Okay, for right now, I'll ignore this columnist's proposal to gut the Free Library of Philadelphia and fill it with computer workstations. For right now, I'll just comment on this, the part he doesn't describe as "a kind of jest":
Once the Web has become a full-service digital archive of the whole wide written word, it'll only be a quick innovation or two before we'll have the technology to order and bind books on our own home book-printing systems. Ebooks will finally become reality. Libraries will become mini-museums, where old books are kept under glass, relics of the pre-"inside the book" revolutionary age.
So, um, can I come to the former Free Library of Philadelphia and use my library card to print and bind my own copy of the latest Harry Potter book? 'Cause I don't have the space or money to put a mini-printing press in my living room. And when I'm done, can I return it to the former library, so someone else can use my copy? 'Cause I don't have enough space to keep copies of every book I've read, and I figure maybe somebody else could use my copy, rather then take the time to print and bind their own. And since I figure this idea might catch on, maybe we should set up some kind of organization system for the books, so people can find them. Heh, I bet you see where this is going.
Okay, now I'm going to address part of that proposal:
There would be some small unpleasantness. Librarians would get their walking papers. They'd be replaced by Web and tech support experts who'd be paid to patrol the floor, troubleshooting glitches and offering help to the Internet challenged.
Don't librarians already do that? Oh, and in addition to helping the Internet challenged, they can also recommend a book to read now that you've finished all the Tom Clancy novels, help you find that information your older kid needs for a school report, and read stories to your younger kid. All for no cost to you. Sound great? It does to me. [link via MetaFilter]
11-18-03: Happy Birthday, Alan Moore
It's Alan Moore's 50th birthday today, so stop by The Alan Moore Index from Ninth Art.
It's Friday, which means it's list day here on diy librarian. Today's theme: miscellanous.
From Tangognat, a nifty list of links related to comic book words.
From The Guardian, the world's 40 best directors. [via MetaFilter]
blogs & the library world, a bibliography of literature about "blogging as it relates to the library world". [via Library Stuff]
And finally, from yours truly, a list of my top 10 pick-me-up songs. I can't guarantee that these songs will put you in a better mood, but they always work for me.
- 30 Days (Chuck Berry)
How can Chuck Berry not cheer you up? - Iko Iko (The Dixie Cups)
My reasons for liking this song have nothing to do with a certain movie starring Tom Cruise. - Trampoline (Joe Henry)
The least peppy and most beautiful song on this list. "This time I'm not coming down." - Don't Think Twice (Mike Ness)
Bob Dylan, with more bite. - Let's Have a Party (Wanda Jackson)
The female Elvis? No, even better than that. Wanda Jackson could out-Elvis Elvis and win a screaming contest with Little Richard. Instant party! - Rocks Off (The Rolling Stones)
My classic mix-tape starter. - Out in the Streets (Bruce Springsteen)
If you've ever seen The Boss live with the E-Street Band, then you know how good this song can make you feel. - Do Anything You Wanna Do (Eddie and the Hot Rods)
The title says it all. - Feel a Whole Lot Better (Four of Us)
Garage-rock classic. Sloppy rockin' that should make you feel a whole lot better. - Lust for Life (Iggy Pop)
Best song in the world to listen to in your car on the way to work. Works just like an extra cup of coffee, only it won't erode your stomach lining or make you jittery.
Coming next week, another guest list by William!
11-12-03: Department of Rules and Regulations
Leave it to the gov'ment (specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services) to simplify web design by releasing 187 guidelines. 187! In PDF format, no less, guaranteeing that these guidelines will not go to the top of my reading list. And with such a neat and efficient title as "Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines: Current Research-Based Guidelines on Web Design and Usability Issues."
11-10-03: library treasure hunting
Crooked Timber has a fun discussion about hunting for treasure of various sorts in university libraries.
Bobby Hatfield, Righteous Brother, passed away Wednesday.
11-7-03: ten comics for kids of all ages
Another Friday, another list. This week the diy librarian lists ten kid-friendly comics. Here you will find fairy tales, animals, and magic--and no sex, drugs, violence, or cussing. All perfectly appropriate for the children's room at the library, and all good reads for adults, too.
