Thursday, February 26, 2009

Depository Archeology

Public Librarians are Archeologists, scraping through tells of information instead of heaps of ruined cities, mounds of destruction and levels of buried civilizations. Finding the answers to our patron’s questions means sifting through collected data (books, magazines, pamphlets, electronic, and what ever else we can find) using specialized tools and years of experience.

But, we’re not just Archeologists. We're Miners of gold and precious jewels, searching though mountains of information to find that one hidden bit that excites the patron with whom we work. We're Dowsers, using experience and intuition to locate hidden sources of information for our patrons. We're Explorers, knowing the difference between this directory and that, when to use that and not this. We're Master Gardeners, growing the collections our community needs, weeding out those pieces unneeded, unused, and worn out.

As a Librarian who works with Federal Documents I have held the enviable position of an Archeologist for Sacramento Public Library. I sift through old documents.

By the way, can you identify the two men in the picture?

--Your Local Depository Archeologist

Monday, February 23, 2009

RINCóN LATINO : TINTA FRESCA #4

"DELICIOSO" por Ingrid Hoffman

Ingrid Hoffman ha escrito un libro con sus más destacadas y deliciosas recetas titulado "Delicioso." Esta colombiana proviene de una familia bien adinerada y su buen porte le garantiza mayor y fácil acogida entre la población estadounidense. Este título exhibe lindas fotografías de color mostrando un sinúmero de delicias de todas partes del mundo.

El video abajo solo muestra un aspecto del bello rostro y talento de esta latina quien ha arrastrado al mundo angloparlante, pero pronto se verá todavía más en pantallas hispanoparlantes.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Sacramento History Photo of the Week: Issue No. 9


Jalisco Mexican Grocery / Tortilla Factory.

A bright symbol of the Alkali Flat neighborhood’s increasing diversity, Jalisco, at 318 12th Street, saw considerable growth after being purchased by Guadalajara, Mexico, native Raul Mercado in 1957 and its subsequent conversion into Jalisco Tortillas, Inc. Up into the mid-1980s, Jalisco distinguished itself as one of the state’s top producers of tortillas and, at its height, was shipping units throughout northern California, Nevada and Oregon. The factory closed in the late 1980s with the retirement of Mercado.

During his tenure with Jalisco, Mercado served as President of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for 1985 and was recognized in 1987 for his contributions to community life by the California Human Development Corporation.

The photo above is of Juan Guiterrez, a worker at Jalisco. It was taken in the spring of 1983 by freelancer photographer, Craig Lee.

This photo and many more like it can be found in the Sacramento Public Library’s Sacramento Room which is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5, and Thursday 1 to 8.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Sacramento History Photo of the Week: Issue No. 8

Residence of William R. Strong, circa 1880. Strong shared his "G" Street residence with wife Jane, son Charles, and daughter Ella. A New Yorker by birth, he came to Sacramento during the Gold Rush. Having found no luck in mining, Strong became a merchant, only to see three business ventures foiled - two by fire, one by flood. In time, however, he found stability in a produce business that would draw from its own nursery and orchard. A life that symbolized the dauntlessness of a city that he would come to call home came to an end in 1905 at 88 years.


This photo and many more like it can be found in the Sacramento Public Library’s Sacramento Room which is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5, and Thursday 1 to 8.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

RINCóN LATINO : PELíCULAS EN ESPAÑOL

"TODO EL PODER"

Las cámaras también son armas. Hoy día las cifras de atracos cometidos aquí en California y en el resto del mundo aumentan día tras día. En esta película dirigida por cineasta mexicano Fernando Sariñana, Gabriel (Demián Bichir) sufre un asalto en la Ciudad de México y desempeña una cruzada contar el crimen. Esta película es una mezcla de humor negro y la realidad basada en lo que ocurre diariamente en México y en el resto del mundo. ¡Acuden a nuestras sucursales y resérvanla! Les prometo que estarán muy entertenidos.






