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In the Stacks is a weekly newspaper column by librarian Kathy Ward that highlights parts of the Juneau Public Library's collection by topic. You can browse these columns by date or by topic.

"In Search of Ancient Ireland"
Trace Ireland's ancient history from the first appearance of Neolithic stone monuments in 2000 BC to the loss of Irish independence after the 1167 AD Norman invasion. Myths, archaeological finds, and written records (after 400 AD) help to tell the stories of Stone Age farmers, Christian invaders and missionaries, and Irish kings and Vikings.

"Smothered: the censorship struggles of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"
Unfortunately a documentary, and not whole episodes of the show (they haven't been released for purchase), this is nevertheless a fascinating exploration of 60s politics and popular culture. Though the digs Tommy and Dick made at the Vietnam war, gun ownership, and censorship, seem absolutely kid-gloved by today's standards, they were enough for CBS to cancel the show at the height of its popularity.

"The Young Filmmakers Club: video camera techniques"
School assignments these days often include making short videos using amateur video cameras, and here's a DVD designed to show kids (adults, too) the basics of operating cameras. Viewers will learn how to get quality images, what different camera placements will do for their story, and how to use camera movement effectively.

"Tai Chi Fundamentals"
Aimed at beginners who want to learn the history and philosophy of tai chi as well as the physical movements, this DVD introduces mind/body principles and movement patterns with an emphasis on correct form. The instructor, Tricia Yu, also discusses ways to integrate tai chi into your daily life, as has been done in China for thousands of years.

"The Universe"
This amazing tour of the universe features surround sound and widescreen anamorphic video to whisk you away to places no human has yet been - but NASA has. Images from the Hubble and other orbiting telescopes are integrated with a concise narration to provide viewers with a breath-taking experience of space. As a plus, the narration can be turned off, leaving you to enjoy the view accompanied only by the original orchestral score.

"Benjamin Franklin"
Do you think of lightning when you hear his name? The Declaration of Independence? How about radical? Parent? Humorist? This documentary explores Franklin's life, giving viewers new insight into the man who helped the United States transform from a British colony to a new and independent country.

"Lime Rock Park"
Dubbed "the secret valley of racing," Lime Rock Park in Connecticut is one of the nation's premier motorsports racing arenas. Whether you like stock cars, sports cars, vintage car shows, or karts, Lime Rock Park's grassy knolls have played host to these and more. Road racing at its finest!

"Train Your Dog"
Got a dog who needs to learn some manners? We've got the DVD for you - this contains over 90 minutes of exercises and tips to help you teach your dog to sit, stay, heel, etc. Learn to use clicker training to address behavioral issues such as housetraining, jumping, and more.

"The 1900 House"
When the Bowler family volunteered to go back in time to the 1900s for three months, they had some ideas about what it would be like, but reality turned out to be much harsher than they'd imagined. The effort-saving appliances of the modern world were missed, particularly by the women in the family, who were expected to cook on a wood-burning stove, wash clothes by hand, and empty the chamber pots. And life for men and boys wasn't a piece of cake, either! This is a great look at how far we've come in just a century.

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