 |
| righteous indignation and requisite glasses |
Oh, honey, I know! Isn't it just awful?
That's why I started marching all the way back in 2009.
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
Monday, October 10, 2011
welcome to the party
Oh, honey, I know! Isn't it just awful?
That's why I started marching all the way back in 2009.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
tiny library is tiny
Little Free Libraries operate on a give-a-book, get-a-book honors system. Such a nice idea...for nice people.
Rick Brooks, one of the founders of LFLs, has said that, "Everybody asks, 'Aren't they going to steal the books?' But you can't steal a free book."
But considering that just yesterday, in a not-so-little but just-as-free library, someone threw a lit cigarette in the book drop and someone else wreaked havoc in the restroom by shoving an entire roll of tissue down the toilet, taking a giant dump on top of it, and then flushing, well...trust me, free book or not - they'll find a way.
Rick Brooks, one of the founders of LFLs, has said that, "Everybody asks, 'Aren't they going to steal the books?' But you can't steal a free book."
But considering that just yesterday, in a not-so-little but just-as-free library, someone threw a lit cigarette in the book drop and someone else wreaked havoc in the restroom by shoving an entire roll of tissue down the toilet, taking a giant dump on top of it, and then flushing, well...trust me, free book or not - they'll find a way.
Friday, September 30, 2011
doesn't go both ways.
The sexy librarian fetish, that is.
Oh, honey. Honey, no. (And here's the gallery so you can ogle along with the month-by-month.)
Oh, honey. Honey, no. (And here's the gallery so you can ogle along with the month-by-month.)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
watch for signs
As you can see, two of our local youths are taking a break from their myriad skateboarding adventures. Exhausting work being that cool, you know. Also, I suspect the tight pants restrict circulation and therefore blood oxygenation. (To the brain, mostly.) This popular daily hangout area is actually the library's back parking lot, reserved for library employees. The window on the left is where our intrepid library director is able to survey her domain, the door on the right is where employees enter and exit the building and on the wall between them is a sign that reads:
"NO Skateboarding or Rollerblading Permitted"
I'm sure you can imagine why I don't put much faith in the sign that is on the front of the building.
It looks a lot like this:
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Why you should worship your librarian.
This. A million times this.
(plus, you know... all that hobo slaying is kind of awesome, too.)
H/t Cowboy Blob
(plus, you know... all that hobo slaying is kind of awesome, too.)
H/t Cowboy Blob
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Like peanut butter jelly
Librarians and hobos, it's a meme. Or something.
(&, no - we don't offer lotion. However, there is hand sanitizer available at the reference desk, though I've heard it stings like a bitch.)
Thanks to Jim Treacher, who is awesome and sent this to me on Facebook!
(&, no - we don't offer lotion. However, there is hand sanitizer available at the reference desk, though I've heard it stings like a bitch.)
Thanks to Jim Treacher, who is awesome and sent this to me on Facebook!
Monday, July 11, 2011
rule 34
Time and again I have to tell some of my more, how shall we say...degenerate friends that just because a woman is wearing glasses and might be somewhere in the same general vicinity as a book, it does not make her a librarian.
And good Lord, that's not even an entire pencil skirt. That's like a pencil stub skirt.
Oh, & this is only marginally SFW because of the use of a clinical, yet incorrect, term for the entirety of a lady's lady bits. Rhymes with angina. Consider yourself warned.
And good Lord, that's not even an entire pencil skirt. That's like a pencil stub skirt.
Oh, & this is only marginally SFW because of the use of a clinical, yet incorrect, term for the entirety of a lady's lady bits. Rhymes with angina. Consider yourself warned.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
How long idealism lasts:
3 whole years. Wow.
(Actually...that sounds about right. I think I lasted about 3 years being the Young Adult librarian. Little ingrates.)
Link over to the whole article, too, and remember that librarians love chocolates and flowers. Just saying.
UPDATE: a patron just brought me coffee. Librarians also like coffee.
