One of the aims of the incoming Obama Administration is to strengthen the infrastructure of the USA, including not only bridges and rail lines, but also internet access (which is still lackadaisical and sporadic in the area of W-LAN / Wi-Fi Hotspots and connections, and not just in less populated areas). Schools, libraries, and bookstore cafés -- all types will benefit.
As a librarian, I was thrilled when card catalogs morphed into highly efficient and more user-friendly online catalogs (or OPACs, online public access catalogs); I'm equally thrilled to see so many out of print books resurfacing in digital format. I also salute used and rare and specialty book stores and book dealers for their important role in the cultural network. The internet provides a bridge to such places -- which are also wonderful to visit in person.
Detroit has an outstanding cultural resource in John K. King Used & Rare Books (ca. 750,000 books at last check). Its website has a basic search function for Rare Books only (I randomly checked out "Kerouac" and was pleased with the results):
http://www.rarebooklink.com/cgi-bin/kingbooks/index.html
Author Larry McMurtry has a fabulous bookstore in Archer City, Texas. If Booked Up is too remote for your on-site browsing pleasure, there's always this link to check out:
http://www.bookedupac.com/
As with Detroit's King Books, you may put in requests for authors/titles, etc. by email, phone, or regular mail.
Does anyone have a favorite perusal or purchase point besides Amazon, Borders, or Barnes & Noble? Libraries are a preferred alternative, of course -- we're all in this together.
Today's Rune: Defense.
8 comments:
Great blog :D
Mary (a fellow librarian)
Before when I was working two jobs and desperate for escape I would burn through 4-5 books a week. every free minute was spent reading whatever came my way.
Got out of the habit and now that I am trying to return to old habits, everything is a damn distraction. The glasses aren't right, the neck bothers me, the "editor eye" won't close.
Cass and Burroughs there is a used book store, never been in there but it specifically has "no textbooks" painted on the wall. One day...
If Obama can get internet access widespread, it'll be excellent - if only the Japanese would do that too.
Checked this free books online link:
http://educhoices.org/articles/Online_Libraries_-_25_Places_to_Read_Free_Books_Online.html
Thanks all for the comments!
Mary, excellent. WM, good luck, man. Danny, free books online, especially older ones -- awesome.
Good luck in Japan on the same idea.
fortunately there are still a few good book shops left in NYC - evedn tho it is a mess, i still love the Strand -- you can find pretty much anything - well if you can find it
how can you write a so cool blog,i am watting your new post in the future!
Funny-- a few weeks ago I was talking to a friend who's about our age and remembers having to use the card catalog. We wondered what happened to all the old card catalogs; we figured they're in antique stores around the country.
Some of the content is very worthy of my drawing, I like your information!
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