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A.B.Credaro Sub-Editor: A.B.Credaro Night Editor: A.B.Credaro Head of Production: A.B.Credaro Webmaster: A.B. Credaro Layout: A.B. Credaro Publicity: A.B.Credaro Catering: A.B.Credaro Hair Stylist: A.B. Credaro Wardrobe Supervisor: A.B. Credaro Correspondence to:
M.E.M.O.North Dakota,USA - October, 2003: Confirmed. S.L.A.Q., Queensland, Australia - June 2004: Invitation accepted. California, USA - November 2004: Correspondence still continuing (for two years). Note: The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author. Any resemblance to real librarians (living or dead, or somewhere in between) or real libraries, may be a coincidence - but probably not. Biblia, the Warrior Librarian, was created by A.B.Credaro. The practice of Warrior Librarianship is common, and therefore quite possibly in the public domain. As such, it is likely to be exempt from any copyright restrictions. However, this does not limit Warrior Librarian Weekly, its agents, employees, heirs, spouses, family pets, or others connected with the zine, from trying to make an easy buck from its use. All material on this site was written by A.B. Credaro unless otherwize stated. Requests for permission to publish or circulate should be directed to same. |
NO LAUGHING MATTER School Library to be Scrapped Infrequently Asked Question: What does a school principal do when given a $1.5 million grant for school improvement? Answer: Close the school library and open up a cafeteria. This is a real story. Not even WLW would make this up.
The principal (and her school which are both named in the news report) has offered the books to teachers if they want to take them to their classrooms, under the impression that they will "get used more often". According to the news report, the rest of the books will be thrown away. Without actually sighting the collection, maybe that's all they're good for - which brings up further questions on the quantity of support that the library has had in the past. Interestingly, another news report states that the principal refused permission for the library to be photographed for the Waikato Times as it was in such poor condition. In supporting the school's commitment to academic achievement, they will provide some internet-enabled computers in their new 'cyber cafe', plus magazines. Apparently this is sufficient for all information access needs, and development of an appreciation for quality literature. A deal has been done with a nearby university for the high school students' to access the university's library resources. So we guess the academic library will now get in a range of children's literature for different developmental levels and reading interests; provide staff for integration of information skills into the school's teaching program; offer santuary services for schoolyard nomads; and develop specific reference collections for use by secondary students. Or maybe they won't. WLW emailed the principal with much helpful information on the 10 years of research which links the quality of school library services to K-12 academic achievement. Permission to quote from the reply was denied ... ... BUDGET AUGMENTATION New Fundraising Idea WASHINGTON, DC: Everyone is welcome in a library (well, most of them - there is still a residual Dragon Factor in a few). But with economic emaciation facing so many libraries, perhaps it is time to have a closer look at some of our patrons. Especially if it means a healthy boost to the budget. The FBI's Most Wanted person is worth $50,000.
Research would show that 96.6% of library patrons are law-abiding folk who just want to do their email and borrow video tapes. A further 2.7% probably are only interested in using the library's photocopier and rest rooms. The remaining People of Concern range from simple fine-defaulters to international fugitives. Now let's not be squeemish about this. Robert William Fisher (pictured) isn't wanted for Internet time violations or overdue books. Just in case you are interested, Fisher "has a noticeable gold crown on his upper left first bicuspid tooth. He has been known to walk with an exaggerated erect posture and his chest pressed out due to a lower back injury." That should narrow your search down a little, from all the other suspicious-acting library users. If you have any information concerning this individual, please contact your local FBI office, not Warrior Librarian Weekly ... ... There is no more to read >> STEREOTYPE BUSTING Blurring the Boundaries Now that patrons are also objecting to the imposition of a stereotype, it is starting to become difficult to tell the difference between staff and library users.
