June 29, 2010


NEWS

See LJ and SLJ’s complete coverage of the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Panel sessions, awards, daily top tweets, we’ve got it all. And check out tons of pix in our Flickr albums. » » »

In an effort to map and chronicle the full range of cuts, closings, and diminished library services nationally, as well as local responses, Library Journal, in partnership with Mandy Knapp and Laura Solomon (contributing author and web designer of SaveOhioLibraries.com), has launched LosingLibraries.org. » » »

Brooklyn PL Taps Former Foundation Head Linda Johnson as One-Year Director
The Brooklyn Public Library has named veteran library fundraiser and nonprofit executive Linda E. Johnson, who does not hold an MLS, its executive director for a one-year fixed term beginning July 1. » » »

Siskiyou County Library Gets Six-Month Reprieve
Local activism and public concern plus loads of press ranging from the Los Angeles Times to Library Journal over the possibility of Siskiyou County Library (SCL), Yreka, CA, closing July 1 may have paid off; the county board of supervisors voted June 22 to keep the system open for six more months and to explore new business models. » » »

UNT Gets Three-Year Grant To Help 105 Rural Texas Libraries
The University of North Texas Department of Library and Information Sciences, Denton, will launch a three-year project, Promoting & Enhancing the Advancement of Rural Libraries (PEARL). The program, directed at libraries serving communities of 25,000 or fewer in Texas, is funded by a $1.6 million grant from the Wichita Falls, TX-based Robert and Ruby Priddy Charitable Trust. » » »


Wyatt's World

Wyatt’s World: Getting Ready for the Tour—Five Bicycle Books and Films

 

Review

Collins, Max Allan. Quarry's Ex. Hard Case Crime: Dorchester.
Sept. 2010. c.208p. ISBN 978-0-84396329-8. pap. $7.99. MYS

Following the pattern set in Quarry in the Middle, the hilarious hitman approaches B-movie director Arthur Stockwell, who has had a contract put out on him, and offers to eliminate the assassins and whomever hired them—for some serious coin, of course. The twist (there's always one) is that Stockwell's current wife is Quarry's unfaithful ex—the one who drove him into a life of hired murder, and Quarry doesn't want her becoming collateral damage (he might like the pleasure of whacking her out himself). Add to the mix a secretly gay leading man, a former Playboy centerfold lead actress who'll get on her knees for anyone who can advance her career, and a top-level wiseguy financier posing as her mentor/love interest (he's in the closet, too), and things get cooking. The usual gratuitous sex and violence are more subdued here, but the laugh-out-loud humor flows freely—these books are a hoot! Full-throttle paced, Quarry's Ex is another perfect beach/vacation/commuter page-turner. Grab it!

—Mike Rogers, LJX/LJ



Job of the Week

Multiple Positions
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), located in Saudi Arabia, is an international graduate-level research university dedicated to advancing science and technology through bold and collaborative research and to addressing challenges of regional and global significance, thereby serving the Kingdom, the region and the world. KAUST faculty are engaged in such globally significant areas as Energy, Water, and Food. In addition, KAUST emphasizes research on the Environment and Red Sea and the discipline of Computational Science and Engineering serves as an enabling technology for all its research activities.
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