Wikipedia: nutritious snack or nasty reference book?

In the March 20, 2008 issue of the New York Review of Books, Nicholson Baker (best known in library circles for his 2001 book, Double Fold: Libraries and the Assault on Paper) provides some insights on “The Charms of Wikipedia.”

“It’s like some vast aerial city with people walking briskly to and fro on catwalks, carrying picnic baskets full of nutritious snacks.”

“This is a reference book that can suddenly go nasty on you.”

He provides a history of the project and describes its merits and shortfalls based on his own experience with editing and championing articles. It’s a great starting point to help you understand why people love and hate Wikipedia (and why your teacher tells you not to use it in your bibliography).

More new labels added to Naxos Music Library

Naxos Music Library recently announced the addition of four new labels to their database of streaming audio:

Dinant is a record label formed by Canadian saxophonist Paul Brodie – ‘Ambassador of the Saxophone’ (Crescendo International Magazine) – dedicated to this instrument. He himself performs a range of saxophone music.

Albany Records is dedicated to producing interesting, imaginative releases to satisfy the public’s hunger for more than just the famous great works in classical music. It is devoted to music by American composers (with only a few exceptions) performed by the best of America’s artists. There are premiere recordings by Roy Harris, Morton Gould and others, plus music by George Lloyd and Andrei Eshpei and many more.

New Albion’s mission is to search for new musical territories. With composers and performers, the label develops, records and releases about six titles a year. The creativity is evident from a selection of titles: Ars Magis Subtiliter (secular music of the Chantilly Codex, France, 14th century), Daniel Lentz’s Apologetica (settings of texts from the Chilam Balam – the sacred books of the Maya Indians of Yucutan) and Food for the Bearded (the solo debut of guitarist and composer Gyan Riley).

Music & Arts Programs of America is an independent classical and jazz label. Live performances from Casals, Schnabel and other great artists of the past feature in this label’s output, as well as the cream of the American jazz tradition. Plenty of gems to enjoy here!

BGSU students, faculty, and staff may visit our Listen Online page to access Naxos and other streaming audio sites.