YSaC, Vol. 797: Girls just want to have GV1201 .M8

2010 September 22

Library Science Textbooks – $840


These texts were used for a graduate level course in Library Science from University of Idaho. Excellent resources.
Gorman, Concise AACR2, 2004 $ 40.00
Dittman, Learn Library of Congress, 2000 $12.00
Kaplan, Catalog It!, 2002 $8.00

Buy one, two or all three!

Sarah sends this in, saying, “Now let’s see here … 40 + 12+ 8 = 840. Yeah, that sounds about right. That must be how the the library fine system works as well.”

In the Dewey system, 840 is French literature. Maybe they were making an obtuse reference to Marcel Proust’s À la recherche du temps perdu. I mean, really … what ISN’T an obtuse reference to Proust these days?

Or maybe she was just blinded by library science.

Thanks, Sarah!

295 Responses leave one →
  1. 2010 September 22
    sarajean80 permalink

    Sparky’s parents must be so proud.

    Adores: 4
    • 2010 September 22
      Mindfield permalink

      Sparky may not be able to mathematicize, but s/he could file the hell out of those books.

      Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22

        You buy them books, send them to school and all they want to do is eat the teacher.

        Wait, what?

        Isn’t that right, Kittyshark?

        Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          KittyShark permalink

          Yuck, teachers taste like chalk.

          Adores: 5
    • 2010 September 22
      TacoMagic permalink

      But if Sparky sells the books, how will (s)he appear smart and book lurned to friends who come over? What will sparky put on those big, gaping, empty shelves if not for these three books?

      What, I ask you; what?

      Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22
        sarajean80 permalink

        That vintage My Little Pony collection they’ve been saving for a special occasion?

        Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          I think they disappeared in that garage sale incident that sparky doesn’t talk about any more.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          Artsy Computer Geek permalink

          SJ — don’t forget your toe collection.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Or the fingernail collection.

          I like to spread my fingernail collection out on the floor and roll around in it from time to time.

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          I like to spread my fingernail collection out on the floor and roll around in it from time to time.

          Taco, can I borrow that bag you were saving for your sister’s Christmas present? I’ll replace it the next time I fly, promise.

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Mr. Winkey’s got nothing on my ability to be creepy.

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          Who said anything about creepy? “Extremely effective emetic” is the phrase that comes to mind for me.

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Creepy and disgusting go hand in hand.

          My first job was being a human ipecac*.

          *This may not be true.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          I thought you wrote enema. Silly me.

          *squeaky eyeballs*

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22

          My first job was being a human ipecac

          I’m assuming you made it to be president of that company but got fired because of a scandal with the bulimia prevention foundation?

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          *squeaky eyeballs*

          Has LimeLolly been licking other people’s eyeballs now?

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          “Extremely effective emetic”

          Since it was his first job, is he now an “Extremely effective emetic emeritus”?

          Adores: 10
    • 2010 September 22
      camille permalink

      It’s all a function of the Dewey Decimal system. Do we decimal, or don’t we? Sparky can never remember.

      Adores: 10
      • 2010 September 22
        TacoMagic permalink

        Man, when I’m feelin’ really extreme I slam back a can of Dew’y Decimal!

        YEEEEAAAAH!

        Slam the Dew’y!

        *Eats a book*

        Adores: 11
        • 2010 September 22

          How’d that book taste?

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Knowledgey.

          Books are brain food, right?

          Adores: 11
        • 2010 September 22

          Hmmm, didn’t Juila Child write a cook book?

          Mastering the art of French Literature?

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22

          I have that cookbook. Well, with the real title.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          I too had that lovely tome.
          Never made a single recipie from it before it grew legs and was “rehomed”
          le Sigh

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          Maybe you can borrow one from the Library, Cap’n…

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          Nope, far easier to bring a rooster and a bottle of wine to someone who stll has their copy, should coq au vin be requisite.

          I’ve enough other cookbooks to browse through, if needs must.

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22

          I bought it fairly recently, so I intend to actually use it. 😉

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22

          Door stop?

          Adores: 3
    • 2010 September 22
      miniEB permalink

      hasdfih20 9387u09yuahkndlkfja09s8dfyudsa2f18s7dfa87448321 =asdfkalsdjlkfnwiehfksndajjf kajsdfiaewjiknmf;isdhf;aosijf;o

      Adores: 7
      • 2010 September 22
        kelli permalink

        I agree MiniEB, proving someone other than one’s self exists is very difficult.

        Adores: 5
      • 2010 September 22
        EclecticBlue permalink

        *blinks* And now he’s posting without me knowing about it… Unless that was one of the comments he tried to type earlier, and then when it failed we assumed it was marked spam… Child! Stay away from Auntie’s computer when you’re not being watched!

        Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22
          Limelolly permalink

          My 5 yr old does that too. Says he’s checking his emails.

          I feel sorry for hjhjhmnklopa@234.com, because they’ve got a lot of garbled emails being sent to them.

          Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22
        AndieJD permalink

        Who said that, MiniEB? Sartre?

        Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22

          I think it was Slartibartfast.

          Adores: 7
      • 2010 September 22
        drmk permalink

        There were three attempts, all marked as spam. I thought this one seemed especially profound.

        Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 23
          EclecticBlue permalink

          Ahhh, we suspected as much. I will just have to keep in mind that MiniEB needs translation :-p

          Adores: 0
    • 2010 September 23

      Soft Patch:

      A female tampon softly patching a woman’s butt cheeks together, via the sticky properties of ovulation, at night while she is sleeping on her back; this process is made possible by the vagina’s natural elasticity, as well as the uncontrollable relaxing and contracting while she sleeps, thus, causing the ‘tamp’ to slide out of the ‘vag’ (vadge), right into her crack.

      Adores: 1
      • 2010 September 24
        EclecticBlue permalink

        OK, Candor, that’s seriously uncool, and I’m not even SJ.

        Adores: 0
      • 2010 September 24
        Lola permalink

        Troll editing time! SiteMod, we await your skills.

        Everyone else: remember, don’t feed teh trollz.

        CM’s parents: come get your kid, pay attention to him, and get him the appropriate treatment. Clearly, this is failing to occur.

        Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 24

          Hi Lola, just popped to by to say helloo to you. Still well? x

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 24
          EclecticBlue permalink

          Sorry, Lola, I really need to remember about the whole troll starvation therapy.

          Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 24
          Lola permalink

          I have to type that to remind my own self, EB – it’s soo, sooooo tempting.

          Graham! Hi! *waves to England*
          Please look about and stay a bit if you can. *passes flask**

          *US flask, of alcoholic type, not UK flask of thermal type*

          Adores: 0
    • 2010 September 24

      Who is Sparky?

      I love you sparky, I love you, I love you, I love you.

      love love love love love

      Adores: 0
      • 2010 September 24

        Soft patch…that’s disturbing.

        I don’t love you.

        Adores: 1
  2. 2010 September 22
    Mindfield permalink

    Well, let’s be fair, these were library sciences texts, not math texts.

    But it does make me wonder … you think these books would be available at the library?

    Adores: 9
    • 2010 September 22
      mudslicker permalink

      I’m sure the newer copyrighted versions of these books can be found there!

      2000? Oh PUH-leeeaaase.

