Hope you all have a wonderful holiday week next week.  I am away from my computer starting tomorrow and will return on July 9th. 

Nina Katchadourian began the Sorted Books project in 1993.  She goes through a collection of books and then pulls titles together that are then read in sequence.  This is a wonderful physical concrete poetry form.  My favorite one on her site is the Primitive Art one which is the fourth one down.  Just lovely! 

Beta Marker is a site that uses a Digg-like engine focused on software.  You mark the software you like, and then you can download freeware or discover new software being released.  The site also offers video demos of software, plus you can view the newest releases and top software.  There is of course an RSS feed to keep you completely in the know.

Thank you Garrison Keillor for an article that all librarians need to read!  Your gift with words gave voice to random thoughts in my head, tying them all neatly and powerfully together into one place, the library. 

One powerful paragraph:

My old hometown Carnegie library with the columns and high-domed
ceiling was irreplaceable, and so of course it was torn down by vandals
in suits and ties and replaced with a low warehouse-looking library
that says so clearly to its patrons, “Don’t get any big ideas. This is
as good a library as you clowns deserve.” But the spirit lives on, in
the ranks of dedicated women and men who run the place.

I worked once in a community where they created a box-like library out near the highway, deserting the grand pillared and marble library downtown.  And this is exactly what that building told the community.  But now I work in a library that soars.  It offers grace, warmth and delight to our community.  It is our duty as librarians here to lift our own efforts to the glory of the building itself.  What a wonderful way to inspire both our patrons and ourselves.

Wellsphere is a social community that focuses on wellness and health.  The site offers all sorts of ways to connect with others like becoming activity buddies.  You can also view information on healthy cooking, exercise, goals, activities, and watch videos on a variety of subjects.  Very nice and clean interface.

NowPublic is a news site generated by users.  You can write a story, upload photos, video, and/or audio or call their news tip line to report breaking news.  The site has a nice feel with all sorts of option of how you can receive your news.  Read the front page, view 24 hours of images and video, see the latest additions, view the channels that interest you, or answer a call for News Wanted. 

If you want to see citizen journalism at work, this is a site you must check out. 

SoftPedia is a site that calls itself “the Encyclopedia of free software downloads.”  You can find free software for Windows, Linux, Mac, and mobile devices.  Look for scripts, games, drivers, and apps.  View the latest releases on the various platforms or you can subscribe to the lists via RSS feeds.  You can also read software reviews (and subscribe to them as well by platform) or add reviews of your own. 

SideStep is a search engine for travelers that searches for travel deals across 200 travel sites.  On the site, you can view the deals of the day offering cheap airfare, cruise deals, and more.  You can also read travel guides to help you plan your trip, or subscribe to their newsletter and have deals in your inbox. 

OEDb, the Online Education Database, has a great collection of online education resources available at no charge.  They list over 200 open courseware collections that include podcasts and videos.  If you are looking for a place to learn things online, I’d make this list a first stop.

NewspaperIndex.com offers links to newspapers from around the world.  They also have a very nice service called Frontpages which allows you to browse the front pages of newspapers as well.  Click on the thumbnails that interest you and you are taken to their website.  Very clean, easy to use and interesting.