MERLIN: Issues at a Glance: Kyrgyz Republic

From Team MERLN:
 
A new release from MERLN’s Issues at a Glance series focuses on the crisis in the Kyrgyz Republic (http://merln.ndu.edu/index.cfm?secID=272&pageID=35&type=section).  

With its strategic location in Central Asia and as the host country for Manas Air Base, which provides support for U.S. operations in Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic is of vital importance for the U.S. and the international community.  Constant political instability and increasing economic and ethnic strife culminated in the April 2010 resignation of its president and the establishment of an interim government.  This newest edition of MERLN’s Issues at a Glance series examines the current political environment in the Kyrgyz Republic beginning with the Tulip Revolution in 2005 to the present day, implications for U.S. strategic interests, and the response from the U.S. and the international community in helping the Kyrgyz Republic as it seeks a solution to its political difficulties.

End of Year Lists: The Best of Cat Videos

So, it's that time of the year again--the best movies, the best novels, events we won't forget, clothes, music, trends...the "Best Of" lists for 2010 have descended upon us like raccoons on a tipped-over garbage can--fast, frenzied and possibly carrying rabies.

But what about the thing we know you REALLY care about? What about the best cat videos?

Fortunately, the folks at Gawker are here to help Crazy Cat Ladies and smitten librarians all across the nation with its video condensing the best cat videos of the year into one 90 second clip. It's quick, it's cute, and it's strangely entrancing.

Check it out here!

Also, below the video, check out the link for more information on the second-to-last cat featured, a double-amputee who's getting a new chance at life thanks to implants! He's one of our favorite feel-good stories of the year.

Solstice/Lunar Eclipse

Were you up so late last night celebrating the Winter Solstice that you were able to catch the Lunar Eclipse? We weren't either--the day starts early at CARL, and our librarians needed a good night's rest! But last night was an amazing confluence of events that hasn't happened since Galileo was alive--a full lunar eclipse on the Winter Solstice, the darkest night of the year.

The Huffington Post has a fantastic array of photos from around the world, displaying the moon from various vantage points from here below. Check out their photos HERE.

Friday Fun: A note to all MMAS students...

Ahh yes, the thesis. You're well on your way to completing yours, aren't you? Oh, you're hardly started! Well, then why are you reading this blog? Get back to work!

...

Those of you who are, indeed, well on your way, maybe reading over the thesis requisites yet again just to be sure that you're on the right track, and that you've met all of the important requirements, and you may find yourself wondering about the Snake Fighting portion of your thesis defense.

SNAKE FIGHTING? NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT SNAKE FIGHTING? They said stuff about taking classes, research, writing a thesis... I THINK I WOULD HAVE REMEMBERED ANY MENTION OF SNAKE FIGHTING.

Yes, I'm sure we did mention it, at some point in time, or another. It's there in the fine print. Well, it SHOULD be in the fine print. If it isn't.

Ok, I see you have some questions. You ARE required to fight the snake, first of all. This institution has hallowed traditions of academic rigor to uphold.

What? Are you required to kill the snake? Are the snakes big? Does everyone fight the same snake?

Ok, ok. we see you have more questions than we can answer in one little blog post. For a list of frequently asked questions regarding the snake fighting portion of your thesis defense, please visit this convenient FAQ page. And, also, stop complaining about how we didn't tell you. At least we're telling you NOW.

Lastly...

Get back to work.

Report: 1st Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR)

The State Department unveiled its 1st Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) yesterday. The report "Leading Through Civilian Power" is intended to guide reform throughout the Department of State itself and its operations worldwide.

 http://www.state.gov/s/dmr/qddr/

The QDDR provides a blueprint for elevating American "civilian power" to better advance our national interests and to be a better partner to the U.S. military. Leading through civilian power means directing and coordinating the resources of all America's civilian agencies to prevent and resolve conflicts; help countries lift themselves out of poverty into prosperous, stable, and democratic states; and build global coalitions to address global problems.

Holiday hours of operation and story times.

STORY TIME

Reminder: This week (Wed 15 Dec) will be our last story time this year. Please join us with your  little ones at 1000 in the 2nd Floor Children's Library. We'll be having more holiday fun, including a visit from an elf!

There will be NO story time on the 22nd and 29th of December. We'll see you again in January!

HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION: 

17 Dec 2010 (Friday) 0700-11:30
18-19 Dec 2010 (Sat & Sun) 1000-1700
20-23 Dec 2010 (Mon-Thurs) 0700-1700
24- 26 Dec 2010 (Fri-Sun) CLOSED
27-30 Dec 2010  (Mon-Thurs) 0700-1700

31 Dec 2010 (Fri) CLOSED

1-2 Jan 2011 (Sat & Sun) CLOSED

We will resume normal hours on Monday, 3 January 2011.

