LISNews: Librarian News

The National Catholic Reporter brings us a list of top book choices for President George W. Bush, with tongue firmly, as they say, in cheek.

Author Marie Whitla O'Reilly quotes the President "It’s a wonderful country,� Bush II enthused. “You don’t have to read to become president.� and then rhetorically asks, "What about the presidentiary� library? How’s he going to fill those shelves?"

O'Reilly ponders aloud...I knew the education president needed a list and he needed it fast. Plato’s Republic came to mind, along with The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, Crime and Punishment, A Short History of Financial Euphoria and Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace.

Nah! I said to myself. Forget it! By his own admission, he’s no “innalexshal.�

Then, bingo! I remembered Dr. Seuss. Luckily Dubya married a librarian who is also committed to leaving no billionaire behind. Laura could easily get her hubby hooked on books, beginning with Hop on Pop. Then he can get his feet wet with Fox in Socks.

More in this delightfully silly vein at NCR.

Brian Laughing Librarian Smith thinks that there are some very compelling reaons to ban certain books. Here's his 2004 Banned Books Week Homage.

Cliff Urr writes "I don't know if this fits LIS inclusion guidelines, but it's worth looking at for an end-of-the-work-week belly laugh. This is a superb example of a "new media" online super-short movie and a hysterically funny parody of the beloved Woody Guthrie folksong - make sure your computer sound card/speakers are working."

Your Librarian Hates You If... is a funny post to Craigs List from last year. I think we probably ran it before, but it's worth another visit.

You never have your library card, and then you cough on me while explaining that you don't even have an ID on you.

You refuse to learn to use the computers for yourself, and get impatient when I dont know your yahoo password.

You stare blankly as I check in your 40 books so you can pay a five-cent fine.

You contest a five-cent fine.