When Chattanooga police stopped a car with an overloaded trunk on the McCallie Avenue overpass in 1965, they thought they had their man.
They were looking for a car of the same description that was suspected of being loaded down with illegal rum and headed for a distribution point.
What they found, according to a 1965 Chattanooga Times article, was Chattanooga Public Library employee Patricia Kidwell with a trunk load of books heading to restock the library’s then-popular Bookmobile.
As late as 1975, before the Eastgate and Northgate branches of the library opened, the Bookmobile was responsible for 26 percent of all the library’s material in circulation. When the Bookmobile was shelved at the end of 1991, it was responsible for only 1.8 percent of materials in circulation.
But thousands of people who grew up in Chattanooga from the 1950s through the 1980s fed their reading habit with a weekly visit to the mobile library.
“Walking into the Bookmobile on a hot summer day, and then to be able to sit on the floor and look through the books before I picked out my stack, is a very vivid memory for me,” said Lisa Burgess, 49, of Ooltewah. “I tried to stay as long as I could before going back home to sit under the tree in the front yard and start reading.”
As early as 1931, a book truck under the supervision of the County Extension Service began supplying books to Hamilton County Schools for recreational and supplementary reading. The library took over the work in the summer to provide books to what was referred to as “outlying areas.”
A 1949 Chattanooga Times story detailed the library’s use of an improvised Jeep station wagon that made eight stops per week, six at segregated white recreation centers, one at historically black Lincoln Park and one at Third and Holly streets.
Later that year, the library purchased its first Bookmobile. Within 11 years, it was offering nearly 3,500 volumes at 35 stops around the city.
Linda Crook Martin of Tulsa, Okla., said from 1954 to 1958 her family lived on 13th Street across from the Ridgedale Community Center where the Bookmobile stopped.
“I can remember the musty smell of books ... and looking forward to the visits,” she said.
By late 1962, the Bookmobile in service had less than 40,000 miles but was in constant need of repair. Collection boxes were even set out to help defray the approximately $17,000 cost of new equipment.
Within a year, a new truck and two aluminum trailer setup were purchased with a special appropriation from the city.
Circulation in July 1963 was more than 43,500 volumes.
With the advent of the Bookmobile, it was predicted circulation at the central library would fall off, head librarian Elizabeth Edwards said at the time, but it did not.
With the two trailers and a $10,000 contribution from Hamilton County that made the library eligible for $20,000 in funds from the federal and state governments, the library extended its service to East Ridge and Red Bank in 1965. A year later, 720 books were checked out in one day during the Red Bank stop.
“I have very fond memories of the Bookmobile that came to the old M&J supermarket in East Ridge in the late 1960s,” said Ms. Burgess. “It came on Thursdays, and I couldn’t wait. I would go across the street and through the neighbor’s backyard, and it was right there.”
In 1967, the trailers were making 15 stops of one hour to seven and one-half hours. By 1982, one trailer was making 16 stops of 45 minutes to three hours.
In 1991, when the announcement was made that the Bookmobile was to end its service, the library had three branches and was about to open a fourth.
“To check out a book at the Bookmobile costs the library three times as much as it does to check out a book at a branch library,” director Jane McFarland for the now Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library said in a 1991 Chattanooga Free Press story. “Records show us that with the continued openings of branch libraries, the Bookmobile has become obsolete and cost-prohibitive.”
David Clapp, the current director, said he worked at the library during the Bookmobile’s last few years.
“It went to about 20 different locations,” he said. “It went all the way to Sale Creek and Lookout Mountain, I think. It certainly labored. It just didn’t justify the cost.”
Ms. Burgess said she wished other people could have the chance she did.
“I sure wish kids now had the opportunity to make those memories,” she said.
http://timesfreepress.com/
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Runner: A slim book that doesn’t run very long
Alright bad pun. But in this new novel by David Samuels, The Runner: A True Account of the Amazing Lies and Fantastical Adventures of the Ivy League Impostor James Hogue—this should be interesting.