      Adores: 4
      • 2010 September 22
        sarajean80 permalink

        It just took a while for Sparky to get the hang of reading without moving his/her lips.

        Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          Limelolly permalink

          It’s basically a blank book anyway. All the ink is worn off from keeping track of the words with their fingers.

          Adores: 8
      • 2010 September 22
        TacoMagic permalink

        That much has changed in the library sciences in the last 10 years? Perhaps it’s a more dynamic field than I gave it credit for.

        Librarians: So, what HAS changed on the library scene in the last 10 years. I’m suddenly curious for some library corey.

        Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          Don’t get Lola started! Hehe….

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22

          [corey]Check out the link on the sidebar to Awful Library Books. There’s an almost daily discussion in the comments about the changes (and some awesomely bad books too). [/corey]

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          *hums*
          “Library school dropout …”

          Good grief – I’m admittedly sucktastic at math but whoever this is is even worse than I am at it! At least I can add properly.

          Per the currency of the books on offer – there may have been some cataloging changes in the last 10 years, but this is one of the topics that is slower to change (information formatting? fuhgedaboudit – my research percentages went from about 65% books/35% electronic to about 50% books/50% electronic to the current 20%books/80% electronic) so they may be all right. I don’t do cataloguing and haven’t since I took the class, so I can’t say for sure. I still have my copy of “Legal Research Illustrated” that I pull out once in a great while for obscure definitions, but even that usage is rare.

          I’m not sure what else to say right now – I’ll be over here in the corner, cringing from professional contact embarrassment and deploying my flask. Oh – and watching this video on repeat:
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzbDdgWiaS0

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22
          J-Dog permalink

          Ms. Lola, is there any chance that you could get me a copy of the SwimSuit Edition of “Legal Research Illustrated”?

          Adores: 14
        • 2010 September 22

          … and I’ve gotten my Parker Posey fix for the day. It’s a good day.

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          Wait, the next video was “Naughty Alaskan Librarian”. And it had a picture of Sarah Palin. Librarian pron involving Sarah Palin? Why have I not heard about this?

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          SARAH PALIN IS NOT A LIBRARIAN, REPEAT, SARAH (almost typed “Sars,” heh) PALIN IS NOT A LIBRARIAN!

          I don’t care what kind of librarian jokes you make, just please don’t associate my profession with her, since her idea of “information management” appears to be having someone else write her Twitter. That Laura Bush was a Stepford librarian is bad enough.
          /political rant

          *retreats back to corner with refilled flask*

          J-Dog, OCLC tells me there is no publication of that description, so I can’t even get an interlibrary loan copy for you. Perhaps there are electronic resources that might, er, meet your needs?

          Adores: 9
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          Apparently Laura Bush was a coke dealer, as well. Talk about filing the hell out of stuff!

          Sorry I accidentally suggested any connection whatsoever between you and She Who Must Not Be Named. Would you like me to sing a few soothing verses of “Penises Are All Around You” until you feel better?

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          So…um…Lola….is Sarah Palin a Librarian?

          Word is she’s not a Politician or Governor anymore either. I bet Gingrich and Rove unfriended her on fb.

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          Mudsy: *Lolabrainsplode*
          Andie: Being reminded of four million [euphemism of choice here] is much nicer for my brain to deal with … sing away!

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          Luckily, I armed the flask. Here ya go.

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          Thanks, Mudsy.
          *hyperventilates*

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22

          [book update corey] 7 collective years in higher education has showed me that there doesn’t have to be THAT many changes for them to make a “new” edition and charge you more money for it. I therefore suspect there are newer editions and Sparky here couldn’t get a price he wanted on Amazon’s resale site, so he went for Craigslist, hoping for some fellow Sparkies who wouldn’t notice how old the books are. [/corey]

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22

          *hyperventilates*

          Here, I have this pretty decorated jorts bag you can breath into…

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Usually all they do for engineering texts is change which variable you solve for in the chapter problems. Seriously, we compared the 4 most recent editions for our intro to electronic circuitry books, and the ONLY difference was the solve for variables. Talk about ballsy.

          Is there a wonder so many students have such disregard for those poor publishing companies that are losing money to the used book dealers. Poor babies.

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22

          I would just like to add that Sarah Palin is not a [ CHRISTINA TRAITS 1-ELEBENTY] either. So please don’t associate her with me.

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          Ok, so to categorize correctly, we had:

          Not.A.Lion
          Not.A.Lionel

          and we have added

          Not.A.Librarian

          Is that it? Or did I miss any?

          Adores: 9
        • 2010 September 22
          J-Dog permalink

          Not.A.Palin

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22

          Are.A.Tanning then?

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          One of few noticeable changes in IM (Information Management) I’ve seen in the last two decades is that the electronic product appears to be aimed at dimmer and ever dimmer parties.

          Which may reflect the depressing number of people who have any idea just how important IM is in our electronic lives. Given the sparkiness of the PHB, it should not be so great a surprise that said PHB would employ equally dim bulbs to run the software they so reluctantly acquire.

          Yet, in my SOHO work, the number one service call I get is information recovery/retrieval. Gee, just how long a business period are you willing to lose any data for? Yet, no one is proactive it seems. The few that are rarely have made any analysis on whether the selected IM periodicity matches the business periodicity in any way.

          “Gee, we make a back up every week!”
          How many days’ loss of revenue can you afford?
          “Uh, (consults audits & accounting) “Maybe three days?”
          Does that suggest that every seven days is too long?
          “But, we back up every week!”
          *facepalm*

          Oops, dropped [matt-ish corey][/orey]

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          I feel your pain there, Capn.

          “Ok, the server records indicate that the last archive you guys did was 3 weeks ago. You do know you’re supposed to push all patient data to the server at least once a day, preferably after you finish the case, right?”

          “But it’s such a pain. We decided that it’s easier to do it once a month.”

          “Ok. If you want to explain to a month worth of patients that you have to redo their images because backing them up is inconvienent for you, that’s your buisness I guess. I’m also sure the compliance comission will accept that excuse for being non-complient with federal patient image archiving laws.”

          “So we should be doing the archiving every day?”

          “Yes, that was what I was getting at.”

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          And also you should be wearing more pieces of flair.

          Adores: 12
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          To the specific point, Andie, they are not even up to the required minimum 15 pieces.

          Ok, they think they are in that less-specified, required-for-good-evaluations quantity range, but that likely goes back to poor supervisor skills. The latter so rampant as to be assumed to be endemic.

          Adores: 2
  3. 2010 September 22
    mudslicker permalink

    It’s the Doo Doo Decimal System.

    Adores: 3
    • 2010 September 22

      I prefer the Do Me Decimal system.

      Adores: 9
      • 2010 September 22
        mudslicker permalink

        I thought you were a Do Me Pam ham in a can man.

        Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22

          No, I just use her…

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          WARNING: Please do not incinerate can!

          Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        Bombdude permalink

        But with decimals, it’s possible you would receive fractal “Do Me”s. Not even a whole one at a time…

        Edit: Hey look! An avatar! I feel so accomplished..*

        *This may not be true…

        Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22

          That’s OK, I can finish in a fraction of the time…

          What?

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          Bombdude, your chick with the big knockers has been showing up since yesterday.

