When Sarah and Hilary Go to New Orleans Without Us

I begged pleaded threw a temper tantrum à la Pigeon asked nicely for Sarah and Melissa to let me attend ALA in New Orleans this year. But much to my disappointment, it was a no. **dramatic sigh** I mean after all, I actually understand Creole and could have played translator! **humph** AND I could have met MO WILLEMS!!!!!!!!!!!! (<----main reason for wanting to go to ALA)

Though much to my surprise, today I learned I was not the only disappointed one left behind. After getting back from my storytime on Junior sans Junior and sans Driver Jim which caused much disappointment among the young children who couldn't believe I would DARE come AGAIN without MR. JIM!!!!!, I discovered both Mortimer and Sally were also disappointed. Mortimer decided to help Jim and I sticker books in Sarah's office... but he soon got bored and decided to help Sarah get caught up with her work while she was gone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortimer answered Sarah's emails...

,

 ... tried getting Mo's agent on the line for a personal appearance...,

 ... got Sarah caught up on a little paper work...,

... tried his hand at redecorating...,

... and got a bit of lunch. (He did a lot of work for one little puppet!)

 Meanwhile, Sally was missing Hil just a little. She even accidently pulled out a little hair, but we're not going to mention that!

 A few tour requests came in.

 Junior got back from the garage, so she helped out with storytime. Unfortunately, she got a few too many ideas from the book she read....

 Uh, oh!

 Thank goodness she's too short to see over the steering wheel!

 

The Power of ME

Ok, so I admit that I am SLIGHTLY... um... silly... bizzare... creative... ORNERY. Yep, that's the word! I give lots of kids tours at the library, and I always find it important to let kids know people's names and practice what we should say when we need help and and blah blah blah.

Sometimes we even tour the bookmobile. After all, who doesn't think a traveling library is just... like...the coolest? We also practice saying HI to Mr. Eric our bookmobile driver. hehehe No, I'm serious. We smile big, do a half circle wave and say HI MR. ERIC in a bubbly voice. After all, Mr. Eric doesn't get to give tours, but we need to show our love.... Right?

So a few weeks ago, I gave a tour to a fairly large group of homeschoolers... and for some reason, they kept giggling... the whole tour. I did check and there was no broccoli stuck in my teeth. Several parents told me later that their kids think it's HILARIOUS that I say "friends" and "silly geese." Hey, we've all got our quirks.

ANYWAY, a mom came up last week and said that her kids practiced ALL DAY and giggled through dinner one night at just the thought of going on the bookmobile and saying "HI MR. ERIC!!!!" And do you know what? They did it!

Eric's response

Chriss put you up to this, didn't she?

 ** snicker**


Well, we couldn't just leave it right there, could we? Nope. They've been given a new mission for the next bookmobile excursion. I think I happened to mention his love of dancing....

 

Oh, and today.... I was told that Angela is my minion.

Oh, the Power of Me!

Superhero TWIN

Ok, I have a slight confession to make. This blog post has NOTHING to do with libraries or silly songs.

So, um, recently, I've become addicted to YouTube. Aside from Dr. Pepper, I don't think I've ever been addicted to anything before, so as far as addictions go, I think this YouTube one is fairly safe. ANYWAY... I found this cool new band called Sons of Admirals. FYI: Their names references an old English theater troop. They only have one song together, but all 4 guys are teens and record independently and YouTube silly stuff fairly often.

ANYWAY Does anyone find it funny how many times I say "ANYWAY?" Charlie is in charge of their videos and webpage and today released a new video... where he becomes a superhero and wears tights. 

Now my question is... WHY do all these people get to be superheroes, yet I can't get my own Super Chriss action figure? HUH??? Life just doesn't seem fair anymore.


 

Oh, and my favorite quote from the whole video....

And as someone who has an entire drawer in their bedroom dedicated just to dressing up clothes....

Yep, yet another twin found on YouTube.

After the Lights Go Out...

PA SYSTEM: May I have your attention please. The library will be closing in 5 minutes. Please take any books and other materials to the checkout desk now. Again, the library will close in 5 minutes.

YOUNG CHILD: Whaaaaaaahhhhhh! I don't wanna go!

MOM: But honey, the library is closing. And if you don't leave, the library monsters will eat you.

OK, so I've never head a mom tell their two year old that a library monster will eat them, but parents do tell their kids some weird stuff to get them to leave.... Like the mom that said we would lock the kids in and not let them leave until morning... which actually made the child want to stay even longer.

So.... What really happens when libraries close for the night?

Unfortunately, childrens and teen librarians at 
Oshawa Public Libraries let out secrets slip.  Evil Canadian librarians!

The Insulting Librarian

We've all had those patrons at whom we've wanted to scream "WTH?!?!?!" Come on. You can admit it. I won't tell anyone. PROMISE.


