"Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get."
~ Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) in Forrest Gump

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Not long ago, libraries here were forlorn buildings filled with dog-eared books and long checkout lines. Libraries have since evolved tremendously. The National Library Board (NLB) has done tonnes to shed its typical library image of being bookish, pedantic and uninteresting. Why, one is even able to bodysurf to the beat of rock music in our libraries when homegrown rock bands Auburn’s Epiphany and Plain Sunset performed for the Stomp Rocks the Library! series. (6)

Apart from rocking its way into hearts of the young, NLB also took the scientific approach by partnering with the Singapore Science Centre to showcase a range of interactive exhibits at the various libraries. (4) NLB even partook in the current frenzy for blogging, by launching four blogs online on its website, targeting specific groups of library users. (5) Yours truly, Digi.Talk was one of the four blogs launched, that posted book reviews to promote reading and wrote World Cup match reports to attract soccer fans to check out digital resources on sports. Senior manager Ian Bain, 56 said "Blogs are a godsend to librarians. People think librarians are boring people and the library is a stuffy place. We write our blogs in a light-hearted, conversational voice.''

So how did our libraries change?

In 1995, Singapore appointed one of its top technology researchers to revamp its libraries, giving him S$1 billion (US$578 million) to spend over eight years. At the time, libraries everywhere were experiencing declining patronage. In Singapore, the number of books lent had been stagnant for years. People were either watching television or logging on to the Internet. Around the world, governments were wringing their hands over whether or not to spend more money on libraries. But instead of regarding technology as a death knell for libraries, Singapore embraced it. It designed automated systems to eliminate long lines at counters and installed computers with broadband Internet services. (2)

At present, library users can even loan books online, from the various eBook collections NLB’s Digital Library has. Databases were also bought, to provide public with a huge range of search facilities to retrieve the information they need.

We have so many reasons to celebrate the library and we did, when Celebrate Libraries, a campaign to showcase the positive impact of libraries, was launched early this year. Members of the public were encouraged to share their library experiences. 80 stories were selected out of the 4,300 entries received and were compiled into a book which was launched on the 25th of October by Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Information, Communications and the Arts. (7)

Celebrate libraries, now and forever.

Direct Links:

(1) NLB launches campaign to showcase positive impact of libraries
Channel NewsAsia; 10 January 2006. Mediacorp News Pte Ltd.
Taken from: Factiva.com

(2) May Yee, Chen.Libraries Get High-Tech Boost – Singapore Installs Computerized Checkouts, Broadband Internet Services in Reading Centers – New Technology Draws in Readers.
The Asian Wall Street Journal; 2 January 2001.
Taken from: Factiva.com

(3) Singapore Sends Noice Police to Libraries
AP Online; 26 June 2003.
Taken from: Factiva.com

(4) NLB partners S’pore Science Centre on interactive exhibits at libraries
Channel NewsAsia; 17 April 2006. Mediacorp News Pte Ltd.
Taken from: Factiva.com

(5) Not Victoria Secrets, but read what’s going on
Straits Times, The (Singapore); 25 August 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(6) Rocking to the beat at Library@Orchard
Straits Times, The (Singapore); 21 September 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(7) Cheong, June. Their stories – read how libraries changed lives.
Straits Times, The (Singapore); 26 October 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(8) Chin Lian, Goh. Govt agencies getting into the act
Straits Times, The (Singapore); 23 August 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(9) Image taken from: http://202.172.249.117/NLB/celebrating_lib/

Posted by digitalk team at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

by
Arthur Samuel Joseph
Publisher: Sounds True
Subject: Self-Improvement

Your voice is your identity. It can tell people everything about who you are, how you feel about yourself, and what you believe in. Now you can gain perfect command of your voice with Vocal Awareness. Created by Arthur Samuel Joseph, former university professor and vocal coach to the stars, Vocal Awareness is a complete system for mastering your voice and integrating it into your life.