----------------------------------------------------------------------
LA PALABRA DEL DÍA

oriental


"Para los latinos, el verbo orior, orieris significaba 'nacer' y se aplicaba tanto a personas como a animales o cosas, según el uso que le daban Cicerón y Ovidio. Horacio fue quien empleó este verbo para referirse a la salida del sol, vista como un nacimiento. El participio presente de este verbo oriens, orientis (nacer, naciente) fue utilizado para denominar la región poco conocida situada al este, por estar del lado de donde sale el sol.Plinio llamó oriens hibernus y oriens aestivus al comienzo del invierno y del verano, respectivamente. Horacio llegó a usar el adjetivo oriental para referirse al punto cardinal Este, pero fue sólo algunos siglos más tarde que Justiniano acuñó el vocablo orientalis para referirse a los países asiáticos.Actualmente se utilizan las expresiones 'Medio Oriente' o 'Cercano Oriente' para denominar la región de Asia Menor, donde están situados Israel, la Nación palestina, el Líbano, Siria y Jordania.Un caso curioso es el del Uruguay, que hasta 1828 fue parte de la Argentina bajo el nombre de Provincia Oriental. Al tornarse independiente, adoptó el nombre de República Oriental del Uruguay, por estar al este del río Uruguay y sus habitantes son llamados uruguayos u 'orientales'. "

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Happy Birthday, President Lincoln...



Dear President Lincoln,

Two hundred years ago you were born in the hinterlands of Kentucky. Who, standing along the banks of the Ohio River, on that late-winter day, knew that your life would become so meaningful? From Springfield lawyer to the highest office in the land, you left a mark. Not just anyone would have made the decisions you made in office; emancipation was not a done deal in 1862. Morally, it was a forgone evil and you knew it had to end. Politically, it took strength and courage. It would be you - along with a burgeoning abolitionist movement - who stepped up to give history a swift push toward the "better angels of our nature."

Along the way, you overcame tired-out generals and a wicked depression. You also made mistakes that other American leaders would duplicate 200 years later. Far from perfect, you were the country's leader during a time when leadership was essential and you kept a Union together.

You were also a fatalist. You knew that if someone wanted to take your life, they could - and they did. So, two hundred years later, history offers us a full view of your time on earth, including the good and the bad. In a life cut short, you made a difference, which is what we should all strive for. Thank you for your effort, your words and sacrifice.

Sleep well, Mr. President.

For a list of reviews on choice items in the Sacramento Public Library covering the life of Abraham Lincoln, click here.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Libraries – For the Birds?

When you read this perhaps you will agree with the title! I have a friend who works in the State Library, a few blocks from Sacramento Public Library. She was moved to an area with a window. From there she was able to view the “Darth Vader” building two blocks away. While staring out the window one day something caught her eye – 2 adult peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus anatum) circling the Darth tower. Six weeks later there appeared to be another mating couple circling the area. Since peregrines like skyscrapers for nesting she kept a close lookout for any changes. A week or so ago she spotted 4 to 6 baby falcons. This is not the first time the peregrines have been spotted in downtown Sacramento. It appears that they are returning to the same building to have their young each year.

So, if you are on an upper floor of a library or building downtown, keep a lookout for these beautiful creatures. If you happen to be on the K Street Mall remember to look up on occasion. Not only may you spot some peregrine falcons you will also see some of downtown Sacramento’s beautiful architecture.

To see what the Sacramento Public Library holds on this amazing animal, click here: Peregrine Falcon.

SONRISAS : #7

"El Conejito Knuffle" por Mo Willems


Este libro encantador apareció hace vario años atrás entonces por favor perdónenme por no comprar este libro cuando apenas apreció. Pero por razones presupuestarias y laborales apenas hemos recibido el libro de Mo Willems sobre la vida fantástica de un conejito de peluche y su dueño Trixie.

El cuento concierne un viaje a la lavandería con Papá, Trixie y el conejito Knuffle. Todo cambia drásticamente cuando Trixie toma cuenta que alguien queda atrás.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Blame It on the Bossa Nova at Central Library

Just after Carnaval week, join us in the West Meeting Room at 6:00 pm on March 4th for a celebration of Brazil’s fifty-year-old contribution to “cool” – the Bossa Nova. This music continues to fascinate and delight an international public with new artists and compositions. Since the days of “The Girl from Ipanema” and “Black Orpheus,” Americans have been an important part of the Bossa Nova story. Our program reviews the history and development of Bossa Nova through videos, musical excerpts, a look at the geography of Rio de Janeiro, and a review of lyrics in English and Portuguese. There will also be an exhibit of Bossa Nova memorabilia.