(Actually...that sounds about right. I think I lasted about 3 years being the Young Adult librarian. Little ingrates.)
Link over to the whole article, too, and remember that librarians love chocolates and flowers. Just saying.
UPDATE: a patron just brought me coffee. Librarians also like coffee.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
let's be frank
It's a full moon today and I know this without even looking at the calendar.
...because someone just walked into the library dressed like a hot dog.
(not a Weiner)
...because someone just walked into the library dressed like a hot dog.
(not a Weiner)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Traveling Summer Adventures
Every summer, libraries join together in promoting themed reading programs to keep up circulation during those months when patrons think "beach!" instead of "book." Librarians and patrons get a chance to partake in fun activities and reading contests that they might not have time to enjoy during the busy school year.
This year, libraries are doing an "Around the World"-type theme and are encouraging older readers to watch foreign films, pick up a book about far-off lands, learn a new language, and the like. Kids attend special weekly programs where they "travel" to different countries by visiting the children's department, which has been magically transformed into an "airport."
Fun for the whole family!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
This year, libraries are doing an "Around the World"-type theme and are encouraging older readers to watch foreign films, pick up a book about far-off lands, learn a new language, and the like. Kids attend special weekly programs where they "travel" to different countries by visiting the children's department, which has been magically transformed into an "airport."
Fun for the whole family!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
for your listening pleasure
The Library of Congress has created National Jukebox, a trove of historical recordings that you can listen to for free!
For example, you can hear a speech by Teddy Roosevelt...
Enjoy (& remember to thank a librarian!)
For example, you can hear a speech by Teddy Roosevelt...
Enjoy (& remember to thank a librarian!)
Friday, May 6, 2011
half-life
- In cash-strapped Detroit, one library decides it needs a renovation. A total of $2.3 million of taxpayer money is spent on things like leather chairs ($1,100 ea.), stainless steel trash cans ($1,110 ea.) and fireplaces ($5000 ea.). The chairs have already had to be replaced with wooden ones, due to homeless people using them as toilets.
- But another Detroit-area library is closed and the books are abandoned, left to rot and moulder on the shelves.
- Studies have shown that nearly half of Detroit's adult population are functionally illiterate.
- And for a ineffective school system, rife with corruption, where almost two-thirds of children will not graduate high school, the federal government spends $49 million of your tax dollars on laptop computers for grade school children.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
library liveblog
I'm alone at the reference desk for 8 hours, here's an example of my day:
9:30 AM Older gentleman, wearing his wristwatch nearer to his elbow - "How do I get the internet to stop remembering my card number and PIN? I clicked 'ok' without reading the box."
10:00 AM College student, still in PJs, hair standing up on the back of his head, rubbing his eyes. "I'm looking for this book I can't believe you don't have it. It's called On the Razor's Edge." Sounds simultaneously disgusted and stoned.
Me, looking cute with lipgloss: "Do you know the author?"
"No. But it's an old book."
"Do you mean THE Razors Edge, by Maugham?"
More eye rubbing. "Uhh. Yeah, I guess."
"Perhaps that's why you couldn't find it. It helps to have the correct title." I give him a librariany look.
10:06 AM Woman prints 6 pages. The first two sheets are free and the others are 10 cents each. I have to do the math for her.
10:07 AM The silent Russian guy with the crazy hair checked out my rack and nodded at me while signing up to use the computer.
10:25 AM When I wish you a "Good morning" the polite thing is to respond. Bastard.
10:50 AM Mother is looking for her little boy and calling out, "Shane! Shane!"
11:02 AM Things have settled down, I'm going back in the stacks.
11:30 AM I wore short sleeves. What was I thinking? Time for the space heater.
11:32 AM Fifth time I've had to point to the tax forms. And, no, putting up a sign wouldn't help...even if it's hot pink, in bold font and 72 pts high. Believe me, we've tried. This year, someone put the forms behind a pole. It's like a scavenger hunt!
11:35 AM Someone smells like dirty cat litter. Eeep. I'll be in the stacks.
