I am involving in the Chronicling America Project at the Library of Congress. While I am searching newspaper for particular events from 1860 to 1922, I found there's so many interesting news. It is amazing that even the Far East historical stories can be found in these American newspapers!
For instance, the news about the arrival of the Qing last emperor who visited the United States. One of the newspapers even published the entire Emperor's "thank you note" on the front page. The note was written in traditional Chinese. I was astonished to find out that it was printed "upside side down"!!! I am guessing that during the early 19th century, there were not too many Sinologists in the US. Unfortunately it is one of those things that you cannot change...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Library of Congress librarians
On the first floor of Jefferson Building, the names of the Library of Congress librarians are posted on the wall. ..
The librarians are appointed by the President and it is a life-time appointment. While I read the names of the past and present librarians, I instantly realize that all the librarians are male. We all agreed that librarian is a female profession; yet there is no female Library of Congress librarian!! - We still have to wait for number of years to see a female librarian name on the wall.
The librarians are appointed by the President and it is a life-time appointment. While I read the names of the past and present librarians, I instantly realize that all the librarians are male. We all agreed that librarian is a female profession; yet there is no female Library of Congress librarian!! - We still have to wait for number of years to see a female librarian name on the wall.
Book: From student to Scholar
Steven M. Cahn, From Student to Scholar: A Candid Guide To Becoming a Professor.
This "skinny" book provides very good advice from surviving at graduate school, writing the PhD dissertation, preparing for tenure position interviews, surviving the first year at academia. It is a practical guide for anyone who is getting the PhD and preparing for the academia life.
It is well-written but lack of "real" person's experience.
This "skinny" book provides very good advice from surviving at graduate school, writing the PhD dissertation, preparing for tenure position interviews, surviving the first year at academia. It is a practical guide for anyone who is getting the PhD and preparing for the academia life.
It is well-written but lack of "real" person's experience.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Rare Book and Manucript Room at the Library of Congress
Like most Library of Congress' readers, I thought I will be able to go to the rare Book Reading Room and "touch" those valuable rare book collection. I am SO WRONG!
The room ... it is a "disappointed" one. It is a big room without any rare book display cases. In order to get to the rare book collections, you need to have a particular book in your mind. Then you liik it up via the card catalog - yes card catelog cabinets. If you are lucky, you may locate it in a few hours.
I only hope that the room has some displays cases, like those in the Hispanic Reading Room.
The room ... it is a "disappointed" one. It is a big room without any rare book display cases. In order to get to the rare book collections, you need to have a particular book in your mind. Then you liik it up via the card catalog - yes card catelog cabinets. If you are lucky, you may locate it in a few hours.
I only hope that the room has some displays cases, like those in the Hispanic Reading Room.
Hidden Reference Room at the Library of Congress
The European Reading Room is a beautiful room. However, if you need to go to this particular reading room, you have to access via the Hispanic Reading Room.
The European Reading Room houses so many valuable reference materials; but it does not provide reasonable computer access. I kind like the room. It is full of books instead rolls of computers. And I can tell I am again in my Mother's (era) library!
The European Reading Room houses so many valuable reference materials; but it does not provide reasonable computer access. I kind like the room. It is full of books instead rolls of computers. And I can tell I am again in my Mother's (era) library!
I cannot live without book - Thomas Jefferson
It is a famous quote of Thomas Jefferson, "I cannot live without book." Books are nice Christmas gifts. But time changed and books are NO LONGER popular among the young generations. Most young people prefer iPad or Kindle books. When I mention buying book as a gift, they simply consider the idea "outdated."
Mr. Jefferson would never imagine that kids cannot live without their iPads or Kindle in a digital era!
Mr. Jefferson would never imagine that kids cannot live without their iPads or Kindle in a digital era!
Asian Reading Room at the Library of Congress
I have a very intersting experience at the Asian Reading Room the other day.
I went to the Asian Room and asked the librarian where I can locate the World Book. She told me that she doesn't speak Chinese. So I told her that I only need an English World Book. Then she said to me, "I do not speak English." (????)
She was the only staff at the Front Desk. I did not ask her a specific reference question. .. Oh Boy! That is very interesting!
I went to the Asian Room and asked the librarian where I can locate the World Book. She told me that she doesn't speak Chinese. So I told her that I only need an English World Book. Then she said to me, "I do not speak English." (????)
She was the only staff at the Front Desk. I did not ask her a specific reference question. .. Oh Boy! That is very interesting!
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