From the Archives: Glenn T. Seaborg

SeaborgIf you’ve ever glanced over the table of elements in the past thirty years or so, you might be familiar with the name “seaborgium.” Turns out, the namesake of that element, Glenn T. Seaborg, was actually a speaker here at our very own Diamond Jubilee in 1963! A Diamond Jubilee is the 75th anniversary of a thing – if you might recall, we had our 125th anniversary back in 2013. Seaborg’s speech had some pretty interesting predictions for the future (as scientists love to make crazy predictions), some of which were right, some of which were wrong.

For example, he predicted that nuclear power was going to be the forerunner for the production of electricity by 2038, and now that it’s 2015, nuclear power still only accounts for 11% of the world’s electricity. It comes in fourth after coal (40%), gas (23%), and hydroelectric (17%), and it’s unlikely that nuclear will overtake any of these three any time soon, but with 20 years of research and advancing technologies, I suppose it’s still possible. Seaborg’s other predictions included nuclear-powered rockets, manned bases in space, and communication satellites. Humorously enough, he calculated that the entire world would only need three communications satellites to handle coverage of the entire world – according to ucsusa.org we have 1,235 communications satellites in orbit. I mean, it’s only a small difference compared to three.

Seaborg also apparently said, “to keep peace with the scientific age our educational system must produce men and women who are knowledgeable in science.” This certainly hasn’t changed as a fact in the past 52 years, and likely won’t any time soon. But I suppose we’ll see how his predictions hold up by the time our sesquicentennial (that’s a 150th anniversary) rolls around!

You can always see pictures of the Diamond Jubilee, read Seaborg’s entire prediction, or learn more about other speakers and celebrations we’ve had at the University of Puget Sound if you stop into the Archives & Special Collections on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday between 1:00-3:00 p.m.!

By Morgan Ford

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From the Archives: Proof They Are Watching Us

CALLOUT_AprilFool_ArchivesDo not be fooled by this book’s description! It may say the “Holy Bible” on the cover, but the truth of its ulterior motives is hidden in the spine—it is a “parallel bible.”

If you’ve never heard of parallel bibles, it’s probably because the government has been doing a fantastic job of keeping them a secret from the general public. Fear not! We have acquired one of these tomes for your languid perusal. Should you choose to browse through this very large, very heavy specimen, you will find that pages from the well-known bible of our own dimension is situated on the right hand page, while on the opposite (left) page there lies something else entirely—a bible with ideas totally apart from our own, ideas and morals from another dimension, that is very aware of us, and is very clearly observing us. While the language still appears to be English, there are subtle differences between the two that lead scholars to believe that one is derived from the other–however the connection still remains unclear to this day. It is likely that the language we wish to claim as our own is actually a derivative of this parallel dimension’s primary method of communication.

This book of comparisons and detailing of parallels is highly detailed, with an intricate binding and clasps on the outside to warn passersby away from its radical ideas, and thousands of gold-gilt pages filled with careful studies and comparisons in the margins. Even the art in the preface of the book–surprisingly similar to our own dimension’s medieval art–is carefully annotated. It is unclear whether the purpose of this parallel bible is to copy us as a species or to compare their pre-existing culture to our own.

We probably acquired this book in a shady deal over a game of chess with a government scholar, who probably acquired it from a questionable area of influence.

You can read some decrypted government files on the subject of parallel bibles and their possible contents here or here, or you could stop in to the Archives & Special Collections and see what sort of extradimensional secrets you can glean from its pages for yourself.

“the best kind of comedy is flagrant lies and nonsense, delivered deadpan and seriously.” (rosaluxmemeburg)

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Al-Mutanabi street, Baghdad’s book row, gets its first female bookseller

Baghdad book row's first women bookseller, 22-year old Ruqaya Fawziya.

Baghdad book row’s first women bookseller, 22-year old Ruqaya Fawziya.

Al-Mutanabi Street is the historic center of the book universe in Iraq’s capital city of Baghdad. It is a street lined with booksellers and has served as the intellectual and literary hub of the city since the 8th century. 