11:57 AM Older woman in hot pink lipstick approaches, looking bashful. "I'm looking for a new book but I'm not sure of the title."
"Do you know the author's name?"
She shakes her head. "No, but it's that woman who wrote a book about that racehorse. And the title is 'Unbroken' or something like that."
"Seabiscuit? Laura Hillenbrand?"
"Yes! Her new book! You guys are amazing."
I beamed. Yes. Yes, we are.
12:03 PM Had to get a VHS tape from the basement. Why won't people buy DVD players?
12:09 PM The creepy guy I almost shanked for trying to hug me a few months ago is now coughing all over my personal space. I also really wish he wouldn't wear sweatpants - his crotch is directly at eye level when I'm sitting at my desk.
12:55 PM Elderly man wants information on the city of Arkhangelsk in Russia. Not history, he knows that and is telling me all about it. He wants to know about the city today, what it's like now. I print out a bunch of pages from Wikipedia and Wikitravel for him, no charge. I'm a sucker for these old vets and their WWII stories.
1:00 PM LUNCH!
1:55 PM It doesn't matter if you're sitting at your desk with ear buds in, behind a sign that reads "Librarian is at lunch, be back @ 2PM" at least 5 people will immediately descend upon you to ask their burning questions of earth shattering importance that absolutely cannot wait a few more minutes.
1 - "I can't find this book. It's 612.7" "Do you know the title?" "No."
2 - "Do you have a bible?"
3 - "Can I borrow some scotch tape?" (borrow?)
4 - "Can you find these DVDs for me?"
5 - "I can use that counter to organize my papers?"
Sigh.
2:25PM Guy who wouldn't say "good morning" is still here. He's now paying for his printouts by dropping change on my desk as if I was nothing more than a toll booth turnstile. I'm not sure he's aware that I'm a person. I wonder if he's single. (and by that I mean, I BET he's single because he's a JERK.)
3:04 PM Talking beer with the guy who fixes the miniature train at the WBC. Yes, he's wearing his stripey engineer's cap.
3:20 PM Hey, wait a minute! A little earlier I saw a waitress from the brewery. She waved to me from the children's department. I think the universe is telling me I need a beer.
4:20 PM No workday at the library would be complete without an appearance by the little gang of delinquents. They start shouting "PENIS!" again, I swear to God I'm calling the cops.
Ah, forget it, I'm kicking them out just on principle.
4:41 PM The first "GTFO" announcement just came over the PA...and of course Snotman just arrived and sat down at a computer.
4:45 PM Announcement #2. I need a nap.
4:47 PM OMG! There's a man with a gun in the building! (Hah. It's a cop. Just kidding.)
5:14 PM 74 people used the computers today and not one of them needed my help pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. Bravo, patrons, bravo! Only took an entire decade but that's what I call an improvement. Next lesson? File -> Print preview.
6:11 PM home. Safely ensconced on the sofa with a cat, watching season 2 of Dollhouse, having a well deserved beer and painting my nails a cheery periwinkle.
So there you have it - my glamorous librarian life, no pencil skirt required.
9:30 AM Older gentleman, wearing his wristwatch nearer to his elbow - "How do I get the internet to stop remembering my card number and PIN? I clicked 'ok' without reading the box."
10:00 AM College student, still in PJs, hair standing up on the back of his head, rubbing his eyes. "I'm looking for this book I can't believe you don't have it. It's called On the Razor's Edge." Sounds simultaneously disgusted and stoned.
Me, looking cute with lipgloss: "Do you know the author?"
"No. But it's an old book."
"Do you mean THE Razors Edge, by Maugham?"
More eye rubbing. "Uhh. Yeah, I guess."
"Perhaps that's why you couldn't find it. It helps to have the correct title." I give him a librariany look.
10:06 AM Woman prints 6 pages. The first two sheets are free and the others are 10 cents each. I have to do the math for her.
10:07 AM The silent Russian guy with the crazy hair checked out my rack and nodded at me while signing up to use the computer.
