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Do you have a PhD? If you (or someone you know) possesses one and are connected to Juniata County (currently a resident or from here) we would like to host you at one of our future dissertation scholar events.
What is a PhD? It is an academic degree, also known as the Doctor of Philosophy. It is for generating new knowledge through scientific research. According to the University of Arizona, examples of the work completed when obtaining a PhD are "setting up experiments, collecting data, applying statistical and analytical techniques and/or gaining teaching experience." It usually takes several years to complete the coursework and research for a PhD. Once complete, the student must present and defend their work before an academic panel. If successful, they are then referred to as "doctor."
Part of the PhD program is creating a lengthy document known as a dissertation. According to Purdue University, it is "constructed into four to six chapters, including an introduction, abstract model of what the dissertation will prove, validation of the model or proof of theorems, measurements and data, additional results, and conclusions and future work." Dissertations are usually a couple hundred pages in length and can be turned into a book.
The Juniata County Library values lifelong learning. We want to recognize those in our community who have reached the pinnacle of academic experience.
At each dissertation scholar event, the individual would share a 30-minute synopsis of their PhD, join in a question-and-answer session and receive a commemorative certificate from the Juniata County Library. Each person with a PhD would have their own event. We will invite the local newspapers so that they can cover the event.
At this time we are gathering names of individuals who possess a PhD. We will then reach out to those individuals and schedule the individual events in the coming months.
You may register for this on our website at www.juniatalibrary.org.
Book of the week!
If you are going to read one book, give this one a try...
The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley (released in 1965)
(Adult nonfiction: biography/memoir, civil rights, African American) ~ 544 pages.
In a nutshell: Considered by many to be the most important book they ever read.
I recently watched the National Geographic movie "Genius," that focuses on the intersection of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights era. I then checked to see if we had the Autobiography of Malcolm X at the Juniata County Library. When I noticed we didn't, I purchased a fresh copy for the library. It's an essential book for libraries to possess.
In the book, he was called Malcolm Little at birth. He was buried as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz but he lived most of his life as Malcolm X.
He met with Alex Haley (who took down this story and contributes a long epilogue). Malcolm X never doubted for a minute that he would be assassinated, just as he was. His mother was committed to a state mental hospital. He was farmed out and by the time he was sixteen had been schooled to the hard fact that "everything in life is a hustle."
"Sharp" by this time, he came to New York, to Harlem. Sent to prison at twenty-one, he found Allah, the religion of Islam and Elijah Muhammad there. Once out, he became one of Muhammad's most militant disciples and seared his way across the national scene.
Interestingly enough, it was after Muhammad "silenced" him, i.e, suspended him from the movement, that he went to the original Holy City and the Holy Land.
Bottom line: This book will immediately capture your attention.
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Vince Giordano has been the librarian and director of the Juniata County Library since 2015.