Our next best Sci-Tech Book of 2011 is perfect for those with inquiring minds and a love for the inconceivable but possible -- The hidden reality : parallel universes and the deep laws of the cosmos by Brian B. Greene
"The Hidden Reality" reveals how major developments in different branches of fundamental theoretical physics -- relativistic, quantum, cosmological, unified, computational -- have all led us to consider one, or a variety, of parallel universes.
If we suppose that the universe is infinite, then we can also reason that it contains an infinite number of multiverses. Greene, one of our foremost physicists and science writers, reveals this and other mind-blowing concepts :
- Parallel worlds -- an infinite number of doppelgangers, each reading this sentence in a distant universe;
- Eternity and infinity: the inflationary multiverse;
- Hovering universes in nearby dimensions;
- A multiverse comprising a vast ocean of bubble universes, of which ours is but one;
- A multiverse that endlessly cycles through time,;
- Black holes and holograms: the holographic multiverse;
- A universe that might be hovering millimeters away yet remains invisible;
- Another in which every possibility allowed by quantum physics is brought to life;
- Or, perhaps strangest of all, a multiverse made purely of mathematics.
Mind bending? Yes! For those interested in science and the great beyond, Greene’s trademark wit and ability to make this challenging material accessible and entertaining is worth the read.
System status
A new library system and online catalog will debut on May 30. Here's the current status of:
- Checkouts: May 24-29 you must have your physical library card in hand to check out materials.
- Due dates: All checkouts will have a due date of June 22, except DVDs and GRU watt meters, which still have 7-day limit.
- Holds and requests: New holds and purchase requests cannot be placed until May 30, but those placed previously will continue to be processed.
- Returns: Please "Babysit Our Books" — keep them until the new system is running smoothly (mid-June).
- Registration: Continues as usual today, but cannot be done May 24-29, as our entire system will be down.
- Interlibrary loan: Continues as usual throughout the transition.
- Digital checkouts: OverDrive checkouts and holds will work normally throughout the transition.
- My Discoveries: Will be retired with the AquaBrowser catalog on May 24. Please retrieve any saved book lists before then.
- Website: The Library District website (www.aclib.us) will be up as normal throughout the transition.
- My Account: Account info will be available through May 24. Your account will appear on the new system on May 30.
- Bill payment: All payments including PayPal are working today. No payments can be accepted May 24-29
- New catalog: Watch for its debut on May 30, with new features.
More about the transition.
More about the new online catalog.
Have any questions? Please Ask Us!
