BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!

Subject: BS: Librarians! 'Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 08:48 AM

Okay. I'm a librarian. The Director of the Marshall Public Library in Pocatello, Idaho, USA. I've been a librarian since 1971, and 12-step programs haven't helped a bit. I've cataloged, been the head of Adult Services, head of Reference, System Administrator, head of Tech Services -- pretty much done it all, even Rare Books and some Kiddy Work. Yeah, I got an MS in LS from Case Western Reserve U. and some other educational stuff, so you wanna make somethin' of it?

There are a bunch of librarians on the 'Cat.

Throw off those wire-rimmed glasses and let your hair down out of the bun! Admit you're a librarian!

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: bbc
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 09:39 AM

Hi, Rapaire,

We've done this a couple of times in the past. I am an elementary school librarian at a small rural grade 3-5 school in NE New York state. I've been in the field for approx. 12 years, in 4 districts. I am tenured in this job, have been here 5 years & plan to stay. Got my degree in '81 at U of Maryland, College Park. Certified in MA & NY. Although my library is small & 1-person, I have 12 computers networked to black & white & color printers & the Internet. I will be barcoding this year for automation next year. The kids are great & this job is the best fit for me that I've ever had. I feel that I can make a contribution in this ditrict &, most the time, I enjoy my job!

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 10:18 AM

Yes, I was aware of this earlier thread. Thought a new census might be in order and possibly even helpful. After all, as Spider Robinson wrote, "Librarians are the secret masters of the Universe. Don't ever piss one off."

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 10:29 AM

Well, I'm the daughter of a reference librarian, and I work in a library, so people frequently think I am a librarian, but I am in fact a writer (MA--English) and promote the various new databases, programs, events, etc and write the library publications. And when I'm out on the floor wearing my library tag I answer questions just like anyone else who works there. If I can't answer them, then I point out who can, as is the practice of anyone working in the university library.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Hollowfox
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 10:31 AM

Yep, I'm writing this on my morning break from the South Branch Library in Youngstown, Ohio. For me, being a librarian is like being a drunk with a job in a brewery. *g*

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 12:06 PM

I'm a Library Officer in a small 3-person, Govt agency library which I won't name as I just escaped from the call centre of the aforementioned agency. The call centre tho small, about 20 persons, was no different in nastiness issuing from certain Mgmt persons. The prime troublemaker (Assistant Director) is the ultimate control freak using typical call centre methods to keep the staff in place. The union officers could never understand why her mask-like face never altered when they were disputing her practices (Botox & plastic surgery).

It was paradise going back to to the library after about 10 years absence working in other sections, & working directly with one of the nicest & most considerate persons I have worked with. Both Librarians value me & worryingly assume I understand everything they say. Libraries have changed an awful lot since I did my training at Sydney Technical College in 1973!. Our library has even changed a lot since I went into the Accounts dept in 1993.

But I'll probably survive. Happiness is a lot better than stress.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: MAG
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 12:42 PM

Yo, you know me. I'm a happy children's person, by choice. Except my director is being the Boss From Hell again. Fortunately, I'm better at those mind games than she is -- trained at Chicago Public.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: artbrooks
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 12:06 AM

Well, my first-ever job was as a page in the Arlington, Virginia Public Library...and my daughter works for the Carnegie Library in Pittsburg...and I spend a lot of time in various libraries...can I be part of the cheering section?

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Matt_R
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 12:29 AM

My sister is wrapping up her Masters of Library Science at UNC this semester. Her specialty is old and rare books.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 12:33 AM

Dewy and I have done well together.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Gurney
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 02:59 AM

Rapaire, if you think librarians are the masters, just irritate a restaurant chef.

Then think what you are eating....
I'm always nice to chefs.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 03:29 AM

I WAS, for 30+ years in the UK university sector, now retired YIPPEEEE!

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: JennieG
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 04:02 AM

Guilty as charged. Most of my working life has been in libraries, much of that in the school system. At present I work 4 days a week (and have the school holidays off too!) in a girls' school which is quite delightful. Even the princesses don't piss me off - the ones who give me the look that says "who died and made you queen?" I love having dibs on the new books as they come in.
Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 05:10 AM

There was once a very odd librarian in Hull!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: gnomad
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 07:38 AM

There sure was Giok, he was my dad's boss.

