I saw David Fincher’s The Social Network on opening weekend and was immediately enthralled by it. The witty, lightning-quick dialogue, haunting soundtrack, brilliant performances, and refreshing cinematography all captivated me and made the relatively low-budget film my absolute favourite flick of 2010. The fast-tracked DVD and Blu-ray hit shelves today following a theatrical re-release to more than 600 locations domestically—all coinciding with the mounting awards buzz surrounding the film.¹ Do you think The Social Network will pick up any major awards?
And while a solid script, score, and talent easily explain why the film has grossed over $200 million worldwide (thus quadrupling its budget), there’s also the fascination with Facebook and the fact that the movie essentially represents “an entire generation of young adults reaching for its piece of the American Dream” that contributes to the movie’s popularity.² Did you see the movie? Was it your movie of the year?
With 71% of web users currently on Facebook³, the social networking site is the most visited site in the world. ⁴ It is valued at $50 billion dollars, and co-creator Mark Zuckerberg—named Time Magazine’s Man of the Year—is worth $14 billion.⁵
Clearly, Facebook is huge; it represents an era of fundamentally changed human relationships and communication. And libraries have noticed. According to the 2010 State of America’s Libraries, 11% of the country’s largest libraries (populations greater than 499,000) had a presence on Facebook in 2009, and that statistic is expected to be significantly greater among libraries of all sizes in ALA’s next report.
With Facebook’s ever-increasing popularity and the Social Network film expected to perform well this awards season, it’ll be interesting to see how the site will evolve in 2011 and how libraries will put it to use for them. Does your library have a Facebook? Why or why not? In what ways does your library or will your library use it to reach patrons? How could Facebook be improved for library use?
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A few weeks ago, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its class of 2011 and, outside of Alice Cooper and Neil Diamond, some casual music fans were left asking “who are these people?”
Tom Waits, Darlene Love, and Dr. John round out the field of five, and while most music experts agree that all of this year’s inductees are deserving of the honour, these musicians aren’t exactly household names. Bigger names such as Bon Jovi, the Beastie Boys, and Kiss will have to wait at least another year to see if they make the cut.
With all due respect to this year’s class, I was not initially convinced that some of the inductees should really be in over a band that, 25 years after their first release, is still the biggest touring act in the country (Bon Jovi), a rap group that helped define the genre (the Beasties), or the band that turned rock music into a marketable commodity—for better or for worse (Kiss).
With this thought burning in my mind, I decided to research exactly what it is that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (or the “Rock Hall,” as it has come to be known) voters are looking for when they place their votes. I did not have to look far—the qualifications are addressed right on the Rock Hall website:
To be eligible for induction as an artist (as a performer, composer, or musician) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the artist must have released a record, in the generally accepted sense of that phrase, at least 25 years prior to the year of induction; and have demonstrated unquestionable musical excellence.
We shall consider factors such as an artist's musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation and superiority in style and technique, but musical excellence shall be the essential qualification of induction.
So how exactly have Mr. Waits, Ms. Love, and Dr. John met these criteria?
Tom Waits is a highly regarded influence in the music community—while a grossly underrated talent outside of it. The gravel-voiced crooner’s career was born in the early ‘70s, and his ability to paint stark images with his words is matched by few.
Darlene Love’s impact was mainly felt during the ‘50s and ‘60s through her work with Phil Spector and his “Wall of Sound” production. As a backing vocalist, the list of artists that she worked with during this time is a virtual who’s who of the rock & roll and R&B scenes including Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, and Sam Cooke.
In a career that has spanned nearly 60 years, Dr. John—whose musical styling ranges from jazz and blues to rock and pop—embodies the New Orleans music scene. His longevity and innovation are what landed him his spot in the Hall.
The one trait that all three of these talented musicians share is that their contributions and influences are well-documented within the music community (Waits’ emotional vocals have impacted artists ranging from Chris Cornell to Nick Cave; Love’s legacy can be heard in the work of Luther Vandross and Patti LaBelle; Dr. John’s unique sound has influenced the likes of Harry Connick Jr. and G. Love), but in a wider sense, are largely unrecognized.
The criticism of the Rock Hall has long been that popular “big name” artists are often inducted ahead of more talented individuals, and while I take nothing away from this year’s class (they all deserve the accolade), I’m not sure I agree that this is even a problem.
