The September Project Blog

Sarah, the co-director for The September Project, informs me that they now have a blog. Congrats, Sarah! Welcome to the Blogosphere, and may the conversations be fruitful.

University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Ms. Elizabeth Peterson, Public Services Librarian from University of North Carolina at Wilmington, shares the following:

On Friday, Sept. 9, we plan to have a public forum in the amphitheatre just outside the library. We will invite members of the campus community to speak about what they believe and the values that drive their lives. These would be 2-3 minute essays/testimonials similar to NPR's "This I Believe" series.

On Saturday, Sept. 10 we'd like to have a film screening at the public library of Dr. Lou Buttino's documentary "Lessons of September: one school remembers 9/11," which follows one school in Brooklyn through the year after Sept. 11 to document how they came to terms with the event and the other issues the event has triggered. Dr. Buttino is an award-winning film studies professor at UNCW, and he would be present at the screening for Q&A and discussion. Following the film, we'd like to have an open forum for students from the university and local high schools to share any of their own work related to the themes of The September Project. This could include short films, poems, short stories, etc.

In the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 11, we plan to have a panel discussion at UNCW with faculty from history and political science to talk about views of citizenship over time, foreign policy, other catalytic events, etc., to put Sept. 11 in a larger context.

In the evening of Sept. 11, we plan to have a screening of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" at UNCW along with a panel discussion with film studies professor and Capra scholar Tim Palmer, Frank Capra, Jr. (a resident of Wilmington), as well as a faculty historian and political scientist to talk about the real-world context of the film. Mr. Capra will likely provide the family print of the film.

We also plan to have displays, a reading list, a website, as well as plenty of publicity leading up to the weekend.

Thanks, Elizabeth.

Idea: Essay Contest

Mr. Michael Baldwin, Director of Benbrook Library District, shared this in the PUBLIB listserv. Their libraries are sponsoring an essay contest titled "My Idea To Improve American Democracy." The submissions could be essays (or poems, plays, short stories, cartoons, etc.) of 1,000 words or less on the topic of improving American democracy.

Great idea. Might want to adapt it like so: An essay contest titled "My Idea to promote Harmony/ Tolerance/Dialogue". Participants could write about one theme, or two or three combined.

Idea: A day of healing by Delray Beach Public Library

This webpage from Delray Beach Public Library caught our eye. Though the event was organised in 2004, it's something that libraries could consider doing this year. They promoted, literally, a "Day of Healing" on Sept 11 by organising a Yoga workshop.

What we did last year, and what we're thinking for 2005

Hi, I'm Ivan, one of the collaborators for this blog. I would like to share excerpts from my email exchanges with David Silver and Sara Washburn (the Project Directors for The September Project) just so you know what we're planning.

Last year, we used this blog to:

• Let members of the public post Your Thoughts
• Highlight related books & websites (for Adult/ Young People, and for Children)
• Published the submissions for the photography contest and CONTEST WINNERS
• Highlighted "Sept-11" Related Enquiries
• Booklist on Citizenship & Democracy
• On top of that, we had physical displays of the books mentioned in the blog (we will remember to take pictures of the this year)

Some thoughts on what we plan to do this year:

• We'll continue to use this blog as the primary way to engage the public. As for the theme, while it will anchor on "September 11", the broader theme is actually about "Harmony", "Tolerance" and "Dialogue". Why? Because as our tagline goes, "It's about Community, not Geography". We've explained it here.

• We're thinking of having teens talking or blogging about the theme. Young people might have something to say on those issues. Perhaps post in their blogs, or start one.

• The expressions could take the form of group discussions/ book talks, poems, drawings, photos etc. Maybe an open performance?

• We could have Peer-to-peer book recommendations. For instance, adults recommending for other adults (and teens for teens; recommendations by children, for other children)

• Or how about an Instant Messenging discussion at a pre-agreed time? Wouldn't that be cool?

• Maybe Real-time Digital Videoconferencing? Well the time zone might be tricky... An overnight discussion/ pajama party in the library? So that we could chat with our friends from a different time zone (their morning is our night)
  

More important, this year we would like to take the conversations and dialogues beyond Singapore and to the Global Community. Imagine! Libraries from different countries networking and facilitating discussions and converstations across geographical boundaries.

What do you think of this idea?

You can email me, or leave a comment here.
Thanks!


Tag: the September project 2005

The September Project 2005

We've just signed up for The September Project 2005 -- "a grassroots effort to foster civic events in all communities on September 11."

To us, "September 11" is not just about the tragedy that happened in New York, USA. There are plenty of tragic events happening everywhere -- at the international, national, and even individual level. For instance, the most recent in Asia was the Tsunami.

