LISNews Librarian And Information Science News

It's not quite a typical librarian job... Why You Should Consider Carryin' A Librarian:

In my inaugural column for this publication over a year ago, I introduced you to the primary musical members of your session team: the composer, orchestrator, conductor, contractor, copyist, score proofreader, and score supervisor (“the booth god.”) An additional as-yet-unsung collaborator who can also save your bacon is the librarian, hired by and representing the supervising copyist.

Wasilla keeps librarian, but police chief is out (2/1/1997)
"Both Stambaugh and [City librarian Mary Ellen] Emmons publicly supported Palin's opponent, long-time mayor John Stein during the campaign last fall. When she was elected, Palin questioned their loyalty and initially asked for their resignations. "

Governor Sarah Palin's selection as Senator John McCain's running mate has gotten the prosaic cliche writers in a tizzy. She's compared to a librarian in many news pieces. See Naughty Librarian vibe.

While being interrogated a second time about stolen cash, a fired Lake Geneva Public Library employee threw down her arms in frustration.

“I did it to survive,” she said June 13, according to court documents. “I knew it was wrong all along. I can’t even say that anything justified it.”

Mercedes Mogensen, 44, Elkhorn, is accused of stealing $18,500 from the library and charging about $70,000 on the library’s credit card for personal purchases.

For Tsawwassen’s Jeannie Cockcroft, there’s no contest. Twenty years ago this summer, Cockcroft was a promising young high jumper taking part in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. “So what is her life like, now?” wonders Cockcroft, who has since moved on to greater heights. On Aug. 5 she took over as community librarian at the Tsawwassen Library, a job she lobbied hard for, returning to her roots after 13 years at the Vancouver Public Library.

Today is the 45th anniversary of the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington D.C.

You don't have to be a centenarian to remember it (this reporter was in junior high school in the District), but Della Jones, 105, remembers it as a very special day...it was the day of her college graduation at age 53. She since went on to become a teacher and librarian, and now at the age of 105, still lives on her own in the same house in Williamstown, KY that she's been in for 85 years, despite being a double amputee and confined to a wheelchair.

"Oh, I thought it was wonderful," Della said of the historic 1963 speech. "I think we all should have a dream for our lives and work towards that dream."

Jenna Freedman declares the six weeks or so from now until his birthday on October 6, Sandy Berman appreciation month. She's asking for participatiion by sending him cards, flowers, subject heading suggestions, and low fat schnitzel.

Sanford Berman
Room 615 - Bed 2
Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

He'll probably be at the above address for at least a month. While his condition isn't life threatening, it is very serious. He has two broken vertebrae in his neck and secondary injuries from the surgery and will be in a series of body, back and neck braces for some time. But don't feel that you have to know him to write to him. Sandy has long been a friend and mentor to librarians, LIS students, and activists that he's never met.

Further reading:

• Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sandy Berman but Were Afraid to Ask
  

David Lee King And Michael Porter rock out in The Hi-fi Sci-fi Library Music Video. There's a larger version at Blip TV. There is a slew of Libraryland folks singing along in the video (mostly in the second half). Don't watch it, it'll get stuck in your head for days. The Full Lyrics & Credits Are Here.

Wheatland library officials say they are introducing the nation's first "robotic rural librarian," an automated dispenser that will make books available anytime.

The GoLibrary equipment will be unveiled at 10 a.m. today in the park next to Wheatland Community Center, 101 C St. The event will include music, refreshments and a drawing for book-related gift baskets.

The book dispenser holds about 500 books. Users will be able to swipe their library cards and use the touch-screen to check out books.

The Yuba County Public Library used a $133,000 state grant to purchase the GoLibrary system, which was invented in Sweden and is being manufactured in Italy.

Via Pub-Lib, indulge your librarian fantasies with the Seattle Library blog Shelftalk.