At the Libraries: Librarian Stereotypes

At the Libraries: Librarian Stereotypes: "

Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something fun going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

Stephen’s Lighthouse pointed me to this great infographic about librarian stereotypes. See, I cut my hair short, so I couldn’t even wear a bun if I wanted to! (Click to enlarge.)

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Can you handle more awesome bookshelves? They just don’t stop coming — check these amazing ones out.

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And now for a few amazing libraries. The first one, in Germany is just about the coolest design I’ve ever seen. I kind of want to live there.

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You used to have to wait a while for a book to come out in paperback (and thus be affordable), but now that process is being accelerated, thanks to e-books.

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Wow, that NYPL, what will they do next? They keep bringing on the good news. This week, they are granting amnesty to kids who owe overdue fees.

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Forgiving fines isn’t all we do! Participate in this week’s Library Day in the Life Project and share the ups and downs of your week. With all these heat waves bringing people through our doors, I’m sure you guys have had plenty of excitement.

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Speaking of heat waves, New York City has designated cooling centers for citizens to seek relief, and one of them is a library. Too bad the folks working there didn’t know that. Read The Awl’s funny piece about seeking cool air on a hot day.

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Here’s a different kind of library (and not a free one!): a pop-up art installation that will recommend books after talking to you.

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But if you can’t make it to Tokyo in time (it closes July 31, so you’d have to move fast), try this website. Enter the name of an author you like, and it gives you suggestions for other writers to try. Sounds a lot like what I do all day, but, you know, less personalized.

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Ever look at an old children’s book and think ugh, what a disastrously ugly cover? Trust me, this happens all the time when I reach for a classic on my library’s shelves. Travis over at 100 Scope Notes is taking on the Newbery winners from way back and re-imagining the covers, with some great results. Take a gander at his work so far.

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It seems like a lot of people want to tweak publisher’s official cover art — and who could blame them? Here’s a blog devoted to highlighting new cover art for children’s books, with some really beautiful stuff.