Oddly my school's careers adviser suggested librarianship to me "because you like reading". He seemed to think that I could spend my days reading the stock, I did enjoy enlightening him.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 08:40 AM

Last night I forgot to say that I'd twisted my pony tail into a bun to get it out of the way, & also cannot throw off my wire-rimmed glasses otherwise I wouldn't be able to see the keyboard clearly. Not that I see perfectly as I do need new glasses.

sandra

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BOLD LIBRARIAN (Joy Rutherford)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 12:31 PM

THE BOLD LIBRARIAN
(Joy Rutherford)

Oh, some, they like the sailor man when he comes back to shore,
And some they like the beggar man that begs from door to door,
And some, they like the soldier man with his musket and his can,
But my delight can read and write. He's the bold librarian.

Now, this librarian, he rode out all in the dewy morn,
And he met with the farmer's daughter and loudly he blew his horn.
"Come in, my bold librarian, and I'll mek thee a pot of tea.
Me father and mother have gone to town and there's nobody here but me."

"I have a book for your mother, dear, called, 'Love That Dare Not Speak,'
And another for your old father called, 'Gunfighters of Mustang Creek,'
But nothing I have for you, my dear," this librarian did say,
"But anything you shall request you shall have it right away."

"OO'," said the farmer's daughter and she glowed all over with fire.
"Is it true you can bring your readers anything they desire?"
"Oh, yes," said the bold librarian, "Oh, yes, indeed I will.
Take me up to your chamber and I'll show you my ... professional skill."

So they went upstairs together and they laid down on the bed,
And he faceted her in every detail from 'A' unto 'Zed',
'Til he couldn't classify her under maidens anymore.
He said, "Such dynamic service you've never had before."

Now this librarian he arose and he put on all his clothes,
And out of his pocket he drew handfuls of gold,
Saying, "Take this, my dearest Polly, for thee and thy baby.
It really belongs to the Book Fund, but I'll give it all to thee."

Oh come, my bold librarian and won't you marry me?
Oh no, my dearest Polly, such things can never be,
For married I am already to a quiet little thing.
I've a first and second edition and a third coming out in spring.

"But dost tha truly love me?" the farmer's daughter said.
"What d'you mean," said the librarian, "Just because we've been to bed?
In my most high profession love and sex cannot combine,
[spoken]
Because SEX is 612.6 and LOVE, which I classify under virtues not
otherwise accounted for, is 179.9

Come all you pretty fair maids, this warning you must heed;
You must marry some simple ploughboy who can neither write nor read.
For he may be poor and humble, but he'll love you the best he can.
And have naught to do with that roving blade who drives the library van.

And if you should go for your holidays to that village on the border
And you hear a little boy call the cows in alphabetical order
"Come up, Annie and Betty and Connie and Daisy and Ethel and Fan"
And then you will know it must be the son of the bold librarian.

Copyright Joy Rutherford 1976
tune: Trad. Irish: Sullivan's John
@sex @love @work @parody
filename[ BOLDLIBR
BR

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: GUEST,A Librarian
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 01:17 PM

I tried several fields, including espionage and writing, and I like to think that I've achieved some fame. Nothing, though, has been as personally satisfying as being a librarian. If you wish, you can read something about my career here.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Les from Hull
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 02:48 PM

I know of a couple of librarian 'catters in the UK. I may have to 'out' them!

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 03:42 PM

or there's th apocryphal film starring Arnold in horn-rimmed glasses:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Conan, the Librarian

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Sonnet
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 04:02 PM

Since leaving the teaching profession after 17 years,I've worked as a library assistant at the University of Huddersfield. In the 821.91's I'm like a kid in a bun shop, let loose with a spoon!

Jay

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 04:14 PM

Then there's Noreen the Librarian?
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Nancy King
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 08:43 PM

OK, I'll 'fess up -- I'm a librarian in Montgomery County, Maryland, working at the Germantown branch. For ten years I worked at the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and loved it, but 15 years ago got offered a substantial raise to come to Mont. Cy. to work in their Special Needs Library. That was pretty good, but after 4 years my position was eliminated due to budget cuts, and they sent me off to be a regular generic librarian. I wish I could say I love it, but in fact I was much happier working with blind and handicapped people. In Germantown I spend much of my time either (a) signing people up to use the internet computers, or (b) doing the homework for the parent who is doing it for the kid. Oh well, only four and a half years till I can retire -- I hope!

