Blog Posts by Subject: Books and Libraries

For the first part of this series, I want to talk about a few of the formats commonly used for reading digital text as well as the tools — software and devices — we can use to read them.

Library ebooks are available in EPUB, PDF, and Kindle format. The Library also subscribes to hundreds of databases, some of which will allow you to download articles or page images for personal use in PDF format.

This February in the eReading Room we'll be celebrating all the different ways we love to read. If you're the kind of person who will read a cereal box if it's the only thing nearby, you'll want to pay special attention to this four-part series. I'll be detailing some of the new ways we read now, outside of the traditional printed-and-bound-and-published volume (which, don't get me wrong, we still love just as much). This purpose of this series is to help you get the most out of online reading at work, at home, or on the go.

After the unfortunate death of my Sony Reader, I went through the five stages of grief, as the loss of my device was a very dramatic event. I denied that it was broken, I threw a temper tantrum, I told a Best Buy employee that I would do anything to have it back, and I cried on the train, but I finally came to accept that I had sat on my Sony Reader and I alone was to blame. As I browsed sadly through the eNYPL catalog, images of the distinctly curved cracked screen flashed through my head, and I imagined the day when I could once again comfortably read a book on my 1 1/2 hour (sometimes standing) train commute. Finally the day came when I was united with a new eReader — 

In 2011, NYPL bloggers published nearly 900 posts about subjects ranging from the ubiquitous Language & Literature and History, Biography & Genealogy to unusual topics such as Graffiti and even Automobile Maintenance & Repair. We started special channels on Africa and the African Diaspora, Lifelong Learning, Musical of the Month, and the Ticketless Traveler. See below for the most popular and commented-on posts to catch up on what you might have missed.

Happy New Year!

The clocks have been turned back, the turkey and cranberry sauce leftovers have been eaten, and mild weather notwithstanding winter is certainly on its way. Earlier this month one of our bloggers asked, "Where Do You Get Your Information?" If you're reading this, then you probably use the library as one of your sources for information. You search the catalog, you download ebooks, you consult archives and digital materials, you ask us questions.

First published on February 1st, 1963, The New York Review of Books has been hailed to be one of the world's leading intellectual literary magazines. Known for its sharp and critical insights, commentaries and book reviews on culture, literature and current affairs, The NYRB has had much success in gaining attention from and written contributions by eminent scholars, intellectuals and writers such as Margaret Atwood, Noam Chomsky, Harold Bloom, John Updike, Gore Vidal, Joan Didion, (who also recently came to LIVE from the NYPL on November 21, 2011, to talk to Author Sloane Crosley) and Mary Beard (who will also be coming to LIVE from the NYPL on November 30, 2011, to 

If nature has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea, which an individual may exclusively possess as long as he keeps it to himself; but the moment it is divulged, it forces itself into the possession of every one... Its peculiar character, too, is that no one possesses the less, because every other possesses the whole of it. That ideas should freely spread from one to another over the globe... seems to have been designed by nature.

— Thomas Jefferson, Letter to MacPherson, August 13, 1813

On October 22, “Wikipedia! The Musical!” was staged at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Despite its whimsical name, it was not really a musical but an editathon — a chance to edit Wikipedia with a group of people in an inspiring location. Though its focus was improving articles on musical theater, anyone interested in the performing arts was welcome.

As a former cataloging intern in the Library's Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle, I have a great fondness and appreciation for old books with decorative bindings. And, lucky for me, I have a few late 19th and early 20th century books passed down to me from my grandparents. They have a special place reserved in my book case at home so that I can admire their stamped, gilt-edged spines from my favorite chair. Sitting with one of these books in hand transports me to a vision of a woman reading bathed in natural light from a 19th century painting (see Forbidden Fruit: A History of Women and Books in Art by Christiane Inmann, 2009). In other words, it gives me 

Back to school! The NYPL blogs have been practicing their penmanship.

The New York Public Library is one of several libraries now using BiblioCommons — a new catalog interface that greatly improves the search experience. Searching for books, ebooks, DVDs, music, and all of our other holdings is easier than ever. It is also easy for you to share your expertise in new ways — rate and review materials, add videos, create new lists on a theme or a Top Ten, and browse lists from other users you follow. Now you can also save items to read later and keep track of what you've already read.

On Wednesday, September 14, over 200 patrons came into New Dorp Library to visit our Art Gallery!

Have you heard? Library books are now available to borrow on Kindle devices and other devices with Kindle reading software (Windows, Mac, Blackberry, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Windows Phone 7) as well as their Kindle Cloud Reader (read without downloading software in your web browser).

Here is a walkthrough of how it works. (If you're scrolling-averse, check out this video from OverDrive.)

I had heard a bit about Sharon Anyimi; but I didn't know much. I knew she visited Baychester Library in Co-Op City — a lot — and was always reading books with the help of the Closed-Captioned Television system (CCTV), also known as the video magnifier, located in the Library. I knew she was a "people person" with a friendly word for all. I decided to wend my way to the northeast Bronx and meet this intriguing library user for myself.

Ask NYPL gets a lot of questions about the sidewalk on Library Way. If you haven't seen it before, on your next trip to the main building on Fifth Avenue, be sure to approach from the east and walk along 41st Street. You'll have a perfect view of the building gleaming in the morning sun, and you can stop to read some inspirational quotes about reading, writing, and literature along the way.

September's here and it's time for all those back to school commercials... luckily you can find all your New Dorp Library program information here, instead of it interrupting all your favorite TV shows.

This month, we are back in action with all your favorite programs for children, teens, and adults, so spend some time at your favorite library! We've rescheduled the Art Gallery, added a great new show for the kids (South of the Border), and are even playing Mah Jongg!

Check out more of the programs you love here!

What a wild month. August 2011! Maybe you were away for all or part of it, but it will surely go down in the NYC record books as "Month With the Most Unusual Meteorological/Geological Events." Earthquake! Hurricane! Read Down Your Fines! On the NYPL blogs we didn't just tell you about all of the wonderful collections and services we provide every day; we also gave you useful information for when our doors are — unfortunately for Jake Gyllenhaal fans hoping to reenact scenes from Day After Tomorrow — closed!

Contrary to what you may have heard — or thought you heard, at least — this year does not mark the centennial of The New York Public Library. The centennial marks the opening of what many still think of as the Library's "main branch" on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, the Beaux-Arts landmark recently rechristened the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. But we could also call it the centennial of the Tilden Library, as I'll explain.

A different library and a new collection!