Friday Fun: Gift-giving ideas

It's that time of year again--the lights have been ceremoniously turned on all over Fort Leavenworth, the US Disciplinary Barracks store is decorated for the occasion, and even though you're feeling the holiday spirit thanks to your contributions to Toys for Toys, heck, you've even thought about adopting a pet featured on the FTLV Veterinary Clinic's tree in the CARL lobby. You're full-up on good cheer!

So why can't you figure out what to get for that special someone?

Good news, the CARL is here to help! May we suggest a helpful reminder to your special someone to return their library books on-time? Yes, this Christmas, you can give your loved one the gift that keeps on giving! 

Yes, that's right, Deluxe Librarian Action Figure is available from the nice people at Archie McPhee!

Ok, maybe your loved one is really good at returning library materials. In fact, they LOVE the library! Check out the Jane Austen Action Figure, complete with writing desk (zombies sold separately). Or go all-out with the ever-impressive William Shakespeare Action Figure!

They have an action figure for every interest and need-- get analyzed with Sigmund Freud, promote high seas piracy AND feminism with Anne Bonny (complete with axe and pistol!). Reinforce the importance of all those expensive piano lessons with Wagner and Bach!

Promote patriotism with Ben Franklin! Take over the world with Alexander the Great! Show a friend in library school a sad vision of their future with Crazy Cat Lady, or get a liberal arts major a Waitress Action Figure, in anticipation of their future career path!

Check out the whole list of action figures HERE, and remember--only 14 more days till Christmas!

Jane Austen sees you there. She knows you're thinking of getting your friend yet another tie or sweater. 
And she's judging you harshly for it.

CARL display cases

We change out our displays fairly frequently, here at CARL. Here's a list of what we have in our cases right now:

Outside Library Learning Center:

• Model Plane Display--models from the Battle of Britain, Naval Aircraft, and WWII Strategic Bombers.

Near Student Computers:

• Country Study Display on Japan filled with item donated by a staff member from the time she lived in Japan.   
• Hello Kitty (next to map podium).
• Genocide: Studies and Prevention display made up of items that can be checked out.   

Near Circulation Desk:

• Who's Who at the Combined Arms Research Library display showcasing items from Tiffany Konczey, Susan Fowler, and Susan Plotner.

First Floor Lobby: 

• Gift-giving Ideas

Second Floor: 

• Holiday Reads-Fiction
• Children's Holiday

Have questions on the items on display? Looking for books/materials associated with the displays? Have suggestions of what we should put in the cases for next time? Let us know!

Holday Story Time Today, 1000!

Come join us today for stories and songs about Santa, and a great Santa craft! 

We'll also have a special visitor from Human-Animal Bond to help us read and learn!

We look forward to seeing you at 1000 in the second floor Children's Library.

(Dogs from Human-Animal Bond join us every second Wednesday for Story Time)

Brown Bag Tomorrow! Social Networking

Remember when social networking meant getting together face-to-face for a meal and some laughs? We don't, but we hear it was lovely! You can tell us all about it on Facebook, Twitter, Blogger and Flickr, though!

We'll be talking about a variety of social media, how you can participate, how you can make them less annoying (learn how to block Farmville, your weird cousin, and more!), make the experience more safe, and make it more rewarding!

We'll also discuss Army applications, Army best practices, how to stay in touch, and how to win friends and influence people on the Net!  

When: 1230 (Bring your lunch!) 

 Where: CARL Room 112

(Photo via www.biojobblog.com)

Friday Fun: Daily Bunny

It's no secret that librarians at CARL have a long-standing relationship with "cute." We're quite fond of "cute" here, and we do our best to promote cute things whenever possible. You may recall our videos of animals falling asleep, or cats with cute captions. Or puppies with cute captions. Or inanimate objects with cute captions. We have no shame here, really. We like cute things. Especially cute things with big eyes and fluffy coats.

Take these little creatures for instance:

Can you look at those tiny faces and not say "awwwwww"?? No. No you can't. A reasonable person is incapable. 

Or what about this adorable rabbit in a harness and lead? Taking walks with bunnies has got to be WAY more fun than walking dogs, right? RIGHT? 

For all of your fluffy bunny needs, check out The Daily Bunny blog. And remember, it's ok to say "awwwww" while you're reading.

What's an internship like at CARL?

Our fall intern created a video to explain how she has spent her semester at the Combined Arms Research Library!