Certain titles, most conspicuously Bone, are absent from this list. First because I haven't read Bone (though I've heard great things about it and plan to read it, and it was one of the first comics I bought for the children's room when I was a public librarian), and second because I'm trying to list some comics that might not be as well-known. So, here we go, in no real order:
Scary Godmother (Jill Thompson)
The Scary Godmother isn't exactly a witch, and she isn't exactly a fairy godmother--she's the Scary Godmother. Her friends are human kids, monsters from under the bed, vampires, and werewolves. And when she makes a treat, she tells you how to make it yourself. This is one of my all-time favorite comics.
Owly (Andy Runton)
Both Owly and his creator, Andy Runton, are charming. I bought Owly, the Way Home at SPX, took it back to my hotel room, read it, and immediately went back and bought Owly, Stories of a Little Owl.
Castle Waiting: The Curse of the Brambly Hedge (Linda Medley)
The Curse of the Brambly Hedge is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but instead of focusing on the princess, this book focuses on the minor characters from the fairy tale. I've always been a sucker for retooled fairy tales, and this one did not disappoint.
Magic Pickle (Scott Morse)
Yes, at last, the world has a superhero pickle. Weapon Kosher dispenses Dill Justice and battles the Brotherhood of Evil Produce. Oh, and he meets a tough little girl named Jo Jo Wigman.
The Sandwalk Adventures (Jay Hosler)
As far as I know, the only comic by a biologist on this list. Also, as far as I know, the only story about Charles Darwin told from the point of view of a follicle mite living in his left eyebrow. This is the cutest little follicle mite you've ever seen and a very entertaining book.
Rover (Michael Foran)
Imagine if that Mars rover robot had one giant eye, took Polaroid pictures, and was friends with a small lizard-like creature. That's Rover. Foran's storytelling is creative (no words!) and the art is beautiful. There's a lot more here than meets the eye.
Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things (Ted Naifeh)
This one will appeal to goth kids, but it's really a story about a kid who doesn't fit in and the bond she forms with her creepy old uncle Aloysius. Throw in a little magic and some great art, and I'm hooked!
Little Lit (Art Spiegelman)
All three Little Lit Books (Forklore & Fairy Tale Funnies, Strange Stories for Strange Kids, and It Was a Dark and Silly Night), put together by Art Spiegelman, are great collections. The contributors are varied (It Was a Dark and Silly Night includes a story by Patrick McDonald, one of my favorite cartoonists) and represent both comics creators and children's book authors and illustrators. Plus, each book includes a game!
Astro Boy (Osamu Tezuka)
A classic by Osamu Tezuka, "God of Manga". Tezuka explores science fiction themes by way of Astro Boy, a likeable robot who can shoot bullets from his butt. (Yep, bullets. From his butt. He can also fly.)
Neotopia (Rod Espinosa)
Neotopia is a kind of sci-fi/adventure story mixed with a fairy tale cast of characters. Espinosa's art has a manga style, and some of the backgrounds are really breathtaking.
If you're looking for more comics along these lines, check out no flying, no tights, where you will find reviews and recommendations for kids, teens, adults, teachers, librarians, parents, and others.
11-4-03: Way to go, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has joined the ACLU's challenge to the PATRIOT Act.
While I'm on the subject of comic strips, I might as well:
Stone Soup features the librarian action figure. [found via LISNews.com]
11-3-03: Last Kiss goes to the library
Check out this week's Last Kiss of the Week ("Too many words, not enough pictures!"). [Thanks, W]
11-1-03: a Halloween copyright story
Copyright isn't good for preservation: Happy Halloween, Nosferatu (No Thanks to Copyright). [found via the The Shifted Librarian]
Another comics advocate talks about how to get comics into libraries: Marryin' the Librarian.
Unlike chain bookstores (which I lamented a few months ago would only stock what they thought would sell), libraries are more likely to experiment with anything and everything.
[Thanks, W]
All content on this website, unless otherwise noted, was created by Tara Murray and is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