Although both librarians and members of the public are now dressing up (or down) in an effort to not conform in the apparel sense, the situation is further complicated by members of the public who drop into their local library whilst wearing their professional attire. Police officers who go into a library now fear that they will be asked to help find books and interpret homework assignments. Recently, a member of the clergy had his photocopying interrupted when he was told by a complete stranger that he "should be ashamed of himself, dressing like that". The continuing role confusion has not been solved by official library staff wearing ID badges, particularly at lunchtimes when office workers - also wearing ID - may drop into the library. A potentially ugly situation occurred when a conservatively dressed businessman was forcefully ejected from the library for not conforming to the non-conformist dress code ... ... There is no more to read >> WORLD CLIMATE CHAOS Librarians powerless Around the world, librarians are becoming increasingly concerned over temperature fluctuations. It is affecting borrowing rates, library usage, and fashion sensibilities.
Librarian Phil Guild, of Bare Hills Branch Library in Alaska, comments that for a number of months of the year, it is too cold to go outside, and library use drops off. In other parts of the country, librarians stand helplessly by while people want to go to the beach when the weather becomes oppressively hot. The situation is further complicated by the fact that many areas experience a few months of hot weather and six months later the thermometers drop. Rather than blame these fluctuations on global warming (or global cooling), El Niño effects, holes in the ozone layer, alien interference, or any other reasonable possible causes, government meteorogists are refusing to deviate from their official statements. These federally funded experts in climate are claiming that this is all part of the 'natural weather cycle'. Yeah, right .... ... There is no more to read >> TECHNICAL SERVICES Shelving by Color For many years, the shelving of books by color has been facetiously proposed to help patrons find 'that big red book I borrowed last week", or the "little blue book my brother was reading the other day".
Finally, one library has taken that giant step forward, and done it. Shelving by color. They've also abandoned spine labels, as patrons couldn't figure them out, and the long ones wouldn't fit on small books anyway. Although the library concerned has requested that their privacy be respected, we can disclose that it is in quite a largish town near a big river. And it starts with the letter D. Just to help you out a little more, its not in a state that starts with a vowel. So now all you have to do is look it up in a directory ....... There is no more to read >>
SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION  From the Mailbox
Thanks to my NZ colleague for alerting me to the school library closure (see top story in this edition). Correspondence with the journalist that originally wrote the story for the Waikato times is continuing, in the hope that together we can do something about this. Maybe we can't stop this one happening, but perhaps we can prevent another similar disgrace. Except for the nice note from George, there was nothing else of very much interest to anyone, including me ... ... There is no more to read >>
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In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it's the exact opposite. Paul Dirac (1902-1984)
Amazon Book's sales ranking for Biblia's "Guide to Warrior Librarianship" has skyrocketed from its position last week of 94,971 right up to 85,310 on their Best Seller List ...
Don't forget to mark April 21st on your 2004 calendars, which are now becoming available. This is the date of the Warrior Librarian's birthday. And don't think because you've moved down a few items from the editorial that I've forgotten anything ... ...
Wired News reports on the Pew Project for Internet usage, stating that 42% of the adult population of the US don't use the Internet. Their solution is to put more technology into homes, not libraries, because people that have tried the 'net and were frustrated by crashing computers, unreliable ISPs and lack of help would be able to use computers more 'comfortably' at home. What's wrong with this picture .... ... Go Figure >>
If you haven't read the books nominationed in the Books for Older Readers catagory for the Australian Children's Book Council (CBC) Book of the Year Awards, and don't want to find out what happens (until you actually read the book), please
Librarians who finish a shift feeling like theyve been through a wringercan now go one step further.Some theme parks are providing a zorbing experience. An adventure ride that simulates what its like to be inside a washing machine ... ... News >>
A 3 minute video that is definitely not suitable for the majority of children, but theres always that one little weirdo that will like it ... ...Rated PG >>
Q: What does the JYA on your spine mean? ... There is no more to read >>
Librarians internationally acknowledge the value of the service provided by Amazon Books in acquisitions. Many people haven't realised yet what a great place it can be for setting up a gift registry for colleagues getting married, having a baby, or even for birthdays ...
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