          Adores: 5
      • 2010 September 22
        Bombdude permalink

        Ham, as long as you don’t get mixed up in the wrong crowd and get an Irregular Fractal “Do Me”… That might be a bit awkward…

        kelli, I figured, but not before I left for the evening. And it’s “Chick with nice knockers”, but has been confused with “Chick with brass knockers” before. I didn’t think they were especially large, except in scale comparison to the chick.

        Of course, come to think of it, I guess that is how they are always compared…

        Hmmm…

        Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          And here I thought it was a chicken knockwurst sandwich.

          A chicken in-between two knockwurstii.

          Adores: 3
  4. 2010 September 22
    TacoMagic permalink

    I think I see what happened here.
    8+40 = 840
    And just to make it a good deal, sparky will toss in the third book for free. Yes a $12 value, yours to keep for free!

    Adores: 7
    • 2010 September 22
      TacoMagic permalink

      Also, 8*12*40 = 3840. So if you cut off $3,000 because they’re used, it’s really a great price!

      Adores: 5
    • 2010 September 22
      Mindfield permalink

      I think I’ve got it.

      12*40 = 480
      8*40 = 320
      320 + 480 = 800
      800 + 40 = 840

      So there you go. The math checks out.

      Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22
        TacoMagic permalink

        I think expecting the poster to have done that is giving sparky too much credit. 8)

        Adores: 2
      • 2010 September 22
        Meej permalink

        Math appears to have paid the bill and checked out long, long ago on Craigslist.

        Adores: 5
    • 2010 September 22
      AndieJD permalink

      Something tells me the number 420 was involved here. (Or maybe 215.)

      Adores: 4
      • 2010 September 22
        TacoMagic permalink

        420 > 17 > 9 > 4

        Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          In german:

          420 > 18 > 8 > 4

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          In Polish:

          8 > 14 = 4 > 420

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          Astrognash permalink

          In Unblubalong:

          420>40=840

          Adores: 3
  5. 2010 September 22

    Take the concise AACR2
    Add the Gorman
    Divide by pi times the square root of cellars
    Multiply the Dittman 2000 by the nose hair of Gabe Kaplan
    Subtract the sum total of Idaho potatoes
    And multiply by the combined intelligence of Congress

    ….and you get…zero…huh? Oh wait, I see where I went wrong…

    :Removes step involving Congressional intelligence and replaces it with the number of hairs on Cousin It:

    ….and the answer is…….$42…

    Proving, yet again, that the answer is always 42.

    Adores: 10
    • 2010 September 22
      Astrognash permalink

      And that it is never Lupus.

      Adores: 4
  6. 2010 September 22

    I think “Idaho” may have something to do with it.

    Adores: 2
    • 2010 September 22
      mudslicker permalink

      Are you insinuating that the University of Idaho is an oxymoron?

      Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        Lola permalink

        I’m interested to note that they have a library school as I don’t remember one being there when I was looking for programs – I lived not far from there and would have noticed it, even if I didn’t want to go there (and I certainly didn’t).

        [tuber corey]For the record, it’s in the northern Pandhandle region of the state, not the southern, potato-growing section. Potato jokes may not really apply here.*[/tuber corey]
        *However, have at the redneck, meth-head, rural-mountain-stereotype jokes all you want, because they would apply to the townies.

        Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          J-Dog permalink

          And don’t forget the white supremacists!

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          J-Dog, the Southern Poverty Law Center (I love those people and need to send them more money) sued them and were able to shut down one of the supremacist compounds, so they aren’t quite as thick on the ground there as previously.

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          J-Dog permalink

          They did indeed shut down the Aryan Nations headquarters but they, and their ilk are still very active in Northern Idaho. And they’ve been shopping for land for a new headquarters here in Oregon.

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22

          They were going to move to the Washington coast but the gal that was going to sell them the land got so much grief from everyone she “decided” to not sell it t them…

          Shutting them down does no good, they just move.
          Sending them a napalm telegram would be more effective…

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          I hear there’s an empty building about 2 blocks away from Ground Zero in NY, NY that they could move in to. No controversy there.

          Adores: 10
      • 2012 August 15
        One Moving Violation permalink

        Hey, I attended that university, and I was quite accomplished there. Using the stairs in The Tower (dormitory) I would run to the top floor(10th),versus the elevator and win.(56 seconds) Never got a degree for that though, but that’s higher learning for you.

        Adores: 0
    • 2010 September 22
      Bombdude permalink

      Who da Ho???

      Adores: 1
  7. 2010 September 22
    Windrose permalink

    If the Idaho Association of Librarians sees this, they are going to revoke his library card. There are some books one never sells.

    Adores: 2
    • 2010 September 22
      TacoMagic permalink

      Sparky probably turned out to be a horrible librarian. Not much use for library reference books when you’re the assistant manager at Jiffy Lube.

      Adores: 5
      • 2010 September 22
        mudslicker permalink

        To be fair, I believe s/he got a B- in
        How Do We Love Saying “Shhhh”? Let Us Count The Ways 101.

        Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          (Librarian quiet ot)Librarians (and library workers)are some of the loudest people I know. My sister (the one I like) manages a library in Illinois and has very little volume control. My Western Civ. teacher was head librarian of the community college’s east campus and was often asked by other instructors to turn the volume down on whatever media he was playing (even when he was not using any media). The children’s librarian at the Main public library can be heard doing storytime throughout the entire first floor. The university librarians private chitchat echoes through the halls. I’m not sure what my point was or if I even had one besides “librarians are loud.” (/ot)

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          Not only are my librarian friends some of the loudest people I know, but librarians + alcohol = scaring the children (but in a good way).

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          Windrose permalink

          I have mostly stopped reading all my web comics, due to some other addiction which I can’t recall right now, but this is right in line with our topic today.

          http://www.unshelved.com/2010-9-20

          And check out the Pimp My Book-cart contest!

          Adores: 2
  8. 2010 September 22

    To be fair, that’s what happens when you type “8 – 40” or some such – craigslist ignores all the spaces and extra characters and such.

    It makes me wonder how much extra people have made over the years from getting lucky and getting an offer…

    Adores: 4
    • 2010 September 22
      camille permalink

      In my experience, getting an offer usually precedes getting lucky.

      What?

      Adores: 9
      • 2010 September 22

        Penis…yeah, just cuz….

        Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Pen is what? I don’t get it? What is the pen?! You’re leaving me hanging CJ.

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          No, that’s Chad who is leaving you hanging on your penis.

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          You’re leaving me hanging CJ.

          Which side?

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          The pen is a lie.

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          The penis is a lie.

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22

          Usually…

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Only the size.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          And the calling you tomorrow

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          And the “I won’t…”

          Gotta go…

          Adores: 1
      • 2010 September 22
        Grampdaddy permalink

        It makes me wonder how much extra people have made over the years from getting lucky and getting an offer…

        Personally, I wonder how many extra people were made over the years from getting an offer and getting lucky. Or unlucky by getting lucky.

        Adores: 10
    • 2010 September 22
      TacoMagic permalink

      You forgot your corey tags, hun.

      Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        kelli permalink

        hun

        Taco, is Accident related to Attila? Or is Hun a common last name like Smith?

        Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          Taco just noticed that Accident was typing with a German accent and decided to acknowledge it.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          I always assume there is a genetic connection to Atilla. It’s the only reason I’m still alive today*.

