Yes, we have no bananas.

The Movers and Shakers, Emerging Leaders, and Rock Star Librarian movements make me feel like I’m back in high school, longing to be one of the cool kids but never quite getting there.  I had my moments, but was never part of the “In” crowd.

I’m annoyed with myself for feeling left out, not quite good enough…but there it is. And I have a feeling I’m not the only one feeling this way. I know the awards and programs aren’t intended to make the rest of us feel bad, and are to recognize those librarians who have something significant to contribute.  It has, however, had the unfortunate side-effect of marginalizing those who aren’t the Chosen Ones.

Given all this, I was delighted to read Karen Schneider’s take on the issue.  Thanks, Karen.  We needed that.

Travel woes and wins

It’s an icky day here in Rochester, with rain, freezing rain, occasional snow….you know, spring in Minnesota. On any other day, I would shrug my shoulders and wait for the warm to return, but today I’m flying to the ACRL conference in Indianapolis. Unfortunately for me, my flight goes through Chicago, which is apparently receiving a more severe version of what we have going on, and my flight was canceled.

I’ve never had that happen before.

Luckily for me, I booked through Travelocity. I called them, and a wonderful woman named Pat worked with me for 20 minutes and managed to get me re-booked on another pair of flights on a different airline that routes through Minneapolis. I now leave a few hours later than originally planned, which gives me time to check email and have a cup of coffee.

I am seriously impressed with Travelocity. Pat was helpful and understanding of my plight, and did her very best to get me back on track an on to my destination. All I had to do was sit back and be patient.

I’ve booked travel through them before, but never had the opportunity to use their services to get me out of a jam. Given my experience this morning, I will always book with them.

Of course, this gets me thinking about how this can translate to my world in the library. Are we being as helpful as possible in assisting our patrons, especially when they have a crisis? If we are, we will have gained an ally for life. I know that Travelocity has earned an ally in me this morning.

Best. Headline. Ever

From my wonderful home state of Wisconsin, a judge has banned a Racine man from “all the libraries on the face of the earth.”

Read about it here.

Well, done, Your Honor.  Well done.

What she said

Damn, I wish I had written this. I don’t think I can say it any better, so wander over and read what the Boss Lady Writes.

Brava!

Lollipops

I recently came across a powerful video on leadership. I love the message that we’re all leaders, that it isn’t something grand but is something universal. But even more meaningful to me was the idea of the lollipop moment. Since it has had me thinking ever since I saw it a few weeks ago, I thought I’d share.

Have you had a lollipop moment?

Puzzled

I don’t get it.

3-D printers have become increasingly more popular. They’re cool, no doubt. Libraries have begun to jump on this newest bandwagon, installing these new toys in their libraries.  A few bloggers have mentioned them; Stephen Abram has a post listing some of the printers available and their prices.

The printers are surprisingly affordable. Here’s my question: what do you actually do with one of these? I mean, you can certainly recreate a bust of Lincoln, like museums would let you do a thousand years ago when I was a kid. But once you’ve exhausted the neato factor, what can you do?

I understand industrial designers having one, in order to create a model of their design. Ditto artists. After that, I draw a blank.

So, libraries, think before you jump. Those of you with experience in these things, please feel free to comment and educate me on the practical uses for a 3-D printer. I’m all ears!

Bedbugs

I read an article from The Daily reporting that the University of Washington libraries are now free of bedbugs. <shudder>

I’m  in the frozen north, where it started the day at -15 degrees and probably won’t see zero. The good news for libraries in my climate is that, if you happen to have a bedbug problem, Mother Nature can help you. Turns out the little buggers can be frozen.  According to the Mayo Clinic,

Freezing. Bedbugs are also vulnerable to temperatures below 32 F (0 C), but you’d need to leave the items outdoors or in the freezer for several days.

So go ahead. Put your collection outside for a day or two. Tell the patrons you need to give them fresh air.

At least there’s some benefit to sub-zero temperatures!