Hasn’t rock & roll always been about the fans? What makes a successful rock band is an intangible quality that many simply refer to as “it.” “It” is what allows the act to connect with its fans, regardless of factors such as technical ability or technique—either an act has “it” or it doesn’t.
A rock act’s musical talent should not be the sole barometer of success, and I’m not sure that the criteria listed above exhibits that philosophy. Rock musicians that challenge us intellectually deserve their due, but let’s not forget the acts that we worshiped when we were growing up—which is why we fell in love with rock in the first place.
For a collection of work from the Class of 2011, click the banner below:
Did the Rock Hall get it right with the class of 2011? Who got snubbed? Who would you have voted in? Let us know in the comments below!
With December ending, have you rounded out your collections with the hottest titles of 2010? After consulting numerous year-end lists, I’ve narrowed down the best of the best of 2010. Check out the recommendations below to be sure your library has these top titles from 2010 before the New Year rolls in.
Audiobooks
Award Winners
Publishers Weekly reviews over 7,000 books each year, so I trust their end of the year choices. And after reading Rebecca Skloot’s touching yet informative The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks I completely agree with its spot on the Top Ten list. Here are the Weekly’s selections:
- A Visit from the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan
- Freedom, Jonathan Franzen
- Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand
- The Surrendered, Chang-rae Lee
- The Big Short, Michael Lewis
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
- Just Kids, Patti Smith
- Man in the Woods, Scott Spencer
- Lonely Polygamist, Brady Udall
- The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson
These titles along with other notables like By Nightfall, The Postmistress, and National Book Award finalist Parrot & Oliver in America appear on several year-end lists.
 Additionally, the late Stieg Larsson’s popular Millennium Trilogy ended in May with the publishing of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest. The Swede’s pulp fantasy earned a spot on the New York Times 2010 Notables list and AudioFile’s Best of 2010 list. Overall, the trilogy, including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire, sold over 27 million copies in more than 40 countries. 1
Curious as to what other titles earned multiple accolades? Click here for a downloadable spreadsheet of adult best books selections from national reviews.
Adult Authors, Youthful Listens
 Meanwhile, some fiction authors started catering to younger audiences. Check out these titles written for young adults by bestselling fiction authors:
Other top children’s stories were New York Times bestseller, Incarceron, Mockingjay, a part of the Hunger Games series, the starred review Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and Keeper, a tale of a young girl looking for her mermaid mother.
These are just a few of 2010’s top titles. To find more outstanding audiobooks from 2010, SmartBrowse: LJ’s Top Book List, LJ’s Best Audiobooks of 2010, NY Times 2010 Notables, and PW’s Best of 2010.
CDs
Leaders of the Pack
 After snagging 10 Grammy nominations, it makes perfect sense that Eminem’s album, Recovery, was the bestselling album of the year, selling over three million copies. However, when it comes to first week sales, Taylor Swift’s love-laden album, Speak Now, came out on top. Here are the top 10 debuting albums of 2010:
- Speak Now, Taylor Swift
- Recovery, Eminem
- Soldier of Love, Sade
- My Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West
- Need You Now, Lady Antebellum,
- Thank me Later,Drake
- Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj
- Raymond v. Raymond, Usher
- The Gift, Susan Boyle
- My World 2.0, Justin Bieber 2
 Other prized bands include Montreal indie rockers, Arcade Fire with their orchestral album, The Suburbs, and Vampire Weekend’s 2nd album, Contra. New to the scene, folk-rockers Mumford & Sons surprised listeners with their first album, Sigh No More—one of my personal favorites. And electronic pop dance beats from Yeasayer ( Odd Blood), Maximum Balloon ( Maximum Balloon), and LCD Soundsystem ( This is Happening) hit the right note with listeners and reviewers.
Back in the Saddle
 Elton John and Leon Russell rekindled their friendship in 2010, releasing The Union, an impressive compilation of guitars, brass, choir, and standout lyrics. Peter Wolf released Midnight Souvenirs after an eight year hiatus and punk rockers Superchunk released their first album in nine years, Majesty Shredding. Additionally, Sade released Soldier of Love, the first in 10 years—but well worth the wait.