Some of us even have little homemade voodoo dolls... and an extra stash of stick pins at our desks.... Not that we've ever used them or anything... but.... Well... ok... may once... or twice....


Anyway, we've all met the patrons who have had enough, but what do you think happens when it's the librarian who has no constructive release of bad energy? like my voodoo doll....

Idea : How to Get Teens Into the Library

Known Fact: Libraries struggle to get teens into the library. I have tried my best to bring in the masses with Summer Reading Dances, pet rock training schools, and good old fashioned bribery, but it's just too hard to compete the the average teen's busy life style....

Or it WAS....

I found the solution. No need to thank me. Ok, if you REALLY want to, do so by nominating ME for the I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN AWARD. No pressure.... Have you started the application process yet? **sigh**


 Oh yeah..... Solution. Wait for it.... 

Wait for it....

Library Flash Mob Dance Parties!  **wild applause**

Did I hear skepticism in your applause? You don't quite believe it will bring teens in en mass?  **sigh** Skeptics. Just check out what happened at the Seattle Public Library earlier this summer.....
  


Told ya so!

Oh, Melissaaaaaaaa!!!!

The Power of Twitter

Librarian Andy Woodworth tweeted

ATTN LIBRARIAN TWEEPS: Need help getting @oldspice guy to say a few words regarding libraries. RT plz. Thanks.

Wanna know what happened???

Come on.

Guess.

Give up yet?

Hmmm....  I need this power o' the tweet.


MAYBE if I tweeted...

@The_Pigeon : Plz visit. Will let you drive bus. Promise.

 Anyone think it will work?

Will This Coming Staff Day Be Just as Fun???

Now at DBRL, we do have a pretty cool library director (except for the fact that for some reason she will not allow for me to wear a feather boa every day  **pouts**).  But I did not know exactly how cool Melissa was until I ran across some old video footage of a past Staff Day. 

As many of you know, Staff Day is just around the corner.  One can only hope this one will be just as memorable.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Are You a Gorgeous Librarian?

Las Vegas really knows how to make their librarians feel loved.  Check out this sign from The Library in Las Vegas, Nevada.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadsidepictures/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

My Dearest of Blog Readers

You may remember a recent blog post where a certain Brandy proclaimed my excellence and named me, **tear** yes, ME dear readers, a ROCK STAR! Of course, I humbly acknowledge this as fact.

A few days ago, Brandy again reached out and asked that I use my Super Rock Star status for the good of librarians everywhere. She pleaded that I find at least 3 library related sites that can help them, too, try and achieve my level of greatness. I spent HOURS searching the web over for the best of the best to help my para and pro colleagues in their hour of need.  For easiest of access, please remember to add each of these sites to your RSS Reader.  From them, you shall gain more leanring than all of your years combined of library science classes. 

If colleagues proclaim shock upon you cracking more than one joke per week, proceed to check out Dewey's pearls of wisdom IMMEDIATELY.  This teen services librarian shows the lighter side of the library world.

Are you stuck in a fashion rut?  Is your closet filled with old cardigans and tasselled loafers?  Do people know that you're a librarian without even asking?  If so, check out The Lipstick Librarian.  This library fashionista is sure to change yoru wardrobe right around!  In case of Library Fashion Emergency, please read the TIPS section for a quick fashion fix.


My dearest of blog readers, you all know it is my heart's desire to star in a  silly library commercial.  Maybe... just maybe... one day, @ Your Library will spotlight me in their blog. Each Friday, they show off a few library videos from around the world.  They also do other things, but I know this is what YOU would find most important of all.


Want to have an action figure in your very own image???  Follow the Great Nancy Pearl, and MAYBE she will give you tips and hints on how she did it.  Her action figure and the Super Chriss Super Hero figure will soon be doing their own silly library commercial.  Stay tuned for details.

Now my dearest of readers, I know that there are MANY more librarian blogs and sites of note out in the world.  As I was doing my HOURS of research JUST FOR YOU(!!!), I kept careful note of each one and compiled an exhausted list of all of them that had been updated at least once within the last 9 months.  I will update it as I find more.  Enjoy...  Librarian Blogs.

Program to Get Your Adrenaline Pumping

Having already perfected the arts of Story Time, Shhhhing, Reader's Advisory, Librarian Pranking, the Banana Chant, I have decided to share my wondrous talents help Marilyn come up with adult programming ideas.  

During finals week, students at NYU gather at the law library and dance WITHOUT music for 60 seconds....  They do it for a full week and have themes each time.  ("Party in the USA," "Awkward Dance Moves," "Dirty Dancing," etc.)  WHY?  Let's off steam, keeps them from falling asleep, future lawyers need to practice their dance moves, adrenaline start pumping again,....  

There is NO sound to this video, so it can be watched with full effect on desk.

 

So, Marilyn, how we should do this program....

