RINCON LATINO : PREMIO ORTEGA Y GASSET

Hace algunas semanas mencioné en una nota a la cubana Yoani Sánchez de La Habana y su blog Generación Y. En entonces, Yoani fue mencionada en BBC Mundo por su intrepidez periodística en escribir sobre sus experiencias cotidianas y en expresar su opinión sobre los acontecimientos que la rodean. Dado esto, Yoani Sánchez fue galardoneada con el Premio Ortega y Gasset otorgado por el diario español El País. El premio fue creado hace 25 años para destacar a periodistas en el mundo hispanohablante por el mejor sus esfuerzos periodísticos. Este año el premio fue otorgadoa no solamente a la blogera cubana sino también a la periodista mexicana Sanjuana Martínez por su trabajo periodístico y al fotógrafo español Gervasio Sánchez ( ningúna relación con Yoani ) en la categoría de periodismo gráfico.

Allow Us to Make Things A Bit Easier: Thompson Gale Legal Forms

During my time at the Sacramento Public Library, few databases have had more utility than Thompson Gale Legal Forms. Wanna Homstead? Wanna file a legal complaint for that dog bite you just received? This user-friendly, keyword searchable database will provide Word and/or PDF versions of hundreds of local, state and federal forms.



Rather than running from commercial site to commercial site throughout the Net, isn't it nice to know that you can come to the library or access the database from home (with your library card number and PIN), and not even have to pay for it???

RINCON LATINO: UN DíA SIN INMIGRANTES

La mañana de hoy fuí a trabajar y al pasar delante del consulado mexicano alcancé ver de reojo un anuncio gigantesco con este aviso: "Ilegales mexicanos están asesinando a ciudadanos estadounidenses..." Amo a mi país adoptado, pero acontecimientos como estos me recuerdan de mi Argentina natal. Que el racismo tiende a manifestarse en épocas de crisis económica. Manifestaciones negativas como estas empañan la verdadera situación. Que a pesar de nuestra percebida iluminación ... es un espejismo.
Nuestras verdaderas identidades suben a la superficie y muestra su verdadero rostro : el terror .

Un Día Sin Inmigrantes por la reconocida periodista Gina Montaner "ha coordinado y prologado los textos que forman este libro. Son quince voces que destallan en todos los ámbitos: desde el mundo académico y artístico (Edward James Olmos, Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Paquito D'Rivera, Yareli Arizmendi, Sergio Arau), pasando por el político (Arturo S. Rodríguez, Nora Sándigo, Ana Navarro, Roberto Suro) y el mediático (María Antonieta Collins, Marián de la Fuente, Jorge Ramos, Sanjuana Martínez, Gustavo Godoy, Karla Martínez)."

The Power of One: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We sit on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of one the world's greatest pacifists, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As much as his words could move, they were prescient. "I refuse to accept the idea that the 'isness' of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the 'oughtness' that forever confronts him" were the words spoken from the podium as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo in 1964. Action now. Tip the paradigm. Who knows, 44 years from now an African-American could be in prime position to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

To say that Dr. King impacted the course of a nation is trite. We all know it. We all see it,and feel it; we know there's work still to be done.

The Sacramento Public Library offers a number of different resources covering the life of the Dr. King and his accomplishments. The quote from above was located in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, a fantastic source of the best said things. It has a keyword index in the back and an alphabetical speaker index in the front.

The April 5, 1968, Sacramento Bee, the issue covering the day after Dr. King's death, is accessible on the 3rd floor at Central Library. Accordingly, consider what the mood of our city was upon hearing that dreaded news from Memphis? There was a candlelight vigil held at the 'City Plaza' on 9th and "I" Streets to mourn. Present was the park's future namesake and labor leader Cesar Chavez who had been slated to speak at Our Lady of Guadlupe Church on 7th and "T" Streets. According to the Bee,

"The crowd began assembling around 8 o'clock, in small knots at first. Soon someone appeared with boxes of candles and they were lighted. As others arrived, they lit candles too, until perhaps 200 of them winked like fireflies along the walks of the park...many wore tears openly, unabashed, like sparkling jewels of sorrow."

"They began a solemn march around the park, softly singing 'We Shall Overcome' in a biting wind that kept snuffing out the candles."

"A woman lamented: 'It keeps going out.' And George Choung, Negro Leader of the Sacramento Youth Congress said: 'Don't worry about that, lady. A brighter light than that went out today.' Later Choung mounted one of the park tables and said: 'A man of peace was killed today, but when you kill a man of peace 10,000 warriors spring up to take his place for every finger on his hands."