For over 30 years, Arthur Joseph has been investigating the connections between language, breath, and psychophysical response. He has developed a vocal training system so unique – and so effective – that a U.S. patent for it is pending. On Vocal Awareness, you will work along with Arthur Joseph one on one to gain a new understanding of how your voice works ... uncover its connections to your mind/body/spirit ... learn proven vocal exercises to explore and connect with your feelings ... and dramatically enhance your vocal performance. Your voice has the power to instantly reach out and connect with people. Take charge of your voice – and your ability to express your self – with Vocal Awareness.

To access this title! Click on OVERDRIVE

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"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens."
- Jimi Hendrix

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“Every individual creates and keeps information about their personal and business activities. Archivists identify and preserve portions of this recorded information that has lasting value” (5). This is exactly what Web Archive Singapore does to websites.

Web Archive Singapore (W.A.S) by the National Library Board, was launched successfully on the 18th of October.

So what’s an archive to begin with?
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, “an archive is a repository for an organized body of records produced or received by a public, semipublic, institutional, or business entity in the transaction of its affairs and preserved by it or its successors.” The term “archives”, which also designates the body of records themselves, derives from French.

W.A.S is a repository of some 1,000 Singapore-related websites,
This archive collection showcases various facets of our local lives and websites were carefully selected to be part of the nation's documentary heritage. It seeks to provide both a research tool and a record of online content that may no longer exist on the original sites.

W.A.S ranges from the official to the academic to the quirky (2).

The archive includes Government-related websites, school websites, and even websites of registered societies and arts groups.

W.A.S offers many possibilities for you.
You can:
- you can access local websites that are no longer “live”
- research past digital life of Singapore
- explore the web heritage of Singapore
- archive your website for prosperity

Discover more about Singapore and its online heritage here.

Direct Links:

(1)
Encyclopædia Britannica. archives.
Encyclopædia Britannica Online. October 25, 2006.
Taken from: Encyclopaedie Britannica Online
http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9009295

(2) Siew, Alfred. Library board to archive local websites.
Straits Times, The (Singapore). October 19, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(3) Siew, Alfred. Library board to archive local websites.
Straits Times, The (Singapore). October 19, 2006.
Taken from: Factiva.com

(4) The National Library collects local research-worthy websites (Mandarin).
Lian He Zao Bao. October 20, 2006.
Taken from: Factiva.com

(5) American History. What are Archives?
Link: http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives/a-1.htm

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Board games have been around for thousands of years. Some of the oldest games are some of the most popular, including chess and checkers.

Backgammon dates back at least to the first century C.E. when the Roman Emperor Claudius played it. Chess probably had its origin in Persia or India, over 4,000 years ago. Checkers was played as early as 1400 B.C.E. in Egypt.

Major board games such as Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley have made fortunes by developing hundreds of games promising entertainment for players of all ages.

For old-fashioned fun, many are going back to family board games. Even the most dedicated video gamers, Web surfers and couch potatoes long for an occasional escape from electronic amusement.

Board games have become so popular that online versions have been created. MSN Messenger enables one to play board games online, allowing users to compete with their opponents virtually.

Did you know board games are associated with Art?

“Homemade game boards have reached a level of artistic appreciation never dreamed of by their creators.” (Authors Esther & Franklin Schmidt, 2003)

Boards games took long to find their market level in the art industry stated Stacy C. Hollander, senior curator and director of exhibitions at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. Today, board games have actualized much of their market potential. They’re even outperforming other folk-art objects such as weathervanes, whirligigs (a child’s toy), quilts and painted chests. The prices for medium-range boards range between US$1,000 and US$3,500.

Aspiring to make your own board game?
Check out this event.

Direct Links:
(1) Caplan, Jeremy. Beyond Monopoly. (Your Time; Lifestyle)(board games)
Time 167.15 (April 10, 2006): p83.
Taken from: Educators Periodical Collection.

(2) David, Rosalie. "Entertainment in ancient Egypt."
Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003.
Taken from: Ancient and Medieval History Online. .