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: JennieG
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 08:53 PM

I do enjoy browsing in the 780's, and also 746.44-746.46, and I also like a good 921.
Geez....there's a whole subculture out here!
Cheers
JennieG who doesn't work on Monday

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 11:40 PM

I only wish our librarian had a degree.........she alphabetizes MacArthur as 'maca' and McArthur as 'mca'......drives me batshit. At least we have a computer card catalogue now, and can search lots of libraries for books. I swear she dedicates each month for only a certain type of new books. Jan--self help, Feb--SciFi, Mar--romance, etc! She SAYS not, but I can see the New Book Shelf as well as anybody. I guess I should be thankfull we even have a library, let alone one as well stocked/equipped as we do. Her 'Ladies' are fantastic, but she is a B**ch.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 05:09 AM

So... are there more librarians than Rogers on the Mudcat?
...Guess so...
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Burke
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 11:03 AM

Guilty as charged! I'll add more when it is not work hours.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 11:46 AM

All this confession, it makes me Dewey eyed, sob sob!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Amos
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 11:57 AM

I groan in your general direction, Giok!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 02:17 PM

I shall refrain from making library-related puns, because MARC my words, dang few people would understand them. I think that there a fewer things cutter than a good library pun, unless it's a good reference. Shera and begorra, it's easy to pun on Louis Shores' name, but it's really had to pun on that of, say, S. R. Ranganathan.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 03:18 PM

Sounds like a dream job - despite the fact that you can't lie around reading all day. Bit late in the day, though, for me to think about starting college.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: MAG
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 03:37 PM

Yah, I occasionally think about my favorite undergrad English prof, who didn't understand why I applied for Library School my sr. year. But that must be so BORING! she said. pasting pockets and typing cards, and all. Well, doing that crap working my way through my M.A. WAS, and I've never regretted having a day job I liked whilst indulging my expensive habits, like folk clubbing, of a weekend.

Yay, Lincoln Avenue!

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: PageOfCups
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 05:48 PM

[hand raised] 17 years a cataloger, and 11 of those in law school libraries. I think I'm stuck in my current job 'til I die. Love the work, hate the "corporate culture."

PoC

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Burke
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 08:28 PM

I've been a technical services librarian in a college for 17 years. I started as a serials cataloger. Now I supervise acquisitions & serials functions. MARC my words, we live & die by what Elsie does.

When we still filed catalog cards I was forever seeing titles that sounded really intersting. I'd copy it & put it in my 'to read' file. I never have had time to take any of the slips out of the box, though. A year ago I finally cleared my from the libray shelf of all the books I've had checked out for years but never gotten around to reading.

PageOfCups, the only people who go crazy faster than serials catalogers are law catalogers. You have my sympathy!

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Nancy King
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 08:51 PM

Thought you folks might enjoy this parody:

www.tk421.net/humor/cybrarian.html

(Note: I have tried at least 10 times to make a link using the "blickifier," but it hasn't worked -- mostly it kicks me out of Explorer, but once my computer shut down completely. I give up).

--Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 08:54 PM

But the fines, Burke, the fines! Oh, you mean Librarians don't have to pay fines??????

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 09:00 PM

Chuckle, chuckle....

You librarians are nailed! I've 'traced' this thread! As I have no access to a Library (apart from the WWW), I'll call on you for "Look-ups". Be warned, they'll be esoteric.

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Burke
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 09:01 PM

Here's you link

It's not music but here's one of my favorites. I'm thinking Cletus will really like it.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Burke
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 09:06 PM

No fines for college employees. I get a notice of what I have out every six months & renew everything.

It's amazing the things that turn up when people are leaving the college and clear out thier offices. The worst is when a faculty member tells a student there is a book that must be consulted for a paper. It turns out to be checked out to the faculty making the recommendation.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Bobert
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 09:07 PM

Contrary to the rumors going 'round, I ain't a liberrian. I tried out for it once but was too danged loud... ("Hey, you in the back! Yer outta here!). How rude. Iz been in therapy over it fir the last 35 years. Hey, I could have been a liberrian much as the next guy. Okay, Iz got bad case of lexdexia but liberries need lexdexic liberrians, too for the other partially literate folks that come in... But, no, they go ahead and hire folks that can, like, ahhhh.... read! Now, that's discrimination fer as I can see.... And what's with the "Shhhhhh" stuff that goes on in them joints. Where else can you go where yer guarenteed to be told to shut the heck up?

