The library value, or how the invaluable becomes tangible.

 

Did you ever wonder how much you would have to pay for services that are available for free at the library? You can actually find out with the Library Value Calculator, provided by Friends of Canadian Libraries group.

You might fill the numbers in yourself and come with your own estimate (the website also includes approximate values assigned to each library service) or check results for different library systems. For Toronto Public Library, the figure is $352 (May 5, 2010), but if you check out lots of materials and just sum up their retail value... it will actually be a four-digit number.

The average contribution of a Toronto taxpayer to the library was $64.76 in 2008. Well, you do the math :-)

 

It's the end of the world as we know it

In case you haven't heard, today is Judgement Day according to an obscure but very vocal group of believers following the preaching of Harold Camping.

Camping estimates that about 3-4% of the world's population - those that are truly faithful - will rise into heaven, followed by five months of earthquakes and other plagues and disasters until the world officially ends on October 21, 2011.

Are you quaking in your boots yet? I wouldn't be too worried, Mr. Camping has been wrong before. He first predicted the apocalypse would happen back in 1994...

In fact, there has been a number of doomsday predictions over the years.

Here is some great reading on eschatology, the study of the end of the world:

The Apocalypse : A Brief History by Martha Himmelfarb 

 

 

 

Boston University has a great web page with an Apocalyptic Glossary

 

A History of the End of the World by Jonathan Kirsch reveals how the most controversial book in the Bible changed the course of Western civilization.

 

 

 

Time magazine's online article published yesterday also gives a great summary of apocalypse predictions and end-of-the-world dates that have come (and gone) over the last couple hundred years.

Knitting in the summer? Really?

Yes indeed!

While the thought of starting a toques, scarves, or sweater project right now is as appealing as another four months of winter, summer knitting is not solely for the constantly cold among us.

This particular pattern by Toronto's Julie Crawford has me itching to cast on some sts.

 

 

And of course, even the ubiquitous scarf has its summer equivalent in this pattern by Kieran Foley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a wide range of summery patterns and airy yarns out there, so grab your needles and join the Knitters’ Drop-In at Cedarbrae branch, which is continuing through the spring and summer. Every other Monday from 5:30-7 pm.

Mark your calendars:

Mon May 16
Mon May 30
Mon Jun 13
Mon Jun 27
Mon Jul 11
Mon Jul 25
Mon Aug 08
Mon Aug 22

What's that scratching sound?...

 

Are you between 12 and 19 years of age and interested in becoming a DJ?... On Friday May 20th the Scratch Lab, Canada’s first and premier facility for the training of DJs is coming to the Cedarbrae Library! Please join us for an interactive intro lesson on DJing and a chance to participate in a "DJ Battle".

Friday May 20, 5 pm. Space is limited. If you would like to register, please come to the 2nd floor service desk or call the branch at 416 396 8850. This program is for teens 12 to 19 years old.

 

You also might want to place a hold for one of these books! (please click on the picture to see details):