Now it has its first women bookseller, 22-year old Ruqaya Fawziya.  She says:

In the beginning not only my family, anyone I would speak to about my idea to sell books at Al-Mutanabi Street, would oppose the idea, describing it as strange, and advising me not to do it, but later, when they saw me entering this world, they started encouraging me 

I didn’t face any harassment from the people who visit Al-Mutanabi Street, but sometimes people look at me with a surprise look on their faces because they are not familiar with the sight of a woman selling books on the street. But there are many people who, on the contrary, encourage me

Read more of the online Book Patrol article, Al-Mutanabi street, Baghdad’s book row, gets its first female bookseller.

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Behind the Archives Door event: “From Jackson State to Ferguson: Memory and Erasure in the History of Racial Violence” – Tues., April 7, 4 p.m., Second Floor Collins Library

CALLOUT_MichaelBrownMemory

Demonstrators hold up roses while protesting the shooting death of Michael Brown on Aug. 18, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri.

Nancy Bristow, History, African American Studies.

April 7, 2014
4 p.m.
Archives & Special Collections area,
2nd Floor, Collins Library

Asked in August, 2014, whether the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri “raises important issues about race that need to be discussed,” 80% of African Americans said “yes,” while 47% of white Americans believed “race is getting more attention than it deserves.”  These statistics make visible the divergent historical memories of two American communities and the powerful erasure silence around race makes possible.  Focusing on the police shootings that took place at Jackson State College forty-five years ago, Professor Nancy Bristow will situate the recent events in Ferguson and beyond in the nation’s long history of state violence against African Americans and will explore the white community’s persistent unwillingness to acknowledge and address its racial dynamics.

Part of the Behind the Archives Door series!

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From the Archives: The Howard W. Robbins Diary

HowardDiaryToday I decided to revisit a manuscript notebook that I first came across over the summer, when we initially acquired it. The Howard W. Robbins diary is a WWI notebook (1917-1918) which features 88 pages of handwritten notes, diagrams, formulas, and reports including the above illustrations of the various “Colours of Badges of some of the German States,” and the “Tassels of German Sword Knots.”

Robbins includes a diagram for training soldiers in patrolling and scouting.

Robbins includes a diagram for training soldiers in patrolling and scouting.

Robbins was a first Lieutenant in the 104th Infantry of the U.S. army, and his notebook features advice on a variety of topics, including Patrolling and Scouting, which, Robbins writes “is a great protection from surprise, serves to keep up the morale of our own troops, and tends to lower that of the enemies!” Robbins even includes a diagram for training soldiers in patrolling and scouting.

One of the most interesting aspects of Robbins’ notebook is his writings about the use of various military technologies, including Telescopes, the Prismatic Compass, Thermometer Targets, and even Aeroplane Photographs, or the taking of photographs from the air. This would have been an especially important new technology, as WWI was one of the first military conflicts to utilize powered aircraft. Robbins notes that those who take photos from the air are “men of special aptitude, as for instance artists, painters, architects, and so forth.” He also writes about how these photos help officers to identify German trenches, as well as Posts and Company Headquarters.

The notebook is filled with a variety of information on many different topics and could be a valuable and engaging primary source for anyone interested in WWI, or the development of military technologies and strategies.

Discover this and other interesting primary sources Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Archives & Special Collections on the second floor of the Library!

By Kara Flynn

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“The Politics of Deception: JFK’s Secret Decisions on Vietnam, Civil Rights, and Cuba” By Patrick J. Sloyan

PoliticsDeceptionThe Politics of Deception is a revelatory look into a JFK that few will recognize. Pulitzer Prize winner Sloyan reveals an iconic president and the often startling ways he attempted to manage world events, control public opinion, and forge his legacy.

The book explores the last year of JFK’s presidency in order to reveal the truth. He does this by using Kennedy’s secret recordings of crucial White House meetings and interviews.

With presidential election season gearing up, you may find this selection an interesting read. You can find this enlightening book in the Popular Reading Collection!

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Reassembling William Morris’ Library: Two scholars are digitally recreating the book collection of the Kelmscott Press founder

MorrisLibraryEven for Victorian dreamer, designer, artist, poet, publisher, and writer William Morris (1834-1896), the thought of his personal library being accessible around the world would have been a stretch. Luckily Sylvia Holton Peterson and William Peterson, both retired professors and authors in their own right, have taken on the task of bringing Morris’ enviable book collection together again: at least in a digital format known as The Library of William Morris—A Catalogue at williammorrislibrary.wordpress.com.

