comme on dit souvent « une image vaut mille mots », voir la chose est beaucoup plus efficace que la lire. À tous et toutes qui n’ont pas encore visité la bibliothèque depuis sa rénovation majeure en 2006, ou ceux et celles qui viennent régulièrement sans prendre compte de ce nouvel ajout, ne vous contentez pas de ma simple description, venez nous rendre visite et prenez quelques minutes pour découvrir et apprécier l’écran informatique. Vous voulez annoncer une nouvelle dans votre quartier, maintenant vous pouvez. Venez vous informer auprès de nous. Divertissement, culture et publicité sont au rendez-vous ! Où ? Au comptoir de prêt. Quand ? Quotidiennement, de 10h le matin à 22h le soir. Je vous promets, vous ne le regretterez pas !

Research is just one click away!

2007-10-09T18:08:00.000-05:00

Are you ever up in the wee hours of the night trying to pull together that last minute assignment that’s due the next morning? Need the right resources or sources from a reliable place but realize that the library is closed?

Remember, it’s getting close to that time of year again where midterms are coming up and you need to hand in those huge papers that are worth half your final grade! Not to worry---the articles you may need can be found online through our library’s website 24/7. Just go to the Reference and Research section where you can look through our databases and retrieve timely articles on practically any subject you are looking for.

Want a simple trustworthy description of a person, place or thing? Go to our online encyclopedias. Want a few articles to strengthen your argument on a topic? Choose from databases such as Proquest, Biblio-Branchée, Masterfile Premier, Repère and more! Looking for information on business? ThomasNet and Canadian Company Capabilities can help.

For the Literature students out there, try our databases that will help with reviews of books or author information. The convenience of having these jewels online at any time is a gift and life-saver. Don’t forget that we also have a “useful websites” section that might help you search for tidbits of information when you need to research stuff in the areas of Government, Health, and Law. Even as a librarian, using these databases have really helped me find the right type of information for a patron when they didn’t have their own computer, or know the fastest way to retrieve an effective outcome. Take advantage of the databases online because it was a blessing to use these overnight when I, myself was a student. Time is of the essence, so when it’s 2:00am and you still need that perfect article, all you have to do is click! Happy researching and good luck!