h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hypoman, a fellow Librarian!!!
But what's this crap about fitness???
Everyone knows that librarians drink too much coffee and consume copiouse amounts of booz!
This is mostly due to the fact that we have to answer silly questions all day.

ICU2

Fitness is cool, ICU2 - it allows you to drink more coffee (without destroying your kidneys) as well as more booze (without destroying your liver)!

Added to that, though, it also allows you to burn off some of the frustration at the end of the day!

I'm just off to have a squiz at your page: read a few of the things I've written about libraries and librarians - I could use your input before trying to submit them!

Good to meet you! Regards,

H.

I'm baack...

Well I've read what you've had to say and I'm guessibg that you're a Septic Tank (a Yank) rhiming slang for an American

Things are not quite so bad here in Australia but we are slowly heading down that road. Some of us though are trying to show people through innovation and forward thinking as regards IT and service that the library is the place to go.
I will admit though that I work with a great bunch of librarians and that due to our very proactive aproach to life and libraries many people -our clients and collegues- think we are pretty radical.

I've just noticed the time and I must go to pick my daughter up from school but I'd love to continue this discussion at a later date.

Ciao
ICU2

No need to explain the basics of rhyming slang to me: I'm as Australian as you are!

I went and checked out your home page, and sprang from there in to some of the fora that you've already contributed to - check the "Where are our researchers from?" one, for example!

Although I'm not actually a yank, I do believe the things I have said in these entries about libraries and librarians. In ten years as a qualified professional, with previous masters qualifications in psychology, I have never had a permanent job. This disillusions me greatly, as I am good enough at what I do to be published in several different places. I've written indexes, constructed catalogues, shelved, filed and constructed bibliographies, but no library, it seems, can afford to employ me for more than a few months at a time.

The other thing about these entries is that they were based on some earlier entries (still in the index, I'm sure) which were less than complimentary about the profession. I was trying to "catch the mood", if you get my drift. Although I believe, essentially, that what I have written is largely true, I was not confident enough about it to submit the articles!

I'd love to be disabused, if you can do it. A more optimistic outlook is never a bad thing, and I suspected (as just implied) that there might be more to it!

Hypoman,
You live in Canberra?!? No wonder you're feeling down
Seriously though the good old ACT is not so bad. I grew up there, went to high school at Lyneham High and had a short stint at Phillip College (now Canberra CAE/TAFE I beleive) before my parents sent for me from Sydney 'cause they could'nt live without me!

Anyway, today looks like it may be a very bussey day for me as we are shortly about to move into our sparkling new library (we have been onthe verge of moving for the last week though...) so I guess I'll be off the air for a while.

I've printed off your articles and I will be able to offer you some intelligent constructive criticism either on the weekend (Little Athletics permitting) or on Monday as long as my PC is up and running by then!!

I will however leave you with this thought:
The Library is to the community
What the soul is to te body.
(it's a real quote from someone which I've probably messed up but that's the general gist of it)

Ciao
ICU2

I suspect your implied comment about "soul mates" is true: the quote you have pulled from nowhere (as it seems!) is exactly how I feel about libraries in general, and echoes a sentiment which I wish fervently that more people realised is an important one. You just have to read between the lines...

What's the new library doing? Which part of Sydney is it in? Who uses it? I hope the business doesn't keep you away too long, because I am looking forward to your criticism, particularly if it's constructive (I've always felt a little inferior with my article output because I don't like submitting things which I don't feel are quite right - some more submittable articles would be good: if you can add enough would you like a co-author's credit...?)

GO the little athletes!

Hi Hypoman,

I'm still alive!!! (but only just)

The new library is fine and causing us one headache after the other.
Baulkham Hills TAFE Library, North/Western Sydney.
At the moment it feels like everyone and his dog is using the library but usually it's just the staff and students of the college.
Anyway let me know what you think about my "reply" to your libraries article.

Ciao
ICU2

Hi ICU!

Glad to hear it's all gone reasonably well, anyway. Hope you get a little more time soon!

I replied to your reply in that forum, rather than here - it just allows the topic to grow!

Regards,

H.