“In the early 1990s, Princeton University erased from its records the grades and race times of sophomore Alexi Santana, a self-taught star runner with a colorful history. The Ivy League university had to erase its records because, in fact, Alexi Santana never existed. He was the invention of a 28-year-old drifter with a criminal record named James Hogue,” the AP article states.
Publishers Weekly notes, “Though Samuels has a gift for contextualizing people and events, he misses his mark in this repetitive and fragmented profile. He is so taken by his elusive subject, whom he calls a convicted fabulist, that he lets Hogue, a compulsive liar and criminal with repeated offenses, off the hook far too easily. To Samuels, Hogue's behavior is as harmless as the youthful lies the author formerly told strangers on airplanes. But the lie and the con are not one and the same, and the reader winces as Hogue cons his way past Samuels's otherwise intelligent grasp.”
http://books.monstersandcritics.com/
“In the early 1990s, Princeton University erased from its records the grades and race times of sophomore Alexi Santana, a self-taught star runner with a colorful history. The Ivy League university had to erase its records because, in fact, Alexi Santana never existed. He was the invention of a 28-year-old drifter with a criminal record named James Hogue,” the AP article states.
Publishers Weekly notes, “Though Samuels has a gift for contextualizing people and events, he misses his mark in this repetitive and fragmented profile. He is so taken by his elusive subject, whom he calls a convicted fabulist, that he lets Hogue, a compulsive liar and criminal with repeated offenses, off the hook far too easily. To Samuels, Hogue's behavior is as harmless as the youthful lies the author formerly told strangers on airplanes. But the lie and the con are not one and the same, and the reader winces as Hogue cons his way past Samuels's otherwise intelligent grasp.”
http://books.monstersandcritics.com/
Friday, February 15, 2008
If these guys recommend books, they're worth reading
The National Book Critics Circle has issued its second list of books a lot of very well-read people hope you will read. Initially called the "most recommended" list, the NBCC has decided on a seasonal theme for this quarterly offering, namely "Good Reads: Winter List." Five hundred critics and authors, including the likes of Annie Proulx and Jonathan Franzen, sent in their votes.
At 7 p.m. Monday at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, two local award-winning authors, National Book Award Winner Charles Johnson and NBCC winner Jonathan Raban, as well as this writer and Seattle Weekly critic Brian Miller, will use the NBCC list as a springboard "for a discussion on good books, good reviews and how much difference a recommendation — be it from a critic or a friend — makes."
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2004182127_buzz17.html
At 7 p.m. Monday at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, two local award-winning authors, National Book Award Winner Charles Johnson and NBCC winner Jonathan Raban, as well as this writer and Seattle Weekly critic Brian Miller, will use the NBCC list as a springboard "for a discussion on good books, good reviews and how much difference a recommendation — be it from a critic or a friend — makes."
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2004182127_buzz17.html
Recent Books
The Billionaire Who Wasn't
Conor O'Clery; Translated by Lee Soon-young from English to Korean; Mulpure: 452 pp., 15,000 won
This is a worthwhile book to read particularly for many Korean chaebol and others not aware of the importance of giving back to society.
In 1988, Forbes Magazine hailed Chuck Feeney as the 23rd richest American alive. Feeney was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to a blue-collar Irish-American family during the Great Depression. Not well known to the public until recently, Feeney made a big fortune as the founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the world's largest duty-free retail chain.
But Feeney decided in 2005 to cooperate in the writing of his biography to promote what he calls ``giving-while-living'' because he wants to promote his philosophy to many other rich people. Feeney believes that the wealthy have a moral duty to spend their money on good cause during their lifetime.
This book portrays Feeney as a frugal man who takes economy class flights, does not have a luxurious house or car, and has donated large sum of his wealth to charitable and philanthropic causes.