In the immediate wake of Dr. King's death - in this case the next day - the City decided to name one of its proposed branches (to be built at 24th Street and the 24th Street Bypass), the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. According to the article, "Construction [was] expected to begin late this year or early next year."

On the 6th of April, an astonishing 4,000 persons marched from Del Paso Heights to the state Capitol, while from Sacramento City College (the future CSUS), 1,700 students marched to the same destination to eulogize the memory of the fallen leader.

In the Bee on the 6th, a small blurb on page C1, headlined "Heartsick Woman," proved that - for many - the death of Dr. King, was a life-changing event: "A woman who identified herself as white phoned the Bee with a break in her voice and asked: 'Can you please give me the name of a Negro organization in town-any organization. I've been so prejudiced and now I'm heartsick. I want them to know.'"

We've all heard of the Gallup Poll. For years, it's made tracking the behavior of the nation its business. Who did Americans - in 1964 - admire the most? Dr. King made the top ten list, coming in at #4. What did Americans think of protest efforts of African-Americans in the 1960s insofar as whether they helped or hurt the cause of equality? As of 1964, 74 percent thought it hurt. Also, White Americans were asked whether or not they would move if a black family moved next door. In 1967, 65 percent said 'no.' Are you interested in what Americans - in 1967 - thought of Dr. King as a potential candidate for President of the U.S.? You'll have to visit the Central Library to see the results. The Central Library has these polling results in its multi-volume set of the Poll.

Behold the power of your library as way to better understand the evolution of American tolerance. Also, visit us to learn more about a man that gave everything to advance that evolution.

Sleepover at Central Library!

Have you searched high and low for a free children’s event that they will remember for years to come? Then I have great news: The Central Library Sleepover is back by popular demand! Boys and girls ages 8-10 are invited to enjoy games, stories, crafts, entertainment and more. Our entertainment for this year is The Amazing Harmonatras! The event starts Friday, April 18th at 7:30 pm and ends Saturday, April 19th at 7:30 am. You must register in person in Kids’ Place. A $10 refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. I know what you’re thinking: “Does this mean I’m going to be stuck spending the night with dozens of children, too?” No! That’s the great thing about the sleepover; you do the registration, we watch and entertain your children. Space is limited so reserve your spot today!

RINCON LATINO : ¡TODO A SU TIEMPO!

Según un estudio llevado a cabo por unos científicos de la Universidad de Penn State, el acto sexual ideal dura entre 3 y 13 minutos. El estudio y sus resultados fueron publicados en la Revista de Medicina Sexual con ayuda de un grupo de psicólogos, terapeutas, trabajadores sociales y otros científicos. Los participantes clasificaron sus expectativas de un rango corto de respuestas entre ellas aparecen las siguientes : "corto," "demasiado corto," "ideal," "largo," y "deamasiado largo."
El gran promedio de los respondientes clasificaron su expectativa en un acto ideal de 3 y 13 minutos de duración , y un acto no ideal de entre 10 y 30 minutos de duración.
Desafortunadamente, creencias mal fundadas y la cultura popular suelen reforzar ideas no favorables a nuestra salubridad. Lean la nota relacionada de la BBC Mundo para enterarse más de esta importante tema y gozen de nuestra creciente colección. ¡Salúd!

Woman's Day Wants to Know ...

... how you have used your library to improve your own or a family member's health, for an article to be published in March 2009. Wouldn't it be a trip if someone who used Sacramento Public Library was featured in their story?

Here's the scoop from the American Library Association:

"New Woman’s Day initiative: From now until May 11, Woman’s Day magazine, in conjunction with ALA’s Campaign for America’s Libraries, is collecting stories on how its readers have used the library to improve a family member’s or their own health. The magazine announced the initiative in its March issue, where it asks its readers aged 18 and over to submit their stories in 700 words or less. Up to four of the submissions will be featured in the March 2009 issue... "

The announcement is in the sidebar of this article in the March 4, 2008 Woman's Day magazine.

So ... what kind of health information can one find at the library? The librarians at Central Library have created a Research Guide for Consumer Health that highlights materials in the library's collection. In addition, the library provides access to Health Articles in online journals. You will need to enter your library card number and PIN to look for articles. And, as always, you may ask a librarian at any branch or call Telephone Reference for help. Library staff is not permitted to give health advice - only your medical professionals may do that - but the library can be a good source of background and/or additional information to complement what you learn from your doctor.