July 01, 2009

Independent Bookstores in London

"Where Charing Cross Road used to be London's main bookish thoroughfare, rising rents have pushed many of the small independents out of business. Cecil Court is lucky enough to have a sympathetic landlord in Lord Salisbury; while he's not quite the "wealthy benefactor" that a passer-by was overheard (mis)informing his companion, he is keen to keep the street as the specialist book area it's been for over 100 years."

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Princeton Seminary Scales Back Library Plans

"Princeton Theological Seminary, a school with one of the largest col lections of theological books in the world, has scaled back its proposed plan for a new library to replace the aging Speer Library on campus be cause of neighbors' concerns and project costs."

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John James Audubon at the University of Indiana

"The institute is directed by Indiana University English Professor Christoph Irmscher and funded by a $200,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities through its Picturing America series of summer seminars and institutes for high school teachers. Alita Hornick from the IU Department of English helped organize the institute."

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June 29, 2009

Ancient Indonesian Manuscripts in the Digital Age

"Jeans Kupferschmidt, an ancient manuscript researcher from Leipzig University in Germany, demonstrated the digitalization process at the workshop, which was attended by participants from Aceh, Solo, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Bandung, Batam, Denpasar, Jakarta, Kendari, Makassar, Mataram, Padang, Palembang, Pekanbaru, Pontianak, Yogya, Semarang and Surabaya."

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Indianapolis' Central Library

"Most couples interested in having a wedding here are not from Indianapolis; one inquiry came from Belgium."

"Central will also host a high school graduation and many corporate events. Standing in the Rare Books room, one can look out on the cityscape and the East Garden."

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Creekmore Faith: Texas Bibliophile

"He also amassed a personal library of more than 45,000 volumes, including many rare books and first editions. In a high-ceilinged library behind his Austin home, he shelved original editions of almost every presidential campaign biography since the founding of the republic. In addition, he collected Thomas Hart Benton lithographs, a collection he started by spending $5 from the first fee he received as a lawyer."

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June 25, 2009

New Exhibit on Diaghilev at the New York Public Library

"Diaghilev's Theater of Marvels: The Ballets Russes and Its Aftermath, on view June 26 through September 12, 2009, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Ballets Russes and explores the company's historical and cultural context and international influences."

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The Harry Ranson Center at the University of Texas

"Depending on how geeky your social circle is, you either regard the University Of Texas' Harry Ransom Center as the home to a world of untold cultural riches, or that ugly slab of international-style limestone across the street from the Dobie Center. I clearly fall in the former category."

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20th Century Stage Design on Exhibit at Morgan Library

"A new exhibit of modern stage design, Creating the Modern Stage: Designs for Theater and Opera, opened last month and is behind held through August 16 at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York."

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June 22, 2009

Renovation of the Sassoon Reading Room in India

"it’s doubled capacity to accommodate readers at 120 seats, better lighting and modern facilities-which will see most of its nearly 5,000 members spending several languid hours in the company of a tome."

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Important Australian Papers Sell at Auction

"A collection of 200 letters from WA’s first surveyor-general, John Septimus Roe, became one of the most expensive archives of early Australian history to be sold at auction when it was bought for $300,000 yesterday."

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Albert Einstein Photo Sells for 49,000 Pounds

"LONDON: A rare picture of legendary physicist Albert Einstein was sold for 49,300 pounds."

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