Kentucky Encourages Reading with Licence Plates

Kentucky introduced a new "Kentucky Reads" licence plate to support public libraries in the state.  The campaign celebrates the continued usage of public libraries in Kentucky.  To get a hold of the plate, all you have to do is move to Kentucky and pay $25. 

What to do with this story?  As a Mississippian, a state known for our illiteracy rates as much as our writing, I can not go for the obvious reading joke.  Horse and bourbon jokes also seem uncouth, because, well... those things are awesome.  Part of me just wants to find a picture of Mr. Ed with a book, but I am lazy and writing this from a tablet and that would be a pain in the ass.  Ooo!

I hope this does not encourage reading while riding on your drunken horse.

Aaaand, Thank you.

New license plate encourages drivers to 'Support Kentucky's Libraries' - The Lane Report

Author Torrent's His Book, Google Disables His Ads

Google disables ads on blog after author Cody Jackson linked to a torrent on his blog to his self published book.  Jackson gives away the book, Learning to Program with Python, in both ebook and paperback editions and uses ad revenue from Adsense to generate income.  Google felt the link violated their terms of piracy of copywritten material, so they disabled his ads.  The case has since been resolved, but the issue raises interesting questions about Google's customer service policy.

On one hand, you can not blame Google for having a catch all policy about copywritten material.  They handle millions of accounts every day and can not police all of them personally.  However, it would be nice if the company could put some folks to work answering the phones.  I just hope by writing about this, my own ad space is not threatened, but I guess that would be evil which is also against Google's policy.

Google disables ads on author’s website for torrenting his own book

Penguin Group Sues Writers, That's One Way to Promote Self Publishing

Penguin Group is seeking repayment of nearly $577,000 paid to writers in advance for the promise of books.  The odd part that most are noticing is the low amount they are looking to recoup, all under $100,000 and one around the $12,000 mark.

Now, I know that to some of you that sounds like a ton of money.  Hell, that last amount alone could change my way of life significantly (Hint: I'd buy top shelf bread rather than the day old stuff.)  But as the article linked below points out, think about the professional writer who looks at that money not as a boon, but as half to a year's salary while he/she toils over their manuscript.  

So why is Penguin Group trying to get that cash back?  Are they doing the literary equivalent of checking under the seat cushions for loose change?  Do they have a book deal on the horizon that may just change their budget?  Say, how's that new Rowling book doing...  "I wonder if she'd do another Harry Potter," he implies pointedly.

Penguin Group Sues Writers Over Book Advances - Businessweek

New Jersey School Librarians On the Way Out?

The number of New Jersey school librarians and media specialists has shown a decline in recent years.  The Philiadelphia Inquirer reports:

"Over the last five years, the number of certified library/media specialists in New Jersey public schools has dropped by almost 15 percent, according to the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, whose own membership has been cut almost in half.

There were 1,580 certified specialists statewide last year, down from 1,850 in 2007-08, serving about 2,500 schools."

Fifteen percent in five years.  Following the trend, there will be none in twenty-five years.  Or some, but they won't be happy. A baker's dozen overworked librarians checking out the same copy of Cat in the Hat to eighth graders, or whatever they read at that age.  Think about that, New Jersey, if you can read this.

Also, why did I have to get this from a Philadelphia news source?  Have they let go all the New Jersey reporters, too?

N.J. school librarians are reduced in volume - Philadelphia Inquirer

United Kingdom Asks, "Wha's Dat eBooks Lending All About, Then?"

The United Kingdom is looking for ways to lend eBooks in libraries. Cultural Minister Ed Vaizey had this to say:

"E-lending is currently in its infancy but growing fast. Just as e-readers are transforming the way people access books, e-lending could help transform the way people use libraries"

Ain't it just amazing how information and information type issues just go viral around the world?  I mean, here we are, down of a new millenia, and people are coming up with more problems for themselves.  Am I right?  Boy, this reminds me of when my grandpappy used to talk about PUTTING FUCKING BOOKS IN LIBRARIES.  

Sorry, but this is a pain in the ass topic for me.  I get all the issues.  The publishers want to make sure they get paid, the authors want their books out there and the libraries want to share like they always have.  It just hurts to keep reading the same articles over and over again.  One step forward, two steps back.  Blah, blah, blah.

UK government looks at ways to put ebooks in libraries Via Library Stuff

Californians, Go Tell Your Teacher's and Bosses You Won't "Friend" Them

Californian governor Not-Schwarzenegger signed two bills on Thursday that prevents companies and universities from asking individuals to release their social media login information.  The state marks the first to pass such laws.

Is it sad that we have to tell companies this?  I know in this day and age you do not want your employees bad mouthing your brand to the whole world, but it was the same back in the day when the "whole world" was just Main Street.  If a person is that much of an embarrassment, odds are they will do something that warrants firing or kicking out sooner or later.  Hell, you let them in, dumb ass.  And honestly, this is not that hard to police and most cool companies will be okay with it.  Check this out: Fuck the Banned Library.  Yep, still here.

Update: The Banned Library does not endorse any opinion or commentary section contained in this post.

California schools, employers banned from social media snooping - Reuters

Library Assistant Arrested After Bringing Books Back to Library

After bringing library books back late, a full-time library assistant at the Easton Public Library in Easton, Conn. has been arrested.  The director of the library, Judy Baldino, says the assistant, Nancy Harris, has a history of checking out books on hers and her children's library cards and not returning them despite her children not being eligible to have library cards in the area.  Harris has since brought back most of the materials and been granted early retirement.

So when does drama in the workplace extend into legal matters?  I cannot and will not speculate on what kind of soap opera bull-hockey that has happened behind the scenes that lead to the cops being called in, but I can bet something akin to a family feud has been brewing for a while to get this to go down.

Arresting library assistants for abusing their power?  That's what they do!  I get that it is hard to let go of a pain in the butt employee in a public library environment, but getting criminal charges to do so?  I think these folks need Dr. Phil to sit them all down for some good old fashion communication.

Trumbull woman arrested for returning books late to library - Ct Post: