Today's

Unshelved comic is priceless. Since I got my library science degree in 1993 it has become a running joke among my friends that the only way I was ever going to get a full-time job was to knock off the competition.

Speaking of which, no word on the public library position yet, but it's only been a week. And I promise, I didn't go to drastic lengths such as taking out the previous person in order to apply. But if I did, I'd have catalogued them. :)

Tekeli-li! Tekeli-li!

Yes, Edgar Allan Poe created the words above, but HP Lovecraft filled them with true horror. I am so happy that 'Unshelved' chose an adaptation of HP Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness to spotlight in their weekly 'booktalk' comic strip. That story sends chills down my spine every time I read it, and I've played through the Chaosium roleplaying module, Beyond the Mountains of Madness, which was horrific not only in what was experienced but in the sheer amount of weekly sessions it took to get through it. If I never actually eat pemmican or wear reindeer fur, I will count myself blessed. :)

Hahahahaha

'If only 'Books in Print' hadn't gone online we could have a made a tower.'

I love Unshelved. Library humour no doubt a little odd to some, but it's quite hilarious to those in the know.

This is so me!

Today's 'Unshelved' comic, in which Colleen determines to continue looking for the answer to a reference question long after the patron leaves is so me. I want to find the answers to questions, not only to be helpful, but because...I must. I think most librarians are naturally curious and definitely want to help their patrons find answers. But sometimes, no matter how talented, we are thwarted. I suppose I feel like pursuing an answer on my own time because I refuse to be defeated by a question. You never know when it might come up again, no matter how esoteric, but mainly it comes down to meeting a challenge and fulfilling curiosity. Of course, the main objective, which we should not lose track of, is, indeed, finding such information for the patron, but still, I understand her determination.

Happy birthday!

It's been eight years since the inception of the 'Unshelved' web comic. I'm glad it's still going strong and I wish Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum much goodness to come. I wouldn't syndicate it here if it weren't wonderful. :)

Well, I had to do some finagling on the layout

because the 'Unshelved' people make beautiful LARGE strips once a week, but everything should be displaying correctly now. The folks at 'Unshelved' told me what to change in my code ('http://www.unshelved.com' rather than 'http://www.overduemedia.com', in case you're having issues), and voilà!--the new strips display. I had to tweak the size of the sidebar (and the tweet badge) as well as the main body of the page, since the comic was too big to display otherwise. In theory when it's normal size it should do fine, too. I'll keep an eye on it. Meanwhile, if you have trouble displaying this blog, please let me know, and what browser you're using. Oh, and the comic runs five days a week now, just so you know. Thanks to the people at 'Unshelved' for helping and for producing such a great strip.

PS

I know the 'Unshelved' comic isn't showing up correctly. They just changed their website around and I assume that is the problem. I've e-mailed the authors to see if there's anything I can do. In the meantime, if you click on the comic or go to http://www.overduemedia.com, you can read the current ones. Sorry about that.

Best 'Unshelved' ever, in my mind

The library-related comic really got me today. In case you read this after it is no longer displayed on my blog, try the link here to see an archived copy.

Ever heard of The Anarchist's Cookbook? How about And Tango Makes Three? One teaches you to make bombs. The other involves gay penguins and their child. Which do you think is more challenged in libraries? Yes, you guessed it. But Dewey's comment is great.

Okay, I have to get up early in the morning to prepare for the game and have stayed up much later than I planned, especially as I finished the game notes this afternoon. Good night.

'Let's buy devil boxes rather than hire more librarians'

I love Unshelved, particularly today's strip.

The medical librarian invades Unshelved

today's Unshelved strip features a medical librarian. Yay!

PS This made it to the MEDLIB-L list and at least one person was not amused by the image of medical librarians put forth. I say, get a sense of humour. Medical librarians tend to be a quirky bunch, and most of us are proud of it.