          *Probably not true.

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          I’m still alive today*.

          *Probably not true.

          Taco is a zomb

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          *Om nom nom nom nom*

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          Quick, get the flashlights!

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          [corey] I don’t think “the Hun” was actually his last name. More of a “group association” type of thing.[/corey]

          Maybe TM thought Accident seemed like the nomadic, pastoral, yet bloodthirsty type… the German accent probably did help give it away Andie.

          Adores: 2
    • 2010 September 22
      mudslicker permalink

      “Not to mention maps and such as!”

      -Miss Teen South Carolina

      Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22

        I don’t know about you but I can never re-fold my such ases, and fitting them back into the glovebox? Fuhgedaboudit!

        Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          Oh..I can re-fold them. Just never correctly.

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          Gotta focus on the vertical crack in the middle. That’s the key.

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22

          I always thought that was the keyhole…

          What?

          Adores: 3
  9. 2010 September 22

    Sparky is trying to recruit for the Metropolitan Church of Art of Jesus the Conductor.

    Play Vexations 840 times Erik Satie will appear and say, “I told you so!”

    Adores: 5
  10. 2010 September 22
    TacoMagic permalink

    Anagram Fun!

    Library Science Textbooks

    Boobs Carry Sex, Ten Ilk Cite.

    (For once, I agree with those ilk)

    Adores: 8
    • 2010 September 22

      Star Trek Bicycle Box Noise (Babby Kirk gets what he wanted for Xmas)

      Bionic Beatles Rocker Styx (Robot fab four cover 70’s hair band)

      Adores: 6
  11. 2010 September 22
    Meej permalink

    Hey, y’know. Everyone needs a hobby. (Or Hobbies, General, as the case may be.)

    Adores: 7
    • 2010 September 22
      CapnMac permalink

      Kalvin and Hobbies?

      There’s a stuffed Not.A.Lion?

      Adores: 4
  12. 2010 September 22

    I’m just going with the assumption that 840 is another weed reference.

    Adores: 6
  13. 2010 September 22
    Limelolly permalink

    Half of 840 is 420…

    A double dose of ‘meds’ must be needed to understand Library Science or at least to make it more entertaining.

    *edit: Christina beat me to the punch – it’s hell being at work*

    Adores: 8
    • 2010 September 22
      AndieJD permalink

      Yeah, she beat me too. It’s hell being in the Pacific time zone.

      Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        Limelolly permalink

        Ergo: it’s double hell being at work in the Pacific Time Zone. If we add an “Oh” to double hell, then Not.A.Lionel will sing to us about dancing on the ceiling.

        Adores: 4
      • 2010 September 22
        kelli permalink

        It’s hell being in the Pacific time zone

        It's worse being in the Arizona time zone. Technically, we're in the Mountain timezone, but we don't observe Daylight Savings Time. So, about half the year, we're Pacific Time and the other half, we're Mountain which means I have to remember when DST starts and ends since I have to figure out the time difference when calling friends and family in the Central and Eastern time zones.

        Adores: 4
      • 2010 September 22

        Yes, but I’ll give you both props for wording it better than I did. 215 props, to be exact.

        Adores: 4
      • 2010 September 22
        CapnMac permalink

        Well, today, we can blame the Equinox (1325 EDT today); and the full moon tonight.

        Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Equinox? But I hardly know ‘er!

          I don’t get it.

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          I thought that was Tissue.

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          was Tissue

          Bless you.

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          ToBScholarly permalink

          I KNEW it was a full moon! Crazy clients all day long!!!

          Adores: 1
    • 2010 September 22
      EclecticBlue permalink

      Unless you work as a librarian, apparently :-p

      Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        Limelolly permalink

        Oh yeah… career change!

        Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Woah, dude! There are a lot of books in this room!

          Hey, do you think when all the people leave the books read each other? I mean it makes sense right? How else would books have so much knowledge in them?

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          Well, we “newgrass” fans know:

          “Hey teacher, those books you gave us/Look good on the shelves at home./And, they’ll burn one in the fireplace, teacher/When in Rome.”¹

          ¹From “When in Rome“, Why Should The Fire Die?, Nickle Creek, (comp Chris Thile), 2005.

          Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          Should read “Nickel” not “Nickle”, but the Ajax editor asserts I do not have permission to edit, even with 04:12 remaining.

          I’ve been “shushed”!

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          Oh great! Footnotes!!!!

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          On a day celebrating information management and library science, and you did not anticipate at least foot notes?

          Adores: 1
        • 2012 August 15
          One Moving Violation permalink

          Footnotes are useless if you can’t see your feet.

          Adores: 0
  14. 2010 September 22
    NotMyName permalink

    This person is just an expert at Catmath, of course. See, he/she learned it at their college.

    Adores: 3
    • 2010 September 22
      kelli permalink

      I failed CatMath. I couldn’t carry the elephant.

      Adores: 8
      • 2010 September 22

        Well, you were doing African cat math if you would stick with the more common house cat math the most you would have to carry is a bag of litter…

        Adores: 8
        • 2010 September 22
          Astrognash permalink

          And in European CatMath, you have to carry the coconut.

          Adores: 7
  15. 2010 September 22
    AndieJD permalink

    Ooh, Mudslicker! Look who doesn’t suck today!

    Adores: 2
    • 2010 September 22
      mudslicker permalink

      …and I owe it all to Yahweh and Meds….

      😉

      Adores: 4
      • 2010 September 22
        mudslicker permalink

        …and the Regal Catholic Zoo…..

        Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          Windrose permalink

          I am just thrilled you got the box, Mudsy! Of course, I would have loved it if all the responding similar comments had been included, but I am not as wise as She Who Must Have Bees Upon Her.

          Adores: 1
  16. 2010 September 22
    Addicted Reader permalink

    So what bothers me even more than the weird math, and even more than the crappy picture quality, is the lack of an Oxford comma in the last line. I might need professional help.

    See y’all Sunday!

    Adores: 5
    • 2010 September 22
      Lola permalink

      I might need professional help.

      You’re in the right place! Not because we can offer help, but because it seems likely that many of us do, too!

      Adores: 4
    • 2010 September 22

      I was helping Mr. Brazil with his US History homework the other day, and, of course, as a grammar aficionado, I was helping him with his grammar as well. It’s actually pretty good on its own (better than some stuff from some native speakers) but of course it’s not like mine. He knew to use the Oxford comma though, even though they don’t have a similar comma in Portuguese. He said he was taught to use it in his TOEFL class. I ended up explaining to him that there’s a whole debate about that comma (in fact I was taught NOT to use it in elementary school), but I prefer it.

      Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        CapnMac permalink

        Well, having been taught in six different school districts, and that, more than thirty years ago, I cannot honestly state how I was taught.
        Other than both of my parents taught me to use an Oxford comma.
        And, that’s what has stuck with me ever since.

        Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          How do we know this comma went to Oxford? I think it might have gone to East Idaho Community College and is just fronting.

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          Heck, for all we know, it may have just paid the 200 obos and gotten one of those online diplomas…

          Adores: 3
    • 2010 September 22
      mudslicker permalink

      I’ll give you one AR:

      So what bothers me is the weird math, the crappy picture quality, and the lack of an Oxford comma .

      Better?

