Library Geeks Unite

It's not library technology, it's technology about librarians.

Maureen Clements has some links in her Library Week article that might prove fruitful, but will definitely prove fun for that librarian in your life.

That's right, get out there and be a Shover and Maker!

Eeeekkk!

If you're ever in need of something to keep you awake at night, aside from normal anxiety attacks, try this...http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/blog/

Better Than It Was Before. Better, Stronger, Faster.

Ah the continuing image problem of the public library. Once again, when I've told friends about how badly our public libraries have it right now, the inevitable response is "I just saw something on the news that says more people are using the library than ever." Yes, the bad economy means more people are in the library, but that doesn't create funding. Our public libraries are now all closed on Sunday. The mayor put out this brilliant piece of spin when it first occurred.

The real tragedy is that just as libraries are really at a point where they can use interactive technology to make the library more and more relevant, there are fewer and fewer funds available to do it. First we rejected a new tax, which regardless of the politics surrounding it, would have provided funds. Those who said we didn't need the tax claimed that a bond proposal would take up the slack. Of course after the tax didn't pass no one heard another word about a bond.

We hear about tax revolts...well maybe it is time for the librarians to revolt. That's right, let's see what happens if we go Lysistrata on the public's ass.

Dinner with Gloria Zamora

So, on Tuesday I'm going to a dinner with president of the SLA, Gloria Zamora. Report will be forthcoming. If anyone can't attend and has questions you'd like me to ask, go ahead and post them here or email me.

Since she lives in Santa Fe, the only question I have right now is whether she will bring me crepes from the pasty shop/cafe in the Hotel La Fonda. The savory ones with the cheese please!

RIP...

Libraries For the Future

Pity Party, Pass the Ice Cream Please

Due to the previously thrown pity-party I was unavailable for about a week and a half. Regular snarkiness shall resume shortly.

ALA as the Well-Meaning Hippy

The ALA distributed this item, decrying possible destruction of artifacts and libraries in the Gaza Strip recently.

One thing about technology is it has made us more aware of what is really going on in the rest of the world, but it has also overloaded us with information. How many people will see this resolution? Can it have any impact? It's not like here in the US where the ACLU will hop to our defense and suddenly file a lawsuit.

On the other hand, I like being associated with an organization that stands up for what it believes in--that clearly states the First Amendment is inviolate and you can take your Patriot Act and put it where the sun don't shine, and that even takes a possibly Quixotic stand against the destruction of history and knowledge.