This blog, and our aims, are therefore more than just about "Sept 11". It's really about themes and values like Harmony, Tolerance and Dialogue. We hope to discuss (but not preach) these values through Engagements and Conversations.

We're not quite sure what we will be doing this year. We have a few ideas and are still thinking about it. We welcome your views and suggestions.

Tag: the september project 2005

WATCH THIS SPACE

Thanks for visiting. We're not posting anything new for now, so meantime please feel free to browse the previous posts (links are on the right side of this page).

For information or enquiries, email to us at: Jurong Regional Library
A public service project by librarians from Jurong Regional Library, Bukit Merah, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong West & Queenstown community libraries -- with help and support from other NLB librarians & friends.

CONTEST WINNERS: Picture of Peace

Here are the winners of the 3 photos which touched us most (in no particular order):

• Andrew Kua
  
• Pher Chi Khing
  
• C Q Low

Scroll down the rest of the blog for more pictures. Our sincere thanks to all those who participated in the contest.

Picture of Peace contest: Wong Kae Lain Lundy

"Look upon the face of a child in slumber...and you shall see the reflection of the world at peace." by Wong Kae Lain Lundy

Picture of Peace contest: Yeo Keng Yong

Photo was taken at a quiet corner in the busy Houston downtown, The cosy environment makes this little corner a peaceful and comfortable place to stop by and take a break by Yeo Keng Yong

Picture of Peace contest: Jennifer Koh

Peace, not in the fingers of gently cupped hands, blue skies or the relief of a white flag, but it is this then, deep as the quiet earth, where feathery stalks meet the grassy land.
by Jennifer Koh

Picture of Peace contest: Eric Chew

A sense of peace knowing there's still life in the midst of ruins and disorder... by Eric Chew

Picture of Peace contest: C Q Low

Peace is where birds keep singing... even in cages... by C Q Low

Picture of Peace contest: Ching Chuan

A monk in peace with the environment by Ching Chuan

Picture of Peace contest: Pher Chi Khing

Peace is so fragile, anything can destroy it. However, the best part about humanity is that there is always hope for us to nurture and bloom again. Just wait for Sprint to come around. by Pher Chi Khing

Picture of Peace contest: Andrew Kua

The simplicity and innocence of a kid feeling the softness of a tissue roll on a windy beach, completely paints the picture of the peaceful future that awaits him.

Note: this is not a posed photo. by Andrew Kua

UPDATES and THANK YOUs

It's about Community, not Geography - Rob Salzman

Several THANK YOUs are in order:
Thanks to those who've taken time to share their thoughts. We're impressed by the depth and diversity. We're still open for more comments.

Our appreciation to those who've submitted pictures for the contest. Great stuff!The contest is on till 20 Sept 04. Keep those entries coming.

We also thank The September Project for including us as a participating venue. Thanks for listing Singapore on your MAP! Check out the books on Citizenship & Democracy. Please enquire at your nearest Community or Regional library for the books on display.

Here's a peek at some Sept-11 related enquiries submitted by the public to NLB librarians.

We look forward to your continued support of our libraries.

CONTEST - A Picture of PEACE

Is there any object, architecture, building, place or animal that reminds you of PEACE?

Take a digital picture of it, together with a one-liner that explains why it reminds you of peace, and email to us.

An NLB memorabilia will be given to the best 3 entries.
Please submit your picture in jpeg format.

Closing date for entries: 20 September 2004

WE'D LIKE TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS RE: SEPT 11

"Hate is not a family value"
– seen on a bumper sticker

This year’s 11 September marks the third anniversary of the tragedy that took place in America. The terrorist attack brought down the World Trade Center Towers in New York City and The Pentagon in Washington. A host of books have been written on the infamous event and they can be found in the library with call numbers 363.320973 and 973.931. Scroll down the blog for related websites and booklists for Adults & Young People and for Children.

CONTEST
We also have a CONTEST for readers.

YOUR THOUGHTS
We welcome you to post your thoughts, feelings, comments etc. You may choose to post anonymously, but we would appreciate if you indicate your initials and age. Click HERE to post, or you may just wish to read the comments only.

A public service project by librarians from Jurong Regional Library, Bukit Merah, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong West & Queenstown community libraries -- with help and support from other NLB librarians & friends.

RELATED ENQUIRIES

Here are some selected enquiries, relating to Sept 11, that have been answered by NLB librarians. Note - The answers posted here have been shortened for brevity.

If you have similar questions, feel free to Ask our Librarians.
==========================================
Q: Where can I find information about terrorism? (from K. Bte Abu Nain)
A: Books on terrorism may be found under the call number 303.625. You may wish to refer to the following titles:

Title: Understanding terrorism : psychosocial roots, consequences, and interventions / edited by Fathali M. Moghaddam and Anthony J. Marsella.
Publisher: Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, 2004.
Call no: q303.625 UND
Available at National Reference Library only.

