retrobacklore.net » uncategorized

While grocery shopping…

Renee — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:56:59 +0000

I spotted these tiny succulents tagged with some helpful care instructions:
“For general information and accurate care instructions please consult reference material in local library.”

Whoever potted these could have just as easily included the actual care instructions on the tag; “Direct sunlight; moderate watering; fertilize monthly.” but they directed people to the library instead. Is this a bit of a cop out or completely awesome? You can probably guess my answer.

Economic stimulus package aka American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA] aka LIBRARIES NEED MONEY; please help them receive it

Renee — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:38:55 +0000

Okay, so we are all aware of the Economic Stimulus Package meant to deliver the US of A from its current state of economic peril. The formal name of the pending bill is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and libraries could potentially benefit greatly from it. Sadly, they could also get shafted. ALA’s District Dispatch has put out a call for all those who work, utilize, or love libraries to contact their legislators and let them know WITHIN THE NEXT 36 TO 48 HOURS how crucial it is for libraries to be included in and receive funding from this bill.

If you live in Oregon, you can contact your legislators via this generic form. I’m sure there are a slew of interns who will review your submission and promptly route it to the correct place. Feel free to copy, tweak, and paste the message I hastily copied, tweaked, and pasted from the District Dispatch post.
*****************

Hello.

I am a [librarian, bibliophile, cheerleader for libraries, etc.] living in [Anytown, OR], and am writing you in hopes that you PLEASE, PLEASE include important library provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In particular is it crucial that you:

Restore education construction funds eliminated from the Senate version of the ARRA. The House version of the ARRA would provide $14 billion for K-12 construction and $6 billion for higher education construction and specifically mention libraries as an allowable use of funds. The K-12 construction funds would create 300,000 jobs.
Restore the money cut from the State Stabilization Fund in the Senate bill to $79 billion to and restore the Governors ability to use a portion of the funds at his or her discretion.
Maintain the $8 billion for ‘Broadband Technology Opportunities Program’ for robust broadband to all of America including “fiber to the libraries for the 21st century.”
Make no less than $200 million available for competitive grants for expanding public computer center capacity, including community colleges and public libraries.
Uphold the open access of networks and not include provisions allowing intrusive network management techniques.

Libraries are a key source of free internet access to look for jobs and so much more. Our libraries provide essential services that stimulate our local economies. Please help to ensure libraries receive the much needed funding the ARRA can provide.

Thank you.
[You know who you are!]

I apologize.

Renee — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:48:28 +0000

But I have to…

Cindy Sherman and the Library Lolita

Renee — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:26:25 +0000

Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Still #13 aka ‘The Librarian’ has sold for $902,500 at a Christie’s auction! Wowza. The photographs from Sherman’s Film Stills series are largely inspired by B-movies, film noir, and films from the 50s and 60s.

Here is Sherman in the library, looking deceptively wholesome, I think. She looks very young [Sherman was 23 when this was shot, old enough to have just finished her MLS degree] and there is a ‘Library Lolita’ feel to this photograph. Oh yes, I love fueling the bookworm-by-day-bad-girl-by-night librarian stereotype.

I think this would be a great idea for an exhibit at a library or, EVEN BETTER, as an alternative way of displaying staff and committee photos on library walls! Shot in black and white, those being photographed would create [or recreate] some library-centric scene from the past. Since black and white film would be used, scenes from 1960s and earlier would be best. Ooh! Now how do I get management to share MY VISION.

To all of you at Comic-Con

Renee — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:13:07 +0000

Hope you are having a super time [WITHOUT ME]!

Pokemon are down with ‘library as place.’

Renee — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:21:56 +0000

The topic of ‘library as place‘ is one that will continue to evolve as long as people question the role of libraries and their relevancy in the age of Google and Amazon. For those who have visited libraries in the past few years know they are more than quiet places to study or check out books. They offer meeting spaces for all community members, provide computer access, teach ESL as well as children and adult education classes; they are concert venues, art galleries, multimedia centers, clubhouses, cafes; they provide shelter from the rain and cold, they are temporary housing, they are sanctuaries and so much more.

And as a Pokemon fan, I am happy to see we are on the same page here:

[via] Taken by Klara Kim

I’m playing Pokemon Diamond but am currently hanging out at the Trainer’s School. I can’t wait to see the library!

And so it begins.

Renee — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:00:51 +0000

In March I attended Portland State University’s Manga Mania talk, presented by Dark Horse Comics‘ manga editor and guru, Carl Horn. I arrived early to an empty room but it was not long before the room was packed with faculty members, students, cosplayers, manga fans, and even a few dispossessed souls that roam the campus at all hours of the night. It made me nostalgic for my public library days working the Readers’ Advisory desk and arranging Anime Club events. The meetings were always well-attended by students and cosplayers alike. We provided bibliographies for members just in case they were not informed of the manga much of the anime they watched was based on [I'm sure most were, these kids were no rookies], and although I enjoyed seeing members rush to the stacks after meetings, I have to admit I was not the biggest fan of their manga choices. While they went gaga for Naruto and Oh My Goddess! I found myself pushing Osamu Tezuka titles, Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira series, and Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaa. Well, not pushing so much as gently nudging. And sometimes they investigated my suggestions but many times they did not, and that’s OK. In fact, that’s great. Librarians aren’t there to pout and tug on your pantleg with one hand while waving the comic book/manga/book they think you may be into with the other. They are there to remind you have options but ultimately, the choice…is yours. Librarians and libraries are sort nice like that.

So this website, retrobacklore.net, is going to be a virtual, gentle nudge of the things I am interested in, and perhaps you or your library may be interested in as well. As the title indicates comic books [from all countries], librarianship, and, that’s right, WHITE-HOT DATA ON DATA ACTION [I am starting a campaign to have this phrase replace 'metadata.' JOIN ME.] will be discussed. I hope you will stay awhile to see what adventures await us but again, the choice is yours.