After the Petersons’ initial success, or as William calls it, their “dry run,” with the blog they created to complement their book, The Kelmscott Chaucer: A Census (Oak Knoll Press, 2011), they decided to take their passion for Morris’ life and work a step further.

“Both of us have an interest in William Morris and the Kelmscott Press, and so much has been written through the years about Morris as an artist, printer, and bibliophile that it seemed like an obvious project,” said William. “Initially we envisioned a book, but as we began to gather information, we realized that it really ought to become a digital publication. On our website we can continue to add new information, make corrections, and provide additional links as often as we want to; with a book, we would probably have Morris_bluepatchto wait a decade or more to publish a second edition.”

Morris himself could not have found a better pair than the Petersons to recreate his beloved collection. William has mined his extensive experience in the study of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century English and American fine printing to write two books about the Kelmscott Press, while Sylvia was co-compiler with Jackson Boswell of Chaucer’s Fame in England: STC Chauceriana 1475–1640 (Modern Language Association, 2004). The Petersons are currently working on a book about the Daniel Press, an early adapter of the private press in nineteenth-century Britain.

The thought of reconstructing such a prestigious collection is overwhelming, but the Petersons are approaching it one book at a time and aim to compile at least 2,000 entries.

Read more of the online Fine Books & Collections article, Reassembling William Morris’ Library.

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Presentation by Visual Artist Kate Kern, April 15, 2015, Collins Library, Room 020, 7-8 p.m.

Collins Library and the Puget Sound Book Artists are pleased to announce a presentation by Kate Kern on, Wednesday, April 15, 2015, Collins Library, Room 020, 7-8 p.m.

KateKern1

Artist Book: Her Time by Kate Kern.

Kate Kern is a visual artist who makes drawings, artists’ books, and installations. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she received a BFA from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio and an MFA in drawing from the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. Kern has been the recipient of  numerous grants and awards. Her work can be found in collections including: The Akron Art Museum, The Cincinnati Art Museum, The Getty Research Institute, Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Franklin Furnace/MOMA Artist Book Collection, MOMA library, and the Artists’ Book Collections of Carnegie Mellon University, University of Cincinnati, Brown University and others.

Wounded Home, Lloyd Library and Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio

Wounded Home, Installation by Kate Kern. Lloyd Library and Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio.

 “When I was growing up, I was a kid who drew. Drawing has always been a way to interact with what I see and feel –that could be the material world or the world of dreams and memory or some combination of all of these. I often draw on (in all senses) other representations of the world, whether that be 19th century medical texts, old high school year books, or library card catalogs. I invite others into my drawn world that is at once cheerful and creepy in hopes that they too experience its contradictory emotions: tenderness and anxiety, sorrow and humor.”   -Kate Kern

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“Food for Fines” – March 23rd to April 5th!

FoodforFinesMarch 23rd– April 5th

This spring, Collins Memorial Library and the Center for Intercultural and Civic Engagement (CICE) are co-sponsoring Food for Fines.

Pay off your library fines with food instead of cash, March 23rd to April 5th. Donate to a worthy cause AND clean up your library debt at the same time.

Bring in 1 can of food and we will waive $1.00 of your library fines (for returned items). That’s right! $1 per can! No limit!

Welcomed Items:

  • Peanut Butter
  • Canned meats
  • Canned dinners
  • Canned vegetable & fruits
  • Dry beans & pastas
  • Stuffing mix
  • One – 6 ounce can or larger = $1.00 of fines. (Unlimited waived)
  • Canned food accepted for fines on returned items only, not for replacement fees of lost items.
  • Bring cans to the Circulation Desk on the main floor of the library.
  • Only non-perishable, un-dented, and labeled cans will be accepted.
    1. Additional donations are welcome.
    2. Please, no jars/glass containers. Thank you.
  • All canned food will be donated to the St. Leo Food Connection.

 

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“Saving Grace” By Jane Green

SavingGracePowerful and riveting, Jane Green’s Saving Grace will have you on the edge of your seat as you follow Grace on her harrowing journey to rock bottom and back.  This book has been described as “A Scarlet Letter for the twenty-first century,”  “likely to stir debate,” and “a juicy heart-breaking page turner.”

If you are looking for a captivating novel, look no further! This book, along with many other exciting novels, is available in the Popular Reading Collection!

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