      Adores: 1
    • 2010 September 22
      camille permalink

      I work with someone who believes that the Oxford comma should be used before “or” but not before “and.” I’ve told him this is deeply eccentric but he doesn’t seem to care.

      Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22
        mudslicker permalink

        That’s picky Oxford snobbery.

        Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        AndieJD permalink

        I didn’t realize that comma had a name. I learn new stuff every day in the Snark Lounge.

        Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          I name all my commas. This one , is George. He’s my favorite.

          Adores: 10
        • 2010 September 22

          Have you ,learned ,the Craigslist ,comma?

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22

          I name all my commas

          Does that make you a commoner?

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          christina you are totally wrong not everyone on craigslist uses commas in fact some people dont use punctuation at all how can you justify lumping everyone on craigslist INTO one category but then again this is also a good example of facebook commas

          (*hyperventilates into a decorated jort bag* Holy cow, that was hard to type. I need some punctuation therapy, stat!)

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          …a commonomoner.

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22

          !:;”‘?.,/

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          Whew! I think I’ll make it…

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          I didn’t realize it had it’s own name either, and who is this “Oxford” character anyway, to decide where my commas go? Was it like discovering a heavenly body, where they name it after you?

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          Does that make you a commoner?

          No, I’m a comma de-nom-inator

          Adores: 9
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          But that would mean that you took away names from your commas!

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          So you take their names away…

          Edit: [sigh] EB beat me to the snark…

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          camille permalink

          [comma corey] The Oxford comma is also known as the serial comma (no, not vintage serial) or the Harvard comma (apparently, only at Harvard). [/corey]

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          I just love logic in a realm of make believe.

          What? No Yale comma?

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          Well I take away their common name “comma” before I give them their tribal name such as Ken, George, and Eliot.

          I will never let a little thing like having the opposite meaning of my original intent stop me from making a terrible pun.

          Adores: 11
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          tribal name

          *giggle*

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Meej permalink

          The Commanomicon?

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22

          The comma tribe is fairly docile, it’s the exclamation point tribe you need to look out for!

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22

          The Commanomicon

          Klaatu barada nikto

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          Bombdude permalink

          “And lo, Gort sounded the recall, and the Earth was saved from imminent destruction by zomb commas”

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          Redjac! Redjac! Redjac!

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22

          Well, it was really an Army of Darkness reference…

          “Ummm, Klaatu…errr…verada….necktie?”

          “Did thou sayeth the words?”

          “Ummm, Mostly”

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          It was, but the words in Army of Darkness are actually from The Day the Earth Stood Still, so both of you are technically correct. Judges Ruling = no one has to be impaled by the brain poking stick on this round. Well done.

          P.S. Love me some Ash. Good Ash, Bad Ash, I’m the one with the gun.

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          mudslicker permalink

          Sorry. I’m not up on the Army of Darkness lingo. Merely my Star Trekkian Jack the Ripper.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22

          Andie, yes I know but it’s all about the context…Meej said “The Commanomicon” which I took to be in reference to the Necronomicon used in the Army of Darkness…(I know it’s originally from Lovecraft’s books)

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          A “Yale comma” would be named, Eli, naturally.

          (And not after Astro, either.)

          Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 22

          Mooooooooom! EB’s throwin Matts at me! And she’s not wearin’ her tags!

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          Astrognash permalink

          [matt]**glares at Cap’n**

          Even in real life, I am to be called Eli under no circumstances. I get the same way about it as Bridgete does when you call her a Br*dge†.[/matt]

          † I may have just P.O.ed both Bridgete and Taco.

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22

          With the cross thing as a footnote indicator, it looks a little like you just forgot the last E. And, you know, starred the I.

          Anyway, you’re forgiven for this one, only because you were solely using the forbidden nickname as an example. 😉

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          Astro, it was my precise and specific intent to communicate that the sole linkage, for any resaon, to “Eli” was strictly related to the Yalie predeliction to naming everything about them after Eli Yale, the person duped into starting the college (and under many false pretenses).

          Adores: 1
    • 2010 September 22
      MiniEB permalink

      vdfsdvsgdbc’l.p[oi’,.k;kpkhjhuymkjhj

      Translation: Noooot really sure. I think he’s trying to explain why the weird math means that the missing comma was actually intentional. Either that or he likes bananas.

      Adores: 7
      • 2010 September 22
        TacoMagic permalink

        I’ll have to have mini taco translate for me. But I’d bet it has something to do with trying to bite my large toe.

        In the mean time… MUG TYPING!

        jm8hn8t5dc9o wsqayws y3eoo0o jm8iihn63egb

        Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22

          Isn’t Mug typing what’s on that placard you hold when you get a mug shot?

          Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Mug Typing is what mugtolologists do with new mugs they find in the wild.

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22

          Didn’t Snoop Dog make a movie about that?

          “Mugs gone wild”

          Adores: 4
      • 2010 September 22
        AndieJD permalink

        I KNEW MiniEB was going to begin posting soon. I see heis not a Canadian. The top of his head is attached to the bottom.

        MiniEB = not.a.Canadian

        Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          I would HOPE that he’s not.a.Canananadian, since I’m from NY and MrEB is from Indiana… :-p

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          Yeah, but them Canadians is sneaky.

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          Especially that Terrence and Phillip

          (Or, Daryl, Derrel, and Darrel)

          Adores: 1
  17. 2010 September 22
    Rhonda permalink

    I don’t mean to cut down any of you Library Scientists out there because I’m pretty ignorant about the subject, myself, but really? Library Science? It’s a science? That there are post-grad courses for? That people willingly spend thousands of dollars and years of their life in college to study? I mean, Really?! How much is there to know about cataloging?

    And everyone knows how librarians rake in the dough these days. Especially if you have your PhD in Library Science.

    Adores: 3
    • 2010 September 22
      TacoMagic permalink

      You might want to start running so you’ll have a head start when Lola gets here.

      Adores: 8
      • 2010 September 22
        AndieJD permalink

        Uh… Rhonda? Here’s an asbestos Snuggie. You’re gonna need it.

        Adores: 7
    • 2010 September 22
      mudslicker permalink

      “Yes” to the 7th power.

      Adores: 4
    • 2010 September 22
      CapnMac permalink

      I suspect Rhonda is invested with honors into Library Science, but is employed in some other capacity (hopefully not in base employ in the food services, lest another PhD in Anthro be out a job . . .)

