Mental Floss http://mentalfloss.com/node/26280/atom.xml 2017-03-28T00:41:10+00:00 http://mentalfloss.com/article/26280/libraries-librarian-hobbies 2010-11-03T20:13:01+00:00 2010-11-03T20:13:25+00:00 At the Libraries: Librarian Hobbies Miss Kathleen

Every Wednesday, 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!

The latest in unnecessary, likely-to-be-ruinous children's adaptations: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. This pro-green film will be voiced by Danny DeVito, who doesn't exactly scream "child-friendly" to me.
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We librarians can be a weird bunch, it's true. But this is really strange: One librarian's hobby just got him into the Guinness Book of World Records. The hobby? Collecting belly button lint. He must be so ... proud?
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Of course, most librarians have more, um, mainstream, hobbies. It may come as no surprise that our favorite hobby is recreational reading -- and we don't do it at work, even though I know you all think we do! Check out some other librarian hobbies.
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Another hobby that didn't make the list is agonizing over whether teens are reading more, less, or the same, in this crazy digital world of ours. A new finding shows -- surprise! -- they are still reading, just reading differently.

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Speaking of Dr. Seuss, here's a great tee for all you graphic design-lovers out there: Green Eggs and Ham, the visual guide. Check it out:

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Dr. Seuss is part of our national consciousness because we all read him as kids, and now our kids are reading him, too. The books we read as children have a huge hold on our memories, and here's a documentary to tap into that: The Library of the Early Mind. There's a screening in NYC soon -- wish I could go! I don't think it's available on Netflix...
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Eva Ibbotson was a wonderful children's writer who recently died. She's often credited as presaging Harry Potter, as she wrote a lot about magic and fantasy (although my favorite of hers is the historical fiction work Journey to the River Sea -- so good.) Her worked earned her a New York Times obit, which concluded with this fascinating family detail about her father, who researched artificial insemination: "Because of her father’s dedication to his work ... Ms. Ibbotson is also survived by an additional raft of half-siblings whose precise number is unknown."
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And, speaking of Harry Potter, his lasting legacy might not be 700+ page fantasy books for children, but the introduction of quidditch as a legitimate sport. There are already several college teams, so why shouldn't it be an NCAA sport? And, maybe someday, in the Olympics? Have any of you ever played real-life quidditch? Please let me know!
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Here's a serious work miscommunication: a librarian wants to teach ESL on her days off; the city council won't allow it. She resigns and is escorted out by police. Read all about it.
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That's an extreme case, but what's it really like to work in the public library? Here's a nice little sample of questions at the reference desk from a great library blog, Love the Liberry. Sounds like a typical day to me!

If you follow a great library blog, site, or twitterer, please share it with me! Send your tips to atthelibraries@gmail.com or leave me a comment. See previous installments of At the Libraries here.

November 3, 2010 - 12:13pm
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