Ahhhh, nevermind.

Yo, Nancy King from Maryland, like "Hey, liberrian". I live 'bout 8 miles south of Harpers Ferry and like liberrians.... Really....

"Shhhhhhhh, Bobert!"

Danged.........

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: open mike
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 09:09 PM

cybrarian blickie

I am a volunteer book mobile driver, and have in the past driven the
van which delivers interlibrary loan items to 15 different counties in
the northern california area.

So i am connected to and related to the library.
Do not seem to find time on my orunds to make
house calls, though.

Whils reading Farley Mowat's autobigraphy, I learned
that his father drove the book mobile in Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 09:27 PM

Bobert, you have it wrong. It's not the librarians in the joints, it's the joints in the librarians. Especially those from the '60s. Lots of 'em DID inhale. Obviously you have never visited this library site, or this one, or this one, or even this one. And these are just a small sample. Why, I could tell you stories about librarians and libraries that'd turn yer hair right over on yer head!

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Bobert
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 11:23 PM

Well danged, Rapaire, cut it loose. Yeah, you got some stuff on the liberrians. Lets have it! Yeah, you got pics? Post 'em! I'm lookin' forward to seein' Nancy King in the 900's isle. Whew!

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Nancy King
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 12:11 AM

It's a date, Bobert!

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: LadyJean
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 12:27 AM

Two years ago, I wanted to find the story of Black Annis. I asked the readers' assistant at the Oakland Carnegie Library. She said one of the suburban branches had a copy, and she could have it for me in five days. I didn't care to wait. I went off to the Children's section. They had Katherine Briggs' "Nine Lives", on the folklore of cats. Which does not belong in the children's section. But it does have the story of Black Annis. Andrew Carnegie is spinning in his grave.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: open mike
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 12:29 AM

now i want an iron frog, too--
see thread "what do you collect?"

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 06:38 AM

John Conolly ("Fiddler's Geen", "Punch & Judy Man" etc) was a librarian. I think June Tabor was as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 08:19 AM

My library.   (The blickifier isn't doing what it should, so if this doesn't work, visit www.lili.org/Marshall.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 08:50 AM

There's something wrong with the blickifier.

JennyO told me weeks ago & I forget the details - something about Cut & Paste instead of Copy (or vice versa).

Following the exact instructions tags "www.mudcat.org' on the front of the URL you want, as Rapaire found.

sandra

ps. Dick, I love the poem, I'll send this thread to work & share it.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Noreen
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 09:00 AM

RAPAIRE'S LIBRARY
Nothing wrong with the blickifier, it's just that you need to use the FULL URL i.e. http:// before the www, or it's looked for on mudcat's own server.

I'm trying hard to be a librarian; had two temporary jobs since retraining, looking for another now :0( (preferably permanent).

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 09:05 AM

Yo, Rapaire:

Yer dirty piccures musta been purdy danged steamy 'cause they've been sensored...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 01:26 PM

I'm a Libran, does that count?

Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: open mike
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 02:02 PM

blickifier test
butte county library -HDQTRS Oroville, CA
and here is a picture of "my" book mobile
keep on bookin'
I saw one in idaho that had this painted on it:
"Take Me To Your Reader!"

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 02:08 PM

so - is it true about L-space?

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: open mike
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 04:59 PM

what's L-space?

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 06:02 PM

LadyJean, are you in Pgh?...that library's where my daughter's working now.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Noreen
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 06:28 PM

Terry Pratchett's idea, Laurel- he's very complimentary about librarians.

And of course it's true, MMario!

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 06:28 PM

We've been hearing a lot about liberrians lately. Aren't they having a big civil war over there or something? Isn't Charles Taylor a liberrian?

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 06:57 PM

No...Mr. Taylor is a Libertarian.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Noreen
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 07:42 PM

What is this L-Space thing

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 08:52 PM

Yo! Bobert!

Looky here.   And here. (That's the International Federation of Library Associations). And here. And here. And of course, this one.   Not to mention the one here. And the one over there. Let's not forget this this one, either.

