February 22, 2013

Thursday night I attended General Stanley McChrystal’s presentation of his memoirs, My Share of the Task, at PML. He gave a summary of his experiences and spoke specifically about the events leading to the 2006 targeted killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. McChrystal spoke of his military career in general and how, with hindsight, it is clear how the hunt for al-Zarqawi forced him to adapt his leadership style. McChrystal mentioned how difficult the transition was from Cold-War to Counterinsurgency tactics. Then Friday night I was asked to attend the “125th Annual George Washington's Birthday Celebration” at the Union League Club featuring General McChrystal as the keynote speaker with some of the staff, volunteers, and interns from the Library. It was a great opportunity to network and make contacts for the future... And the free drinks and steak and salmon dinner weren’t bad either. It was as “fancy” an event as I have ever attended, complete with a Jazz Ensemble from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 144th Army Band. I sat at the table with the President of PML and even met some board members... I feel very fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time to get invited.

February 15, 2013

I finished my PDP on nuclear weapons today, learning much about a topic of interest to me along the way... Now it's on to artillery and heavy weapons. I already discovered a few interesting sources in the stacks this afternoon including a field artillery manual from the Civil War. Also, I got on the list for Thursday's General McChrystal appearance at the library... Pretty thrilled about that. Finally, here are some pictures from the third floor of the Monroe Building looking east across Michigan Ave. from inside the Pritzker Military Library. The Art Institute, Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, and the Aon Center are all hopefully visible despite some afternoon shadows.

February 8, 2013

Today I continued finding sources and references for the Patron Discovery Page I am creating on nuclear weapons. I learned much about nuclear weapons states (NWS) recognized by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and NWS not recognized by the NPT. Those recognized agree to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and use existing nuclear technology responsibly. Furthermore, NWS recognized by the NPT agree to disclose a certain amount of information about their nuclear arsenals including number and type of warheads and delivery technology. NWS not recognized by the NPT do not divulge this information... Only estimates of their arsenals exist. Just in case you were wondering.

February 1, 2013

Today I began locating sources in the library for the Patron Discovery Page on nuclear weapons I will be creating. A Patron Discovery Page is a short description of a topic and a list of works available in the library as well as from outside sources. The pages are located on the Pritzker Military Library website to aid patrons who wish to research specific topics. As usual, there are books to be shelved and patrons in need of assistance locating material on specific subjects. Additionally, I am looking forward to February 21st when Retired General Stanley McChrystal will appear at the library to promote My Share of the Task, his recently published memoir on his military career.