We Get It, Random House, You Hate Libraries

Random House publishing has raised ebook prices for libraries, up nearly 300 percent for lending books.  This is after last year's library lending cap of checkouts that RH implemented.  Many libraries across the country are complaining and thinking of boycotting the publishing giant.

So there it is.  We thought maybe it was just the situation, but it's us, right?  Come'on, baby, we were so good together.  Why you gotta be like this?  Remember back in the day when we were good together, you all sexy with your booth at ALA with those tote bags and we used to have a good time?  What happened?  We always bought your books, got some good programs back in return.  Is there another giant network of government sponsored programs?  We can do better, we swear.  Just be cool, baby. 

Fine, trial separation then.  You'll be back.  Nobody treated you good as libraries did.  So go, have your fun out there.  We will be here when you come crawling back.

Random House Raises E-Book Prices for Libraries as Much as 300 Percent - DailyTech

Stealing, Losing Money and Outsourcing: This Week in Library Stuff

A former Yonkers library worker has plead not guilty to stealing over $160,000.  As part of the library's business office, Margret Reed had ample opportunity to allegedly steal the missing money and alter records, so claims the prosecution.  So, let me get this straight... you get away with $26ishK a year of library money and you keep doing it for 6 years cause you're so cool?  What the hell, lady?  I could see if you had a sick cat or something, but you don't.  You are just a messed up fraud that needs a mommy.  LoHud

A cafe in the Laramie County Library of Cheyenne, Wyoming has lost about $43K in the last fiscal year.  The cafe space was once operated by an outside company until they were evicted from the library space for late rent.  Since then, the library has been staffing the cafe.  And how.  I did a lot of restaurant work.  Many library skills apply: attention to detail, ability to make coffee, good with inventory.  Where do librarians almost always suck: money.  Seriously, there's usually only one person in the building that can count down a drawer and they do it with a giant calculator.  The kind with a slot machine arm.  WyomingNews

Well, the ALA has reared its head and talked a little about "privatization," ACBKA (also could be known as) "outsourcing."  In a document called Keep Libraries Public, the ALA points out that outsourcing is not privatization and libraries should keep it all in the family except when they don't have to.  I think Michael Corleone thought that, too.  Just like the people we talked about with the cafe, there are some things that libraries should not do.  Hell, I think I would give my right arm to have Kinko's come in and take over the labs and copies.  I would love to see that.  Meet Bob, he's a Kinko's dude, is better trained and better paid than 90% of our paraprofessionals.  Call him if you need help navigating the strange land of The Google.  They could probably write that off on their taxes.  LibraryJournal

Banned Books Week Youtube'in It!

The American Library Association has announced that this year's Banned Books Week will include interactive elements.  So far, the ALA has announced a Youtube channel that will allow people to upload 2 minute video readings/presentations of banned books or 3 minute videos of personal stories about defending a banned book.

Aw, yeah! Time to get my Flipcam on!  My video will be a presentation of the Debbie Does Dallas... Again script done in traditional kabuki theater.  Yep, they banned that script in my elementary school's library.  I could not believe it either.  And after grandma took so much time considering just which one of her many, many scripts to donate.

[ALA Banned Books Week] via [americanlibraries]

It's a Shelver, It's a Cataloger, No! It's Super Librarian!

Batgirl, the O.G. Super Librarian

 Ever wanted to be a super hero?  How about a librarian super hero?  Gale, a company within Cengage Learning, has announced the "Are You a Librarian Superhero Contest" to unmask library superheroes.  A nominated librarian will be announced at this year's ALA conference and be published in a comic.

My thoughts on this?  Do not do this librarian superheroes!  Giving up your identity is the first mistake in superherodom!  Captain America fought and died to protect your identities (not that it did much good) and let us not even talk about how much of a steaming crap heap Spider-man's life and comics became after unmasking.  Just ask yourself, WWBGD?  What would Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) Do?  That lady took a bullet and kept on going!  Surely you can do the same library super heroes!

Does anyone else think "Gale" sounds like a supervillian's name?  What other library-centric things sound "superheroey"?  What would your superhero librarian name be?  What would be your powers?  Discuss.

Original press release and contest info here
Image from here