A recent news report by our local media noted that Ms. Elizabeth Jordan of Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota provided for a $227,000 gift in her will to her local library. Although Ms. Jordan died in 2000 her gift has not been utilized yet because there is a small controversy regarding how the money should be spent -- some residents want it spent on a new building and some prefer the purchase of new books.
Today Ms. Jordan's gift totals $335,000 given the seven years of compounded interest it has earned. While Ms. Jordan's gift is a wonderful example for the rest of us as we consider our own estate planning it also provides a legal lesson since Ms. Jordan's will simply stated that her gift was to be used --
http://wcco.com/local/local_story_203161158.html
"in any manner which is deemed appropriate by the Board of Administration."
The added challenge here is that the Marine on St. Croix Library does not have a "Friends of the Library" entity that she could have willed the money to -- such a group would have simply acquired more books -- so the general wording of Ms. Jordan's gift has created this seven year delay as the library's management explores options.
There is a lesson here for all of us to be very exact with the wording used in our own philanthropic gifts.
Todd
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Harry Potter sales totals
Granted this is just a snap shot view of current Harry Potter book sales but in the July 26, 2007 edition of USA Today's Best-Selling Books list of the top 50 the Harry Potter books had a very impressive presence. A full 8 out of the top 14 sales rankings in this top 50 list were captured by the various Harry Potter books written by J.K. Rowling -- 8 out of the current top 14 books!!
Not that is VERY impressive. I have to admit that I have not read even one of the Potter books and I have only seen a portion of one of the Potter films -- which I did not enjoy that much -- so I feel a bit out of the loop when it comes to the Potter cult. Standing in line waiting for the new Harry Potter (or the iPhone!!!) book is not the way I want to spend my time. A much better option is lying on my couch reading one of the many un-read books in my home library.
My congratulations to Ms. Rowling on her success. From the media reports I have seen her books have inspired children to be active readers so if that is true she has my heart felt thanks for promoting literacy.
Enjoy the magic,
Todd
Not that is VERY impressive. I have to admit that I have not read even one of the Potter books and I have only seen a portion of one of the Potter films -- which I did not enjoy that much -- so I feel a bit out of the loop when it comes to the Potter cult. Standing in line waiting for the new Harry Potter (or the iPhone!!!) book is not the way I want to spend my time. A much better option is lying on my couch reading one of the many un-read books in my home library.
My congratulations to Ms. Rowling on her success. From the media reports I have seen her books have inspired children to be active readers so if that is true she has my heart felt thanks for promoting literacy.
Enjoy the magic,
Todd
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Beauty and the Geek
While channel surfing earlier this week I watched a few minutes of "Beauty and the Geek" (http://www.cwtv.com/shows/beauty-and-the-geek) which had for one of their contests between the couples a book search in a local library. The "beauties" (women) had to find a list of books which were shelved via the Dewey Decimal System (DDS). One of the women could not find the books she needed which caused her to break down in tears - another victim of the DDS!!!
I was reminded of this episode today when I read a clipping I had from a recent New York Times article entitled, "Library drops Dewey, goes the Noble route", which is a reference to the "Barnes and Noble" bookstore method of organizing books according to "neighborhoods" versus using the Dewey Decimal System. The library is located in Gilbert, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Harry Courtright, Director of the country library system responsible for Gilbert's changes was quoted as saying, "The younger generation today is wired differently than people in my generation."
Given the dominance of Google this change at the Gilbert Library makes a lot of sense because people type search "phrases" into Google not Dewey Decimal numbers of course. Perhaps it is my own advancing age and my past academic research experience that makes me biased but I still see a need for the DDS. The one distinct advantage that the DDS has over the "neighborhood" system is its exactness when you need a certain book.
The flip side of course is the simple joy derived from reviewing a shelf of books where you discover some unknown book that catches your attention -- so the Gilbert Library might evolve into the very atmosphere that attracts me to the used book stores I always visit when I travel.
Enjoy your browsing,
Todd
I was reminded of this episode today when I read a clipping I had from a recent New York Times article entitled, "Library drops Dewey, goes the Noble route", which is a reference to the "Barnes and Noble" bookstore method of organizing books according to "neighborhoods" versus using the Dewey Decimal System. The library is located in Gilbert, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Harry Courtright, Director of the country library system responsible for Gilbert's changes was quoted as saying, "The younger generation today is wired differently than people in my generation."