(3) King Tutone
Link: http://www.kingtutone.com/tutankhamun/

(4)Lloyd, James H. "Board Games."
St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Eds. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. Vol. 1. Detroit: St. James Press, 2000. 297-298. 5 vols.
Taken from: Gale Virtual Reference Library.

(5)Schmidt, Esther & Schmidt Franklin. “Fair Game.”
Art & Antiques; Jun2003, 26, p36-37.
Taken from: Art FullText and Art Index Retrospective

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"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."- Winston Churchill

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Publisher: Nomad Press
Subject(s): Art
Juvenile Nonfiction
Science

From armored tanks and gliders to "plastic glass" and drawing machines, this interactive book explores the incredible mind of Leonardo da Vinci through hands-on building projects and activities.

Most of Leonardo's inventions were never made in his lifetime and remained sketches in his famous notebooks; kids examine some of these original sketches and learn about the models he made of his inventions. From there they delve into detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for each project, which are interpersed with historical facts, biographical anecdotes, and trivia. Most of the building can be done using simple household supplies: construction paper, tape, markers, glue, cardboard tubes, aluminum foil, and cardboard boxes.

Background about the Renaissance as a period of remarkable achievement in art and science appears throughout the book.

To access this title! Click on OVERDRIVE

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We Singaporeans generally love to shop, and now we have another mall to conquer.
Vivocity is finally here!

HUGE - that was the reaction of shoppers who checked out VivoCity, Singapore's newest mall, at its soft opening over the weekend. Over 300,000 shoppers thronged the mall during the weekend it opened its doors to public, and this exceeded expectations landlord MapleTree Investments said.

At 1.04 million sq ft, equivalent to the size of Suntec City and Tangs combined, the mall located within the HarbourFront precinct is also Singapore's largest.

But while size was a talking point, some shoppers were disappointed that not all the shops were open. Only 60 per cent of the 300 stores, such as Tangs, Topshop, Guess and Esprit, welcomed shoppers over the weekend.

One of the highlights of the mall, cinema operator Golden Village, said 12,000 movie tickets were sold over the weekend. Golden Village (GV), whose latest weapon is GV Vivocity - a $20 million, 15-screen cineplex has ambitious plans to sell one million movie tickets in its first year and boost GV's market share to 50 per cent from its current 44 per cent.

The name “VivoCity” was chosen as it perfectly encapsulated landlord Mapletree’s vision for the development. “Right from our initial planning, we aimed to create a distinctively different leisure and retail destination,” explained Mr Cheng, chairman of MapleTree Investments.

Well, whether VivoCity becomes Singapore’s ultimate lifestyle destination, we’ll only know after the mall's official launch on Dec 1 2006, when 90 per cent of the stores is expected to be opened.

Direct Links:
(1) VivoCity - http://www.vivocity.com.sg/
(2) Vibrant City.
Chiang, Tay Suan Straits Times, The (Singapore). October 10, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank
(3) On a screen near you: War of the ‘plexes.
Ee, Jaime. Business Times, The (Singapore). October 7, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank
(4) Vivacious VivoCity - Singapore's biggest mall VivoCity opens tomorrow.
Yip, May. Straits Times, The (Singapore). October 6, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

Posted by digitalk team at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

NLB provides a variety of databases to its users. One of these many databases is Pop Culture eCollection, which provides useful fodder for social science, history, art and liberal arts researchers.

It comprises of 100 full-text periodicals and the following reference eBooks:
- Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990
- Bowling, Beatniks, and Bell-Bottoms: Pop Culture of 20th-Century America
- Contemporary Fashion
- International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers
- St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture
- U*X*L American Decades
- and Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever 2006 and 2007

To view our online tutorial, click Here.
to learn how to do a basic search using Pop Culture eCollection.

To access this database, click here.

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All of us have our favorite set of authors whose books we love. Writing a novel is not an easy task. And writing a good novel is an even tougher feat. So what makes a good novel?

“Character, story and underlying spiritual truth are what matter. These are considered to be the fundamentals of novels, which must be understood if one wants to write one,” says Calder Willingham in his article. According to Erika Dreifus in her article. “Characters must want something, and want it intensely.” In novels, the characters are the main aspect.

