Greenwood Press announced that the chronology that accompanies Neil Barron's book, Chronology for Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, Fifth Edition, is only available online.

The implied warning that readers should not send money because it will not be accepted is a timely reminder that there are still some sectors of mainstream publishing where information dissemination is more important than the bottom line.

Barron was not available for comment, and a Google image search reveals a number of results for Neil Barron. The photograph above may not be an accurate representation of this particular Neil Barron. Particularly as it was originally captioned as "Hugh" ...

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An unknown inventor has stumbled across the solution to many of the problems that plague library workers.

In one fell swoop, library folk can achieve the respect demanded by tall people; put a spring back into their step; reach those higher shelves without having to search around for the safety-approved appliance; and prevent fallen arches caused by high heels.

Although you're going to look pretty silly ...

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Statistical analysis of Google Rankings for libraries shows that the of the top ten, seven are virtual facilities. The Library of Congress website comes in second after the Internet Public Library, followed by the British Library in third position, and the National Library of Australia (whose bookshop complete with stained glass windows is pictured to the left) in fourth place.

Considering that other search engines may produce different results, and Google already got a mention in this edition for their image search; combined with the fact that research shows that the average punter has absolutely no idea about Boolean searching on the Internet, let alone looking things up in the standard OPAC - and even THEN they can't find a book on a shelf, and want to borrow a pen and a piece of paper, and then it's change for the photocopier followed by requests for directions for the rest rooms, where we hope they'll at least be able to find the paper, and they're certainly not taking library pens in there!

It makes you wonder why we even bother, apart from getting a regular pay check - not that that's much to write home about. But at least we can write in a legible hand, and not have to panic because all the word processors are being used and the printer is in another room. But I may have digressed, yet again.

The New York Public Library came in tenth in the library search results ...

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In Edition #214, Warrior Librarian Weekly stated that the visit to the 2005 Sydney Writers' Festival by 'the world's most famous librarian' had not recieved any mainstream media coverage. This is incorrect.

Susan Wyndham, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald under the heading "Superlibrarian can read your mind", gave Pearl an example of the type of book she likes to read, and was surprised to find the retired librarian could name other books that Wyndham might enjoy.

The journalist was astounded at Pearl's supernatural powers, and had her photographed surrounded by books. The equally famous library action figure was also included ...

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The Mozambican government has launched a literacy programme by radio to benefit initially about 20,000 people. The radio programme, that involves 45 lessons and takes three months, will also be televised.

This has to be the Irony of the Week. Or maybe we're missing something? Doesn't literacy involve actual reading, rather than listening and watching?

Interestingly, all the web references for Mozambican libraries show they are in countries other than Mozambique. Which could go a long way to explaining the country's literacy levels ...

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What is the function of formal library networks? Some say it is to provide professional development to its participants. Some say it is a support mechanism for those who need it. Bette Midler stresses that some say it is a river that drowns the tender reed. But I don't think she was referring to library networks.

As I write this, I am girding my loins (actually I'm just changing earrings and touching up the lipstick, but you get the drift) to tackle this very problem - the function of networks. Sigh.

Fate, like truth, hunts you down wherever you hide.

André Aciman; in The City, the Spirit, and the Letter: On Translating Cavafy from a Words without Borders article.

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The Belmont Clothes Library in Belmont, Western Australia, allows unemployed people to borrow clothes for job interviews "as they would books from a library". The service is free for eligible unemployed people.

Note that the Belmont institution does not require donations of clothes that the average librarian might wear to work, nor does it have resources for librarians to borrow. Unless they are unemployed and going for an interview. Which might be quite a few if the library cuts continue as they have been.

Philanthropic folk should note that the Clothes Library has a 'Sponsor a Hanger' scheme. A number of politicians have donated suits. Although we believe that the non-profit charity was actually hoping for money ...

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Like many of the world's truly great discoveries, this week I accidentally found out some great news for people who 'touch type'.

By moving the positions of your hands by one key in any direction, you can create text in Czech, or maybe Welsh language. This is a phrase becomes yjod od s ljtsr, for example. Isn't it little diversions like this that make a workplace just so much more enjoyable?

Apart from that, the specialist glossary compilation continues as before ...

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