notes
Friday, 17 January 2003Audio clips
Audio Samples in Library OPACs."The webwords project aims to enrich the quality of the experience of choosing an audio book for visually impaired visitors. It will do this by allowing users of library catalogues to listen to a small sample of a book they might want to enjoy, to hear what it sounds like - to listen and experience not only the essence of the book, but the quality and style of the narration.
The audio clips will be directly accessible by a hyperlink from library catalogues. Ultimately the system will work with all library authority’s catalogues and there will also be a website (this one) from where the samples may be searched directly." [via Library News Daily]
Out of the U.K., but I'd love to see the idea spread to the U.S., too. Why shouldn't libraries be able to offer samples?!
[The Shifted Librarian]
Cigarette Cards
Jenny points to Libraries Preserving Our Past.[The Shifted Librarian]"The New York Public Library's Image Gate is currently in Beta. However 80,000 images so far out of 600,000 isn't too shabby. Of remarkable interest are the collections (also some here) they have put up so far for your browsing pleasure. Anna Atkins cyanotypes are beautiful, and the Art of the Cigarette Card is joyously quirky. Be sure to check back in 2004 when its all done."[MetaFilter]
One of the best features of the cigarette card collection is being able to flip the card to read the other side. On this one you discover that "The Iraq Air Force... was formed in 1931... The British R.A.F. played an important part in organizing the Iraq Air Force. The first Iraqi officers were trained in England, and R.A.F. officers and N.C.O.s were seconded for duty as instructors to the Iraq Air Force. All equipment used is British."
Photographs from the Chicago Daily News: 1902-1933
"The Library of Congress in collaboration with the Chicago Historical Society has added to their American Memory Web site over 55,000 images of urban life taken between 1902 and 1933 by photographers employed by the Chicago Daily News. Search by keyword or browse by subject." [What's GNU]