Those'll keep you busy for a while.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 10:07 PM

Whew, Rapaire. Yuou weren't kiddin' when you say I'd be busy with these folks. Man, Iz come away with a new perspective. Man them Alberta liberrian chicks is some hotties. Yeah, I ordered the calendar.... And them Deaducated, as in "Dead heads" were a trip but them gals with them awfull tatooes were way out.... Maybe I'll go back and see if I can get a job as a liberrian just so I can hang with them cool folks....

Yo, Rap. How comes they won't let the liberrians play their gitfiddles while thay is on the job. Hey, I think that would make going the the liberry a little more inneresternatin'.... Man, like I could just take my reso in there and play blues all day long, get a pay check, groove with them foxy liberrians and go home at night knowin' that....

(Hmmmmm, Bobert? Like what would you know?)

Nevermind that last part, Rapaire...

Hey, come on back to Tweeds and get yerseff acqainterated...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 09:22 AM

Librarians wouldn't know about da blues, right Bobert? But you could, of course, get a job here,
or here, or here.

But having figured out your Secret Musical Love, you'd probably be better off working here.

(Sorry -- there ain't no blues libraries to be found in West-By-God-Virginia. Not even in Morgantown.)

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Bobert
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 09:51 AM

A big haha on the Opera House gig, Rapaire...

But them folks down in Clarksdale, Ms. offered me a job as a janitor. Even said I can play all the gitfiddle I want in the park down the street as long is oit was during my lunch hour, ahhhh, which down in Mississippi is only 30 minutes. Mab them folks is so poor down there that they only get 30 minutes in them lunch hours....

Hmmmmm, maybe I'll rethink the Opera House gig. Heck, the P-Vine can sing that stuff and maybe I can get her a job, too, and they got real lunch hours with 60 minutes in 'em an' all. An' all that high brow stuff could rub off on me and I could lernt to spell and type and do blue clicky things like smart folks and maybe....

Sorry, Rap, I must have nodded off. Where were we...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 06:42 AM

Doing research for librarians in the forum I found this thread.
I am a librarian, too. For more than 30 years I managed the library of the Giessen Oriental Institute, an OPL, until we both were incorporated in the University library. Nowadays I work without contact to Sometimes I miss the old days with the mostly beautyful oriental girls (NO boldness!), and their male counterparts teaching me Turkish soldier songs.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 06:44 AM

Oops - Nowadays I work without contact to customers.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 08:49 AM

Wilfred:

"Librarians are the secret masters of the Universe. Don't ever piss one off."   --Spider Robinson

I, too, work with little or no contact with the folks who use the library, because I'm the Director. Now I have to deal with politicians and other unsavory sorts. But I do try to see that people are pleased.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 10:25 AM

Same here, unfortunately. I am a writer and work at home (telecommuting) or in the administration office. But a call went out recently looking for bodies to work at the new Information Desk (in addition to circulation and reference, this is more general information to do with all of campus or the town or the state or whatever people want to ask), and I think I'll sign up. I like that public contact, and used to do it all the time as a National Park Service ranger.

The director of our library who recently retired always had a two-hour stint at the second floor reference desk on Fridays. His reason was that he was covering for the reference librarians who had their weekly meeting then, but whenever I went through I could see that he simply loved getting out there and working with the students and faculty every week. It kept him in touch with what they really needed and what they were really thinking.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Once Famous
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 10:55 AM

My wife is a Tech Services Head for the last 10 years or so at our village library. She also does 1 night a week and 1 weekend a month at the reference desk.

recently, I heard a story about a minor league baseball park that did a promotion where there was to be no talking at the scheduled game. Fans who entered the ballpark were given two paddles each, one that said "YAY" and the other that said "BOO"

The hired ushers for the game?

The community's librarians, of course!

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 11:25 AM

OK I'm a Librarian...umm but I don't do a lot of reading and I failed my O Level English Literature. However I did manage to get a degree in biochemistry and another higher one in information science and some how the Institute of Information scientists let me in and that then became CILIP the UK Library prof soc. Now I am working in a posh school as SKOOL librarian and guess what....because I'm "Librarian" all my qualifications seem to have disappeared overnight according to my Headmaster and now I am low priority because "I'm probably only needing to deal with the lower ability pupils" and because "the clever ones all use the internet these days" and anyway I wouldn't know about that because i'm a "booky person". .....Do I REALLY want to admit to being a Librarian???? worse a SCHOOL LIBRARIAN!!!!