      Adores: 2
    • 2010 September 22
      Lola permalink

      Rhonda,
      It’s not all book stamping and shushing (those are often clerks, who do. not. have. library. degrees). In fact, most of what we learn and employ in our position is what you don’t see us doing, or what doesn’t look like anything in particular to people who don’t know better/aren’t making a point to see what we’re doing. (But if it’s so easy, why don’t you just come and do my job? Since you don’t have the degree, you don’t get the pay I get, however. I’m in the private sector, and we may do slightly better than you might think.)
      Sorry to get a bit ranty here, but let’s see … what DO we study? Hm, in order for cataloguing to make sense, we have to know how we do it correctly, or, to quote the link I posted earlier, “We’ll just put them [the books] any damn place we choose!” That’s just one of many things we study.
      As an example, and to keep myself from foaming at the mouth further, I’m going to cut and paste the program descriptions from my institute of matriculation. Please note that in addition to this, many of us such as myself get a dual masters or have one already. Please also note that those with PhDs in info science deal heavily with computerization and knowledge management.
      The Master of Science in Information Science is a program designed to serve two major purposes:

      To prepare students for employment in corporate and public sector organizations where the generation, management, and use of information is the dominant or an essential aspect of the organization;
      To equip students with the knowledge and skills required for entry into a doctoral program in information science.
      Graduates of the program are expected to:
      Demonstrate a sense of professional identity by applying the concepts and principles of the information sciences and related disciplines.
      Know the history and evolving roles of the information professional in the changing global society.
      Create, select, acquire, organize, manage, preserve, retrieve, evaluate, and disseminate information using relevant theories and practices.
      Assess information needs of diverse and underserved populations and provide resources and instruction to meet those needs.
      Recognize the crucial role of users in the design and implementation of information systems.
      Formulate, interpret, and implement information policy, and promote ethical standards in the production, management, and use of information.
      Understand the importance of information access issues, including privacy, equity, intellectual property, and intellectual freedom.
      Conduct and apply interdisciplinary research to develop, maintain, and assess information services and systems.
      Understand, implement, and use appropriate technologies in the delivery of information content and services.
      Apply management principles to the creation, administration, and promotion of information organizations and systems.
      Understand the information environment and build collaborative relationships to strengthen information services and literacy.
      Graduates who move directly into the profession gain employment in libraries, information and records centers, archives, governmental agencies, school districts, or private sector environments. Typical employers include corporations, hospitals, academic institutions, human service organizations, law offices, and legislatures.

      There are five areas of concentration in the curriculum:
      Archives/Records Administration – to prepare students who wish to pursue a career in archives, or as paper or electronic records managers.
      Library and Information Services – to prepare students for professional positions in academic, special, or public libraries.
      Library and Information Services/ School Library Media Specialist – to prepare students seeking certification to work in public school libraries throughout [state].
      Information Management and Policy – to prepare students pursuing careers as information managers in corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
      Information Systems and Technology – to prepare students for professional employment as systems and technology experts in a wide range of government, library, corporate and nonprofit organizations.

      Have I answered your question?

      Excuse me while I go and attempt to cease frothing at the mouth now.

      Adores: 10
      • 2010 September 22
        TacoMagic permalink

        Too long, didn’t add to the card catalog.

        Adores: 7
      • 2010 September 22
        mudslicker permalink

        *hands you the BIG flask*

        Adores: 4
      • 2010 September 22
        AndieJD permalink

        OMG, Lola, that was hot. Especially how your bosom heaved while you were typing it. Rhonda, you got served.

        Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22
        MandaB permalink

        *stands and applauds*

        Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22
        kelli permalink

        As the sister of a library manager, a possible future librarian, and the mother of a future librarian, I applaud you Lola. I really think you deserve a standing ovation, but I’m eating lunch and I had to wait 20 minutes to get this table.

        Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          Thank you everyone for your appreciation – not only for what I said, but for *getting it* with regard to the importance of well-trained and experienced librarians. People who don’t get it are the reason that when municipal or academic budgets need to be cut, the library is often the first thing looked at (despite the demonstration that when the economy is bad, people use the library even more) and considered disposable. We live in the information age/society, but if you can’t manage and handle it so that all that is available is narrowed to what is actually useful to you, then you need someone with librarian skills – regardless of your setting.

          And to anyone who still doesn’t get it or thinks they can do it themselves “because everything’s on the internet, and it’s free and we don’t need books any more and no one reads” (note: people like you provide job security for us, because your ignorance when you need something specific and don’t know where to start illustrates exactly why we’re needed): **** you.

          (Now I feel even better.)

          /rant

          Adores: 7
        • 2010 September 22

          We do get you, Lola, and I have never been more sad that I can’t give you millions of adores.

          Adores: 2
      • 2010 September 22

        Well done, Lola.

        Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Astrognash permalink

          **golf clap**

          Adores: 2
      • 2010 September 22

        *Joins in the standing ovation*

        Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          Also, also joins (only not wearing a polo shirt, cleats, or a sweaty glove).

          Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 22
          Jen permalink

          I, too, give you the clap, Lola.

          Wait, what?

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          *wonders if there is an antipodean vernacular meaning of “the clap” (Clap, The, for TM’s file cabinets) which differs¹ from the “new world” version*

          ____________________________________
          ¹In the was that the use of “pecker”* in the UK differs, for instance.

          *Upper (or both) lips, in the sense of “peck” as a kiss.

          Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 22
          Jen permalink

          Not vernacular so much as venereal. *shudder*

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          Good thing my job has health insurance, Jen. 8)

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 23

          Bravo! Well done, madam!

          Adores: 0
    • 2010 September 22
      kelli permalink

      Yeah, because cataloguing is all librarians do. They never have to answer bizarre questions from patrons. They never have to justify buying two copies of Thelma Ate the Octopus for their juvenile collection. They never have to try and balance their measly budgets while trying to maintain as many services as possible. They never have to try and help people use the services that the library provides. Oh, and storytime is just some old spinster reading straight out of any old book that is lying around and needs absolutely no planning or knowledge of children.

      Adores: 6
      • 2010 September 22
        Lola permalink

        Thank you, thank you, thank you, kelli. Those are just a few day-to-day applications of the nyriad things we learn in the academic setting.

        Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Limelolly permalink

          No wonder you need a flask. I started drinking just reading that!

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          *passes flask to LL*

          Adores: 1
      • 2010 September 22
        CapnMac permalink

        Amen, bretheren.

        Gee, just how many employee records are required? How many duplicates? Which ones must be in hard copy, and for how long. Where are the records to be stored? On what media will they be stored? What provisions for legacy data retreival must be kept, and maintained (anyone try to connect a 4mm Colorado tape drive to Win7 lately)?

        Oh, and what do we do if the power is off? For an hour? For a day? For a week or teo? For forever? What if there is a flood? Or, a tornado? Or the building next door falls on this one?

        Amazingly, there are people who are not merely studied in these sorts of questions, but are experienced in having the answers.

        You want fries wid’at?

        Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        Rhonda permalink

        Ok, totally deserved that 🙂 But like I said, I really had (and still don’t fully get) all a library manager does that would require more than 4 years of education (or even more than 2).

        Since it’s late and my brain can’t totally parse everything you pasted, Lola, I’m going to respond to Kelli’s answer.

        I know you need to always be reading and keeping up with what books are out there (like Thelma Ate the Octopus), but that is an ongoing thing, not something you take a class on. And while I understand not every document in the universe has been digitalized (and it does truly boggle my mind how anyone could find information in a library and not just by using the Internet), I’m sure there is a very standard way that everything is organized, and once you learn that system… which, again, I don’t see how that could take more than 2 years… you’re good to go. And with a little time and experience in your new work environment, anyone with the skills and passion for that line of work could surely handle the job without needing a higher degree?

        Kelli, your answer reminds me of many, many jobs out there, that do not require any special education. Answering bizarre questions from patrons, balancing measly budgets while maintaining services, and helping people use the services their business does provide – I did those very things in the first job I had out of high school, and still do them at the job I have now (although now I do have a degree, but those aren’t the things I learned in school).

