Information Resources: Le Tour de France

This Saturday, July 4th, marks the start of the world's premier cycling event, le Tour de France. This year is the 96th running of the famed race. The Tour will make its start (known as the grand dèpart) in the Mediterranean coast city of Monaco.

For an interesting visual peek at this year's first stage, check out this video from the official Tour de France YouTube account:



Those interested in reading more about the Tour and its history may be interested in a book in our Circulating Collection, The Tour de France: A Cultural History, by Christopher S. Thompson. This book can be found on the library's second floor at GV1049.2.T68T56 2006.

Here are a few websites that you can use to keep up with this year's Tour de France:

• Tour de France 2009 - the official website, in English
• Bicycling Magazine - special coverage on the Tour
• Steephill.tv - frequently updated section devoted to the Tour. (You can also follow their updates via Twitter.)
• TdFblog - Frank Steele updates frequently with news and opinions about Tour developments. (Also, his Flickr and Twitter accounts.)

Photo credit: Creative Commons license

Super Summer Book Sale 2009

Starting this weekend you'll find some sweet summer savings at Carmichael Library. Announcing our Super Summer Book Sale 2009. Hundreds of books are now available for purchase in the library lobby. Are you looking for some low-cost entertainment during these challenging economic times? If so, pinch those pennies and take advantage of these super prices:

• Hardback books $2.00
• Paperback books $1.00
• Multi-volume sets $1.00 per volume
• Compact discs and audio tapes $2.00

All proceeds go to benefit Carmichael Library, so stop in and start saving this weekend!

Iran in the News

The recent days have brought a number of political developments in Iran. The disputed results of the June 12 presidential election in that country inspired millions around the world to take to the streets in protest. Demonstrations within Iran are now dying down as the government has cracked down on its detractors, sequestered independent and foreign journalists, and expelled foreign diplomats.

Because reliable information about Iran is hard to come by at this time, we've compiled a short list of websites containing news and analysis:

• BBC News - from the leader in world news coverage this page contains a profile of Iran, a time line of recent events, and links to the latest news
• Iran in Crisis - from Al Jazeera's English language website, updated video and news from the network's Iran Desk
  
• Payvand.com - an independent organization of Iranian expatriates living in the San Francisco Bay Area. This page is frequently updated and provides news and analysis of current events
• Tehran Bureau - this frequently updated and independent wesbsite is described as "a virtual bureau connecting journalists, Iran experts and readers all over the world."
  

Lastly, readers who are looking for the official positions of Iran will be interested in Press TV. While this website provides current information for English readers, remember that this news organization is funded and administered by the Iranian government.

Photo credit: Creative Commons license

Exciting Archive News from Auburn

(from the Birmingham News/al.com) "Auburn University has acquired an original copy of Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1865 letter to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, setting the terms of surrender for the Army of Northern Virginia."

click here to read the story in its entirety on al.com

A New Painting For Our Reading Area

On Friday, we hung Amy Feger's painting "Panorama at Ebenezer Swamp" in the reading area just to the left of the library's entrance. It's a beautiful depiction of a beautiful locale. Come check it out!

Twitter, in the 1930s? Well, sorta...

While doing some research for Kathy Lowe earlier today, I stumbled upon some interesting gems from the Shelby County Democrat, circa 1930s. Check the photo below (click the image for a larger view).



Apparently, it was common practice in the 30s for the local paper to publish the day-to-day doings of the townsfolk. Many of these little blurbs could easily fit into any of today's Twitter accounts or Facebook statuses. "Claud Coppinger spent the weekend with the home-folks," for example, or "Mrs. Len Cochrane spent Tuesday shopping in Selma."

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Photos from President Williams' Trip to Japan

Last week, Dr. Williams and family (sans Zorro) traveled to Montevallo's sister city, Echizen, Japan. They were joined by UM professors Hollie Cost and Ted Metz. Dr. Williams kept in touch with us here in Montevallo through his Twitter account, UMPrez, and posted a ton of great photos from his trip. Here are a few photos from the trip.


The UM crew meet with city officials from Echizen, Japan.


A Japanese craftsman shows how he customizes paper designs.


Dr. Williams plants one of 10 oak trees to commemorate the Montevallo-Echizen sister-city relationship.



The temple at Nara, Japan.

These photos and more can be found at Dr. William's Twitpic page.

Librarians Gone Wild: Our Trip To The Cahaba Lilies 2009

Yesterday, several members of Carmichael Library's faculty and staff escaped the confines of the stacks. Though armed (with walking sticks), they were not considered dangerous, and the suspects were soon rounded up and returned to their posts by the afternoon.

Every year, the library crew takes a trip out to the Cahaba River to see the lilies bloom. The swift currents made it difficult to actually get out to the lilies this time, but a few of us managed to brave it and Gloria Beasley snagged some great photos for us to share with you.

About The Cahaba Lily

Hymenocallis coronaria (Cahaba Lily or Shoals spider-lily) is a species of the genus Hymenocallis, native to the Southeastern United States. It is an aquatic perennial flowering plant found only in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Within Alabama it is known as the Cahaba Lily, outside of that state it is known as the Shoals spider-lily because it requires a swift, shallow, water current and direct sunlight to flourish. The plant grows to about 3 feet (0.9 m) tall and develops from a bulb that lodges in between rocks in the shoals. It blooms from early May to late June. Each fragrant flower blooms for one day. (source)

From left to right: Michael Price, Amanda Melcher, Gloria Beasley, Rosemary Arneson, Joel Bullock, Adam Kamerer, Joie Molden, Brian McConnell, Mary Seagle