End of an era

Well, we finally did it. It was long past time to quit maintaining a paper shelflist, which is a card catalog arranged by call number. Libraries used to use them as an inventory tool. I know, I know, it's hard to believe we held on so long.

As you can see, though, a good time was had by all:


This sad photo of the recycling bin is for Mr. Rayburn. So sorry, Mr. R.!

Subversive library action on a spaceship

Actually, Grease Monkey by Tim Eldred (GN E124g) is a graphic novel about about two spacecraft mechanics, one of whom is an 800-pound gorilla. His assistant Robin, a human male, is looking for romance and finds it in the persona of the spaceship's hates-her-boring-job library assistant Kara. Though there are serious library and librarian stereotypes going on here, I love the way Robin woos her and tries to improve the library at the same time.



If you can't read the small print, here's the best bit:
Kara: "What kind of freak puts his own books in a library, checks one out the next day, then comes back asking for more?"
Robin: "I came up here a few weeks ago looking for science fiction and fantasy. They didn't have a single title. Not one. What lousy excuse for a library doesn't stock science fiction and fantasy? Why do you think nobody comes in here?"
Kara: "You mean...you actually planted books to improve the library?"
Robin: "This ship is full of stiffs. And they're all in need of some imagination."

The calm before the storm

Today we got half of the new students logged into their e-mail for the first time. By the end of the week, all of them will have been through this magical process. I know just what is going to happen, though, and almost immediately. There will be a barrage of useless, silly, annoying, (did I say pointless?) messages sent hither and yon, but particularly to each other. The only saving grace is that the new students do not yet know one other's new e-mail addresses. And the addresses are particularly odd this year. For some reason, CITES saw fit to further garble logon names by throwing a number or two into the mix. So nothing flows like it could, and used to in some circumstances. There's no way to guess an e-mail address and the all-school directory will not come out for a few weeks.

May the newbies hold off, but I will bow to the inevitable if they do not.

A librarian's nightmare

A teacher's too. What are they thinking, declaring that Pluto is no longer a planet? What about all those encyclopedias, those reference books, the astronomy books? Textbook publishers are in crisis too. Do I hit the 520s with a black marker? Will the Astronomical Union provide me with inserts?

I guess this is one of those times when the Wikipedia model proves itself useful. Sigh.

This is what it's all for

A makeover doesn't mean much without these folks -




Corinne at the circulation desk -- open for business!

It's good to be back

Even though I can't find anything. But finding things is overrated. Instead, I'd rather be occupied by my usual new-school-year awe of how much students have changed and matured since last school year. And, I confess, I'm working through the usual new-school-year annoyance at how many have vastly exceeded me in height. In my next life, it would sure be nice to get past 5'1", if only to reach some of those books on the higher shelves.

Last night I had the interesting experience of being a secret shopper at a boutique-syle women's clothing store. I was sent a $50 gift card to use, which was certainly a motivator. This store sure knows customer service. Both saleswomen on duty introduced themselves to me and asked me my name. When I went back to the dressing room, they had already put my name on one of the booths. Sure, it was quiet, but they were relentless in their efforts to please. I left with a stunning ensemble I never would have been able to put together on my own. Best of all, it was clear that these women were having as much fun as I was.

The experience made me wonder how we'd rate if a secret shopper visited our library. You can hardly be anonymous here. Everyone already knows your name (except, of course, folks from campus who tend to walk in looking shell-shocked). It would almost be like having a secret shopper child come to rate a family. And in a family, it's hard not to be crabby sometimes. Something to ponder.

Almost there

And a good thing, too. Faculty meetings start tomorrow and school starts Wednesday. Check out our spacious goodness:






Could it be? An actual lounge area? Yes!

Librarian on vacation

On my friend Melody's horse outside of Gunnison, Colorado. Pay no attention to the splayed out feet or to the fact that Fred the cat is about to get run over.

The makeover is almost done! I promise more pictures very soon.

Progress!

Painting is done, floor tile is being installed, shelves are going up. Some recent photos:


This guy is really moving.


Note the new-old restored oak circulation desk we inherited from the retired Women's Studies Library.


Another view of our fine new piece of furniture, covered in the work of a library.


Speaking of the work of a library, here are some fruits of Aaron's labor. Kind of like found poetry, don't you think?


Did I mention that the whole building network is being upgraded? The networking goes better if you are wearing a cowboy hat :-) .