May 2001

A Moving Experience @ Your Library

I think we rean a story Like This One long ago.

Schoolchildren formed a chain three blocks long and passed book after book from the Thornville, OH old library to its new one yesterday morning. The 310 students hand-delivered about 800 books to the new library.


Next time I move into a new apartment I want to move this way! Any volunteers?

Book Thief Nabbed

Bob Cox forwarded this along from Jimmy D. McKee, Director, Caldwell County Public Library\”

\”Colleagues, Just wanted to let you know that the lady we suspect of purloining our books has been nabbed according to our local detective who was working the case. She had more than 2,000 books some of which she claims were purchased at yard sales. The detective says that they did find records on her computer where items had been sold. Most of the books are being held by the Hickory Police department and the lead detective there, Danny Stewart, said that they would be inventorying the books and contacting the libraries involved to see about getting your materials back and to see if you want to file a warrant. We did get an editorial in our local paper this morning chiding us for checking out so many books to one individual. It is evident that most of our policies are directed toward the honest users of our libraries and perhaps this was a warning for all of us to reassess our policies and procedures in some areas. With relative ease this lady checked out close to $50,000 worth of materials!\”

Confessions of a library scofflaw

Prague Post has an interesting Story written by a library scofflaw.


Just a fun look at how people feel about returning books late. I\’d also like to admit that I am a library scofflaw too. I always whip out my ALA card to avoid the fines (\”It\’s OK, I\’m a librarian\” I say), but it never seems to help. I\’m also a video rental scofflaw.

\”But, licking their chops, the clerks at the Municipal Library of Prague are not interested in discussing the fine points of overdue-book morality. Rules are rules. I am in need of reform, and the clerks at the return desk are ready to do the job.\”

Christian books raise eyebrows

Florida\’s Lakes Region Library set up a display of
books titled \”Christian Fiction\” sitting near the check-out
desk with about 100 books. A patron raised a ruckos,
so they changed the name of the display to
\”Inspirational Fiction\”. They even talk about how The
Library of Congress classifies \”Christian fiction\” books,
but, there is not an equivalent category for Buddhist
fiction or other types of religious fiction. She plans to file
a complaint in U.S. District Court against the county.

Full Story

\”We try to provide a broad diversity of viewpoints
and many types of subject matter,\” Rogers said. \”That
does not mean the library endorses those ideas. We
are a neutral provider of information, so you can come
in and select what you choose.\”

Library Stories Galore

A google of library stories from around the country all
sent in by the great Bob Cox!
What about right to
stink?
from Idaho.


C
arnegie Library marks 100th birthday
in Pittsburg.
Related story, Three Carnegie libraries to get
makeovers



A horticulture library unlike any other in
Seattle. If you\’ve ever been to The Arboretum, you know
how nice it is! Miller
Library\’s
Web site



Resourceful library from a few miles down the
Thruway in Rochester, is a nice story on the public
libary that serves so well.


Rare books are city\’s quiet
treasure
in Cleveland.

Academic Libraries Offer Live Web-Based Reference

Bernie Sloan has released his Preliminary Report on \”The Ready for Reference service\”, a collaborative 24×7 live reference service being piloted by eight college and university libraries in the Alliance Library System in Illinois.


If you\’re interested in web-based reference work, this is a must read.

More information on the Ready for Reference project is available from the project Web site.

Science world in revolt

Gaurdian Story on the ever growing journal boycott.


More than 800 British researchers have joined 22,000 others from 161 countries in a campaign to boycott publishers of scientific journals who refuse to make research papers freely available on the internet after six months.

\”Science depends on knowledge and technology being in the public domain,\” said Michael Ashburner

Fan fantasy fiction

Today\’s Chicago Tribune carries an L.A. Times article about slash fiction — homoerotic stories written mostly about TV characters by straight female fans.

I had heard of this stuff being written about Star Trek and Xena characters, but The A-Team? I pity the fool …

NC Book Thief on the Prowl

Bob Cox forwarded this along with this warning: \”Granted this is North Carolina orientated, but these \’people\’ have a habit
of crossing state borders.\”

\”Several libraries in our area, Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and Iredell so far, have probably been victimized by a book thief.  She is very clever and evidently has had no trouble obtaining a library card in all these libraries as she presents identification.  She has given the following names, April Bumgardner, Newyum, Hudson, Nelson, & Coleman so far.  All the above libraries have overdue books checked out by this lady that unfortunately number more than 600 items so far.  She used to work at a bookstore and it appears that many of these items are listed on her Internet site for sale.

More….

Bob Cox forwarded this along with this warning: \”Granted this is North Carolina orientated, but these \’people\’ have a habit
of crossing state borders.
\”

\”Several libraries in our area, Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and Iredell so far, have probably been victimized by a book thief.  She is very clever and evidently has had no trouble obtaining a library card in all these libraries as she presents identification.  She has given the following names, April Bumgardner, Newyum, Hudson, Nelson, & Coleman so far.  All the above libraries have overdue books checked out by this lady that unfortunately number more than 600 items so far.  She used to work at a bookstore and it appears that many of these items are listed on her Internet site for sale.

More….

Our local law enforcement authorities have been informed and are working on the case, but it will likely be a while before any action is taken. Just wanted to let the rest of you out there know and to be forewarned.

The Catawba County Sheriffs department is probably the lead law enforcement agency on the case and I\’ve been dealing with officer Justin Crooks.  His voice no. is 828 465-8344.  Unfortunately, he\’s taking the Memorial Day holiday & won\’t be back until next week.