New directions for libraries

Apparently, these days, students believe that our library is a one stop shop. Yes, they still want books and we get many questions about campus unrelated to the library, but those are all part of our everyday routine.

I've had two interesting requests lately, and the students who asked fully expected us to provided them, no questions asked.

The first request was for ear plugs. This is not so unusual because students get a little crazy around exam time and ear plugs could be something we would have on hand. As it happens, we don't and never will. The funny part was, the student was totally shocked that we couldn't fill his request and stomped off with a very mean face. Again, students go insane during exams and cannot be responsible for their actions.

The second request was from "valley girl" type student (my university is particularly known for this, we call them Western Girls). She approached the desk and asked, "Could I buy a hair elastic?"

I replied that we don't sell hair elastics at the desk, we just have rubber bands. Well, this did not end the matter.

"Well," she says, "do you know where I can buy one?" (insert valley girl accent here)

I recommended the pharmacy and she seemed very pleased with this suggestion and she trotted off to buy some genuine hair elastics from the drug store.

I think the lesson I learned here is to be gentle with the students during exams. They really do lose their minds.

This Is Not a Book Review

Because I have yet to read all of it, I am not reviewing this book here. Athough when I finish I will likely do so on NoBS.

I was zooming through the store the other day and this cover caught my eye. I grabbed it off of the display in one fell swoop causing my customer to exclaim,"You must do that alot! You didn't even miss a step!" So true, but it's from 13years of picking up stray books that are laid about the store.

Anyway, back to this book. The McSweeney's Joke Book of Book Jokes is a compilation of entries from McSweeney's Internet Tendency website and is at least worth a scan through.

Chapters include: "Postcards from James Joyce to His Brother Stan", "Winnie-the-Pooh Is My Coworker" and a quiz, "Ikea Product or Lord of the Rings Character?"

I, myself went directly to "The Five Most Dangerous Children's Books Ever Written, According to Sean Hannity". Number one on that list...Clifford the Big Red Dog! Still one of my all time favorites. But did you know that Clifford is simply a metaphor for Communism! Oh dear!

My Son, The Non-Reader

I woke up this morning at about 8:00. I turned over, looked at the clock - nothing. Like every other morning, I tried CNN - nothing. Eventually, my sleepy mind realized that the power was off. Of course, this was the perfect opportunity to read - the house was quiet, my son was still asleep. Heaven!

When my 15 year-old son finally woke up, he instantly noticed the lack of electricity. Stunned, he walked into my room...

Son: What am I supposed to do, nothing works.

Mom: Go outside.

Son: It's too hot.

Mom: Listen to your iPod.

Son: It's not charged.

Mom: Clean your room. (Well, it was worth a try!)

Son: I can't, there's no T.V.

Mom: What?

Son: I have to watch T.V. when I clean my room.

Mom: Well, read a book.

Son (laughing hysterically): You've got be kidding!

Someday, I can only hope that my son experiences the joy that I have - immersed in books.

I have been able to capture his attention with a few graphic novels. But, as for other books, he would rather cut the grass with nail clippers. I will not admit defeat yet - I still have a few years to work on him!