LISNews: Librarian News

Anonymous Patron writes "In NJ it's a Cook Book, in AR they're throwing a Picnic, an auction in PA, and in CT they're selling books, Entertainment Books.With Friends like these keeping many libraries in the black thanks to leaner budgets I feel our Friends groups is more important than ever.

I'm wondering what your friends groups are doing to raise funds in creative and original ways. We've all seen the used book sale, what else can they do to raise a few bucks this year?"

Godfrey Oswald writes "Hello all,

I am finalizing an exciting techno-thriller novel, with a public librarian as the lead character. I need some help locating the name of Danish librarian and computer expert who was caught some years back, hacking into the United Nations computer system in New York.

I remember reading on the net about this Danish librarian (2001 or 2002, cannot remember which year), but my searches on Google and Lexis-Nexis news databases have drawn a blank so far.

Does anyone remember the name of this Danish librarian?

If you have any news, please e-mail at: infolibrary@yahoo.co.uk

The synopsis of my new novel is at:

http://www.lwrw.com/bookprojects.htm

Thanks,

Godfrey Oswald
London."

nbruce writes "I've been racking my brain about the best leads to library jobs, but realize my own experience is worthless.

First professional job: I was a graduate assistant and when I completed my MLS, I was hired into a faculty position in the same department.

Second professional job: the restrooms on the second floor were busy, so I went up to the fourth floor (University of Illinois Library) where the personnel librarian from Ohio State was interviewing.

All polls aside, what methods or suggestions do secure librarians have for the newbies and the "want-to-change" librarians?"

mdoneil writes "I was just wondering if other librarians have 'library envy' like I do. Do you go to other libraries to see what they have? I do. I have been to libraries in every city to which I have travelled except London. ( I arrived in London on 9/11/2002 @ 6:20AM !, no time to visit the library I had to make train reservations as all connecting flights were stopped).

I have seen libraries in Dublin, ( I did some undergrad work @ Trinity - the Jedi archives ) and many other Irish cities, Madrid, Mexico D.F. and many other Mexican cities, Paris, Iran, Portugal, Belgium, the Vatican, and a bunch of libraries in the States.

Do other people do this too. I hope so. I have decided to use my free time to organize library tours. I think of a reciprocal borrowing type of thing. Librarians from other countries can come to the States to see how we do things, and we can go to other countries to see what they do.

Insofar as I have a few contacts I think I might be able to get the ball rolling. I have some friends at a tour agency in Ireland, and I have some relatives in the religious biz who may have a wee bit of pull at the Vatican libraries. I think a couple of trips to Europe can be arranged.
Bearing in mind that librarians are poor, how does this idea sound?
Would anyone here go on a trip? I am thinking 2K inclusive (air and hotel and a few meals) from an Eastcoast gateway (NYC, ATL, MIA). Other trips such as Iran would of course cost more but they are really interesting. Iranian libraries were fantastic and the librarians really open and helpful.

Let me know your feelings."