        I’m not trying to flare tempers or step on your toes.. I totally get that there is a complexity to finding information in a library. I just really want to understand what exactly you do in a typical day that someone who has not studied for a shorter amount of time can’t do.

        Ok, I’ll put that snuggie back on, now.

        Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          Rhonda,
          I’m not saying you can’t do those things without the education … I have one coworker who doesn’t have the degree and who has mad research skillz – but that’s not something everyone is willing to do or capable of, and, notably, she had a much bigger learning curve, for one, than I did (she’s been working for more than 10 years and there are things she still doesn’t do, that I do). At the end of the year and a half that I needed for my classes (this is not something that goes on for years and years), with related work experience, I was a lot further along in the professional experience and knowledge process than she would have been in the same amount of time, for one. The grad-level nature of most MIS/MLS degrees is frequently needed because while you can learn skills and theory, if you don’t have the general background that a person gets in a four-year degree (or, should get, anyway) it means you bring less breadth and depth to even general reference work. Would you want to go to a reference desk, anywhere, and have someone who didn’t know where things were, didn’t understand where it fit into whatever taxonomy fit the situation, and who was just learning? Or would you want to go to a reference desk where the person might be a newly-minted librarian with 1. reference classes imparting a knowledge of systemic research and sources 2. catalogue knowledge 3. enough undergrad educational background that if you’re in a specialized environment, they’re going to know more about the background of interest (and in many law school libraries, a JD is also de rigueur – so you need an undergrad degree as well as the ML/IS and JD)? Sure, you can learn all of these things on the job, and especially in the past many have and done so well, but so that there is a professional standard for places to hire and evaluate people, an educational system was established, as were standards for accreditation of these institutions (as with many professions, really). I don’t make the rules, but today they require the master’s degree in this field. Comparatively, I have a MA in English, too; while I could have read the texts and sourced theory and discussion about them, and become conversant and informed on the topic in my own time (which I have sort of continued to do, w/r/t my thesis topic), it was more expedient to learn the same things from people who knew more about it than I did, frankly.
          Additionally, specific research such as what I do is not something you master in a couple of years, and I suspect that is not particular to my job. I have a brilliant coworker who has her ML/IS and JD and who has been on the job 13 years and who tells me she never stops learning. New sources, new questions for research, new research methods, new media – you have to learn and remember new sources constantly. It’s far from static, whether in a corporate library, a private archive, or a public library reference department.
          I appreciate that you’re not trolling, here, and because I run into unpleasantly-communicated ignorance about my profession on a regular basis, I have a tendency to get my back up anytime I am asked how hard it really is. As you have not been snarky and have come back to confirm that you are actually quite interested in knowing, I think the short answer (it’s late enough here that I’m starting to suspect my lucidity is slipping, and/or that I’m repeating myself, so I hope this is making sense) to your question is: yes, everything we do can be learned on the job. **But** in most cases, it will take A LOT longer to get up to speed doing it as your daily job compared to the time spent in the classroom (and at the hands-on learning required of most info sci programs). Learning theory and basic “why”s behind doing things often means you understand the concept/process/reason for a situation before you encounter it. Seriously, though – if you have the time and can find an inclined librarian (actual, credentialled) who is willing to discuss it in person, tell them you are genuinely curious about why library school is necessary. Most of us love to talk shop.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 23
          CapnMac permalink

          Not that Lola needs any additional support to her position, she is more than capable in that regard; but, I feel compelled to add to this discussion.

          One problem the field has is the word “library” which throws many askew, and sadly so. Which is why “Information Management” and “Information Science” are becoming more-used terms.

          One reason for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees is to allow a sufficient base of knowledge from which to specialize. Which can seem quite daft, as you, Rhonda, eloquently pointed out.

          However, if one is to understand the creation of information and the sustatining information in archival form, one needs to know many things. Like the dye used to “burn” a one-time CDR or DVDR is vegetable-based. Which means it has a limited shelf life, both before and after use.

          A person needs to have the right backgrounds in chemistry and physics and the like to appreciate the rest of the issues. Like why some paper ought to be acid-resistant. Or, whether the ink used in printing is permanent or not (even to whether a neutral wax us used in copier or laserjet toner vice a heat-set dye).

          Right to the nature of magnetic and electro-optical storage, and how either are affected by electromagnatism, whether explict in a reading device, or accidental, as in lightning strike or static build-up.

          Little things like knowing that nitrocelulose filmstock has to be climate controlled not merely for information storage, but for the fact that it ‘sweats’ nitroglycerine when too warm, creating an ugly fire risk.

          Armed with those basic skills, the person in IS/IM can then take up graduate study in just what information “is.” If you see a handprint of paint upon a rock, what is it? Is it a paleograph? A signature? A kid’s turkey print for Thanksgiving?

          More depth? Ok, context is everything, yes? Well, how much data is required for “context”? The answer cannot be “everything,” there’s no way to store everything. Yet, whenever data is lost, it’s typically lost forever. 8-track cassettes came up yesterday in conversation. Ok, no great loss to the art world that there are probably no “carts” with Earl Schibe car-painting radio ads. Except that those ads are part of a time, the fabric of radio history. Radio ad spots are still called “carts” even though the cartidges are as obsolete as a 76rpm turntable at a radio station.

          So is streaming computer data onto skinny magnetic tape, too; but that is still done. There is a good deal of peer-reviewed arguments on the not just the “why” but the “what are you thinking!?” aspects of that.

          Ok, sure, a person with some University experience in Computer Science can tell you of the travails and impracticalities of streaming modern computer information onto small magnetic tape cartridges. (Which are now just replaced with paperback-book sized HDD today.) What they cannot tell you is what information is truly valuable and why.

          The why matters.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 23
          Rhonda permalink

          Ok, what you two said does make sense. I guess what I need to take into perspective is that while not everyone who works in a library needs a master’s degree, we still need SOME people with a thorough understanding to guide us through the vast amount of information out there. Consider me enlightened 🙂

          Adores: 5
        • 2010 September 23
          AndieJD permalink

          Nicely put, Rhonda. You can take the asbestos Snuggie off now. Flask?

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 23
          Lola permalink

          *passes flask to Rhonda*
          Welcome!

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 23
          EclecticBlue permalink

          Wow, that is so much that I never thought of…. I love all the random stuff I learn here! ♥ you guys! 🙂

          Adores: 1
  18. 2010 September 22
    AndieJD permalink

    “The Commanomicon”

    I hear lots of geeks go to this every year dressed as their favorite punctuation.

    Adores: 4
    • 2010 September 22
      Bombdude permalink

      I went as an ellipsis once, but everyone I approached would sort of trail off and stop talking…

      Made me feel very unwelcome.*

      *This may not be true.

      Adores: 4
    • 2010 September 22
      kelli permalink

      I always go as an exclamation mark. It’s the best way to draw attention away from hips that may be a bit wider than most.

      Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22

        I went as a period but those darn maxi-pads are hard to see through…

        Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          Bad dog! You drop that out of your mouth right now and you stay out of the bathroom garbage!

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22

          *Runs out the doggy door, over to the cute single male neighbors house and drops it in his hot tub*

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          That’s it, I’m having you sprinkled.

          Adores: 7
    • 2010 September 22
      Astrognash permalink

      I’m planning to go as either a semicolon or a tilde.

