Librarian of Congress In It To Win It

82-year-old James Billington, the 13th Librarian of Congress, has no plans to retire soon.  The forward thinking national librarian has been in the position since 1987, working on materials and libraries in charged political climates from the fall of Soviet Russia to the upheaval in several Arab nations.  He talked recently with The Hill about his career.

“I have no plans at this point — sorry to disappoint you... The Lord’s been very kind, and I’m in the middle of a lot of interesting things. And of course, it’s a time when all cultural institutions are facing lots of challenges... At my age and in this position, my job is to see that as much of what is valuable and important for the United States has a chance to survive in this difficult economic climate, that it has a chance to contribute to a knowledge-based democracy and its place in the world.” thehill

Well, I thank him for his service and his unwillingness to retire, setting a trend across the nation for other librarians to do the same.  I kid.  I also am looking for further employment, but could not imagine doing Mr. Billington's job with a 10-foot-pole.  Do you think he knows something about the social security program that we don't?

Boca Raton to Give Beach Residents Library Cards?

The Boca Raton public library system is considering giving library cards to the 15,000 beach residents without the normal $150/250 nonresident fee.  Sun-Sentinal

Poor, poor snow birds, coming down to live in the beautiful beach community but can't get a library card.  What the matter, snow bird?  Nobody want to build a nice beach library for ya?  Can't afford your own books?

But seriously, I can see how this would boost the library system's numbers, both for the good and bad.  More numbers means more ability to show relevance in the community, but more numbers means materials are out the door more than usual.  I say lower the fee if you want more numbers or petition whoever cares for the land to give out more money.  Somebody's got to pay somebody to get the trash out there.

Knox County Bans Sex Offenders

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett in Knox County, Tennessee has set forth an executive order to ban all sex offenders from entering public libraries.  Offenders may use resources from home or apply for a library card and have someone else come in to check out books for them.  Opponents to the order state that not all sex crimes are child related and these types of regulation may force sex offenders into not registering with the state.  WBIR

As my grandma used to say, "His heart's in the right place but his butt's in the fire.  Bring me my whiskey, boy."  How the hell are they going to tell if people are sex offenders when they walk in the library?  They can not come in, so it is not like they can register with the library.

Burchett eloquently states "The time to shut the barn doors is before the cows get out. After you have an event where there is an abduction or a kid molested in a bathroom, it's too late."  Okay, good point if not worded with a barnyard flair, but what about those people that do not pose a threat to children?  Do the folks that showed their breasts at a protest or took a picture of their own children in the bathtub deserve the same treatment as pedophiles and rapists?  What do you have against boobs and babies?  I thought everyone likes to look at boobs and babies.

Oh, side note:  can we put those Jersey Shore idiots on the sex offender list so they'll put their shirts back on and shut up?  How about just Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton?  They knew what they weren't wearing when they stepped out of those limos.  Maybe the paparazzi so we do not have to see them anymore?

Your Anonymous Paper Sexiness for the Day

An anonymous person has been leaving paper sculptures around Scotland's libraries.  Each sculpture is left in random locations with a note appreciating the library.  Check out more here: Central Stn via BoingBoing

Author's Guild Sues Universities

With the suit against Google about digitizing libraries on hiatus, Google has pushed forward with various libraries to continue digitize certain media.  The Author's Guild will have none of that and has now also sued the universities participating over digitization rights.  arstechnica

Can't we all just- Ow... Okay, who threw that cliche shoe?  What the hell?!  So here we go again with the law suits and the blah blah over digitizing libraries.  Honestly, I don't see what all the fuss is about.  It's just copyright and intellectual property.  That stuff's for nerds.  Let's see 'um try to digitize the defensive line at [big'um football school], right!  That's what matters!  Go [mascot]!

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!

Arrest Made in Missouri Library Fire Case

This guy did not start the fire

A Columbia, MO man has been arrested regarding the Friday fire at the University of Missouri Ellis Library.  The small fire was kept under control by sprinklers until firefighters could put it out with fire extinguishers.  Here's my favorite part:

"Video images released yesterday show [Christopher] Kelley in the library at the time of the alleged incident, Weimer said. Several computer screens were damaged on the fourth floor and human feces was found on a table. Investigators believe Kelley acted alone." Columbia Tribune

 "Human feces was found on a table."  What kind of day was this guy having?  I am racking my brain for a day in my life so bad that it could be summed up with the sentence: "...so I took a crap on a library table and decided to burn that mother down."  Did he have some particularly strong coffee that morning and then decide to hide the evidence?  I guess we may never know...