Tag: NPR

The Scent of Chocolate Makes Money- And Sense

August 2, 2013

chocolateCustomers in a Belgian bookstore were treated to the aroma of chocolate, and as a result, according to researchers and this NPR post, were “40 percent more likely to buy romance novels and cookbooks, and about 22 percent more likely to buy books in other genres.” Belgian researchers, concluding that the smell of chocolate boosts book sales, published their findings in the Journal of Environmental Psychology. Did they really need a study? This is Just further proof that chocolate never disappoints!

Laura

Weird and Wonderful things to borrow from a library

July 26, 2013

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This quirky story on NPR today prompted me to ponder what other materials are out there for us to borrow. Need a fishing pole? Get it from the Erie County Library, PA. Working on home repairs? The Oakland Public Library is just one place to borrow a large assortment of tools for DIY. If you need a musical interlude after fixing your house, ask the Instrumentarium at Urbana-Champaign, where the Vanilla collection features an alto saxophone, but the One-Off group has an alto glockenspiel! Strangely, one library blog listed actual bones (from a medical school) but I was unable to locate the school. Perhaps the most unique “item” that is available for lending is a person– yes, a real live person to talk to and learn a new perspective from via the Living Library. I came across many other categories of useful stuff as well. Before purchasing an energy meter or planting seeds, just stop and ask around at a library… you never know!

Shira S.tools

Unusual Story About the Library of Alexandria

February 24, 2011

Instead of attacking or looting the Library of Alexandria, its director in Egypt reports that rioters banded together to protect the building from damage. Ismail Serageldin, who works at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, marveled at the unity of people in the street who spontaneously joined hands to guard the cutting edge facility against possible harm. In the past the library has been destroyed by vandals or conquerors. Worth listening to!

-Shira S.

Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley” Revisited

January 6, 2011

A while ago I had recommended Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley, his last book, which was written in 1962. (He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature that year and died in 1968.) Now the claim is being made that, whether it is a favorite of generations or not, much of the book was not actually true:

1)  he didn’t rough it that much

2) his wife did accompany him quite a bit

3) he invented several interesting individuals who were ready to converse  about the American condition

Clearly the researcher spent much time and energy to verify all this, but it is a little disheartening. On the other hand, does it totally detract from the value of the work? NPR featured a discussion with Bill Steigerwald who weighs in on the nature of “fictionalized” nonfiction.

Shira S.

Juan Williams’ New Project: Book on Free Speech

December 16, 2010

Former NPR commentator Juan Williams has signed on with Crown Publishers for a 2 book deal. He will focus on the difficulty of discussing sensitive topics in our society. The untitled book is due in the summer. (Williams was fired immediately from NPR a couple of months ago for expressing concern regarding boarding planes with people obviously dressed as Muslims. He vigorously denies being a bigot.)

Shira

Shhh….Libraries at Work on Bob Edwards Weekend

October 24, 2010

NPR, in conjunction with Sirius XM Radio, has been running a fascinating and timely series on the importance of public and school libraries in today’s cultural climate. Hosted by Bob Edwards, the programs have been airing through October on Sunday mornings at 10am. To find out more about and to link to archived broadcasts, podcasts, and transcripts of the show, visit the Bob Edwards Weekend website.

Barbara L., Reader’s Services

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