In his mid-seventies, he startled the world again by determining his foundation will spend the remaining $4 billion in his lifetime.
-Chung Ah-young
`No Country for Old Men'
Comac McCarthy; Translated by Im Jae-seo from English to Korean; Sapiens21: 344 pp., 11,000 won.
The 2007 Pulitzer Award winning author of ``The Road'' brings a harrowing tale that takes place in the heart of the Texan dessert. With revolvers and shootouts, run-down motels and fugitives, the novel has all the conventional elements of a crime thriller ― but it is far from typical with its gripping suspense.
In the stark desert near the Rio Grande, a hunter named Moss comes across dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash. Before he knows it, he is drawn into a world of violence and mayhem.
More than an edge-of-the-seat experience, it draws you into the pages with intensity. No wonder the Cohen brothers decided to bring it to the big screen ― McCarthy's violent imagery is animated like a Western movie.
But more than a thriller, the author constantly questions the meanings of crime and responsibility, love and moral ambivalence and illustrates how past memories grip and thrash at the human spirit. The novel itself was inspired by the poem ``Sailing to Byzantium'' by William Butler Yeats. ``An aged man is but a paltry thing,'' writes Yeats. One must wonder whether there is no country for old men?
The Cohen brothers bring the heart-thumping story to the big screen, and the movie received eight Oscar nominations. The film will come to theaters across Korea Feb. 21.
-Lee Hyo-won
Art in New York - Masterpieces of New York Museums
Lee Ju-heon; Hakgojae: 320pp., 16,500 won
Visit art museums of New York through the book, ``Art in New York - Masterpieces of New York Muse.'' This introduces five big New York museums and the must-see masterpieces of those museums.
The five museums are The Museum of Modern Art, also known as MoMA, Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Frick Collection.
Lee Ju-heon explains Western and American art history in easy words and some 100 paintings, all in full color, and detailed explanations on each painting helps understanding them.
According to Lee, the museums of New York show both the legacy of the Old Continent and the ambitions of the New Continent.Author of the book, Lee, was a former reporter and director of gallery Hakgojae. Now he works as an art critic.
This is the second book in the ``Art Travel'' series of Hakgojae. The first book was on Russian art. London and Northern Europe art will come next.This book provides an escape from reality for those who cannot fly to New York City to appreciate the actual paintings.
-Kwon Mee-yoo
2008 Trend Keyword
Kim Min-joo; Miraebook Publishing: 351pp., 12,000 won
Remember that fancy word describing the activity of companies supporting artists or art organizations? Or maybe the documentary film Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio produced in order to warn the world of environmental issues?
If you don't have a clue, or do know the answers but want to learn more about them, ``2008 Trend Keyword'' is the book for you.
Living in such a fast paced world with new ideas and trends springing up every minute, keywords are the essence of simplicity when explaining a subject, a person or even a certain period.
Kim Min-joo, head of management consulting company Lead & Leader, is offering his version of keywords to look for in 2008 through his book ``2008 Trend Keyword.''
The book offers various keywords in five different categories: economy, society, people, culture, and science.
In his book, Kim not only lists more than 200 keywords, but also gives examples, background information and also reasons why these will be the words of the year. There is even an overview of important keywords that shook the nation in 2007.
For those who need a chance to catch up on the latest news or trends, this book may just be the trick.
Next time anyone asks for a quick update on a current subject, tuck into your book and share the information, and even pretend you already knew all along!
-Han Sang-hee
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/02/142_18998.html
Conor O'Clery; Translated by Lee Soon-young from English to Korean; Mulpure: 452 pp., 15,000 won
This is a worthwhile book to read particularly for many Korean chaebol and others not aware of the importance of giving back to society.
In 1988, Forbes Magazine hailed Chuck Feeney as the 23rd richest American alive. Feeney was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to a blue-collar Irish-American family during the Great Depression. Not well known to the public until recently, Feeney made a big fortune as the founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the world's largest duty-free retail chain.
