Gotta love fashion with a library theme. I just came across this on YouTube – a store that goes by the Library in London, UK. The men’s clothing shop is definitely themed by the Dewey Decimal system. While clothing doesn’t have any call numbers assigned to them, the Library arranges clothing by the subjects where they occur, such as travel or art. Philosophy and fashion have always made for some sartorially smart expressions, as this store strives to do. I have many reasons for wanting to visit London, and this is just one more. Checking items out has never been more chic.
I was looking through the New York Public Library’s YouTube channel and I came across “Design by the Book,” a very cool series of videos discussing the importance of libraries for artists. One very important thing to note is that art never exists in a vacuum; there is no “art for art’s sake.” Whether art be dreams, an expression of beauty, a meditation on the profound, an observation, a reflection, a criticism, or analysis, or even all of the above, art is something that is deeply connected to other ideas, history, literature, science, nature, religion, or even preceding works of art. To create is to not simply wait for the muse, but to peruse, research, read, and think deeply on various things. Even the most utilitarian forms of expression can benefit from visits to the library.
Last week, I took some pictures in the San Diego Central Library, and I came across this card catalog cabinet, which is very rare. Most of the other branches in the San Diego Public Library system has phased them out, especially with modern facilities out in suburbia. Central Library, however, is still in a antiquated, late 1930’s building. Even with modern equipment here and there, there are reminder’s of the library’s past. This is definitely a beautiful reminder.
I have a few people on my Twitter list who are in the library field (librarians, employees, etc) and some fellow MLIS students (some of whom are working in the libraries). They definitely are an underutilized resource for me, though I’ve gotten some valuable things here and there from them. Cultivating a relationship with these online people has opened up opportunities to get help and encouragement in this field I’m getting started in. Dan, a librarian in Dakota City, Nebraska, recently has given me some very helpful tweets in response to a response I had to his link about some libraries closing in Omaha. As someone in the great state of California, hearing of cutting down of public services elsewhere resonates with me because many of our public services , including libraries, are constantly threatened due to insufficient funds in the government coffers. It made me feel like I picked quite a scary time to pursue an MLIS. Dan in response offered this*:
In this classic skit from Sesame Street, Cookie Monster asks a stuffy librarian some well-intentioned questions about if the library has cookies, only to be answered with abuse. Then again, when Cookie Monster persists in asking the questions, one can’t really blame the librarian. I wonder how many of us when we were children envisioned themselves being the exasperated librarian when watching sesame street. I did.
Originally posted on ShindoTV
Sometimes I feel a little too spread thin with all my online “me’s,” especially with Twitter, Facebook, and this blog. Friendfeed seems to have taken on a life of its own mainly because my tweets go to it, but some profiles, such as Plurk and 12 Seconds languish. In starting this MLIS program at San Jose State University’s online program, I have a few more virtual selves to contend with. To add to that, I have also created the Shindobrarian blog back in March when I got news of my acceptance into the program. I haven’t updated much since then until recently, when I put some library oriented posts up. However, they mirror the ones I put up here.
I created the Shindobrarian as the blog with a specific audience: fellow MLIS students and librarians. The ShindoTV one — I’m still not clear about it except to post whatever comes to mind. I just want a blog I wouldn’t mind coming back to again and again. Of course, I post the library ones here because they may be the ones that I write when inspired, but I then cross-post them on the Shindobrarian. The general idea for the Shindobrarian is to post things I’m learning about the library profession, but also to post on thing relevant, whether it’s articles, news, humor, etc. I’ll see how it goes, especially as I get to know more and more of this students, whether in real life or the online realm. I’ll look around for sure, but if anyone knows about any good MLIS or librarian oriented blogs, send them my way.
What’s a man to do when he’s properly qualified for a job, yet seems to have a hard time finding one? Perhaps suing the alma mater university is one option, but when he really needs a job, some more immediate action is necessary. Dumb down one’s resume, play down job accomplishments, or just talk it up are some options. Here, a desperate man resorts to dressing up like a gorilla, which appeals to some warped affirmative action, British style. Gotta love Monty Python for that.
I came across this public service announcement for the New York Public Library, which is awesome. It’s wonderful to see the famous and fabulous shout out the library system of New York City. It’s great that the A-listers shout it out for the New York Public Library, but other library systems all over the country need support. In a cash-strapped California, where the State has no money and threatens to take funds from the counties and cities, making sure that the libraries keep going is even more of necessity.
Parker Posey as the accidental librarian in Party Girl.
Little over a month ago, I got accepted into the Master of Library and Information Science program for Fall 2009 at San Jose State University. I have contemplated applying ever since I was working after graduation from grad school, mainly because adjunct teaching is so unstable. Also, I like libraries a lot. I always have. I finally took action back in November and applied.
While I have a primary blog where I post about any subject that catches my fancy, the Shindobrarian is devoted to my journey through the MLIS degree program at SJSU and my career path to becoming a librarian. I’ll post about what I’m learning along the way.
I am really excited to see where the journey leads me. More to be posted soon.