      Adores: 2
      • 2010 September 22
        Lola permalink

        I’mma totally rocking the interrobang look.

        Adores: 2
  19. 2010 September 22
    EclecticBlue permalink

    Speaking of old library books, this made me giggle so hard there are tears in the corner of my eye. Particularly the excerpt… It sounds like something out of the comments here.

    Adores: 1
    • 2010 September 22
      Bombdude permalink

      “Correct! ejaculated Dr John, emphatically”

      Wow… Just wow…

      Adores: 1
      • 2010 September 22
        TacoMagic permalink

        I’m always emphatic when I…

        Gotta go.

        Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22

          You shouldn’t do that to your doctor…

          Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22
        CapnMac permalink

        So, that’s what he did before becoming a NOLA pianist!

        Adores: 1
      • 2010 September 22
        kelli permalink

        I used the word “ejaculates” in a Writing/English 102 paper. My professor still uses it as an example in her class (sans my name, thankfully).

        Adores: 4
        • 2010 September 22

          Professor Penthouse?

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          kelli permalink

          It was actually a woman professor. She did wear some low cut blouses, but I don’t think she had any connection to Penthouse.

          Adores: 3
    • 2010 September 22
      AndieJD permalink

      “Irregular relations?”

      So, if you eat Activia, it’s OK ?

      Adores: 3
  20. 2010 September 22
    MandaB permalink

    Is anyone else wondering if Sparky needs to sing the ABCs while shelving books to make sure that they are in the right order?

    Adores: 3
    • 2010 September 22
      Bombdude permalink

      Nah, it’s as easy as 1,2,3!

      Adores: 1
      • 2010 September 22
        TacoMagic permalink

        It’s as easy as 1, 11, C!

        Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          Saw a t-shirt with part of the ILM logo with

          “= 1051?”

          Upon it.

          Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          I thought it was easy as 1, 10, 11!

          Adores: 2
      • 2010 September 22
        Meej permalink

        Simple as Do, Re, Mi!

        Adores: 2
    • 2010 September 22
      CapnMac permalink

      Dunno. The Hastings store closest to me seemed to have hired two different dyslexics of varying degrees of literacy.

      Tough to wander the CDs when they are both alphabetical left-to-right, top-to-bottom, and also right-to-left, bottom-to-top. Or, wandering over to the Wolrd Section and finding “Ladysmith Black Mombassa” filed under “L”, “B”, and “M” simultaneously.

      Adores: 0
      • 2010 September 22
        MandaB permalink

        This reminds me of Grampdaddy’s experience at one of the local music stores back in NY (House of Guitars for those that know it) where he inquired about the soundtrack for “The Phantom of the Opera”. The worker took him right to it. Filed, of course, under “F”.

        Adores: 11
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          *cries silently*

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          AndieJD permalink

          There, there, Lola.

          “I feel them with my fingers,
          I feel them with my toes…
          Penises are all around you
          When I feel them they grow…”

          Adores: 6
        • 2010 September 22
          camille permalink

          In one of my several previous careers, I worked in production management at a TV cable network and often had to track down hotel bills incurred by guests on our shows. Our accounting department alphabetized the Mayflower Hotel under “T.” For “The.”

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          EclecticBlue permalink

          That’s…. Special…. All of these examples are Special… *twitch twitch*

          Adores: 3
        • 2010 September 22
          TacoMagic permalink

          Actual quote from my supervisor when I worked at the archives during their re-archiving project in college:

          “Ok, here’s the deal. Your job is to go through every file in these 30 cabinets and remove the word “the” from the folder headings that have them and update the catalogue. It’s confusing the undergrads and we’re sick of having to explain it to them.”

          That was two soul killing semesters of work right there. Especially since I’d have undergrads wander down to the archives looking under T for “the [rest of title].” My supervisor didn’t look so stupid after a the first few dozen times I had to explain why “the” is ignored.

          Adores: 2
        • 2010 September 22
          Limelolly permalink

          I file under THE… Theater, Theme, Thermal, The End.

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          CapnMac permalink

          One fascinating aspect of living in a conjoined city is that we often have two of what other towns the same size would have one of.

          So, the other, better, Hastings has been my preferred location.

          I would browse many sections of the store, including Humor. One day, I could not find any Scott Adams at all. Confused, I went to find a person in a green apron. Turns out, all of Adams’ stuff was filed under “D” for Dilbert, half for those vaguely-literate Sparky consumers, the other half for the more sparky-like employees.

          When I contacted Mr Adams, he was amused. Only slightly shocked. Half pleased that even the half-simple could find his works to purchase.

          Oddly, Mr Ahern’s Foxtrot was not in “F” and Calvin was securely in “C” . . .

          Adores: 0
        • 2010 September 22

          One of ourlocal Half Price Books files alphabetically by title. Their reasoning: Most people don’t know who wrote the book they are looking for and our employees don’t have time to look it up for them.

          *And woo-hoo! I’ve been to House of Guitars, they sold records back in the early nineties.

          Adores: 1
        • 2010 September 22
          Lola permalink

          *deep breath*
          As a last [library corey], on the subject of cataloging and therefore book arrangement, there are some public institutions which have switched their holdings from Dewey to … something else. I’m not sure what it is called, but it is organized more like the offerings in bookstores. Because I understand cataloguing at a level unfamiliar to most patrons, this seems confusing to me whereas cataloguing does not … but not, apparently, to the patrons: the places that have done it have increased circulation figures to reinforce the concept that this is a good idea. I don’t think it will catch on in academia and specialized research institutions any time soon, but if it means more people use public collections then I can’t find anything wrong with that. [/Dewey corey]

          Oh, and on the subject of Melville Dewey: kind of a nut at times. Wanted to simplify spelling in English, was an early proponent of metrics (which are fine, but they still aren’t popular in this country), and had a rep for being handsy around women. Yes, I learned this in library school.

          Adores: 1
  21. 2010 September 22
    EclecticBlue permalink

    Today is moving at about half the speed of smell…. Come on, guys, entertain me for the next 25 minutes! :-p

    Adores: 1
    • 2010 September 22
      CapnMac permalink

      25 minutes!
      Next!

      Adores: 0
      • 2010 September 22
        Astrognash permalink

        RUTABAGAS!

        Now laugh, damnit.

        Adores: 3
      • 2010 September 22

        *does a silly dance with rutabagas and marmalade*

        Adores: 2
    • 2010 September 22
      kelli permalink

      *does 15 minute tap dance tribute to the semicolon*

      Adores: 1
      • 2010 September 22

        *Does a 20 minute sit down in tribute to the colon…*

        What?

        Adores: 10
  22. 2010 September 22
    Bianchi Sound permalink

    My wife is finishing work on her e-portfolio for her Master of Library and Information Sciences degree.

    1) I am sitting this one out.

    2) I am tempted to show her this post, but resisting so that she doesn’t see the “She Blinded Me With Library Science” t-shirt I am ordering her.

    Adores: 4
    • 2010 September 23
      Lola permalink

      Bianchi, your wife is getting her MLIS? You’re even cooler than I thought!

      Adores: 0
  23. 2010 September 23
    Windrose permalink

    So, Mudsy, Punchity Punch Punch!

    Good Night, My Own Private Idaho!

    Adores: 2

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