Now that Liz’s taken a leave from her job at Crate and Barrel (and that she’s finished her class), the two of us have a lot more time to just hang out and tool around the city. Case in point this afternoon, when we learned of the Newberry Book Fair (at the Newberry Library). Big big thanks to Gapers Block for that tip!
Walking through the grounds, approaching the front door.
Entrance, Newberry Public Library.
Rooms and rooms of books. The whole Book Fair was divided into about 6 or 7 separate rooms, based on subject/content.
Perusing the Fiction hardcovers.
This was a gorgeous room. Can’t remember exactly what was in here (mostly Non-Fiction, along with some tapes, CD’s and videocassettes).
And a CRAPTON of West Wing episodes on tape. I was tempted, but held off. I realize they’re VCR tapes, but… West Wing!
A cool chandelier near the entrance that caught my eye.
I liked this: the “Squirreling Area,” where you could drop off bags of books, and continue shopping for more.
Two pretty great books, side by side: Peter Piper’s Practical Principles of Plain and Perfect Pronunciation and Infamous Women (Paper Dolls). Inside “Infamous Women,” there were pages and pages of cutout dolls, complete with cutout outfits that you could color.
Near the back/end of the Book Fair – photography books, short stories.
Checkout area. For some reason, it felt like we were in a big garage… and I really liked it. Books and books everywhere.
Riding up Wells to Oldtown, we stopped in to a little Italian place for a late lunch/early dinner.
Mmmmm bread and cheese and olive oil.
One of the items I got at the library. Remember the video tapes? Well, I went through them looking to see if I could find anyone’s home movies. Most of them were old beat-up movies, or movies people had dubbed. But this one looked like it might be an authentic home video of some kind of family picnic.
Found video. I wonder what’s on here…
THIS gem totally made my day. Who knew they even PUBLISHED this kind of a report, let alone an annual one state by state?
On looking through it, this reference book (?) is published by Ralph Nader’s Public Citizen, and has an astonishing, ASTONISHING amount of detail.
Basically, the book lists individual doctors by name, city, state, that have been disciplined by either the state or federal government. MORE THAN THAT though, it also lists the charge, any fines or penalties incurred (monetary or jail time), as well as the status of their medical license.
But here’s the thing that made me drop my jaw: each listing also has a “NOTES” section, that typically summarizes the nature of the charge, and the resultant action/discipline. This is like 5,000 found objects, all at once. It’s like getting a tiny window into a person’s life – right when they’re at a particularly low point.
A few entries have been funny, a few have been really sad and heartbreaking. A few were actually even uplifting.
This book is amazing. I had no idea stuff like this existed. I’m not entirely sure how this data was gathered, but WOW. I feel a little dirty and wrong peering into all of these personal transgressions of complete strangers, but I can’t pull myself away.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:
Jones, Allen William MD, License Number 1016605 of 6060 N College Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana, was disciplined by Indiana on July 27, 1995.
Disciplineary Action: Reprimand
Offense: Professional MisconductNotes:
Pharmacist reported that he left blanket authorization for one refill of his patients’ prescriptions on his telephone answering machine while he was away on vacation; he testified that one of his office employees was putting the message on the answering machine without his knowledge and that he shuld have supervised his employees more closely; he stated that he understands the problem and will not allow blanket authorization of prescriptions again. He shall pay costs of $100 within 60 days.
This book is FULL of stuff like this. I can’t put it down.
