Library
A capacity crowd was treated Dec. 2 to an inspiring performance by Pulitzer Prize winning author and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman, whose latest book, Hot Flat and Crowded, redefines the green revolution in common-sense terms and reaffirms that America has lost its groove and must change or, figuratively, die. I say performance because in a masterful, tale-spinning hour, punctuated with both humor and facts, his salient point--that America must innovate or else--put a new slant on the global climate change debate, taking it out of the realm of pure science and into where it matters most: the marketplace, where you must perform or perish.
That the clarion call to innovate took place in the Arlington Public Library's Central Auditorium is another sign of the important role libraries play in communities across the nation. Not only do we bring in top-tier authors, public figures and thinkers to discuss the bleeding and leading wedge issues of our times and promote the free exchange of opinions and ideas. Our shelves are lined with innovations, failed schemes and dreams, the factual, the fanciful, the good, bad and the ugly--and that is as it should be.
There has long been a link between libraries and innovators. The nation's first innovator/inventor-in-chief Thomas Jefferson gave up his personal library for the fledgling Library of Congress not once but twice. And Ben Franklin, no stranger to invention himself, started the nation's first free lending library.
Friedman's message was clear: the glass of lemonade is still half full. We have exactly enough time--starting now.
Watch the Thomas L. Friedman lecture online.
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The Arlington YearsThoughts From County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh Dear fellow users and supporters of the Arlington Public Library, On Saturday, Feb. 20, the acting County Manager presented to the County Board the proposed...
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Library
The Arlington Years: A Shout Out for Innovation
The Arlington Years
Thoughts from County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane KreshA capacity crowd was treated Dec. 2 to an inspiring performance by Pulitzer Prize winning author and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman, whose latest book, Hot Flat and Crowded, redefines the green revolution in common-sense terms and reaffirms that America has lost its groove and must change or, figuratively, die. I say performance because in a masterful, tale-spinning hour, punctuated with both humor and facts, his salient point--that America must innovate or else--put a new slant on the global climate change debate, taking it out of the realm of pure science and into where it matters most: the marketplace, where you must perform or perish. That the clarion call to innovate took place in the Arlington Public Library's Central Auditorium is another sign of the important role libraries play in communities across the nation. Not only do we bring in top-tier authors, public figures and thinkers to discuss the bleeding and leading wedge issues of our times and promote the free exchange of opinions and ideas. Our shelves are lined with innovations, failed schemes and dreams, the factual, the fanciful, the good, bad and the ugly--and that is as it should be.
There has long been a link between libraries and innovators. The nation's first innovator/inventor-in-chief Thomas Jefferson gave up his personal library for the fledgling Library of Congress not once but twice. And Ben Franklin, no stranger to invention himself, started the nation's first free lending library.
Friedman's message was clear: the glass of lemonade is still half full. We have exactly enough time--starting now.
Watch the Thomas L. Friedman lecture online.
- Proposed Fy 2011 Budget
The Arlington YearsThoughts From County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh Dear fellow users and supporters of the Arlington Public Library, On Saturday, Feb. 20, the acting County Manager presented to the County Board the proposed...
- The Arlington Years: Snowver It
The Arlington YearsThoughts From County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh The last several days of wintery white-out are testament to the old adage that there can be too much of a good thing. So when I wasn?t on County snow status...
- The Arlington Years: Fiscal Year 2010 Recommended Arlington Public Library Budget
The Arlington Years Thoughts from County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh Please read the proposed Department of Libraries budget for FY 2010.A news release was issued Feb. 21 on the County Manager's proposed FY 2010 for Arlington...
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The Arlington Years Thoughts from County Native and Arlington Public Library Director, Diane Kresh Visit Flickr for more of my take on the 56th Presidential Inauguration celebrations. ...
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