Debit where it’s due

Birmingham to close some libraries, rec centers | Second Front.

This is obviously close to my heart as a librarian and (before that) a library rat in the Jefferson County libraries. But for goodness sake, William Bell is trying to be the grownup here. This is the fault of Crazy Larry with his insane spending spree and the City Council which enabled it. The council president is still doing it — he wants to “raise more revenue”. In other words, raise taxes. During a very mild recovery from a very deep recession in a city that’s been economically declining for my entire life. I am not at all happy about the (putatively temporary) library closings, but there’s little choice in the matter here.

I love these guys

Amygdala.

There’s one of these “King James Believing” Baptist churches near my house. Apparently, the idea is that the KJV — translated, mind you, fifteen centuries or so after the New Testament under the authority of a semi-Catholic monarch — is the unerring Word of God. I don’t think most of the others go to the extremes of saying that the other Bibles should be burned, but given their premises, it’s not too surprising. The ultimate expression of a certain strain of Baptism is one guy holding a flamethrower shaped like a Bible.

Contemporary Christian music really is a tool of the Devil, though.

It’s like a dream come true!

County will cut money to libraries, TASC – Breaking News from The Birmingham News – al.com

Cutting money from the library cooperative and from the domestic violence court? Tell me that the Republicans didn’t want to do those things anyway. Drown it in the bathtub!

Who’s the dummy?

Illiteracy declines in 66 of Alabama’s 67 counties – al.com

It’s Morgan County, which rose to 20 percent illiteracy! Someone tell the people in Morgan County about this.

I knew about it

Birmingham Public Library has reopened its search for a director – al.com

Apparently, some people were complaining that they didn’t know that the library was looking for a director. I mean, I’m on the email lists and such, so of course I knew about it, but I don’t understand why the community at large really needs to know. This is a professional position, and it’s not like there are lots of people with the necessary prerequisites just hanging around.

Oh, come on

Bible put on top shelf in move to appease Muslims – Telegraph

Let me tell you, you mess with the shelving at my library, you’re going to have to answer to me, and I think I’m a lot less forgiving about these things than Allah.

This, too, will suck

New Regency nabs ‘End of Eternity’ – Entertainment News, Film News, Media – Variety

The End of Eternity is probably my favorite of Asimov’s early novels, and other than The Caves of Steel probably the best suited to film. However, the movie will suck because they will want lots of fights and things blowing up and that’s just not what Asimov was about.

Yes we Dewey

025.431: The Dewey blog: And the winner is . . .

Barring the unforeseen, the next period in U.S. history will begin on January 20, 2009, with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. The updates to Dewey are underlined below:

973.93 2001–

973.931 Administration of George W. Bush, 2001–2009

973.932 Administration of Barack Obama, 2009–

Fun with subject headings

The Library of Congress’ official subject heading for al-Qaida is “Qaida (Organization)”, because LoC routinely strips out initial articles. Interesting, yes?

[CRICKETS]

If you want a translation…

Embezzling case dismissed against deceased former Bessemer library bookkeeper – Breaking News from The Birmingham News – al.com

“I have assured the family that I’m not commenting on this,” said Jonathan Cross, who represented Ronilo. “All I can say is that he passed away.”

That sure looks like “he killed himself”. Personally, I’m not sorry at all.