Tara Blair

Tara Blair is a Digital Marketing Specialist for Gale, a Cengage Company. In her spare time, she is a total crime junkie and spends her days listening to podcasts—especially those of the unsolved.

In Other News: Hyperthermia

A look at a current news item through the lens of different titles available on GVRL.

By Michelle Eickmeyer

That’s the technical term — hyperthermia. To most of us, it’s the gut-wrenching and heart-breaking situation of a child dying in a hot car. Each summer, the saddest of stories plays out in the news. For one reason or another, a child is alone in a car and he or she dies. There are variants to the story, and, sadly, sometimes lingering suspicions of guilt. In 2013, 44 children died from exposure inside a vehicle in the United States. There have been nearly 20 already this year. (Source)

Here are five titles that look at hyperthermia from different perspectives:

Read moreIn Other News: Hyperthermia

In Other News: The King of Spain

A look at a current news item through the lens of different titles available on GVRL.

By Michelle Eickmeyer

There are few “jobs” in the world from which people don’t quit. In just over a year, we have seen two exceptions to this — the resignation of Pope Benedict and the abdication of Spain’s King Juan Carlos I. The latter giving just over the (Western) traditional “two weeks notice.” After making his intentions known on the 2nd of June, Spain crowned their new King, Felipe, on the 19th.

Read moreIn Other News: The King of Spain

Exciting Times Ahead in Las Vegas for ALA Annual 2014!

By Michael Arthur

In just a few short days, I will be making a much anticipated trip to Las Vegas for ALA Annual 2014.  This will be my first visit to Las Vegas, and I’ve  packed as much into the three-day visit as I possibly could.  But this article isn’t meant to be about my plans as a tourist. Instead, I’d like to share the discussion topics and initiatives that will occupy the bulk of my time while in Vegas.  It will definitely be a busy three days filled to the brim with meetings and events, but I’ll make sure to leave a little time to walk around and see some of Vegas while I am there!

Read moreExciting Times Ahead in Las Vegas for ALA Annual 2014!

In Other News: The Congressional Medal of Honor

A look at a current news item through the lens of different titles available on GVRL.

By Michelle Eickmeyer

On June 19, 2013, Corporal William Carpenter became the 15th recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for service in Iraq or Afghanistan.  It is the highest honor the United States government can bestow on a member of the armed forces.

Winston Churchill once said “never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,” and the Congressional Medal of Honor is just one small, yet significant, way to honor those who have given much.

Read moreIn Other News: The Congressional Medal of Honor

Viva Free Access to Las Vegas Travel Guides

ALA Annual 2014 in Las Vegas

The ALA program (as always) is jam-packed with famous keynote authors and actors, hundreds of sessions addressing all the hot topics facing the library world today, and a hall full of exhibitors who are pulling out all the stops to bring the glitz and glory of Vegas to the tradeshow floor. It’s almost too much excitement for one attendee to bear.

And yet, outside the walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center and various hotel meeting rooms, there is an entire city bustling with activity 24/7. Since you’ll be short on free time (and maybe energy), you’ll want to make sure you’re making the most of every minute.

Read moreViva Free Access to Las Vegas Travel Guides

Ideas for Hosting Craft Activities at Your Library

book necklace crafts

Looking for some fun summer workshops? Get crafty! Check out these “13 Bookish Crafts Perfect to Make this Summer.” Personally, I love the jewelry most, but how amazing would it be to hang a chandelier made from book pages in your library?

Read moreIdeas for Hosting Craft Activities at Your Library

Behind the Screen: At the Dibner Library

By Jennifer Albers-Smith

I’ve been to the Smithsonian a couple times before, and I’ve always thought of it as just a museum (and a glorious one at that) – giant covered wagon, old-fashioned cars, sewing machines, etc. I had absolutely no idea what lay behind the exhibits until my recent trip to do some filming for our latest Behind the Screen video at the National Museum of American History.

We lugged our film equipment through the side entrance and took a long walk through a dimly-lit maze to get to a wooden door – the entrance to the Dibner Library. I had never noticed the sign for the Dibner Library before. It’s right off the main entrance to the museum, and open to the public, but it’s tucked away, and most visitors have no idea it exists… What’s inside is an absolute treasure trove.

Read moreBehind the Screen: At the Dibner Library