Title: Encyclopedia of terrorism/ Cindy C. Combs and Martin Slann
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Facts on File, 2002.
Call no.: R q303.62503 COM
Available at Jurong Regional Library, National Reference Library and Woodlands Regional Library.

Title: A Faceless Enemy: The Origins of Modern Terrorism/ Glenn E. Schweitzer with Carole Dorsch Schweitzer
Publisher: Reading, Mass. : Perseus, 2002.
Call no.: R 303.625 SCH
Available at National Reference Library only.

You may also wish to refer to the following websites:
Straits Times Interactive
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/usattack/0,3613,,00.html
Call no.: R 355.03359 DR year 2001-2
- Contains a collection of articles on terrorism that appeared in the Straits Times print edition from Sept 12, 2001 to March 31, 2002. You can find a copy at the National Reference Library

Response to Terrorism - Office of International Information Programs
http://usinfo.state.gov/is/international_security/terrorism.html
- Contains latest news, fact sheets, transcripts and statements on the issues of terrorism.

International Policy Institute for Counter -Terrorism
http://www.ict.org.il/
- Provides a list of articles on terrorism as well as database on the list of Terrorist organisations.
It also includes a database which includes selected international terrorist and guerilla attacks
for the years 1986 to the present.

United Nations - Terrorism
http://www.un.org/terrorism/news/index.html
- Contains information, articles, reports, news and developments on the fight against terrorism.
==========================================

Q: I’m conducting research for a school project on September 11. I want to find out Osama’s reasons for attacking the U.S, as well as information on the attacks on the U.S. embassy in 1998. I also want to find out U.S’s reasons for retaliation and what tensions existed between Osama and U.S before September 11. (from Kayal V., Student)
A: You may wish to refer to the following books:

Title: Bin Laden : behind the mask of the terrorist / Adam Robinson
Publisher: Edinburgh : Mainstream, 2001.
Call no.: 303.625092 ROB
Available at most community and regional libraries.

Title: Holy war, Inc. : inside the secret world of Osama bin Laden / Peter L. Bergen
Publisher: Waterville, Me. : G.K. Hall, 2002, c2001.
Call no.: 303.625092 BER
Available at Jurong Regional Library only.

Title: Bin Laden: the man who declared war on America / Yossef Bodansky
Publisher: Rocklin, Calif. : Forum, c1999.
Call no.: 953 8053 BOD
Available at Bedok Community Library, Cheng San Community Library, Jurong Regional Library, Toa Payoh Community Library and library@orchard.

Title: The day that shook the world : understanding September 11th / edited by Jenny Baxter and Malcolm Downing.
Publisher: London : BBC Worldwide, 2001.
Call no.: 973.931 DAY
Available at Ang Mo Kio Community Library, Jurong Regional Library, Sengkang Community Library, Tampines Regional Library and Woodlands Regional Library.
==========================================

Q: I need to know the historical backgrounds of both the Pentagon and the New York World Trade Center. This includes information on:
1. Everything from conceptualization of building plan to completion of the buildings.
2. Their functions from the past till the present.
3. Their main occupants in the last 2 years. (eg. Finance/ banks occupy over 40% of floor space in xxxx year)
4. The management hierarchy of the buildings.
(from Daniel)
A: Although many direct links about the background of these two buildings are disconnected after the terrorism attacks, there are some other on-line resources in which you can find the relevant information about the buildings:

• NEW YORK SCRAPERS - http://www.greatgridlock.net/NYC/nycfront.html
• BUILDING BIG: Databank: World Trade Center - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/world_trade.html
• Forbes WTC Tenant List - http://www.forbes.com/2001/09/11/0911towertable1.html
• Washington Post World Trade Center Tenant List and Contacts - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/articles/tower1.html
• Pentagon RDF-Sustainable Design - http://www.hdrinc.com/information/default.asp?PageID=630&ParentID=2L8
• Why is the Pentagon shaped the way it is? - http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20010301.html

NLB has also obtained some relevant information for your enquiries from our partners in States. Please refer to the resources below:

A site called Great Buildings, includes images, site plans, 3D model, etc, and it has been updated with the most current information:
http://www.GreatBuildings.com/buildings/World_Trade_Center.html
http://www.GreatBuildings.com/buildings/The_Pentagon.html

For more background on the Pentagon, visit their Web site:
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pentagon/index.html

The World Trade Center is managed by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey:
http://www.panynj.gov/

More information on management and occupants of the buildings is available news articles, and I refer you specifically to:
The Washington Post - http://www.washingtonpost.com
The New York Times - http://www.nyt.com
================================================

Q: I’m looking for information on the 911 terrorist attacks. Can you help? (from S. Hanifah)
A: The relevant books may generally be found under the call numbers 303.625 and 973.931. Here are a few titles for your reference:

Title: September 11, 2001: a record of tragedy, heroism, and hope/ by the editors of New York
Publisher: New York : Hary N. Abrams, 2001
Call No. 303. 625 SEP
Available at Jurong Regional Library, Tampines Regional Library and Woodlands Regional Library.

