At the library we received a huge donation of books. Some were usable, some were not. But I did make one great find: a re-usable book cover.
It is just the right size to fit around your basic paperback. I can use it for keeping books nice while I am reading them. It has little clear plastic sleeves on the inside for holding the covers. And even a book mark!
This is particularly good if I am borrowing a paperback that I don't want to get scratched up. Or if I am reading one of my Regency Jane Austen knock-offs. They always have such horrible covers. This will make me feel classy.
And the design is subtle - not too loud. But when you look close, it really is quite lovely.
Happy banned book week! To celebrate you could follow the Polite Librarian's suggestion. Or support the online Children's Book Art Auction to Support Free Speech for Kids' by the American Booksellers. Click here to learn more. Or checkout (did you catch that pun?) the ALA site and have fun looking up which of your favorite books have been banned. Let's hear it for intellectual freedom!
The musician is Reina Del Cid. This is her original song, titled "Library Girl." I am just posting it because it is awesome and you should be exposed to it. Enjoy!
Lyrics:
Shelving books on the night shift It takes some time, but I guess I like it Dewey's decimals keep me company
Out the window, you are dancing With those girls who can't stop laughing Lip-gloss, too hot, fake-baked drama queens
You were drinking a margarita I was reading My Antonia I got to thinking that
I don't fit inside that world And I'm not like those other girls Oh no, I'm not, I think a lot But please don't be afraid
Just 'cause I navigate the media And use encyclopedias It doesn't mean that I don't need A boy just like you to talk to
Set my cup back on its saucer At the coffee shop, reading Chaucer With my iPod on my favorite track
The girls you're with get turtle lattes Decaf, skim-based, extra frothy But you and I both drink our coffee black
You were talking about ACDC And I was playing my Puccini I got to thinking that
Repeat Chorus
You can buy me a margarita And I will lend you My Antonia You can take me to ACDC And I'll play you my Puccini It doesn't matter that
I don't fit inside that world I'm not like those other girls Oh no, I'm not, I think a lot But you are not afraid.
That I navigate the media And use encyclopedias It doesn't mean that I don't need A boy just like you to talk to
Library folks are particular in their ways when it comes to data gathering and organizing. We like to be detailed and be clear, even regarding information that can defy precision. Can YOU catalog a football? A librarian can. Librarians apparently have a category and a way to track everything - including what is described (by the librarian) as "unexplainable".
So far, this is my favorite example of such quirkiness. Classic clear, precise explanation. And even an example of best methods. Fantastic. After you get past the giggling at how serious they take their instructions, have some fun poking around the rest of their blog.