Given the dominance of Google this change at the Gilbert Library makes a lot of sense because people type search "phrases" into Google not Dewey Decimal numbers of course. Perhaps it is my own advancing age and my past academic research experience that makes me biased but I still see a need for the DDS. The one distinct advantage that the DDS has over the "neighborhood" system is its exactness when you need a certain book.
The flip side of course is the simple joy derived from reviewing a shelf of books where you discover some unknown book that catches your attention -- so the Gilbert Library might evolve into the very atmosphere that attracts me to the used book stores I always visit when I travel.
Enjoy your browsing,
Todd
Friday, July 20, 2007
Darfur
In their recent newsletter my friends at Books For Africa ("BFA" -- http://www.booksforafrica.org/) announced that they have sent their first container of books to the country of Chad (June 2007). These books will be distributed to refugees from the Darfur region of Sudan.
What struck me the most is that most refugees need the basics covered -- food, clothing, and shelter (FCS) -- yet in the refugee camps (quoted the BFA newsletter now) ---
"........the markets nearby the (refugee) camps sell books for the children. Firewood is a commodity in the camps surrounded by desert, wood is very scarce and so has become valuable. Since they don't have money the kids are gathering firewood to pay for their books."
Okay, clearly I need to quit complaining about the "challenges" in my life after hearing this story!!! These refugees have fled genocide in Sudan for primitive camps in Chad where they struggle to secure the basic needs of life (FCS) YET at the same time they seek to buy/borrow books so they can continue their children's' educations and/or perhaps help distract them from the devastation that surrounds them.
I hope these donated books empower and inspire these refugees as they struggle to build new lives.
Write checks-change lives,
Todd
What struck me the most is that most refugees need the basics covered -- food, clothing, and shelter (FCS) -- yet in the refugee camps (quoted the BFA newsletter now) ---
"........the markets nearby the (refugee) camps sell books for the children. Firewood is a commodity in the camps surrounded by desert, wood is very scarce and so has become valuable. Since they don't have money the kids are gathering firewood to pay for their books."
Okay, clearly I need to quit complaining about the "challenges" in my life after hearing this story!!! These refugees have fled genocide in Sudan for primitive camps in Chad where they struggle to secure the basic needs of life (FCS) YET at the same time they seek to buy/borrow books so they can continue their children's' educations and/or perhaps help distract them from the devastation that surrounds them.
I hope these donated books empower and inspire these refugees as they struggle to build new lives.
Write checks-change lives,
Todd
Monday, July 16, 2007
What Goes 'Round
While on a mini-vacation with the family this past weekend in Bayfield, Wisconsin I had the opportunity to meet the author of Outdoor Follies- Humor and Adventures in the Outdoors - Peter F. Crowley. Mr. Crowley is a native of Ashland, Wisconsin who served in the US Navy for four years before returning home to Wisconsin. I found him to be very personable and an avid fisherman so I am guessing his book will provide an interesting treatment of outdoor activities.
I met Mr. Crowley during his book signing event at a used book store -- complete with a lot of character and a host of "characters" -- in Bayfield called "What Goes 'Round. Interested readers, especially anyone looking for a good selection of outdoor living books and regional authors from Minnesota and Wisconsin, can find them on the web at: www.bayfieldbooks.com
When I paid for my books the store owner mentioned that they are "fighting the big corporations......." via an Internet-based cooperative book database that a number of independent stores like his have joined. This venture is located at -- www.tomfolio.com -- and features book stores in eight different countries.
Not only were the conversations interesting but the weather in Bayfield was beautiful. If readers have had similar experiences I would love to hear from you.
Todd
I met Mr. Crowley during his book signing event at a used book store -- complete with a lot of character and a host of "characters" -- in Bayfield called "What Goes 'Round. Interested readers, especially anyone looking for a good selection of outdoor living books and regional authors from Minnesota and Wisconsin, can find them on the web at: www.bayfieldbooks.com
When I paid for my books the store owner mentioned that they are "fighting the big corporations......." via an Internet-based cooperative book database that a number of independent stores like his have joined. This venture is located at -- www.tomfolio.com -- and features book stores in eight different countries.
Not only were the conversations interesting but the weather in Bayfield was beautiful. If readers have had similar experiences I would love to hear from you.
Todd
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Onward Christian Writers
While I am a Christian I admit I have not read much in terms of "Christian literature" beyond some C.S. Lewis books and publications from my friends at the Acton Institute (www.acton.org). However, a short article in a recent USA Today announcing this year's winner of the "Christian Book of the Year" (CBY - presented by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) caught my attention.