I wish the education departments over here would look at the wonderful work done by Teacher Librarians in the USA.

MOAN MOAN MOAN...and I'm not even on a teacher's salary BUT it's HALF TERM YIPPEEEEEEE who cares

Sarah

(PS well in truth it will be half term at 1.00pm tomorrow)

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 11:25 AM

Boy, do I have people contact! This is my 7th year as the librarian at a U.S. grade 3-5 library in a small, rural school w/ approximately 225 students. I lead 45-minute library/research classes & 30-minute computer/tech classes. Busy, busy, busy! Most of my students, parents, & colleagues are great!

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 11:45 AM

I'm a librarian's daughter, and heavily dependent on the Rural Bookmobile, which is a service I greatly appreciate and couldn't do without. The bookmobile, however, is my first contact with librarians who don't seem to know very much about books, which seems very strange to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Pogo
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 01:56 PM

I'm not a librarian but I owe a lot to my elementary school librarian who was my dearest friend as a kid (next to the books {O)). I credit her for giving me the desire to write and I still tell her when I see her that she'll get the first book I publish. And she will too...

So I hope one day that I'll have my books in all of your libraries, I salute you!!! ^_^

*whispers* Oops...sorry...Too loud...

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 02:10 PM

Librarians are in high demand here in the U.S.--many of the Information Technology companies have realized that not only do librarians understand tech stuff, they know how to search and use lots of databases and they on occasion know how to do all of the maintenance on their systems. And surprisingly (but happily) English majors are experiencing the same sort of cache--because they know how to read and write and do research, employers are now making the assumption that from there they can learn to do all sorts of other jobs in which reading and writing and researching are important components. It's easier to teach an English major to do a technical job than it is to teach a technician how to read and write.

Who'd a thunk it a dozen years ago when the punchline for the English major employment joke was "do you want fries with that?"

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 08:14 AM

I work in a middle school library, been at it for over twenty years, I do all the cataloguing, filing, purchasing,processing, project work with kids but guess what? I ain;t allowed to call meself the librarian! Go fegger

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 02:27 PM

Dewey Decimal Dropped

Rangeview Library District, CO, First System To Fully Drop Dewey

WordThink is adaptation of book industry headings

Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 6/5/2009
•Goes beyond example in Maricopa
•Largest collection: 85,000 items
•Labels added by vendors, staff
The six-branch (plus bookmobile) Rangeview Library District, Adams County, CO, will be the first library system in the country to fully drop the Dewey Decimal Classification in favor of a system adapted from that used in the book industry. While Dewey has been dropped in some smaller branches, Rangeview's biggest building will have 85,000 items.

Rangeview's WordThink system, like that in the Perry branch of Maricopa County Library District, outside Phoenix, draws on BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications).

However, while Maricopa follows BISAC subject headings very closely, Rangeview spokeswoman Stacie Ledden told LJ, "We've narrowed and adjusted some of those categories. In some cases this required us to create more specific categories than Maricopa uses while in other cases we created our own categories for easy browsing."

"For instance, materials on parenting and child rearing were in two different categories at Maricopa because BISAC classifies them under two different subject headings," she said. "WordThink places them in a single main category called 'Parenting.'"

Beginning in two branches
So far, Rangeview's Perl Mack branch (38,000 items) and the new Bennett branch (25,000 items) use WordThink and, by the end of the year, all branches will use the system.

Rangeview, serving a growing community just north of Denver, is building three new branches, two of them replacements. The new Wright Farms library will have 85,000 items in its Opening Day collection.

"At Rangeview, our main focus is to provide exemplary service to our customers," said director Pam Sandlian Smith. "WordThink is just one more example of how Rangeview puts its customers first."

Vendor cooperation
Rangeview's vendor Baker & Taylor already has access to the BISAC subject headings, so B&T converted those to WordThink from the list provided, said Ledden.

"The materials for our Opening Day collections already have the WordThink labels included on them," she added. "For those materials we already had in-house that needed to be converted, we automatically created the new labels from our MARC records."

ILS changes
As for the library's Horizon ILS, Rangeview's collection development team has been working for months to change the records. "They started by changing records in batches by Dewey range, and then revisited the materials in each category to confirm they were in the right place," Ledden said.

