old library days musings

Sometimes I sure miss "my" old library,

what with all their online resources...  tons of databases (should see all the databases just for music, art and dance), and website guides, tons of cool programing, and of course the tons and tons of books, videos and such so handy. (I say tons is the word of the day.) And, a lot has changed since I lived and worked there.

Now there's this neat looking Library-To-Go setup (an automated system away from the library branches), ...

...library by mail, downloadable audiobooks and videos....

They even have an author's podcast now... (though my branch's manager had started with newspaper topic articles and had even began radio interviews while I was still there)

Wow, they have even taken the summer reading program online with links, lists, reading log and the kids can write book reviews to share. ...

Every once in a while I have to check out their website just to see what might be new.

Aw, and I never got to see the new genealogy center...

 maybe someday if I make it back to Independence/KCMO for a visit.

It's only been, what... 6 years.

MCPL The Mid-Continent Public Library consists of 30 branches serving Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties in Western Missouri. It was established in 1965 (though its roots go back further to 1892) and is now one of the largest library systems in the United States.

Hmmm... I wonder how the old libraries in Illinois are doing? Elgin's Gail Borden (that I barely remember since I was so young) and Springfield's Lincoln Library.

Flag Day

50-Star Flag Designs

In 1958 two U.S. territories, Alaska and Hawaii, were poised to become America's 49th and 50th states. A federal law dating from 1818 required that a star be added to the U.S. flag on the Fourth of July following a new state's admission. However, the law failed to describe how a new pattern for the stars should be configured. As the probability of Alaska's and Hawaii's admission to the Union increased, thousands of citizens, especially school children, sent their suggestions for a new flag design to the White House. In response to this interest, President Dwight Eisenhower appointed a committee to advise on the new design. After examining many creative and fanciful submissions, the committee recommended a design similar to the existing 48-star flag.

It would contain seven rows of seven stars in a slightly staggered arrangement. On January 3, 1959, President Eisenhower issued an Executive order changing the design of the flag. When, a few months later, Hawaii became a state, the committee recommended a similar layout, and President Eisenhower issued another order describing that design. This exhibit contains two flag designs selected from the many designs submitted for consideration.

 

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/designs_for_democracy/designs_for_a_new_century/articles/american_flag_with_50_stars_2.html