10:25 AM When I wish you a "Good morning" the polite thing is to respond. Bastard.
10:50 AM Mother is looking for her little boy and calling out, "Shane! Shane!"
11:02 AM Things have settled down, I'm going back in the stacks.
11:30 AM I wore short sleeves. What was I thinking? Time for the space heater.
11:32 AM Fifth time I've had to point to the tax forms. And, no, putting up a sign wouldn't help...even if it's hot pink, in bold font and 72 pts high. Believe me, we've tried. This year, someone put the forms behind a pole. It's like a scavenger hunt!
11:35 AM Someone smells like dirty cat litter. Eeep. I'll be in the stacks.
11:57 AM Older woman in hot pink lipstick approaches, looking bashful. "I'm looking for a new book but I'm not sure of the title."
"Do you know the author's name?"
She shakes her head. "No, but it's that woman who wrote a book about that racehorse. And the title is 'Unbroken' or something like that."
"Seabiscuit? Laura Hillenbrand?"
"Yes! Her new book! You guys are amazing."
I beamed. Yes. Yes, we are.
12:03 PM Had to get a VHS tape from the basement. Why won't people buy DVD players?
12:09 PM The creepy guy I almost shanked for trying to hug me a few months ago is now coughing all over my personal space. I also really wish he wouldn't wear sweatpants - his crotch is directly at eye level when I'm sitting at my desk.
12:55 PM Elderly man wants information on the city of Arkhangelsk in Russia. Not history, he knows that and is telling me all about it. He wants to know about the city today, what it's like now. I print out a bunch of pages from Wikipedia and Wikitravel for him, no charge. I'm a sucker for these old vets and their WWII stories.
1:00 PM LUNCH!
1:55 PM It doesn't matter if you're sitting at your desk with ear buds in, behind a sign that reads "Librarian is at lunch, be back @ 2PM" at least 5 people will immediately descend upon you to ask their burning questions of earth shattering importance that absolutely cannot wait a few more minutes.1 - "I can't find this book. It's 612.7" "Do you know the title?" "No."
2 - "Do you have a bible?"
3 - "Can I borrow some scotch tape?" (borrow?)
4 - "Can you find these DVDs for me?"
5 - "I can use that counter to organize my papers?"
Sigh.
2:25PM Guy who wouldn't say "good morning" is still here. He's now paying for his printouts by dropping change on my desk as if I was nothing more than a toll booth turnstile. I'm not sure he's aware that I'm a person. I wonder if he's single. (and by that I mean, I BET he's single because he's a JERK.)
3:04 PM Talking beer with the guy who fixes the miniature train at the WBC. Yes, he's wearing his stripey engineer's cap.
3:20 PM Hey, wait a minute! A little earlier I saw a waitress from the brewery. She waved to me from the children's department. I think the universe is telling me I need a beer.
4:20 PM No workday at the library would be complete without an appearance by the little gang of delinquents. They start shouting "PENIS!" again, I swear to God I'm calling the cops.
Ah, forget it, I'm kicking them out just on principle.
4:41 PM The first "GTFO" announcement just came over the PA...and of course Snotman just arrived and sat down at a computer.
4:45 PM Announcement #2. I need a nap.
4:47 PM OMG! There's a man with a gun in the building! (Hah. It's a cop. Just kidding.)
5:14 PM 74 people used the computers today and not one of them needed my help pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL. Bravo, patrons, bravo! Only took an entire decade but that's what I call an improvement. Next lesson? File -> Print preview.
6:11 PM home. Safely ensconced on the sofa with a cat, watching season 2 of Dollhouse, having a well deserved beer and painting my nails a cheery periwinkle.
So there you have it - my glamorous librarian life, no pencil skirt required.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
nacho nanny
Last night, a man approached me at the reference desk. He looked nervous.
"As a responsible adult, I feel I need to say something."
I furrowed my brow, hoping I looked concerned. "Yes, sir?"
