Web page updates

I updated one of my web pages to include the sunrise and sundown times for Chicago. Try it out at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ddstuhlman/services.htm>

The JLN Newsletter web page was updated for the new president of the chapter.
JLN Newsletter

Visit to JTS Library --> Corrections

Today I heard from three librarians who had corrections for my Librarian's Lobby column of July. They each had corrections to the article. No one outside of the JTS would even know about the errors. One was in the caption to a photo. I mentioned that the staircase was closed. It is not. I fixed the mistake in identifying people. Since I didn't mention names, no one outside of the library would notice.

However, no one noticed a word that I misspelled in the first line. It was in Hebrew and I guess the spell checker couldn't help me.

The article has been corrected and I hope everyone is happy. I am just flattered that someone reads what I wrote and took the time to help me fix it.

The corrected column may be downloaded from: http://home.earthlink.net/~ddstuhlman/crc99.pdf

I received a request to review the online bibliographies of Hebrew books, but I am not able to do it because I do not have access to them. I am looking for ideas for new columns. Please send me your ideas and questions concerning libraries and Jewish books.

JLN Press Release

From : Judaica Library Network Of Metropolitan Chicago

Date: July 2, 2008

Contact: Daniel Stuhlman

Chicago Area Librarians Attend Annual Professional Conferences

The Judaica Library Network of Metropolitan Chicago (JLN), an organization of over 50 local librarians, had 10 members attend the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) annual convention held in Cleveland, OH June 22-25, 2008. The convention’s theme was: Jewish Libraries: Tradition, Text & Technology. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Ellen Frankel, editor-in-chief and CEO of the Jewish Publication Society. Her topic was: “How the People of the Book Became the People of the Book Business: A History of Jewish Publishing in America.” Dr. Frankel examined the rich history of the Jewish Publication Society and how it promoted Jewish history, culture and religion in English.

The 2008 Sydney Taylor Book Awards for children’s books were presented by Rachel Kamin, outgoing chair of the award committee, to: Sarah Gershman and Kristina Swarner for The Bedtime Sh'ma, Sid Flesichman for The Entertainer and the Dybbuk, and Sonia Levitin for Strange Relations. The ceremony also recognized other notable books and continued with a special celebration of Jewish children's literature in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Awards.

The Research and Special Libraries division (RAS) had sessions on the digitization of archival collections, changing the Jewish National and University Library to the National Library of Israel, the history of Yeshiva University Libraries, and the role of printed ephemera in special collections.

Chicago area Judaica librarians have been participating in AJL for over 33 years. The national association's annual convention last met in Chicago in 1995 and JLN will host the convention in July 2009.

This international gathering of Judaica librarians included specialists from academic, school, research, community center and synagogue/temple libraries. It is a wonderful opportunity for professional development and networking with other Judaica librarians.

In addition, librarians attended other educational and training conferences to help them in their work. Rena Citrin, of Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, will be attending with other area teachers a two week seminar in Israel. We at JLN are proud of our members' dedication to their profession and to their libraries.

The officers for 2008-09 are: President: Debbie Feder; Vice-President/President-elect: Rochelle Elstein; Treasurer: Susan Bayer: Recording Secretary; Rena Citrin; Corresponding Secretary: Joy Kingsolver.

For more information about the Association of Jewish Libraries, visit www.jewishlibraries.org or locally the Judaica Library Network of Metropolitan Chicago http://home.earthlink.net/~ddstuhlman/jln-home.htm

Subway Librarian Moment

Last Wednesday (June 18) I was taking a subway in Brooklyn going to Penn Station. Since I was unfamiliar with the route, I didn't know that the train went from underground to above ground and I asked the person next to me if I was in the right direction. The person next to me was wearing a kipah and we started a conversation. I was obviously a visitor and he asked what I was doing in New York and where I was from. I told him that I was a librarian from Chicago and I was on my way to the university where I teach. He told me that I he was working on a book and asked for my help. I was reluctant to help; I didn't think I could help someone in the few minutes of the subway ride. He was getting off at the same stop I was and so I gave in.

I have always wanted to advise a publisher before publication the best way to create a title page. I helped him with the title page and some stylistic advice. He also sent me a PDF copy of the book via e-mail.

Friday morning in shul I related the story because I was so amazed that I had a conversation while riding the New York Subway. Usually we think of New Yorkers as those who keep to themselves in public places. My friend in shul said in an amazed voice, "you got a seat on the subway?"

Monday morning (June 23) I got a call from the author thanking me for my advice and asking if I had more comments. I told him that his bibliography needed to me more standard so that readers could find the sources.

One Laptop

I have been experimenting with the One LapTop per Child computer. It has some interesting features such as built - in WiFi connectivity, 3 USB ports, a microphone and a camera. It runs on a limited version of Linux.

This machine is supposed to be for children and I can't figure it out. I can't figure out how to save or use files from the USB drive. The directions and on screen prompts are not helpful. I was hoping to use it as a web browser and e-book while on a trip. It is much smaller than business PCs. The included books will not display the pages. I can't find another book to download. How do they expect children to figure out this system?

More Ten Commandments 2

The professor who originally asked the question wrote to say thanks and he wanted to know both about the concept and the term, "ten commandments." Another reader asked if I found someone who already wrote an article on the topic. I did not look for an article. In the old days before computer data bases, researchers would tediously search paper indexes or flip through pages of the books. Google is a great tool, but it misses much older material. This reader, who is also a Ph.D, says that today researchers don't bother to look for older stuff. I thought that my research used three ways to find answers and should have been sufficient. I did find English books from the 15th century.

After talking to people today, I realize that my research is not complete. I am interested in searching for more Jewish sources for the use of the term.

More Ten Commandments

After talking to people over Shabbat about the term, "Ten Commandments" I decided that the topic needed a fuller treatment. My June issue of the Librarians' Lobby reports my findings. I am not certain when the term entered into Jewish usage. In the 1930's Rabbi Hertz used "Decalogue."

To read the issue goto: http://home.earthlink.net/~ddstuhlman/crc98.htm