http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/interviews/

The British Film Institute treats the art of filmmaking with both reverence and irreverence and their public forums and interview series are well-regarded by members of the public and dedicated cineastes alike. They have done a nice job of offering up some of their choicest interviews on this site, and visitors can view interview transcripts dating back to 2001 here. The interviews are arranged alphabetically, and they include conversations with such luminaries as John Boorman, Robert Altman, Ben Kingsley, and Satyajit Ray. There are a few welcome surprises here, such as a lively interview with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (known for their witty way around early rock and roll songs) and Tom Baker of "Dr. Who" fame. [KMG]

http://www.gsa.ac.uk/mackintoshsketchbook/

As with his contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright in the United States, Charles Rennie Mackintosh received even greater fame after his death as his designs and patterns were incorporated into hundreds of different items designed for mass consumption. Mackintosh was primarily known as a member of the Arts and Crafts movement and was the best-known practitioner of the Art Nouveau style in Scotland. He was also an accomplished watercolor painter, and his sketches are displayed in various galleries around the world. This particular presentation pays tribute to his skill in this area of visual arts, as it brings together his sketches from Northern Italy along with interactive maps that allow users to follow his journey. Created by The Glasgow School of Art, the site features period maps of Italy from Palermo to Firenze, coupled with Mackintosh's sketches. Visitors looking for specific items will enjoy the keyword listings, which will let them jump right to everything from arches to wrought iron. [KMG]

https://plantinfo.umn.edu/arboretum/default.asp

Produced by the University of Minnesota Libraries, Plant Information Online is intended for just about anyone with a green thumb, or those who want to get their thumbs a bit greener. Visitors to this fine database will find details on over 134,000 wild and cultivated plants, along with information on over 2200 North American retail and wholesale seed and nursery firms. From the homepage, visitors can search the plant database by scientific or common name, and they can also take a look at the search tips for a bit more guidance. Additionally, the site also contains links to selected websites that feature both images and more detailed regional data on thousands of plants. After locating plants of interest, some visitors may wish to browse through the nursery database for tips on locating the closest place for geraniums, hydrangeas, and other such forms of vegetation. [KMG]

http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/

Administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum was opened in 1986. For the benefit of researchers and others who cannot make it to Atlanta, this website provides access to some of the speeches and letters of President Carter, along with biographical information about members of the Carter family. First-time visitors will want to start at the "Documents and Photographs" section. Here, they can look over a special exhibit on the Camp David Accords, read oral history transcripts from members of Carter's cabinet, and peruse Carter's official diary from his time in office. Scholars and those wishing to visit and make use of the library's collections should look over the library information section, which contains details on how to begin searching the collection, and a link for visitors to ask questions online. Rounding out the site is a virtual tour of the museum and library. [KMG]

http://www.demos.co.uk/files/070928_DEMOS_S&H_Pamphlet.pdf

Many people have fond memories of spending time in their neighborhood park or town center, and for young people, these places can have a special importance. This recent report from the Demos organization looks at the everyday experiences of children in public through six case studies. The 67-page report contains three sections: "What's Next?", "Making the Case", and "Spaces, Stories, and Shaping Places". Drawing on detailed ethnographies and observation, the report looks at several different spaces used by young people in the United Kingdom. While offering a number of important suggestions for future directions, the report also notes, "We need a paradigm shift in the way we think about the built environment-one which addresses the deepening segregation between generations." [KMG]

http://www.uis.unesco.org/ev.php?ID=7002_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics publishes numerous technical guides and strategy papers every year, and this particular document is both timely and important. The Global Education Digest 2007 offers a comparative look at education statistics and spending across the world, and there are a number of findings that are particularly revealing within its pages. One such finding is that governments in sub-Saharan African spend only 2.4% of the world's public education resources, yet about 15% of the school-age population lives in these countries. Readers can compare education statistics from over 200 countries, and the report also contains a number of useful appendices with additional data. Currently, the report is available in English, French, and Spanish, and soon it will also be available in Arabic and Russian. [KMG]

http://www.nypl.org/audiovideo/index.cfm?go=5

The New York Public Library offers hundreds of public events every year, and for those persons who can't make it to 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, this website will allow them to listen and watch videos of these interesting events. Currently the site features over fifty of these events and they include conversations with Werner Herzog, R. Crumb, Orhan Pamuk, and Ken Burns. A number of the events are drawn from collaborative partnerships with organizations such as the PEN American Center. Some of the fruits from this particular partnership are available here as well, including conversations with Zadie Smith, Amartya Sen, and Salman Rushdie. Make some tea, find a suitable viewing position, and plan on making a few return visits to check out the new offerings on this site. [KMG]