Learn how to print in the library (or the zombies may get you!)

via myliblog

“Wondrous”

Tad Beckwith of Creative Machines LLC helped put together this sculpture for a library in Arizona which is “quite original and getting some attention” and I would agree. Below is the first video of this artwork available.

More about this work can be found on the library’s and company’s sites.

Library Slow Jam

Hi-Fi Sci-Fi Library

The genius that is David Lee King & Michael Porter, along with a cast of thousands (well, dozens maybe) have released the epic we've all been waiting for...

Response to a book challenge

I know Jamie LaRue and have respected him for years now. On Monday he posted his response to a recent book challenge in his library district. Here's the intro:

Recently, a library patron challenged (urged a reconsideration of the ownership or placement of) a book called "Uncle Bobby's Wedding." Honestly, I hadn't even heard of it until that complaint. But I did read the book, and responded to the patron, who challenged the item through email and requested that I respond online (not via snail-mail) about her concerns.
I suspect the book will get a lot of challenges in 2008-2009. So I offer my response, purging the patron's name, for other librarians.

The rest of the post is his response and I'm officially declaring it required reading for everyone reading this blog. So please take five minutes and read his post titled Uncle Bobby's Wedding.

Funny... But, why?

Yes, this is funny:

But consider the actual sign being criticized. Why is the library asking for your phone number just to use a computer? What possible legitimate purpose is that serving?

A Day in the Life of Technical Services

Via Tame The Web

Musical compant shelving

Ashtray Head at the library

Scott Adams has sent the new manger "Ashtray Head" to the library.

Here's a great question for your reference staff:

"What does the rest of the library staff know?"

Since arriving at NLC I've been meeting with different department heads, partially to get to know them personally, partially to get to know what they and their department do here, and partially for them to get to know what my skills are. Yesterday, I met with Lisa the head of Reference & ILL. At the end of our conversation she had one more question for me: "What else are you interested in or know a lot about?" At first this was an odd question but she quickly explained. The reference staff here likes to keep track of what other people in the building know in order to help with reference questions. For example, if there's a baseball question it goes to the major ball fan in the building. Should they ever get a Dean Koontz question, or a question about a SF or horror author, they'll probably head my way in the future.

The ultimate point is to know your available resources. (Hey, I think I wrote that back in 2000?) In some cases, your resources may be sitting right next to you or just down the hall.

The feds want ISPs to keep data

The feds are at it again. Data retention seems to be their latest thing. This time they want image-sharing sites to keep data "in case police determine the content is illegal and choose to investigate." Normall this would be something I'd comment on just on principle. However, this quote just makes it way to funny:

"Only universities and libraries would be excluded, one participant said. 'There's a PR concern with including the libraries, so we're not going to include them,' the participant quoted the Justice Department as saying. 'We know we're going to get a pushback, so we're not going to do that.'"

More on porn in Rochester libraries

The Democrat & Chronicle is reporting that the library board as appointed a joint commission to reconsider the policy. Video from the borad meeting is available through the link.

Gamer busted for "borrowing" library WiFi after hours - Engadget

Engadget is reporting the story of someone being hassled by the police for using open WiFi from the library in Palmer, Alaska after the library was closed for the day. No link to an article from a local source is present in the Engadget report. Can anyone confirm or deny this story?

Porn at my hometown library

Yes, folks, it's happening again. Another local TV station has done an "undercover investigation" (video available through the link) to catch people looking at porn in the library. (I grew up in a Rochester suburb and used the library in question regularly so that's why I'm posting this story.) What makes this story extra interesting is that County Executive Maggie Brooks is now threatening to cut $7.5M in funding unless the library changes its policy. The policy is the one that was upheld by the Supreme Court under CIPA in which filters are installed but are turned off for anyone 17 and older without being asked why. (It is not clear whether the library is required to follow CIPA or is just doing it anyway.) Because of this the ACLU has criticized Ms. Brooks stating “What real significant difference is there between denying an adult patron access to these sites and denying patrons access to Catcher in the Rye?” The most interesting part of all this, which isn't mentioned in any of the articles: Ms. Brooks used to be a reporter (even an anchor if I recall correctly) for the TV station that started all this. I smell a setup.

Last meeting #1

Last night I attended my last Board of Trustees meeting for the Aurora Public Library. I've spent the past four years on the board and have enjoyed every minute of it. The other members, the library staff, Tom, the library director, and even responding to the few book challenges we've received in that time.

The extra special part of last night's meeting was I got the chance to participate in the interviewing of two people applying for several openings on the board. (I'm not the only one leaving, a few others are term limited in the next few months.) I've always enjoyed being able to talk to regular (i.e. non-librarian) citizens about their feelings and opinions when it comes to libraries and it's role when it comes to censorship and its role in the city. I was especially honored to be able to assist in finding my own replacement. We interviewed two people and our recommendations will be passed along to City Council (the folks who make the board appointments) in the next few days.

I'm proud to have served and look forward to possibly serving in a similar role when I get to Lincoln. (Though, I have promised myself a six-month hiatus from volunteering while I get settled into my new locale and new job.)