Title: At ground zero : young reporters who were there tell their stories / edited by Chris Bull & Sam Erman.
Publisher: New York : Thunder's Mouth Press, c2002.
Call no.: 974.71044 AT
Available at Ang Mo Kio Community Library, Cheng San Community Library, Jurong Regional Library, National Reference Library, Woodlands Regional Library and Library@Orchard.

Title: September 11 : a testimony.
Publisher: London : Reuters, 2001.
Call no.: q973.931 SEP
Available at most community libraries.
==========================================

Q: I’m looking for a description of the Internal Security Act. I would like to find out on the policies adopted in Singapore after the September 11 attack. I need the information for my school project. (from Esther, Student)
A: You may wish to refer to the following:

Books
Title: Why the ISA/ Ministry of Home Affairs.
Publisher: Singapore: Times Book International, 2002.
Call no.: SING 365.45 WHY
Available at most community and regional libraries.

Title: Regional political and security implications of the terror attacks in the United States / Derek da Cunha ... [et al.].
Publisher: Singapore : Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2001.
Call no.: RSING q363.320973 REG
Available at National Reference Library Only.

Other sources
You may wish to search for news reports and articles in the Factiva database. This database is available at the multi-media stations at all community and regional libraries. There is a $0.03 per minute charge for using the database and printing costs 30 cents a page. All charges are payable by Cashcard only.

Here are the steps to searching the database:

At main menu, choose "NLB Digital Library" for Service Channel. Then click on "Public Library".
1 - Scroll down to "Databases" and click on "Factiva.com".
2 - At the Factiva page, select the Source” to search from the collapsible menu. You can use the search engine to identify specific sources.
3 - Key in search terms. I used the following keywords:
Subject : singapore and security and ("Sep* 11" or terroris*)
Source: The Straits Times (Singapore); The Business Times; Channel News Asia
Date: All Available Dates
4 - Click on "Run Search" to begin search.

Here are examples of some news found:

• The Straits Times (Singapore), July 21, 2004, 2,721 words, A framework to beat transnational terror.
• Channel NewsAsia, November 4, 2003, 315 words, Singapore working on National Security Strategy to fight terrorism effectively.
• The Straits Times (Singapore), January 9, 2002, 708 words, Singapore details anti-terror actions to UN, Betsy Pisik.
• Channel NewsAsia, November 8, 2001, 263 words, Singapore must redouble security effort – DPM Tan.
• Business Times (Singapore), October 4, 2001, 196 words, Tighter security at Changi Airport.

==========================================

Q: I’m researching on military air power in the new security environment and the use of air power in special force operations, as well as the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks (New York WTC and Pentagon) on air power. Can you refer me to some relevant sources? (Lim K. K.)
A: You may wish to check up the following books.

Title: America's special forces / David Bohrer.
Publisher: St. Paul, MN : MBI Pub. Co., 2002.
Call no.: q356.1670973 BOH
Available at Sengkang Community Library only.

Title: Airpower : a sentry magazine
Publisher: Granada Hills, Calif. : Sentry Books, [19--]-
Call no.: 358.4005 A
Available at Woodlands Regional Library only.

Title: US special operations command in action / Patrick Allen.
Publisher: Shrewsbury : Airlife, 2002.
Call no.: q356.1670973 ALL
Available at most community and regional libraries.

You may also want to consult the following websites:
Tools of Engagement: Air Power
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/special/attack/interactive/wartools.html
Description: A look into the possible tools of engagement the U.S. will use to find and target terrorism world wide.

You may wish to further search major news portals such as CNN, BBC, Washington Post, etc. for more articles of interest to you. Some possible keywords:
- Sept 11
- terrorist attacks
- world trade center
- pentagon, etc.

Finally, for more information on your topic, you may like to search for magazine/news articles on Proquest Direct or Factiva.com. Some suggested keywords:
- air power and September 11
- terrorist attacks and air power, etc.

An example of an article that you may obtain from Proquest is the one below:
Surprise. War Works After All.; Eric Schmitt; New York Times, New York, N.Y.; Nov 18, 2001; Late Edition (East Coast); pg. 4.1
Extract: "The formula for ousting the Taliban from northern Afghanistan looked like this: Use proxy ground forces in combination with overwhelming air power and stealthy commandos, and thus avoid using many American combat troops."