• Steal the Russ Mobile and hang a disco ball and strobe lights in the Quiet Reading Room.
• Each night... say at 7:45... lower the ball and start the lights.
• Start the Conga Line, the Tush Push, or maybe even the Banana Chant with positioning dancing patrons close to the glass walls.
• Dance for 5 mins.  (1 min is not REALLY enough to get the adrenaline pumping again.)

Now, I know you're thinking, CHRISS, JUST HOW MUCH DR. PEPPER HAVE YOU DRUNK TODAY????   (Only 1 glass... so far.)  But think about all of the community members driving by who would get curious and come into the library to check us out and join in with their own dancing moves.  We could be like Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act.  Pretty soon, all of the study tables will be packed, no books will be left on the shelves, we'll run out of new library cards... and all because of starting a Silent Library Dance Party during finals week.


Please, dear readers, let Marilyn know by posting below just how much you want to show all of Broadway your boogie moves while helping students get through those long hours of studying.  And MAYBE if we become famous enough Nancy Pearl will invite us to DANCE for her much the same way Whoopi was invited to sing for the Pope.

Shelvers

The library would be in CHAOS without the shelvers. In this library commercial, library shelvers explain the ins and outs of the shelving system.  Can't you just see Sharon and Sheryl hamming this one up (wearing pink boas of course)?

Library Dance Videos???

First Betty Glover gave us her infamous library workout video.  But now librarians from Worthington, OH, are trying to teach us how to dance to Michael Jackson songs???  I think we can pass on trying to recreate this "masterpiece."  Stephens College may laugh us out of town if we tried..., but it is good for a laugh or two.

Cavemen at the Library

Apparently even cavemen knew to ask a librarian when they had a question....



Wonder if the commercial will now say "Ask a Librarian.  So easy even a caveman can do it."  **snicker**

Nancy Pearl's My Hero

I love Nancy Pearl. I've only read a few chapters of Book Lust. I typically don't read articles about her. I've never heard her speak. BUT I idolize her. WHY? She has her own action figure!  Who wouldn't like that?

So over the last few days, I've been writing out my New Year's resolution. The list includes writing a certain number of articles for eHow and lenses on Squidoo, keeping up with my blog posts, getting the starring role in a silly library commercial and getting my own Super Chriss action figure. In my head, it looks like what I wore for the Superhero Dress Up Day.... You know....The day that Marlene and I dressed up as superheroes United Way fundraiser..., and patrons kept looking at me weirdly. (Ok, the always look at me weirdly, but you know... pink feather wig, black cape, tulle skirt, superhero mask, pink Super Fly Grover tee.)

So going back to my idolization of Nancy Pearl and thus my desire for my own action figure.... In my head, I play "Nancy Pearl" like most little kids play Barbie. "Nancy Pearl vs the Loud Teenagers." "Nancy Pearl Ssshhhh's Palin." (Nancy NEVER would have stood up to a certain grouchy ex-Governor and refused to weed out "controversial" books. She would have stood up in that meeting and given a great big "Shhhhhhhh!")

Maybe when I get my action figure, Superhero Chriss and Nancy Pearl can star in a silly library commercial TOGETHER. **sigh** I dream BIG.

QUIZ: Anyone know the other (fictional) librarian that has her own action figure?  Click here for the answer....

I'm a ROCK STAR!!!

So last week, I received the following email:

Dear Chriss,

Congratulations!  You are a ROCK STAR!!!  Seriously.  Emmys, MTV Awards, Bloggies, Nobel Peace Prizes are all in your future.  Trophies shall soon be overflowing your shelves.  Librarians the world over shall be requesting your autograph.  Hollywood will be making movies of your rise to success.  Legions of groupies shall be screaming your name!  I bow to your greatness.
Brandy

P.S. Can I have your autograph?

Ok, so MAYBE I embellished just a TEENY TINY bit, but not much.  I promise.  The phrases "officially elevated to Rock Star status" and "attracting groupies" were definitely in there.

So... I'm now officially accepting groupies.  Please submit an essay of 500 words or less of why you would like to be my groupie.  Pictures are also welcome.

Ways to promote my rock starness:

• Make "I HEART Chriss" posters, stickers, tshirts, etc.  Feel free to put them on Zazzle so fellow groupies can find them as well.  Not great at creating graphics?  No worries.  Get this tee from Amazon and just sharpie in the extra "s."  Other acceptable phrases...
• Chriss Rocks!
• Esme: Cutest Puppy in the World
• I want to be like CHRISS when I grow up.
• Chriss's Groupie

• Make a Fanatic Squidoo lens, blog post, or whole website discussing me.
• Write a Rock Star Chriss skit.  Perform it at Staff Day.
• Design a Super Chriss Superhero action figure.
• Post a vlog on YouTube discussing my greatness.  Rave.
• Send tributes.  I appreciate homemade cookies, pink boas, photo collages of my greatness, etc.
• Be creative.

P.S. Brandy, the autographed photo is in the mail.