Behind the StacksNews from the Reference Libraryby Zoe A cheery hello from the Reference Library! The coming of Spring is always welcome and along with signs of new life outside, there is new life sprouting in our Library! Alexei Nicholaevich Romanov recently conducted a Queen Elizabeth Trivia Contest at House of Tudor. Ten questions were posted and the answers could be found by carefully reading the previous posts in The House of Tudor section. Be sure to have a look at questions to see how many you could have answered! The winners of the QEC were announced on 23 March, the 400th anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth I. Each winner was awarded an honorary royal title as well as a beautiful plaque. Our congratulations go out to these intrepid contestants! Madame Victoire de France Awarded: Queen of England Science Fiction in the Library You may not have known but there is an entire section in our Library which deals with Science Fiction and Fantasy. Managed by two capable Librarians, Malar Kasni and Destiny, this is a great resource for those of you who write in this genre. From Dragons and Fairies to Space Ships and Robots, there are fifteen separate forums containing interesting and informative posts and well as lots of graphics. Click on the Library Card to read or to add your own information to this growing section of the Library. Books in Chains One advantage of an online library is that the 'books' cannot be stolen. In the Middle Ages manuscripts were rare and valuable things, for the most part being hand copied in monasteries. In order to hold onto their treasures, the monks would incorporate chains into the bindings so that the volumes could be secured to the shelves. One had to stand and read, no taking the text to a table, no borrowing it to take it home. Now you know. Featured Librarian Our featured Librarian for the Spring edition of The Panhistorian is Rehtaeh MacRoth! Rehtaeh conceived and organized the entire Canada section of our Library. She and the many other Canadian members of Pan continue to add information on the history and culture of their country. One topic I particularly enjoy is Place Names, an encyclopedia of the origins of the names of Canadian places. For an inside and sometimes humorous look at some of the things that our Canadians regard as the symbols of their country visit Symbols of Canada. We thank you Rehtaeh for your marvelous idea of including Canada in our Library and for all your hard work in its establishment! Librarian News
Atheena Aristophanes has bravely taken over two sections, Ancient Euphrates and the Middle East and The American Civil War. The Colonization of North America and the American Revolution section is now being headed by John Wayne. Stavros Hydraphobia has been busy reorganizing and adding information to his section, English Civil Wars and Cromwellian England. Welcome to all three of you! Would you like to become a Librarian? There are still several sections that have need of a knowledgeable and enthusiastic person. We are looking for active posters who will also be available for guidance, encouragement and organization. For the particulars, please visit the Friends of the Library Reference Book. The Last Word There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration. Andrew Carnegie The PanHistoria Reference Library is just as democratic as that of Carnegie. Any member of Panhistoria may post in our Library. We invite you all to come explore the stacks and to add to our growing store of information. We look forward to reading your contributions to the Panhistoria Reference Library! |
