Hollywood Librarian Screening Tour

The Teaneck Public Library in will host a screening of "The Hollywood Librarian: A Look at Librarian's in Film" Friday as part of a lecture tour the film is making.  The film explores what it is to be a librarian, the stereotypes one faces, and the everyday life.

"Interviews with actual librarians, intercut with film clips of cinematic librarians, examine such issues as literature, books and reading, censorship, library funding, citizenship and democracy. For the first time, we see and understand the real lives and real work of American librarians who for decades have been a cultural force hiding in plain sight." NorthJersey.com

Can I say I love that they used the term "actual librarians"?  "I'm not a librarian, but I play one in that one movie that was made about librarians."  I applaud the making of this movie and its message.  It is rare that the library community gets a big screen shout-out without a scowling face and kung fu shushing motion.  Part of me really wishes this was a silent movie, though.

Canadian DRM Bill To Have Another Go

The Canadian Paliment is set to hear another round of Bill C-32, their version of the American DMCA that will make it illegal to remove DRM software "locks" from copyright protected digital media, even for lawful purposes.  The bill has been proposed before and failed but pressure from Hollywood and RIAA has lead to a strengthened vision of the legislation. Globe and Mail via BoingBoing

C'mon, Canada.  I thought you were cool.  Don't repeat the mistakes of the past by giving power over to those crazy folks in Hollywood.  Look at what they did to Tom Cruise.  I understand the need to protect copyright, but Canada is supposed to be this awesome winter wonderland where everybody leaves their doors unlocked and stuff.  So c'mon, go for the softer approach and show your downstairs neighbors how it's done.  Pssst... if anyone knows where I can download the last episode of Doctor Who, lmk!