Movers, Shakers, Shovers, Bakers . . .

The Library Society of the World (which exists in multiple Web 2.0 locations here and there - and everywhere!) has a tongue-in-cheek approach to librariana and has decided to create an alternative to Library Journal's Movers and Shakers -and you can be one, too. The beauty of the Shovers and Makers award is that you nominate yourself. This is totally consistent with the non-organization's values which include "humor and a sense of playfulness and creativity about our work and upcoming challenges" as well as "crazy's okay."

It's fun to browse through the profiles of Shovers and Makers - and see how many ways librarians enact their playfulness and creativity.

Sad News

I read the latest issue of American Libraries Direct with great sadness:

• Hundreds or thousands of school media specialists will be laid off in California.
• A community college librarian lost his or her job and is asking for advice.
• Philadelphia will be closing 11 branch libraries.
• The Pennsylvania State Library is facing a budget cut of 50%.

If these kinds of cuts continue, who will provide access to information to a citizenry that needs to be more informed than ever before? Who will provide instruction to students needing assistance in navigating the sea of information available to them? Who will continue to champion access and literacy?

Call me a worry wart if you must, but this news makes my stomach hurt.