Truth in Advertising: FactCheck.org

Factcheck.org http://www.factcheck.org/
The political ads are flying. Seems like a new one everyday. Who's right? What's hyperbole? What's not literally true? Every four years I depend this website to help me deconstruct the language, and video, of political advertising. The fellows find the facts behind every claim--on both sides. Comes out of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania and takes no money from political, commercial or ideological groups, just the Annenberg Foundation.
Try the vidcasts.

Copyright "Digital Slider"

Sue Medina of Network of Alabama Academic Libraries fame just sent this website which is a valiant attempt to clarify which publications are still under copyright and which are in the public domain. Public domain means that works can be used without permission, though they still need to be cited. If you happen to have the required info about the item, this is a nifty little web invention. Unfortunately most of the time one doesn't know whether the copyright was registered and extended or when the author died, and sometimes the answer given is just "maybe." You may have to do more research, but at least try it. Move the red slider next to your best guess and like the Magic 8 ball the answer may turn out to be correct.
http://librarycopyright.net/digitalslider/

Library is Not. . .

Just back from my extended vacation and trying to catch up on my reading. Ran across this quote which I need to try to remember while facing the brand new students this fall.

"Writing is not about grammar and spelling and punctuation. It's about expression and discovery and the beauty of language. Libraries are not about Boolean searching, truncation, or APA, but about reading and curiosity and learning."
Ross LaBaugh in LOEX Quarterly

Literary Tattoos

I know that all of you associate literature with tattoos, right? Well, check out this gallery of tattoos from books, poetry, music, and other sources.

Fun fact: at least one of your USA librarians has a literary tattoo.