It isn’t all about fundamentals I reckon. One should be able to imagine, has to be expressive and fluent with their language to write a fabulous novel.

“Almost all fiction and non-fiction, including short stories and essays, need a strong, distinctive voice,” mentioned novelist John Edward Ames. The concept of “voice,” is defined as the style or manner of expression of an author or character in a book. This creates the identity and personality of the author’s writing both in fiction and non-fiction. Each author is different is their own way, thus they have their own unique writing style. It is their individuality that makes them stand out and steal readers’ attention.

Ever wanted to write your very own novel?

First, listen to Robert B. Parker, author of the Spenser series (latest: Back Story), and Dennis Lehane, author of Shutter Island, who know a thing or two about stringing words together and about getting the job done.

- "DIVE IN.” "Just write the book for yourself. It won't matter then whether it gets published, "Lehane says. "Write it for yourself, and then self-consciousness goes away."

- PREPARE TO STINK. "You won't be coming out of the gate with the necessary skills," Lehane says. "You have to suck longer than you think. If you want to be rich or want to be known, there are so many easier ways."

- PACE YOURSELF. Parker writes no more than five pages a day; his limit before becoming "bored or distracted." In 60 days, that is 300 pages. Lehane blocks out at least 2 hours a day - no phone, no e-mail, no getting up. "Don't get up when it hurts. And it'll hurt," he says.

- GO TO WORK. "If you do this for a living, you can't wait for inspiration," Parker says. "Writing fiction is a matter of will and self-control. Talent isn't everything."

- CRIME-STOPPER TIPS: For a crime or detective novel, concentrate on characters, not plot. "People are more interested in people than events," Parker says. Lehane says limit physical descriptions: "It lets the reader own the characters."

Singapore too has its very own group of novelists. Check out our local novels at the launch of So You Think You Can Write A Novel, featuring novel excerpts by 19 Singapore writers. For more information, visit here.

So get inspired, set the scene and get your brain juices flowing.

Direct Links:
(1) How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author
Ilene Cooper. The Booklist. Chicago: Sep 1, 2006, Vol. 103 Issue 1, p36- p38.
Taken from: ProQuest Research

(2) One author's steps to success for fiction writers
Erika Dreifus. The Writer. Boston: Oct 2006. Vol. 119 Issue 10, p49.
Taken from: ProQuest Research

(3) In search of voice on the streets of Deadwood
John Edward Ames. The Writer. Boston: Sep 2006. Volume 119 Issue 9, p43.
Taken from: ProQuest Research

(4) How To Write Novels and Screenplays.
Willingham, Calder. Texas Review, Spring/Summer2005, Vol. 26 Issue 1/2, p81-p99.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier

(5) Writing Novels and Having Fun: That's Amore.
Andriani, Lynn. Publishers Weekly, 4/26/2004, Vol. 251 Issue 17, p32-p36.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier

(6) The Case of the New Writer.
Men's Health, May2003, Vol. 18 Issue 4, p86.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier

(7) The Writing Life.
Trujillo, Carla. Lambda Book Report, Jun99, Vol. 7 Issue 11, p18.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier

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Power of Tea

Did you know that after water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world?

A nice hot cup of tea can make life's little miseries more bearable and boost your antioxidant quotient. There's something very calming about the ritual of preparing a pot of tea. Tea, whether it is black, white or herbal, has many health benefits. Latest research shows that a daily cuppa is brimful of antioxidants, which can lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health.

In Japan, a team of researchers was able to link green tea consumption with decreased mortality from all causes, based on a report from the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Also, research shows that green tea may contain cancer-fighting agents, while certain herbal teas claim to combat or soothe many maladies. Some experts believe its flavonoids may even inhibit the growth of plaque on teeth.

