Update: Philly Free Dodges Bullet September 21, 2009

We are pleased to report a happy ending to a potentially dire story featured recently on Book Patrol. In an encouraging development for threatened urban public libraries, the Pennsylvania State Senate voted to pass a bill which allows the Free Library of Philadelphia to remain open. Passed on September 17, 2009, Senate Bill 1828 allows the City of Philadelphia to avoid the “Doomsday” Plan C budget scenario, which would have resulted in the layoff of…

The World’s Strongest Librarian September 11, 2009

Never let it be said that all librarians are alike. Librarians come in all shapes and sizes, and both genders, too. And if when you hear the phrase “male librarian” you envision a bespectacled, 98-pound weakling, you might want to take that up with the man who calls himself “The World’s Strongest Librarian.” Then again, you might not. Josh Hanagarne is the director of a public library located in the Rose Park section of Salt…

Why Libraries Rock (Hint: They Don’t) August 31, 2009

*This entry is part of a “Blogathon” to benefit the flood damaged Louisville, KY Free Public Library. See the link below to donate to this effort. The main title of this piece was chosen by the organizer of the blogathon. The subtitle is mine–all mine. You’ll forgive me if I don’t wax poetic on the mandated title and theme. The idea that libraries “rock” or are “awesome” or even (another variant suggested by said organizer)…