"Of course, in sections of Dewey like the 'generalities,' they needed to examine each record to find the best fit in the new system," she said. "As each branch is converted, the call numbers are changed in the ILS. From a technical standpoint, there were small tweaks necessary to make to the ILS like changes to display the call numbers properly. There will be future changes necessary for statistics that we're still working on."

Other changes afoot
Some other libraries, according to Rangeview, are experimenting with BISAC: Frankfort Public Library District, IL; Richmond Public Library, BC; and Arapahoe Library District, CO.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: artbrooks
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 05:53 PM

I thought Dewey was replaced by LOC everywhere years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 06:05 PM

ISBN?

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 10:19 PM

International Standard Book Number = ISBN. A now 13-digit number indicating the country of publication, the publisher, and other stuff. Used as a number to order a book with, usually searchable by a library's automated catalog (nice, if you happen to have the damned thing), but otherwise rather useless to the general public.

I have long failed to see any benefit in dropping the classification schemes currently in use (DDC, LC, UDC, etc.) and replacing them with the "bookstore model". Instead of the expense of re-classifying everything why not simply use better signage? The classification schemes group everything by subject already.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 10:24 PM

In Oz, different libraries used the most relevant classification.

Public Libraries tend to use Dewey. I worked in a small Govt. scientific library that used LC. I think there were/are other classification in use too, but I stopped cataloguing & classifying many years before I retired.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Slag
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 10:43 PM

OK Rap, I don't get it. What is cutter that Libarian? or did you mean like a registered Liberian Cutter? I know there are a lot of Liberian freighters floatin' around out there but cutters?


On the less nonsensical side, why do so many folks pronounce the word as "Lye-berry". I hear it from news people, average folks and some who really should know better, PhD types. I cringe every time I hear the mispronunciation.

PS, No, not a librarian though I have been known to frequent such establishments on occasion.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 04:01 AM

Good to hear people using the term "library", at any rate. In a bid to make them cool, trendy and popular, some UK public libraries are calling themselves "knowledge stores" or "information shops" and suchlike. Gawd 'elp us!

WF (ex-public library, university librarian for 30+ years)

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 08:24 AM

The academic institution from which I am happily retired now has a "social learning space" and "information consultants". In my day a library with librarians. Potential applicants have to demonstrate "influencing skills". I used to use my boot.


RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 09:32 AM

"Cutter" is library shorttalk for "Cutter Number", a process whereby the main entry (author, usually) is assigned an alphanumbic combination to indicate where it goes alphabetically. For example, if the American Reproductive Society issued a book on human reproduction, it would be classified in the Dewey Decimal Class 612.6 (Medicine: Human Reproduction) and Cuttered in A512 (where the first few letters of "American" fall in the three-digit Cutter-Sanborn Table).

The Library of Congress (LC) classification makes up its Cutter numbers based upon a formula developed by...the Library of Congress.

Charles Aimee Cutter was a pioneer in the classification of materials and invented the Expansive Classification scheme (oh, go look it up!). He worked with Kate Sanborn to prepare the Cutter-Sanborn Tables so people wouldn't have to create their own numbers (naturally, LC went their own way).

Some libraries (ours, for instance) don't use Cutter numbers -- they just put the first one, two, three or four letters of the author's surname under the classification number. It's still call the "Cutter number" in the jargon.

Sometimes you see one or more letters after the Cutter number: A512w2, for example, might mean the 2nd edition of the American Reproductive Society's best selling work, "WHOOPEE! : Sex In American Life".

Please note in the above example I have used the ISBD(M), or International Standard Bibliographic Descriptor (Monograph) method of colon place..................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 11:05 AM

I don't have a library science degree ,but I worked in the Milwaukee Public Library and the Kansas City Kansas public library, helping the public the same as a librarian.

That was years ago, however. The library today is different, and not in a good way.

For example, my niece developed serious eye problems. I had seen a book about the eye in the new books section, but I couldn't find it using the computertized catalog. Neither could a person with an MLS. Not unusual, in my experience.

Subject: RE: BS: Librarians!' Fess Up!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 01:15 PM

Then the person who tried to help you should be re-educated (I mean that in a GOOD way) or the library should replace their public access catalog with one that works for the patron.