Karen Kingsbury won the CBY for 2007 for her work of inspirational fiction entitled - "Ever After" - which is especially unique since the CBY has historically been won by "pastors, scholars, and Christian social commentators......" according to the article I read. Ms. Kingsbury already has 6 million books in print so winning the CBY will only add to her success.
While Ms. Kingsbury's publication numbers are impressive I have to highlight her even more impressive writing career history which includes time spent as a sports reporter, then as a true-crime book author, and finally into her current role as a Christian writer. Having the ability to write across three very different genres is impressive to say the least.
I look forward to reading her work once my current pile of books on the dresser has been processed.
Keep reading,
Todd
Karen Kingsbury won the CBY for 2007 for her work of inspirational fiction entitled - "Ever After" - which is especially unique since the CBY has historically been won by "pastors, scholars, and Christian social commentators......" according to the article I read. Ms. Kingsbury already has 6 million books in print so winning the CBY will only add to her success.
While Ms. Kingsbury's publication numbers are impressive I have to highlight her even more impressive writing career history which includes time spent as a sports reporter, then as a true-crime book author, and finally into her current role as a Christian writer. Having the ability to write across three very different genres is impressive to say the least.
I look forward to reading her work once my current pile of books on the dresser has been processed.
Keep reading,
Todd
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Independence Day
Perhaps the 4th of July ("Independence Day" I prefer to say) holiday this week inspired my choice of books that I started reading when I had some free time yesterday since my choice was "The Wit and Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin." Ah, B. Franklin - inventor, diplomat, printer, scientist, public servant, author!! Known is some spheres as the "First American" he was clearly one of the great leaders among leaders as one of the USA's Founding Fathers.
As is my nature I am currently reading four books at the same time with only the Franklin book related to the American Founding. I would love to read "1776" by the very accomplished historian, David McCulloch but I have several books in my reading queue already. Hopefully I will be able to arrange my August travel around McCulloch's "a conversation with David McCulloch" event being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
If any readers out there have books related to the American Founding/Founding Fathers to recommend to me or to suggest for other readers of this blog I would welcome your suggestions.
Keep turning pages,
Todd
As is my nature I am currently reading four books at the same time with only the Franklin book related to the American Founding. I would love to read "1776" by the very accomplished historian, David McCulloch but I have several books in my reading queue already. Hopefully I will be able to arrange my August travel around McCulloch's "a conversation with David McCulloch" event being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
If any readers out there have books related to the American Founding/Founding Fathers to recommend to me or to suggest for other readers of this blog I would welcome your suggestions.
Keep turning pages,
Todd
Monday, July 2, 2007
Book that changed my Life
In one of the magazines I subscribe to, Best Life, they have a small column entitled, "The Book that changed my life," which I always read so I thought it was time to blog about it so other readers might be inspired to think about which book they would select.
This month's featured book was chosen by Rick Moody who is the author of the new book - Right Livelihoods. Mr. Moody selected The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon which he read during a fiction class he took in his freshman year at Brown University.
For me I would state that "different books changed my life at different points in my life" but since Mr. Moody mentioned his university years he biased my response since I immediately thought of To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. Like Mr. Moody, I too read this book during a university course but in my sophomore year for a class taught by Professor Kathy Hickok - http://www.las.iastate.edu/kiosk/1257.shtml - who I should note also taught in the "Women's Studies" department. While reading this book Ms. Hickok commented that one scene in the book of the "the boat entering the harbour.......was clearly symbolic of the penis entering the vagina....................."
Professor Hickok's comment completely opened my eyes (and ears) to the power of symbolism in literature since this visual was never on my radar screen until she suggested it as a possibility.
Open books to open minds,
Todd
This month's featured book was chosen by Rick Moody who is the author of the new book - Right Livelihoods. Mr. Moody selected The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon which he read during a fiction class he took in his freshman year at Brown University.
For me I would state that "different books changed my life at different points in my life" but since Mr. Moody mentioned his university years he biased my response since I immediately thought of To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. Like Mr. Moody, I too read this book during a university course but in my sophomore year for a class taught by Professor Kathy Hickok - http://www.las.iastate.edu/kiosk/1257.shtml - who I should note also taught in the "Women's Studies" department. While reading this book Ms. Hickok commented that one scene in the book of the "the boat entering the harbour.......was clearly symbolic of the penis entering the vagina....................."
Professor Hickok's comment completely opened my eyes (and ears) to the power of symbolism in literature since this visual was never on my radar screen until she suggested it as a possibility.
Open books to open minds,
Todd
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