Google Play Books App Thingamajig Updates

The Google Play Books Android App has updated to include now standard features of other ebook reading apps.  Matching the Kindle App and... other ebook apps, Google Play Books now allows highlighting and commenting of content, features that have been available only on the desktop version in Google's Chrome browser.
Finally, no longer staring with futility at electronic text, wishing you could tell that book what you really felt.  No more sleepless nights unable to remember that one sentence of Twilight that really pissed you off.  Google has once again liberated the masses, offered the ability electronically that any asshole with a pen could do with a normal book.  Halelujah, we are saved.
Also, the Apple version of the app has not been updated with these features, so they can suck it.  If you are reading this on an iPhone/iPad, I of course do not mean you. 
Google updates Android books app to match rivals - CNET (blog)

MacMillan Finds eBook Lending Bandwagon, Jumps On

MacMillian, one of the two major publishing companies that does not offer ebook lending, has stated they are in development of an ebook lending program.  The company says they hope their new program will satisfy all involved with the books they offer, also adding that they value libraries.

Translation:  They are losing a butt load of money because of ebook self publishing and hope this new program will invigorate stagnant sales in the library demographic that they alienated.  Libraries are the only groups buying books in both bulk and consistency and by not offering lending the publishing giant is missing out on all that cash they could be getting.

Remember when drive-in movie theatres dominated the American landscape as the way to watch a film?  Neither do I.  I grew up in an age where I could sit in the air conditioning and watch a movie at any point in the day or night.  So as it is with the new generation, growing up getting their books on any and every device and if the stagnant publishing companies do not hurry up and get a move on they will be just another wistful memory.

MacMillan to Pilot E-Book Library Lending Program - Digital Book World

College Students Complain About Art Book With No Pictures

A Toronto college art class is requiring students to buy an art textbook that has no pictures.  The book has brought up the concern of college freshman not being able to afford the books their classes require, a viable concern when both textbooks and tuition are on the rise.

There's two things in this story that give pause for reflection.  One is the viability of a college education for a liberal arts student.  Unless you plan on teaching, college might not give you more education and experience in the Internet age for that painting and writing career you dream of.   The best it can give you is a work ethic, the constant focus and drive to complete project after project under deadlines.  Of course, if you do not have the desire to be as prolific with your art or the desire to seek out a mentor among the hundreds of online communities, this may be a key that you are not destined to make a living at that art and should not waste your (or, let's face it) your parent's money on a liberal arts degree.

The second is how the hell do you teach an art class with no representation of the art you are talking about?   Even theory and history of art need a representation of the various mediums and styles to get the point across.  This would be like a literature class learning The Great Gatsby by listening to instrumental jazz.  I can only imagine the class is about writing about art which is often more pretentious than the art itself.

Art book without pictures raises perennial issue of pricey textbooks - Waterloo Record

Smooth and Sooth Those Page With New Scanner

The IRIScan Portable Scanner Book 2 has been released that both scans and smooths the pages of books.  While conventional scanners caused worry and grief as pages bent inward away at the spine, this new scanner uses both witchcraft and wizardry to correct the unsightly image of the bent page.

The Banned Library newsroom did not reach out with anyone even partially connected with the release of the scanner and only half skimmed the article linked below, but we can tell you it might work great.  We did, however, talk to a copy of the Encyclopedia Brittanica Volume 13, 1911 edition and it had this to say:

"Personally, as a book, I welcome anyone touching me, but if I have to be digitally rendered because of my delicate, easily destroyed design, I want this scanner to do it.  I can't wait to feel the light brush against my pages, up and down, left and right, gently caressing me until... Oh, yeah, scan me, baby.  Flip me over and scan me again."

The newsroom was stunned at the scanner's capabilities and the liberated nature of a book published in such a repressed time period.

Handheld scanner smoothes pages of books - Baxter Bulletin

Waldo Turns 25, Thinks He Should Have Gone To College

The popular "Where's Waldo" franchise turned 25 recently begging the question, "What's next for Waldo?"  We caught up to the man of the hour who had this to say:

"I don't know... More hiding?" he said, "You know, everybody's always asking where I am, but I'm right here.  I never try to hide.  I'm just really good at blending in, you know?  No one ever sees the real me.  My dad always wanted more from me... Expected me to join the Army... Then this whole thing happened and... I don't know.  I'm tired of blending in.  I want to stick out.  I might go back to college.  Restaurant management or something.  I want everybody to say, 'Hey, there's Waldo!' you know?"

We wish Waldo all the best and another 25 years.

25 years of asking, Where's Waldo? - Aiken Standard:

Seattle Post Intelligencer

25 years of asking, Where's Waldo? Aiken Standard Where's Waldo? He won't be difficult to find once the 25th anniversary kicks off for the bespectacled, and beloved, children's book character. England will get the global party started Thursday night, when it lights up its popular tourist attraction ... Where's Waldo today? He's celebrating a milestoneDetroit Free Press Classic Media Celebrates 25th Anniversary of WHERE'S WALDO?Broadway World all 24 news articles »

Banned Books Week Grows Nigh

The annual time for the banning of the book and the not liking thereof approaches.  Batten down the hatches, it's going to be a bumpy September/Octoberish time of year.

Banned Books Week Highlights Censorship in Reading - Patch.com:

Bellevue Reporter (blog)

Banned Books Week Highlights Censorship in Reading Patch.com The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is an opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week ... Students, faculty embrace banned booksMiami Student Banned Book Week to celebrate literary freedomMonett Times Hispanic Heritage Month and Banned Books WeekBellevue Reporter (blog) Livingston Daily -BlueRidgeNow.com -The State Journal-Register all 19 news articles »

Banned Library Turns Two

Two years ago today, I published my first real post to this blog, How to Deal With an Unruly Patron.  You can read it, but I would not recommend it.  It's mostly the product of an unruly mind expressing itself and trying to make somebody, anybody laugh.

Not that I have gotten any better, but at least there is a little more focus these days.

Anyway, I'll keep this short.  Thank you everyone who has read this blog.  Thank you for sticking with it when I stopped updating for a time.  Thank you for sticking with it, even through my rants and raves.  Thank you for reading.  You can never know how much it means to me that you do.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, let me know below, on Twitter, on Facebook, on Tumblr, on Google+ or by emailing me.  Carrier pigeons or owl also accepted, if you can find me.

Also, this is not today's only post.  Dave's wedding will be up later tonight.  And if I may say so... I'm not saying anything.

And yes, Mom, I will try to keep the swears to a minimum.