"There is a group of kids sitting back there by the window and they are tipping back in their chairs really far. They might fall." It seemed he was approaching a hand-wringing level of anxiety.
I blinked at him. Twice. "Are they being loud?"
(I knew this bunch of little delinquents. They come in with their skateboards, reeking of cigarette smoke and I have to kick them out on a regular basis for being assholes. The last time because they were running through the stacks shouting "PENIS!" at the tops of their lungs and the time before that was because they were pounding on the windows like baboons in the zoo. Their newest endeavor is writing obscenities with sidewalk chalk in the employee parking lot - open letters for their favorite librarians, I guess.)
"No! They are tipping back in their chairs! It's not safe."
I smiled, probably a bit more maliciously than I intended. "Well, you let me know when they fall. I'd be more than happy to call an ambulance if necessary."
"As a responsible adult, I feel I need to say something."
I furrowed my brow, hoping I looked concerned. "Yes, sir?"
"There is a group of kids sitting back there by the window and they are tipping back in their chairs really far. They might fall." It seemed he was approaching a hand-wringing level of anxiety.
I blinked at him. Twice. "Are they being loud?"
(I knew this bunch of little delinquents. They come in with their skateboards, reeking of cigarette smoke and I have to kick them out on a regular basis for being assholes. The last time because they were running through the stacks shouting "PENIS!" at the tops of their lungs and the time before that was because they were pounding on the windows like baboons in the zoo. Their newest endeavor is writing obscenities with sidewalk chalk in the employee parking lot - open letters for their favorite librarians, I guess.)
"No! They are tipping back in their chairs! It's not safe."
I smiled, probably a bit more maliciously than I intended. "Well, you let me know when they fall. I'd be more than happy to call an ambulance if necessary."
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
stranger than fiction
Oh, and you thought being a librarian was all pencil skirt glamour and musty old books.
(I swear I didn't write this blog, but I sure could have. Folks, you just can't make this stuff up.)
(I swear I didn't write this blog, but I sure could have. Folks, you just can't make this stuff up.)
reshelved
Sometimes when I work late in the library, I hear a faint shuffling sound coming from the stacks. Is there someone lurking, did someone fall asleep in a study carrel? I do a quick walk-through and check again. Nope. No one's there.
I shrug to myself, turn off the lights and go home.
This would explain why I can never find anything in the 500s.
(thanks to everyone who sent this!)
I shrug to myself, turn off the lights and go home.
This would explain why I can never find anything in the 500s.
(thanks to everyone who sent this!)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
...what?
Bloggers can get a lot of email. We laugh at the jokes you send us, respond to comments and answer questions if we can, but sometimes...
Well, sometimes, we get things like this:
Hello,
I want bellow 600 Series Blow Gun do you offer them and what is the price?Also what types and sizes do you carry and what is the price?Please advice bellow.
Regards.
Pressure Rating: . . . . . . . . . 150 PSI
Operating Temperature: . . . . 32° to 175° F
Body: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Die Cast Zinc
(Chrome Plated)
Nozzle: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brass
Thumb Grip: . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vinyl
Internal Components:. . . . . . Brass
My finely tuned librarian instincts immediately made me want to help locate this blow gun, so I googled the specs. I was disappointed to learn that this is some sort of pneumatic tool and not a fancy blow dart gun. Phooey.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Well, sometimes, we get things like this:
Hello,
I want bellow 600 Series Blow Gun do you offer them and what is the price?Also what types and sizes do you carry and what is the price?Please advice bellow.
Regards.
Pressure Rating: . . . . . . . . . 150 PSI
Operating Temperature: . . . . 32° to 175° F
Body: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Die Cast Zinc
(Chrome Plated)
Nozzle: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brass
Thumb Grip: . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vinyl
Internal Components:. . . . . . Brass
My finely tuned librarian instincts immediately made me want to help locate this blow gun, so I googled the specs. I was disappointed to learn that this is some sort of pneumatic tool and not a fancy blow dart gun. Phooey.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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