Find more chart-topping CDs from 2010 by SmartBrowsing Best of 2010 – Rolling Stone, NPR’s Favorite Albums of 2010, Best of 2010 – Spin, Best of 2010 NPR Classical, and Best of 2010 - Billboard.
DVD
Social Network Finds Fans
It’s hard to say whether it was the sheer popularity of Facebook or the spectacular acting from Jesse Eisenberg that brought viewers in droves to see The Social Network. Regardless, both the average viewer (including myself) and the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures “liked” it. The film grossed $90.5 million worldwide and the board named it the best film of 2010. Additionally, Time Magazine named Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg Person of the Year. 3
The board also awarded best-of-the-year -honorable mentions to the following films:
TV to DVD
A number of television shows also impressed in 2010. Racking up multiple Golden Globe nominations were Glee, Mad Men, The Pacific, The Good Wife, 30 Rock, Dexter, and hilarious newcomer Modern Family. CVS Midwest Tape offers a large selection of TV on DVD products that are easy to find on our website, www.cvsmidwesttapes.com. By SmartBrowsing television series, you can find a list of these titles broken down by subcategory.
The Latest Craze
 However, perhaps the biggest trend of 2010 was the popularity of 3D entertainment. Throughout the year, over 20 films were released in 3D, including some of the year’s best. Topping the charts this summer were in-your-face-flicks Toy Story 3 ($415million), Alice in Wonderland ($334 million), and Shrek Forever After ($238.4million) 4. These animated pictures, along with Despicable Me and How to Train your Dragon, dominated the box office.
Bye-Bye Harry, Hello Bella
Concluding on a bittersweet note, 2010 was the beginning of the end for Harry Potter and his clan. They became one-step closer to ending their 10-year-reign with the cinematic release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Still in theaters, it has grossed $244.2 million so far. Another book-based movie, Eclipse, from the Twilight Saga, set a record for the biggest midnight opening in the United States and Canada, grossing over $30 million. 5
Did I miss any of your favorites? What titles were popular at your library in 2010? Share your thoughts here as comments and look for CVS News & Views’ upcoming post about what to watch for in 2011.
1 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/magazine/23Larsson-t.html?_r=1&ref=general&src=me&pagewanted=all
2 http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653381/20101201/west_kanye.jhtml
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Social_Network
4 http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/entertainment/movies/a-look-back-at-the-top-10-movies-of-2010
5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Saga:_Eclipse
In response to Variety’s recent report that Mandalay Pictures has snatched up the film rights for author Sophie Jordan’s new young adult trilogy, Firelight, even though she’s only just released the series’ first book, Entertainment Weekly started a debate on which YA read should hit the big screen next.
But what about books that shouldn’t be made into movies?
There are plenty of folks up in arms right now about Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming attempt at F. Scott Fitzgerald’s modernist classic The Great Gatsby—and it isn’t just because some worry that Carey Mulligan won’t be able to fill the shoes of femme fatale Daisy Buchanan. In an article with The Atlantic, Hampton Stevens explains that most are worrying that “Luhrmann's film will inevitably fail to capture the majesty of Fitzgerald's work, just as have the half-dozen screen adaptations before it.” As many articles profess, Fitzgerald’s work isn’t incredible because of its plotline, but because of its introspection and immense level of emotion—two things that are rather difficult to replicate on film. Do you want to see Luhrmann’s Gatsby? What’s your take on another adaptation of this novel?
Another film ruffling feathers: David Fincher’s U.S. adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy. Besides being an international bestselling series, the books are also already movies. The Swedish version of the film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, performed decently in the U.S., hitting theatres through distribution by Music Box Films and grossing a respectable $10.1 million. The series’ third film isn’t even available on DVD yet and The Social Network director is already filming the first instalment of the U.S. remake.
Niels Arden Oplev, director of the Swedish Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, has expressed anger over the remake. In a Word & Film Website interview, Oplev discusses his outrage: “Even in Hollywood there seems to be a kind of anger about the remake; like, ‘Why would they remake something when they can just go see the original?’” Of course, what can he expect? As Andrew Pullver of the Guardian explains “recycling already-proven material has always been the film industry's way: whether reconfiguring already-successful books, plays and—latterly—video games, or simply freshening up its own product.”