But Feeney decided in 2005 to cooperate in the writing of his biography to promote what he calls ``giving-while-living'' because he wants to promote his philosophy to many other rich people. Feeney believes that the wealthy have a moral duty to spend their money on good cause during their lifetime.
This book portrays Feeney as a frugal man who takes economy class flights, does not have a luxurious house or car, and has donated large sum of his wealth to charitable and philanthropic causes.
In his mid-seventies, he startled the world again by determining his foundation will spend the remaining $4 billion in his lifetime.
-Chung Ah-young
`No Country for Old Men'
Comac McCarthy; Translated by Im Jae-seo from English to Korean; Sapiens21: 344 pp., 11,000 won.
The 2007 Pulitzer Award winning author of ``The Road'' brings a harrowing tale that takes place in the heart of the Texan dessert. With revolvers and shootouts, run-down motels and fugitives, the novel has all the conventional elements of a crime thriller ― but it is far from typical with its gripping suspense.
In the stark desert near the Rio Grande, a hunter named Moss comes across dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash. Before he knows it, he is drawn into a world of violence and mayhem.
More than an edge-of-the-seat experience, it draws you into the pages with intensity. No wonder the Cohen brothers decided to bring it to the big screen ― McCarthy's violent imagery is animated like a Western movie.
But more than a thriller, the author constantly questions the meanings of crime and responsibility, love and moral ambivalence and illustrates how past memories grip and thrash at the human spirit. The novel itself was inspired by the poem ``Sailing to Byzantium'' by William Butler Yeats. ``An aged man is but a paltry thing,'' writes Yeats. One must wonder whether there is no country for old men?
The Cohen brothers bring the heart-thumping story to the big screen, and the movie received eight Oscar nominations. The film will come to theaters across Korea Feb. 21.
-Lee Hyo-won
Art in New York - Masterpieces of New York Museums
Lee Ju-heon; Hakgojae: 320pp., 16,500 won
Visit art museums of New York through the book, ``Art in New York - Masterpieces of New York Muse.'' This introduces five big New York museums and the must-see masterpieces of those museums.
The five museums are The Museum of Modern Art, also known as MoMA, Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Frick Collection.
Lee Ju-heon explains Western and American art history in easy words and some 100 paintings, all in full color, and detailed explanations on each painting helps understanding them.
According to Lee, the museums of New York show both the legacy of the Old Continent and the ambitions of the New Continent.Author of the book, Lee, was a former reporter and director of gallery Hakgojae. Now he works as an art critic.
This is the second book in the ``Art Travel'' series of Hakgojae. The first book was on Russian art. London and Northern Europe art will come next.This book provides an escape from reality for those who cannot fly to New York City to appreciate the actual paintings.
-Kwon Mee-yoo
2008 Trend Keyword
Kim Min-joo; Miraebook Publishing: 351pp., 12,000 won
Remember that fancy word describing the activity of companies supporting artists or art organizations? Or maybe the documentary film Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio produced in order to warn the world of environmental issues?
If you don't have a clue, or do know the answers but want to learn more about them, ``2008 Trend Keyword'' is the book for you.
Living in such a fast paced world with new ideas and trends springing up every minute, keywords are the essence of simplicity when explaining a subject, a person or even a certain period.
Kim Min-joo, head of management consulting company Lead & Leader, is offering his version of keywords to look for in 2008 through his book ``2008 Trend Keyword.''
The book offers various keywords in five different categories: economy, society, people, culture, and science.
In his book, Kim not only lists more than 200 keywords, but also gives examples, background information and also reasons why these will be the words of the year. There is even an overview of important keywords that shook the nation in 2007.
For those who need a chance to catch up on the latest news or trends, this book may just be the trick.
Next time anyone asks for a quick update on a current subject, tuck into your book and share the information, and even pretend you already knew all along!
-Han Sang-hee
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/02/142_18998.html
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