Library Science

[close] Book club for the Document Academy, an interdisciplinary and international group that explores issues around documentation and documents through academic and artistic modes of inquiry. We're currently reading "Indexing It All" by Ron Day. Here's the schedule: August 12-19: Chapter 1 August 19-26: Chapter 2 August 26-September 2: Chapter 3 September 2-9: Chapter 4 September 9-16: Chapter 5 September 16-23: Chapter 6 September 23-30: Chapter 7

[close] Will is the author of twenty-two popular Kindle books in English, Spanish, and French which have gone to #1 in the USA and have sold in Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, France, Germany, India, Australia, Italy, and Japan. He is a former Columbia University/NYSPI Medical Library Chief, designer, and he is a speaker of English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Mr. Jiang's critically-acclaimed autobiography is "A Schizophrenic Will: A Story of Madness, A Story of Hope". Mr Jiang and his intense 20+ year struggle with schizophrenia is iconoclastic because he challenges us to think differently about stereotypes of mental illness. His peers would be world movers like Philip K. Dick, John Nash, and Elyn Saks. Most movies and media news paint one-dimensional, thinly drawn caricatures of mentally ill people, instilling fear. Refreshingly, words that could describe Mr. Jiang's life and work include: brilliant, passionate, artistic, profound, knowledgeable, inspirational, and even "wise teacher".

[close] Our title is a playful nod to C.S. Lewis’s 1944 lecture, "The Inner Ring." In it, Lewis warns against the subtle temptation to chase ever‑smaller, more exclusive circles — the “in crowd” — at the cost of integrity and joy. The “Outer Ring” flips that idea on its head: we welcome the mix of familiar and unfamiliar voices, valuing curiosity, honesty, and genuine connection over status or secrecy. Here, the only ring worth joining is the one that stays open.

[close] A place to discuss all the unique aspects of Deaf culture as highlighted in the thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) by Lance & James Morcan. This group can also be an intersection of sorts where Deaf and hearing people can engage and learn from each other.