This program is a follow-up to the success of last year’s “Carmen Miranda Film Festival.” Latin American popular culture specialist and Fulbright scholar to Brazil Dr. Fred Dobb will also present this program. When not watching Carmen Miranda movies and listening to music, Dr. Fred Dobb teaches at California State University, Sacramento.

Also note that Dobb will be giving an encore of the "Carmen Miranda Film Festival" at the Belle Cooledge Library on Wednesday, February 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Belle Cooledge is located on 5600 South Land Park Drive. Registration is not required.

Registration is encouraged for the Bossa Nova program, which is free, and can be done by calling 264-2920 or going to www.saclibrary.org.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Super Bowl Widows Know How To Party!

Central Library just had its Second Annual Super Bowl Widows Party, and it was a blast!

The children enjoyed baby time, played Rock Band on PS2, Mario Kart on Wii, made Valentines and placemats so nice that I just might have to hire those kids to decorate my house.

And what did the adults enjoy, you ask?


Musicians Life in Song got the party started, interspersing their own music with Karaoke. A mother and daughter team were our first “victims,” but it was the adults who really got into the singing. When it came time to show the movie---the kids voted for Get Smart---the adults informed me that the singing wasn’t over and they had to sing one more song. That one song turned into three. And as they gathered around and sang That’s What Friends Are For, I stared at the group with one thought:

Do these people even have kids, or did they just wander down here from the crowd of adults peering from the first floor railing?

I didn’t find out.

Needless to say, we’re looking into having adult music programs in the future.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Sacramento History Photo of the Week: Issue No. 7


Southern Pacific Railroad Hospital, circa 1900-1911. The would-be hospital was built in 1870 for railroad emperor Charles Crocker and family, very likely by San Francisco-based architect Seth Babson whose specialty was “Victorian Stick” homes. It was converted into a hospital for SP in 1900 and, by 1906, the three-story-and-basement structure could accommodate up to 55 patients. It was also touted as a refreshing alternative to other hospitals with “its home-like character,” said the January 27, 1906, Sacramento Union.

Seen here, looking northwesterly from Seventh Street, the hospital – having outgrown its walls - took up new residence in 1911 at Second and “H” streets, in a facility built by the contracting firm of Murcell and Haley for a cost of between $30,000 and $35,000.

The house was leveled in the fall of 1915. Having fallen into disrepair, it became the home of several rat nests and stood “covered by masses of vines,” said the October 19, 1915, Sacramento Bee. Did walkers-by even know that, decades earlier, the home was lived in by one of the most powerful men west of the Mississippi?

This photo and many more like it can be found in the Sacramento Public Library’s Sacramento Room which is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5, and Thursday 1 to 8.

SONRISAS: #6

"¡EL DENTISTA ES UN MONSTRUO!"
por Philip Stanton


La dulce y juguetona gatita llamada Misha amanece con un dolor de diente pero teme revelar su dolor a sus padres por temor al nuevo dentista. Cuando de repente se le cae el diente no hay otro remedio que acudir a una consulta. Conoce al nuevo odontólogo y reconoce que el dentista no es un monstruo sino un nuevo amigo quien le hace reconocer una nueva manera de cuidar a sus dientes.

Abajo hay un video acerca del autor estadounidense Philip stanto quién se instaló en barcelona hace mucho años atrás y se dedica a escribir libros infantiles con la gata Misha como protagonista. La entrevista está en catalán pero el autor habla en castellano pero la locutura habla en catalan.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Art Programs 4 U @ Central

Thanks to a gift, Central Library is able to present a year-long series of free hands-on art programs for adults beginning this month.

The first program, Working With Clay, is a two-parter. Come and make your clay piece on Saturday, February 14. During the following week it will dry and be fired. Come back on Saturday, February 21 to glaze your work. Registration is required, so sign yourself up while there are still seats!

We have planned additional programs on painting, digital photography, book binding, mosaics, knitting, crocheting, and more. These will be held monthly through the end of 2009.

If this is giving you ideas, and you want to read up before the programs start, here's a short list that corresponds to the first three programs in the series.
We're looking forward to featuring your artwork here!

(rgtmum's image used with permission.)