Jessy Randall's Blog, page 20

Levar Burton can literally do anything because he read a book

A new version of the Reading Rainbow theme song, in which Levar Burton goes power-mad.

The end?

Thanks, Jezebel!

Addendum, same day: I’ve just noticed that in the video we see “quotes” from, it seems, L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but in fact three of the four quotes are from the MGM film: “Now I know I have a heart, because it’s breaking,” says the Tin Man, but only in the movie; “I am Oz, the Great and Terrible” says Oz, only in the movie (though Dorothy does refer to him as a Great and Terrible Humbug in the book); “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain,” says the Wizard, but only in the movie. Dorothy does say “There is no place like home” in the book, but she says it soon after meeting the Scarecrow, not to get herself home with ruby slippers (in the book, the slippers are silver, anyway), and she doesn’t use the contraction. If you don’t believe me, here’s the full, searchable text of Baum’s book from Google Books: books.google.com/books?isbn=0486206912

What Every Teen-Ager Should Know: Girls Who Don’t Read Are Skanks

Professional Literature for Librarians, fake pulp-style book covers for titles such as Circ Girls Are Easy and I Left the Disaster Plan on My Desk. Not sure who created this gorgeous set of images. Thanks, Jonathan Caws-Elwitt!

indoor flying demonstration

As part of Colorado College’s block 7 library shenanigans, Jessy Randall (your trusty shenanigan documenter) offered an indoor flying demonstration lasting approximately two minutes. (It’s important to fly slowly when flying indoors, for safety reasons.) Music Librarian Daryll Stevens accompanied the demonstration with the Superman theme on clarinet.

Plushies available for borrowing

As a block 7 stress-buster, Rebecca Harner had the idea to lend out “study buddies” in the Colorado College library this week. The experiment was a huge success, with stuffed animals keeping students company at desks and tables all over the building.

 

Addendum, April 16:

it’s dangerous to google Solo

Debra Westwood uploaded this image to the ALA Think Tank Facebook page stating “Spotted on a bulletin board at University of Miami Hamilton.” The original source may be “theseeleyg” at the Mudd Library of Lawrence University. Thanks, Diane Westerfield!

“sexy stories from under the covers”

I’m guessing — or maybe just hoping — that some of the stories in this anthology take place in libraries. Of course, we already know that most tales of sex in the stacks are greatly exaggerated. Still, it does sometimes happen. Thanks, Jonathan Caws-Elwitt!

check out this therapy dog — literally!

 The Countway Library of Harvard Medical School lends out a therapy dog named Cooper to those with the proper ID. From the library catalog record for Cooper: “1 dog (Shih Tzu) : dark brown, ash, and white hair, 15 lbs. ; 39 cm long. Notes: Should you have a good cry or even feign a whimper near Coop, you are guaranteed to get lots of kisses.”

Meanwhile, at the Kennedy Library of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, cats are sometimes made available as a stressbusting treat.

Thanks, Joan Petit!

forts in the library, Monday and Tuesday

The entire Colorado College community is invited to build blanket forts in Tutt Library today, Monday March 31, and tomorrow, Tuesday April 1, and that’s no April Fool, though this whole fort idea may indeed be foolish. We’ve provided some supplies (i.e. blankets) in the main lobby, and you’re welcome to bring your own. Perhaps you will study better in a fort! Let’s find out! (Send photos, if you like, to jrandall@coloradocollege.edu.)

coded messages in library books

Someone has been leaving coded messages inside books at the Weldon Library at Western University in Ontario, Canada. As of March 24, 2014, 18 notes have been found. Professor Mike Moffatt has images of all the notes at his blog, and a reward is offered to anyone who can crack the code.

Get to it, mystery decoders!

Thanks, BoingBoing.

Behold the Diction-Fairy!

I reserve the right to claim any and all reference book shenanigans as library shenanigans. (As with so many images on the open web, the original source for this is unknown.) Thanks, BoingBoing!