In addition to those taking issue with Hollywood’s eagerness to overshadow the original film series, like the Daisy Buchanan situation, many wonder how Rooney Mara ( Nightmare on Elm Street; The Social Network) will compare to Swedish actress Noomi Rapace at playing feminist heroine Lisbeth Salander. As John Kass of the Chicago Tribune explains: “Like many fans, I live in dread of what Hollywood will do to [main character] Lisbeth… We don't want Lisbeth Salander played by some Hollywood cutie with perfect teeth and skin like peaches… The perfect Salander is already on film.” What’s your take on Hollywood’s remake of the Millennium Trilogy?
So Gatsby and a U.S. Dragon Tattoo are already realities. Are there any other books-to-films that you think are bad ideas? What books do you feel should definitely not be made into films? Share your thoughts below as comments.
According to the 2010 State of the Internet report, approximately 1.8 billion people use the internet every day. 1 And with the economy still staggering, more people are cancelling their internet subscriptions and turning to libraries to stay connected. One man in South Florida reports saving over $700 a year by cancelling his home internet subscription, utilizing his local library to access the web. 2
Even patrons who have internet access at home continue to use wireless networks provided by local libraries. “Over the past year, 45% of the 169 million visitors to public libraries connected to the internet using a library computer or wireless network during their visit, even though more than three quarters of these people had internet access at home, work, or elsewhere.” 3 Because more and more individuals are turning to libraries for more than just physical materials, it is important to be able to provide a dependable network.
Optimizing Bandwidth
Internet slowdowns occur when the total amount of bandwidth demanded exceeds the amount actually available. For example, patrons using mobile devices and laptops can bog down the speed of the internet as well as those viewing streaming media. Even as libraries increase their bandwidth—51.8% of libraries report offering speeds greater than 1.5mbps, up from 44.5% from last year—it still may not be enough for optimal browsing. 4
Currently, nearly 60% of public libraries report inadequate internet connection speeds to meet patron demand. 5 And as complex internet applications and services continue to grow, in addition to the rampant rise of Smartphones there is a good chance that percentage will increase as well.
Instead of fighting congested bandwidth with more bandwidth, libraries can implement a network traffic shaper. Network traffic shaping or packet shaping is a way to ensure that every user receives the same priority. If one computer is using the network heavily, its packets are delayed so that others are given equal access. 6 Additionally, web caching software can help improve page load times. These programs save copies of recently accessed web pages on the hard drive. The next time someone accesses the same page it will load more quickly because it is not being pulled down from a remote server. 7
Web Services
Over the next two years, the internet will see the biggest programming overhaul the web has ever seen: HTML5. It will have higher security features and faster load times. However, some browsers will not be able to handle the new web format. Therefore, libraries will have to upgrade their browsers. Test how compatible your browsers will be in the future here.
Mobile technologies have made it easier to access the web anywhere and at anytime. Global mobile data traffic is projected to double every year through 2013. 8 Currently, the technology exists for users with a simple 3G connection to access eBooks and multimedia content via local libraries. Therefore, libraries will be able to reach more patrons in the future by incorporating mobile technologies into their library services. Visit our previous blog post, Mobile Technologies to Push Library Limits, to read more about ways to incorporate mobile technologies into your library.
Cloud Computing
According to OCLC’s Matt Goldner, cloud computing is vital to the success of libraries. By not working in the cloud, Goldner believes, “Librarians will risk losing patrons.” He continues to say that, “The cloud is to IT what Google is to libraries—motivation to maintain relevance.” 9
Cloud computing is a web-based process where information is stored on outside servers, instead of in-house. Subscribing to multiple clouds provides a cost effective way for libraries to run/complement their IT systems. In the cloud, outside companies rent out their servers, software, and infrastructures. This eliminates the need for costly maintenance updates.
