C-Span Video Library Now Online

Hi folks, it has been awhile but I finally scrounge up a spare minute or two. This is a great discovery and I'm breaking my vow of silence to share it with you. C-Span records the activities of the U.S. House and Senate. There are three C-Span channels that have interview programs, discussions and special features when Congress is not in session.

I just found out that C-Span has placed almost their entire archive online. You can now visit the C-Span Video Library.

160,000 hours and 23 years of video documentation. We now have an accessible video historical record of what was said in the U.S. House and Senate.

You can obtain the full text and context of what a Senator or Representative said, not just the sound bites that you might have heard on the news.

From the About C-Span Video Library page:

Programs are indexed by subject, speaker names, titles, affiliations, sponsors, committees, categories, formats, policy groups, keywords, and location. The congressional sessions and committee hearings are indexed by person with full-text. The video collection can be searched through the online Video Library.

It gets better. There is a caption transcript of what was said on the floor. You can also read the Congressional Record version of the remarks.

And for those of you who like to share but wish to keep it on the ethical side of the fence I have something for you too. There is a section of C-Span called Congressional Chronicles. In this section you can share the video link, embed the videos on your web site or blog. The videos in this specific section are in the Public Domain.

Other videos outside of the Congressional Chronicles pages may have other copyright or other restrictions.

So if you have a need to prove that so-and-so said whatzit and they were standing on the floor of the House or Senate you can present the ocular proof.

History buffs are fanning themselves in joy.

One City, One Story 2010

If you haven't heard yet, this year's One City, One Story taking place in Pasadena is Alan Drew's novel, "Gardens of Water." There are various events taking place this month all over Pasadena. Even though we're partially done with this month, there are still many events left to catch. Take a look at the Calendar of Events to see what's happening. One can catch a Turkish cooking demonstration on Saturday, March 20 at the San Rafael Branch Library at 11am. If you're interested in participating in a book discussion of Gardens of Water, check the Calendar of Events for various dates and locations. You can also see a compiled list of all the events on the Shatford Library's website as well.

This Sunday, March 14, you can spend An Afternoon with Alan Drew at the Pasadena Convention Center from 3:30-5:30pm. Unfortunately, I probably will not be in attendance but I highly recommend going if you can. I was in attendance for last year's One City, One Story 2009 final event, An Afternoon with author Luis Alberto Urrea. I thoroughly enjoyed that afternoon listening to Luis Alberto Urrea talk about writing "The Hummingbird's Daughter."

In addition, Alan Drew will be on campus tomorrow, March 12 at 9am in the Creveling Lounge located in the new Campus Center. For other related events to be held on the PCC campuses, check out the schedule on the Shatford Library's website.

Last year was the first year I ever participated in a One City, One Story event and it was exciting as a sideline participant. This year, I will be an active participant in a One City, One Story event of the adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet" based on Alan Drew's novel, "Gardens of Water" here at Pasadena City College. When I started getting back into theatre again, little did I know I could and would be able to combine these two passions of mine together. I'm very honored and excited to be a part of this year's One City, One Story. Show times are at 8pm, Thursday, March 25-Saturday, March 27 and at 2pm Saturday, March 27 in the Little Theater (C-106). Admission is free but seating is limited to about 100 people. Free tickets will be distributed starting 45 minutes before the show starts on a first come, first serve basis.

If you haven't yet read "Gardens of Water," I highly recommend it. Alan Drew captured my attention from the first page of his novel. Right now, most of the copies here at Shatford Library are checked out. If you attend this Sunday's event, you can buy the book and meet the author as well. A win-win situation that I'm still considering myself. If you've never taken part in a One City, One Story before, you're missing out on a great series of community events. So take the plunge, and dive into an incredible experience awaiting you.

California Library Association - Spring Fling Workshops

CLA is reaching out and bringing programs to you!
CLA Spring Fling Workshops and Training (http://www.cla-net.org/events/spring-fling.php )
The Spring Fling offers training and networking opportunities for the library community from March through June 2010.
Programs will take place in both northern and southern California, events range from training workshops to panel discussions and social activities.
Join us at a Spring Fling event to learn new skills, enjoy a cultural event and find people with shared interests! Workshops include: resume, career development, children's programs, technical services, etc.)
Registration discounts are available for CLA members while further savings have been made for library students. If you are not a CLA Member, we encourage you to join by visiting www.regonline.com/CLA_Membership.

Friends of the Chinatown Library - Scholarship for Library Studies

Friends of the Chinatown Library
Dolores Wong Scholarship for Library Studies ($2,500)
2010 Application

The Friends of the Chinatown Library is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, incorporated in 1977, to support the Chinatown Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system. The Chinatown Branch Library provides library and community services to the ethnically and socio-economically diverse community of the LA Chinatown neighborhood. Across more than 70 branch libraries, the Chinatown Branch Library ranks amongst the top three in traffic and circulation.

One of the unique and prized features of the Chinatown Branch Library is the Chinese Heritage Collection, which consists of books and materials on Chinese and Chinese-American civilization and culture. This collection is the largest and most comprehensive of its type within the LAPL system.

The Dolores Wong Scholarship for Library Studies will award $2,500 to an AA or MA student in the field of Library Studies with a demonstrated interest and involvement in serving the Chinese-American community. Dolores Wong is an original founder and, with her late husband Judge Delbert Wong, a major donor of the Chinatown Library.

To be eligible, you must:

1) Be presently enrolled as an AA, Library Technician or MA, Library Sciences student.
2) Be available to attend the Scholarship Award Dinner in meet Dolores and receive the award check on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at 6:30pm, at the Golden Dragon Restaurant in Los Angeles Chinatown at 960 North Broadway LA, CA 90012.
3) Have a minimum 3.5 GPA in your Library Studies classes.
4) Return completed application package to the library by Saturday, April 17, 2010.
a. Application Form
b. 2 Typed Personal Statements (max of one page each)
c. Copies of all college transcripts to date (in a sealed envelope with the school stamp across the seal).

Complete application package should be mailed or hand-delivered by Saturday, April 17, 2010, to:

Dolores Wong Scholarship for Library Studies
Friends of the Chinatown Library
Chinatown Branch Library
639 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012