Library Stuff

NYT – “[W]ith the library facing a possible $37 million budget cut, even fewer people may be able to take classes next year. If the cuts go through, the library says that in addition to closing 10 branches and cutting service across the system to four days from six, it will have to cut the number of English language classes it offers from 117 to 48, and the number of spots from roughly 3,000 to less than 1,300. The Brooklyn and Queens library systems are facing similar financing cuts that threaten their English classes as well.”

Mashable – “So what does the Library of Congress think is worth saving? Here are the portions of today’s web your grandchildren will be able to access through the Library of Congress:”

AP – “Officials at a college near Philadelphia are returning a valuable letter by philosopher Rene Descartes (reh-NAY’ day-CART’) to its rightful owner in France. The 17th-century missive has been in the Haverford College archives for more than 100 years. But officials there only recently realized it has illicit origins.”

AP – “A Chinese novelist’s lawsuit against Google over its online library is going ahead in court after settlement talks failed. Mian Mian – known for lurid tales of sex, drugs and nightlife – filed suit in October after her latest book, “Acid House,” was scanned into the library. Google says it removed the work following Mian Mian’s complaint but the author is suing for damages of 61,000 yuan ($9,000) and a public apology.”

USA Today – “Say goodbye to shelves of dusty old books! Thanks to e-readers like Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes and Noble’s Nook and Sony’s Reader, e-books are taking off. You’re not limited to a few titles. You can download the latest best-sellers. And, you’ll find thousands of free e-books online.”