Additionally, there is a low risk for downtime or data loss. Hosts like Amazon EC2 have tested security measures and are able to implement new software releases in a timely manner. Google is useful to track statistics, maintain calendars, and collect responses from web forms. And OCLC’s Web Management Service keeps a universal, up-to-date central vendor database so that staff members can spend more time helping patrons and less time updating vendor lists. Even discussions during a “Designing Library Services for the Cloud” session at last year’s LITA Forum alluded that eventually, through cloud computing, library cards may be standardized so that they can be used at any library, like debit cards. 9
Before outsourcing though, libraries should consider the reliability of working in a cloud. For example, if an outsourced system goes down, so do all of the websites, data, and potentially business-critical applications they are hosting. In addition, clouds are more vulnerable to hacking, which could expose sensitive patron information. But because computing clouds are flexible, libraries can chose to host their own systems while using the cloud for less sensitive processes like library websites, backing up media collections, and storing and accessing bibliographic data.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest network enhancers, whether applying a network traffic shaper, embracing mobile technology, moving responsibilities into the cloud, or simply updating browsers. Falling behind will cause faithful patrons to turn elsewhere to access employment opportunities, health-care information, government resources, and the latest news and to connect with distant family and friends. Every library is different, so implementing a combination of these techniques based on your needs may be your best resort.
How has your library approached network reliability? Does your library use network shapers or cloud computing? Share your experiences here as comments.
Further Reading:
http://www.ala.org/ala/research/initiatives/plftas/2009_2010/al_techlandscape.pdf
http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/12/12/understanding-cloud-computing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=understanding-cloud-computing
http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/cookbook-3/networking-and-security/tools/bandwidth-management-techniques-tips-and-actions
http://impact.ischool.washington.edu/documents/OPP4ALL_ExecSumm.pdf
1 http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/11/03/state-of-the-internet-2010-a-report-on-the-ever-changing-threat-landscape/
2 http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries/ALA_Report_2010-ATI001-NEW1.pdf
3 http://impact.ischool.washington.edu/documents/OPP4ALL_ExecSumm.pdf
4 http://www.ala.org/ala/research/initiatives/plftas/2009_2010/al_techlandscape.pdf
5 http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/ljinprintcurrentissue/849934-403/newsdesk.html.csp
6 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-traffic-shaping.htm
7 http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/cookbook-3/networking-and-security/tools/bandwidth-management-techniques-tips-and-actions
8http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns341/ns525/ns537/ns705/ns827/white_paper_c11-481360_ns827_Networking_Solutions_White_Paper.html
9http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/inside-scoop/lita-forum-thinking-aloud-about-cloud
Ah, the three famous gifts of the season: frankincense, myrrh, and Golden Globes—er, gold.
The Christmas season traditionally brings the Golden Globe nominations with it, and this year’s Globe hopefuls were announced early Tuesday morning by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Unsurprisingly, The King’s Speech (seven nominations), The Social Network (six nominations), and The Fighter (six nominations) ruled the motion picture side of the ballot while Glee’s unfathomable popularity put it on top of the television side.
The Best Dramatic Motion Picture category, the closest thing to “top prize” for the Golden Globes, is a crowded field this year. Based on the amount of love that surfaced for Inception upon its arrival, I would have to consider it to be the favourite—but don’t count out any of the other candidates. The King’s Speech’s multiple nominations, Black Swan’s immense buzz, The Social Network’s timely subject matter, and The Fighter’s freshness in voters’ minds could all tip the scales one way or another.
While critics and bloggers alike expected these films to nab nominations, the Best Musical or Comedy Motion Picture category was far more unpredictable and caused some significant head scratching.
It’s not the happenstance of a children’s film ( Alice in Wonderland) finding itself in the same category as a movie about burlesque dancers ( Burlesque, which didn’t exactly receive award-worthy reviews) that’s boggling, It’s how The Tourist, a thriller about a couple on the lam in Italy, winds up nominated for this award. This film was clearly neither a comedy nor a musical, yet it finds itself nominated as such. Were the Globes really that much in need of more Johnny Depp?
While the Globes can’t seem to get enough Depp, television viewers’ bizarre need for more Glee led to its five nominations (don’t get me wrong, I like the show—but let’s be honest, if someone would have told you two years ago that a musical show about the exploits of a high school glee club set in Lima, Ohio would be the top show of 2010, you probably would have thrown a slushie in their face), including Best Comedy or Musical Television Series. It faces some stiff competition in this category though, as 30 Rock, The Big C, Modern Family, Nurse Jackie, and my personal favourite, The Big Bang Theory, are all in the running.
To view the complete list of nominations, click here, and to shop this year’s nominees, click the collection panel below:
Did the Globes get it right? Who was snubbed? What was nominated that shouldn’t have been? Is The Tourist really a comedy or musical? Let us know your thoughts below!
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