‘I'll donate them to the Libraries, said Tom swiftly.'
Tom Swift, the young scientist/inventor hero of six series of books totaling more than 100 volumes, has inspired readers since 1910. Counted among his fans are Steve Wozniak (Apple), Isaac Asimov (writer), and Justice Barry Anderson of the Minnesota Supreme Court who generously donated his collection to the Children's Literature Research Collections. The collection will join the original Tom Swifts in the Hess Collection. The books also inspired hundreds of "Tom Swifties", including our favorite, "Who discovered radium?" asked Marie curiously.
Dear Sir, Could you tell me…
 …and thus begins the riveting tale, "How the Curator of the Sherlock Holmes Collections (aka Tim Johnson) Got His Man." Well, he didn't really get his man, he got the man's letter. Dated September 14,1923, a letter from A. Conan Doyle to "The Chief Librarian, Public Library, Minneapolis, Minnesota USA" has recently been added to the Sherlock Holmes collections via eBay.
Read the riveting tale of the (not) purloined letter, 2013-style
Erdrich highlights May 8 dinner
 “…a powerful human story…Erdrich hits the bedrock truth about a whole community.” (New York Times Book Review)
“THE ROUND HOUSE is filled with stunning language that recalls shades of Faulkner, Garcia Marquez and Toni Morrison… impossible to forget.” (USA Today)
…”Moving, complex, and surprisingly uplifting…likely to be dubbed the Native American TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD” (Parade)
Join 2012 National Book Award Winner, Louise Erdrich at the the Friends of the Libraries Annual Dinner! Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to meet the author—May 8 at McNamara Center.
Purchase tickets online
More Swifties:
- "I'll have a martini," said Tom, drily(dryly).
- "Who left the toilet seat down?" Tom asked peevishly.
- "Pass me the shellfish," said Tom crabbily.
- "That's the last time I'll stick my arm in a lion's mouth," the lion-tamer said off-handedly.
- "Can I go looking for the Grail again?" Tom requested.
- "I unclogged the drain with a vacuum cleaner," said Tom succinctly.
- "I might as well be dead," Tom croaked.
- "We just struck oil!" Tom gushed.
- "It's freezing," Tom muttered icily.
- "They had to amputate them both at the ankles," said Tom defeatedly.
- "Who discovered radium?" asked Marie curiously.
- "The Battle of the Nile? A lot of fun!" said Lord Nelson disarmingly.
- "Hurry up and get to the back of the ship!" Tom said sternly.
- "Is there a number between seven and nine?" Tom asked considerately.
- "We could have made a fortune canning pineapples" Tom groaned dolefully.
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Upcoming Events
Muslim Journeys Film Screening
April 8, 2013
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saint Paul Area Council of Churches
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Pankake Poetry Reading featuring Ed Bok Lee
April 17, 2013
4 p.m.
Elmer L. Andersen Library
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Teach in on Protest and Environmental Music
April 17, 2013
4 to 5 p.m.
280 Ferguson Hall
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Exhibit Opening - Art and Science in Latin America During the Enlightenment
April 18, 2013
4 to 6 p.m..
T.R. Anderson Gallery, Wilson Library 4th floor
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Film Screening: United in Anger: A History of ACT UP and the Politics of HIV/AIDS
April 18, 2013
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Nicholson Hall, Room 275l
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First Fridays:
50 Years of the Guthrie Theater and
Sailing West to Reach China: A Big Idea with Unforeseen Results
May 3, 2013
Noon to 1 p.m.
Elmer L. Andersen Library
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Now Showing
Current Exhibits
at the Libraries
Tale Spins: Water,
Animals, and Ruins
Through May 31, 2013
Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library
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Art and Science in Latin America During the Enlightenment
March 12 to June 28, 2013
T.R. Anderson Gallery, Wilson Library Fourth Floor
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Behind the Scenes: Twin Cities Performing Arts and 50 Years of the Guthrie Theater
April 1 to June 28, 2013
Elmer L. Andersen Library
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Beauty in a Briefcase: Images from Horticultural Sample Books
April 12 to October 13, 2013
Andersen Horticultural Library
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