Apart from being good for the health, the humble cup of tea was a powerful device for promoting world peace, according to a Japanese grandmaster Genshitsu Sen whose family has been promoting the tradition of tea-making for 500 years. It might be a result of the gentle act of making tea that could have an impact on human relations, suggested by Dr Sen, speaking through an interpreter.

Occupational psychologist Dr Rebecca Newton, who conducted a study into tea drinking for the UK Tea Council, said it is true that drinking tea together is a relaxing way for people to communicate effectively. "Tea is a natural social lubricant. It helps people relax, talk to one another and catch up. So it makes sense that one of the most effective ways to build a good reputation in the office is to make a refreshing cup of tea for colleagues.”

Tea is so popular today, with many flavours available. Drink to your health with traditional herbals favourites such as peppermint or chamomile or tempt yourself with one of the modern blends such as berry ripe, a chocolate and berry sensation or maybe Japanese Sencha green tea infused with vanilla. Get your cuppa tea, savour the taste and reap the benefits of it.

Direct Links:
(1) Wright, Hillary. “What's Brewing? New Evidence Of Benefits From Tea: An EN
Primer.” Environmental Nutrition; Oct2006, Vol. 29 Issue 10, p1-4.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier

(2) Weil, Andrew. GREEN TEA, BLACK COFFEE.
Time; 9/25/2006, Vol. 168 Issue 13, p106.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier

(3) Steaming ahead.
Economist; 7/8/2006, Vol. 380 Issue 8485, p57-57.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier

(4) Hammers, Maryann. Stop sneezing.
Better Nutrition; May2006, Vol. 68 Issue 5, p56-56.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Avademic Search Premier

(5) Torrey, Joanna. The power of tea.
Health; Mar2006, Vol. 20 Issue 2, p137-137.
Taken from: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier

(6) Mercieca, Tamra. Tea for two.
Sunday Telegraph; June 18, 2006, p6.
Taken from: Newsbank

(7) Finding world peace, right down to a tea.
Canberra Times; September 12, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

- Sir Winston Churchill, British politician (1874 - 1965)

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Is Hollywood suffering from a lack of imagination?

Gehring, Wes D., mentioned in his article“American movies generally attempt to play it safe financially by working with proven material. Besides the aforementioned sequel route, there are five additional safety net approaches: copycatting a popular genre hit, moving a television program to the big screen, literary adaptations, remakes, and re-releases.”

It is worrisome that the movies running in our theatres in recent times are mostly adaptations of novels, comics and games or remakes and re-releases.
Sure, most of the time we’re left anticipating, waiting in vain, always on the lookout for the latest sneak previews just to see our favourites unveil in front of us on the big screen. Unfortunately, despite being released with a big bang, they largely fail to impress the fans of the originals.

Reviewing the movie version of Oscar Wilde's “The Picture of Dorian Gray” in The Nation in 1945, James Agee complained that "the novel ... is distinguished, wise, and frightening; whereas the movie is just a cultured horror movie, decorated with epigrams and an elaborate moral, and made with a sincere effort at good taste rather than with passion, immediacy, or imagination."

Movie adaptations have been an ongoing trend since the days when movies were black-and-white. But what seemed to be a subtle trend is fast becoming common in Hollywood today. One could name a string of movies produced, based on novels, comics and games. In the upcoming weeks, several adaptations would be released such as James Ellroy’s The Black Dahlia, Steven Millhauser’s The Illusionist, Janette Oke’s Love’s Abiding Joy, Tom Perrotta’s Little Children and Dito Montiel’s A Guide to Recognising Your Saints, just to name a few.

Whether these movies will go the way of their predecessors, remains to be seen but if you want to find out more about adapted screenplays do visit our databases today.

Direct Links:
(1) Vineberg, Steve. “In Movie Adaptations, Changing Stories to Keep Their Essence.”
Chronicle of Higher Education. 2/9/2001, Vol. 47 Issue 22, pB12.
EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier.
(2) Gehring, Wes D. “Hollywood suffers from lack of imagination.” USA Today Magazine;
November 1997, Vol. 126 Issue 2630, p70-p74.
EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier.

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