Bow down and kiss my school ring you filthy paraprofessional

Rachel Singer Gordon has an interesting piece on what makes a "librarian."

Speaking as someone who holds both a Library Technician diploma and an MLIS, for myself the difference is entirely on the outside. I am treated differently because of the piece of paper (which I have actually lost), but I do not think my abilities have changed at all pre- and post-library school. Of course I have more experience now and more abilities, but I truly believe I could do the same work to the same degree even if I never set foot in those hallowed halls.

Book Bag Blog? Why?

In an obviously desperate attempt for attention - but perhaps more so a cry for help - the Unviersity College of Dublin's library has created a blog dedicated solely to posting pictures of its common-looking book bag in locations all over the world. As if anyone gives a toss where their rather plain looking book bag (mercifully produced under ideal labour conditions using organic cotton) has been or where it's going. Honestly, why don't librarians spend their time on improving library systems and the delivery of service to its users rather than these wasteful exercises in meaningless self-promotion? Show me a single university kid who cares about these book bags and I'll show you... well, a disingenuous librarian in the making,

The Worlds Mostest Modernist Library

The DOK Library in Delft, Netherlands. Jenny Levine over at Shifted Librarian has tour and review of it. Very Ikea-esque. Wonder how many alan keys it required to put together?

iMac pods? I wants!!

Alex Youngberg - Library Journal Movers & Shakers 2008

Alex Youngberg, President CUPE local 391, is named one of the Library Journal's Movers & Shakers for 2008.

Gee, surprised I didn't hear much about this at VPL. Wonder why?

That said, VPL could barely be arsed to muster the strength to give Annette DeFaveri a single pat on the back when she was named a Mover & Shaker a few years back.

$100 million to name a library

All it takes to name one of the most significant public library buildings in the world is $100 million. Can you say vain?

Steve Schwarzman's $100 Million Fig Leaf