News

Hayward PL Initiating "Fines Free" Program ala Netflix
California’s Hayward Public is taking a cue from Netflix and will debut the "Fines Free" Library Loan Program offering a multititle borrowing model in three price ranges. There are no late fees, but patrons pay shipping. » » »

House Passes USA PATRIOT Amendments Act
After the Senate flubbed its shot at Patriot Act Reforms, the House Judiciary Committee came through, passing the USA PATRIOT Amendments Act of 2009, which provides greater protection for libraries and bookstore records. » » »

Charleston Keynoter Sees Hope Through Change
Keynoting the 29th Annual Charleston Conference, Syracuse University's R. David Lankes said that "the best days of librarianship are ahead of us," but to foster a "radical improvement in the conditions of our members"—or patrons—librarians will have to dedicate themselves to social action, leadership, and innovation. » » »

Blatant Berry: No Human Contact
Berry's chides library administrators that hide behind phone systems that make it impossible to reach them, saying it is "the most off-putting of the many practices we have adopted from commerce," and that "easy communication creates goodwill and positive reaction that are invaluable." » » »

Librarian of the Year Nominations Due
LJ seeks nominations for its Librarian of the Year Award. Any working professional librarian in any type of library in North America is eligible. "Professional" means those with a master’s in Library and/or Information Science and/or holding a position designated "professional" in a library or library service. Deadline is November 13! Get moving! » » »

Blogs

LJ Talks To

T. Greenwood
T. Greenwood is an author on the rise, garnering critical acclaim for her sensitive, beautifully written fiction. Her second and third novels (Nearer Than the Sky, Undressing the Moon) were both Booksense 76 picks, and her fourth book, Two Rivers, published earlier this year, was an IndieNext selection. Coming in February 2010 is The Hungry Season, a compelling and haunting story about the hunger for love, hope, and forgiveness in the wake of a family tragedy. » » »

Wyatt's World

What's In a Name—Maps and the Creation of America

• The Naming of America: Martin Waldseemuller's 1507 World Map and the Cosmographiae Introductio by John W. Hessler (D. Giles Ltd.)
• Amerigo: The Man Who Gave His Name to America by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto (Random)
• The Fourth Part of the World: The Race to the Ends of the Earth, and the Epic Story of the Map That Gave America Its Name by Toby Lester (Free Pr.)
• Putting "America" on the Map: The Story of the Most Important Graphic Document in the History of the United States by Seymour I. Schwartz (Prometheus)
• New Found Lands: Maps in the History of Exploration by Peter Whitfield (Routledge)

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Review

Presilla, Maricel E. The New Taste of Chocolate Revised: A Cultural and Natural History of Cacao with Recipes.

Ten Speed. Nov. 2009. 246p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-58008-950-0. $35. COOKERY

Chocolate, the world’s favorite addiction—we consume it hot, cold, soft, hard, creamy, and as liquid. But if you think it comes from a factory in Pennsylvania, then you’re in for a surprise. Culinary historian Presilla provides a remarkable, nearly archeological journey tracing chocolate’s pedigree back thousands of years. Its allure is as ancient as lust, with chocoholics predating Christ. Cacao was used as currency by the Aztecs (the Mayans relished it too) and was the elixer of the elite throughout Mexico and Central and South America before making its way to Spain and spreading throughout Europe. Revised from the 2001 original, this update sports new photos (they’ll make you very hungry), chapters on the environmental and geopolitical impact of cacao production, and health issues surrounding chocolate. Along with the history, Presilla identifies the different types of cacao trees by geographical region, plus offers tasting tips (what colors/smells to observe) similar to wine. » » »

.—Mike Rogers, LJX/LJ

Highlights

Drawing First-Year Students
To lure newbie freshmen—and others—through their doors, these seven academic libraries including MIT, Pennsylvania State, and Northwestern have created innovative programs using wikis, Twitter, Kindles, and other means that you can adapt at your facility. » » »

Heartland Horticulture
Because of wicked winters and sticky summers, Midwestern gardeners need unique methods to finesse their fickle flora. These 26 print and online resources help avoid the doom and enjoy the bloom. » » »

Behind the Mike: Dion Graham
Besides snagging an Audie Award, narrator and actor Dion Graham also has voiced several LJ Best Audiobooks. Canton PL’s Opelia Lo chats with him about getting started, favorites, challenges, and more. » » »

Short Takes: Iran
A collection of five new titles run that gamut from Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn to After Khomeini. » » »

Reader’s Shelf—On the Western Front: The Great War in Print
To honor the armistice’s 91st anniversary, Neal Wyatt and Sharon Kirkes delve into the trenches with this roundup of World War I novels. » » »