The display was the easy part, and not only because someone else did it. There were plenty of suitable books to promote, and the signage came in a kit. Even the multicultural guests were plentiful, to the the library's clientele base.

The library's complimentary morning tea was also a snack (as it were), but the organizers of such events really do need to pay closer attention to their 'corporate colors'. With staff attempting to dress in - or with - orange, two problems rapidly became apparent.

Firstly, 'orange' doesn't suit all complexions. Unless you're a Hari Krishna, in which case skin tone isn't a consideration. And maybe even more importantly, the Harmony Day organizers don't seem to have considered the footware difficulties for library staff. Isn't already almost impossible to find stylish yet comfortable shoes? But now we also have to try to color-match footware with bright orange ...

No more to read here >>

As Michael Moore states in the forward to Stupid White Men, "librarians are one group you don't want to mess with". In the lead-up to the NSW state elections, school library advocates presented candidates with a list of concerns regarding workloads and support. And just to keep them 'honest', their responses were collated on the 2 out of 4 website.

The Labor Party has been returned to power, despite only coming second in the scoring - which wasn't such a great achievement, considering two of the four major parties didn't bother to respond.

There is still hope that top-scorers (in the library poll) The Greens might have sufficient representation to make some impact, although as Kermit the Frog noted, it's not easy being that specific hue. But let that be a lesson to the Democrats and the Liberals. Ignore librarians at your political peril ...

No more to read here >>

Following the release of The Bra Boys documentary, narrated by Russell Crowe, Variety magazine reports that Crowe will direct a full-blown movie about the "controversial Maroubra surfers".

Although residents of Sydney disagree about the nature of the counter culture movement - labelling members variously as 'thugs', 'drug dealers' and 'crims' - Crowe seems confident that their social conscience will be brought to the fore.

Which makes one wonder why Hollywood never depicts the warm fuzzy aspects of information professionals as they go about their work. If not actually changing the world, they at least bring some order to information storage, generation and retrieval ...

No more to read here >>

With the release of Windows Vista ™ and IE 7 plus a whole bunch of really techo stuff that no one really wants explained - or possibly even mentioned, particularly Mac users - information professionals have to come to grips with the fact that no matter how good (and expensive) the hardware and software, there are going to be computers that require an exorcist or a hammer. Some of them will need both.

However, authorities are warning that despite the many virtues of library glue, it is not recommended that it be used for flushing out dust. Countering that argument are those librarians who have been pleasantly surprised by the fact that they were actually issued with a replacement machine, following the apparent 'small accident' ...

No more to read here >>

Only two weeks to Easter, so it's not surprising that chocolate is featuring highly around library staff tea rooms. Although maybe that's just here. Strange thing is that despite the number of other members of staff who claim that they are dieting, the communal bowl seem to be emptying rapidly. Hopefully it's the Work Placement student who's responsible - otherwise it must have been me. Sigh.

No new issue of Warrior Librarian next week, due to conference commitments, so allow me to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy holiday, and remind you that if you want to send me a birthday book gift - and need to allow time for overseas shipping - you only have four weeks left ...

Hell on earth doesn't last forever.
Ann McCann.

No, eternal Hell comes later. But at least we've had the training for it.
A.B. Credaro

More quotes >>>

Many thanks to Cathy in Jefferson, Al, who took the time and trouble to succinctly and wittily assess Warrior Librarian Weekly, Warrior Librarianship, and quite possibly The Warrior Librarian herself. Cathy writes:

stupid

cgontar@jefferson.lib.la.us [Yep, that's the whole thing]