The Library in the Library

Remember how in my last post I told you about Meg Backus, alumna and librarianista extraordinaire, who is farming a library? And remember how I said I met her in the park before I applied to the iSchool and she was all, “Information is more than what people think it is” and I was all, “Huh?” and she was all, “Why can’t a library be about lending tools?” and I was all, “What the–?” and she was all, “A vegetable can be a public document” and I was all, “AHA!” and “Uh-oh!” and “AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!” because my mind was opened and then I freaked out and figured that being a game-changer like her was way beyond the meager capabilities of my aging brain as far as future librarianship goes? And remember how I thought my head would explode?

Well, guess what? You too, can be a game-changer! YOU can! AND ME, TOO!

Meg has started a new initiative called “The Library in the Library” modeled after “The Art School in the Art School,” which is a free, open-source, self-organized, community-generated school where people propose classes and activities and then make them happen. Their website describes the AS in the AS as “an experimental environment for shared inquiry.” I call it FREAKIN’ BRILLIANT. Have I gotten involved yet? No. So do I have any first-hand knowledge of it? No. Does that make me a schmuck? Maybe.

Now, however, I have a chance to get involved with a similar project that’s all about libraries, and you know what? The first meeting will be at the Art School in the Art School. Here’s what the press release says about it:

The Library in the Library is a new experimental workgroup comprised of people who are eager to test drive the future of libraries. The group will put local librarians together with students, artists, instructors, and anyone else who likes thinking about libraries, and will provide them with a mechanism by which to act upon their understanding of what libraries are and ought to be.

I want to be a test driver, don’t you?! It also mentions that comments, questions and hymns of praise can be sent to Meg at NOPL, so I’m working on a rewrite of Amazing Grace. It will involve………………….actually, I have no idea what it will involve yet, since I haven’t gotten beyond the first line: A graaaaaaaaaazing space. ‘Cause it’s about the library farm. But I think maybe I’m flying a little low on that one, since they don’t have grazing animals yet. (Oh! Oh! the library farm should TOTALLY have grazing animals! They already have a reading dog, Straight A’s……he could herd sheep! Are you listening, Meg?!) Anyway, my hymn should probably be about The Library in the Library, not the library farm, since that’s what we’re talking about, here. I think.

So if you’re in Syracuse and want to get in on the ground floor of a new initiative that is bound to be creative, innovative, and any other “-ative” you can think of (superlative? native? ablative?) then come to the first meeting. If you’re not in Syracuse and want to get involved, don’t worry–I’ll bet you a gazillion dollars there will be opportunities for you, too. I’ll keep you posted.

What: Experiment with Librarianship Through The Library in the Library

When: Wednesday, October 27 3:00pm

Where: 1003 E. Fayette St. Apt 10

Who: People who like thinking about libraries. People who work in libraries. Wannabe librarians. Gonnabe librarians. People who believe in LIBRARY POWER.

E. Shander Bawden

Former flamenco dancer working freelance library-related gigs and living the high life in Albuquerque, NM.