ACRL Philadelphia: Why? Because We Like You

Free food is to be had at a library conference--candy and hors d'œuvres in the exhibitors' room and, for those lucky enough to receive an invite, a coveted meal at a vendor event. From one view this is a mild form of bribery, and from another this is the just reward for a librarian's legendary niceness.

"One in an ACRL Philadelphia series. Collect the whole set."

ACRL Philadelphia: Nice

At this and previous library conferences, people "nice" me. That is, they are inevitably pleasant and polite, and I return the favor. Any problem in this?

Well, you become hesitant to bring any thoughts (to vendors, to speakers, to colleagues) that challenge this tacit amiability of atmosphere, since they may smack of discord or non-conformity.

"I respect faith, but doubt is what gets you an education"--Wilson Mizner

"One in an ACRL Philadelphia series. Collect the whole set."

ACRL Philadelphia: Trust Me

As I've stated, some of the talks I attended were dense—or arguably I was too thick. However, not understanding a thing does not prove the information circulated either true or false. While a speaker brings a "trust me" aura to his (her) role, as part of the audience I remain an entrenched skeptic, figuratively and literally a Missourian.

I feel a quote coming on: "Suspended judgment is the greatest triumph of intellectual discipline"—W. K. Brooks

"One in an ACRL Philadelphia series. Collect the whole set."

Interruption: The Sponsor Strikes Back

In breaking down on Thursday, Blogger ate my latest post. Heretofore, I will prudently save each in Word, then transfer them to mercurial Blogger. In this bow to caution I am following the famous Mark Twain cat.

“We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it—and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again—and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one any more.”

[Post-post, I discovered Blogger had saved my draft, so the set-back has proved temporary and even illusory.]

ACRL Philadelphia: Excess of Evil

If Emily Litella had been a librarian, when a speaker referred to the "axis of evil" she may have heard "access of evil." Maybe she would then have gone on a rant defending the right of libraries to retain pornography.

Or she might have thought of the schedule heading, "Good and evil" (BJ1400-1408.5), which has sub-divisions for "Origin of evil. Depravity of human nature" and "Value of evil" but nothing correspondingly about good. Does this reflect that evil is more widespread than good, if only in the heads of catalogers?

Never mind.

"One in an ACRL Philadelphia series. Collect the whole set."

ACRL Philadelphia: Shhhh

In the time before a program commences, the white noise of harmless pop music fills the auditorium. Here's the principle that any music is better than none. I wish those in charge took to heart the maxim, "Don't speak, unless you can improve on silence."



"One in an ACRL Philadelphia series. Collect the whole set."

ACRL Philadelphia: Coming out in the Wash

It's like something out of Modern Times. In the convention center's restrooms the soap and water dispensers are automated. Put your hands near either and they are supposed to spit out their contents. The soap mechanism makes a whirring sound, the water none (unless it is drowned out).

Except there are times when you have to energetically wave your hands to flag the attention of one or the other. There were occasions when a temperamental soap dispenser that had reluctantly performed would bide its time until you were rinsing your hands and then, seemingly to compensate, whir out its soap futilely without any intentional prompting.


"One in an ACRL Philadelphia series. Collect the whole set."

ACRL Philadelphia: Snap to It

Mad Magazine's Al Jaffee had (and may still have) a series called "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions," which gave three possible comebacks to an impercipient statement. This will be a model for the too frequent situation where a speaker is told by someone in the audience near the back of the room "Speak into the microphone. I can't hear you."

Three possible responses that the speaker can make:

1) "What'd you say? I can't hear you."
2) "There's no microphone. Are you blind as well as deaf?"
3) "Now you know the difference between the more expensive and cheaper seats."


"One in an ACRL Philadelphia series. Collect the whole set."

ACRL Philadelphia: What's My Line

Since I dislike queues--I mean waiting in them--I found appalling the frequency and length of them for those seeking food at various counters in the conference center and the nearby food market. I guess if you live in the city this is expected. I don't, and maybe this is why I lack an immunity to queue-wait (not to be confused with the Middle East country).






"One in an ACRL Philadelphia series. Collect the whole set."