Celebrate Banned Book Week With Me

It is always so surprising to me that patrons of the library thing that we are banning books when banned book week rolls around. I didn't keep count last year, but NUMEROUS, patrons came up with The Bible from our display table to express an irate complaint that we had banned it. After calming them down through a detailed explanation of what was going on, things were usually better. I'd tell you all about what it is, but I'd be preaching to the choir. Glad my reader base is smart :)

Enjoy these graphics all from here and check out the "To Read" list at the end of this page.

Bookmobile!

I know that people who utilize bookmobiles are in love with them! There are so many cute books out there that romanticize the notion of what being a bookmobile librarian is like. However, after last summer and being lucky enough to help out on our bookmobile, it isn't all sunshine all the time! 

Nevertheless, the bookmobile is such an awesome way for the library to reach their community. The Paris Review (one of my FAVORITES) had an article today on bookmobiles, I've borrowed their pictures here, but you should really go and read the article! 

By far the coolest one - I'd totally get books from the Camel Mobile Library

Library Look: Strahov Monastery Library in Prague

I'm totally JEALOUS of my friend Gretchen who is on the trip of a lifetime in Austria right now. In fact, I  wouldn't be as jealous if I didn't know that she had invited me to join her ... and I turned her down because of school (insert a super sad face here). Sigh. Well, because she is a great friend, she has been providing me LOTS of pictures and, if I squint and put on my imagination hat, I can almost feel like I am there! 

Today she went to the Strahov Monastery Library in Prague and sent these great shots along to me. 

Copyright Gretchen Pinkston 2012

Copyright Gretchen Pinkston 2012

For those not in the know, the Strahov Monastery Library was started in 1149. They hold the largest photography collection in the world and have more than 125,000 books (according to Frommer's).

The Strahov Monastery Library website has lots of information about the history of the building and the collection, in addition to all the details on visiting. 

I'm adding this to my list of libraries to visit someday. Too bad I'm not there right now!!

Book Musings

Sometimes you just need a really good book quote and a great novel to sink into.

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Crazy Cool Librarians

When I grow up I want to be a super awesome ninja librarian like these fantastic examples!! Check out some of these librarians, library workers, and passionate library addicts that I find awesome and see the whole list of Library Journal's Movers and Shakers here.

Emily Ellis has increased her program attendance by 133%!! She also initiated a Teen Film Festival by working with the local high school. In 2009 there were 373 attendees and in 2010 that jumped to a whopping 768!

JP Porcaro might look like a rap mogal, but he is actually a super hip librarian who sees things a little differently. He wants a librarian to be on the cover of Rolling Stone, to be on Jersey Shore, and famous on MTV. Before you make some assumptions that he is just another radical YA librarian, notice that HE ISN'T! He is actually head of collections at his library and has some big dreams for modernizing librarianship and bringing it into the future!

Scooter Hayes' Dewey Decimal Rap might sound like a joke, but it is a real life song that has turned into a tour, CD, and turned this Early Literacy Consultant into a librarian innovator. Check out his video here --

It is hilarious and you don't want to miss it!

There are lots more Movers and Shakers to check out, see if your librarians made the list!

Library Worker Appreciation Day!!

Do you love your library?? Do you love your favorite librarian?? Well then show it! (I know that librarians love cookies, chocolate, and flowers).

Today is National Library Worker Day (the ALA says so). 

Save the libraries! Save the librarians!

LOL, if your librarians look like this, your library is probably more popular than mine :)

Eat My Words

What sort of nerdy party gets these cupcakes? I don't know, but I'd like to have one!!

For the love of books

Whether it is because I'm a librarian, a linguist or a nerd - I LOVE QUOTES! Some of the best ones come out of books because they capture that moment that you want to remember forever. They sum up a relationship between two people or sad event. What are your favorite book quotes? All of the following come from pinterest and can be found on board - Book Quotes.

National Library Week!

I nearly forgot that we are celebrating this week!! It is National Library Week!!! So everyone go hug you favorite librarian and check out these vintage posters.

Library Musings

It was kinda a long day at the library today, between Spring Break and lots of gorgeous weather - I'd probably be spending my time outside instead of in the library as well. That is, if I didn't have to work. Here are some pieces to cheer me up a little and remind me why I want to be a librarian.

Oh, my, that is HILARIOUS! It amazes me how little some people really know about the library. My favorite question: "How much does it cost to rent books?"

This picture sorta sums up my life, my life is built by books and they could probably tumble down on my in any moment. Wouldn't you love to come and play here?

Um, I am thinking there needs to be a party for when the DVD is released. So, I'll be making these cupcakes, and dressing up as Effie Trinket! Who is with me??

This library is both enchanting and horrifying at the same time. Someday, when the world has come to an end, will the libraries look like this? Falling apart, still full of books, yet filled with foliage? However, a library with a skylight and a tree growing in the center is also pretty awesome :) 

Library Thing

If you like to read (and I really hope you do), you'll like Library Thing. I like keeping track of what I've read, what I want to read, and what I have bought (mostly so I don't check it out from the library). I've also started using it for school to keep track of what books I need to read this quarter. 

Not only does it provide a way to keep track, but you can get recommendations. Give reviews, stars, and tag books. It is like your library catalog - only it does just what you want it to. Oh, and you can also follow people and see what they think of books and books that they add to their lists - a nice way to keep up with what your friends are reading. 

Does anyone use this website? Let me know so I can follow you. Do you like any other book sites? I've heard Jacket Flap is good as is GoodReads ... but I don't know much about them.