Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

Don’t you wish you could live near a pop-up library?
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Maurice Sendak had a huge impact on children’s literature and art, and will be missed. Here are some lovely tributes from other illustrators.
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If you couldn’t or wouldn’t sell your old textbooks, well, here’s a better use for them: make art! (Image at left) Better than their taking up precious space on the bookshelves, right?
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If you need more inspiration, how about these landscape sculptures? (Image at right) Looks like a piece of cake, right?
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What kind of novel do you have to write to win a literary prize? Tough question, but don’t worry, there’s an infograph for that!
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Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

I just can’t understand this no-fiction-prize business from the Pulitzer Committee. How do you have nominees but no winner? I guess the New Yorker has it figured.
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Who needs librarians when we have Google? Well, let’s just see how those two stack up against each other, shall we? Thanks, Sara!


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Library Amnesty Day was a success in Anchorage, Alaska. What a great idea!
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Books touch the heart, as one teacher can attest. But can they up kids’ test scores? And does it even matter?
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Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

I’ve heard them all, believe me, and some of them I do embody (glasses, cardigans, readaholic). But what are some other librarian stereotypes out there?
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To me, every public library is beautiful, because of what it represents! But these are truly works of art.
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Yikes! Here are some words to strike fear in the hearts of all library-goers: “the outstanding warrant for the library books.” Oh yeah, this guy is fighting those charges.
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Watch out for bees in the library in Peoria! What a great way to get kids interested in the library AND the world outside! Thanks, Karla.
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I had a friend who used to be a book designer and, as a book lover, I was fascinated by her work. Seems like the job is really changing now. Those e-readers are truly a disruptive technology!
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But if you want to see some really cool book designs (the whole thing, not just the cover), check out this awesomeness.
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Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

If you like weird, our April Blog of the Month is for you: Forgotten Bookmarks is a collection of, well, bookmarks that have been forgotten, then found inside used books. Take a peek — it’s addictive!
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April is National Poetry Month, I hope you know, and here’s an easy way for you to “write” a poem: use your books! Check out book spine poetry and get inspired. If you make one, send me a pic and I’ll post it!
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Want to do some good in your community? Consider organizing a book flash mob! Get the skinny here.
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Obligatory Hunger Games post: Katniss as a Barbie doll! You know you want one! And thanks to your enthusiasm, yes, I am going to see it next week and I can’t wait! (more…)

Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

First off, I have to know: Did you see The Hunger Games?! Please oh please let me know if you liked it. I can’t decide if I want to spend the $10 or not.
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Ah, the written word: it’s so inspiring. In fact, it inspired a cool-looking exhibit at the Galway City Museum. Anyone near Ireland who wants to take a look-see for us?

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Were you stumped by that wily Waldo from the Where’s Waldo? books as a young child? Well, now no one has to suffer (or “be challenged”), for a cheat exists! Good idea, or bad?
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Put down those remotes and mice (mouses?); it’s time for Slow Reading! One writer has a manifesto and, though she takes a bit of a beating in the comments (for favoring “classics”), she may be on to something…
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Oh, nostalgia! This week on mental_floss we have seen lots of things that were popular when we were kids. Here’s another for you — a paean to that stalwart of literature, Judy Blume. I still steer kids (even boys!) to her books, oh yes I do.
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Even though times are tough, budget-wise, some libraries are doing the unthinkable: dropping late charges! I don’t think you’ll hear any patrons complaining. And as a librarian, hey, sounds good to me too!
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Did you know that there was an award for the best marketing done by libraries? Yes indeedy, and, in fact, it is international. Here are some of the most recent winners! Congratulations to all, and well done!
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When you were a kid, didn’t you wish YOU could visit Narnia too? One lucky girl can, via this amazing gift. This story popped up on lots of sites (I first saw it on BoingBoing), as well it should have. Ah, the power of fantasy.
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Speaking of childhood fantasy faves, here’s a comic recap of A Wrinkle in Time. (Happy 50th anniversary AWIT, by the by!) That story is also pure awesomeness. (Thanks to 100 Scope Notes for the link.)

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If you have a budding librarian in your life, here is a great gift idea for them: the Little Librarian kit! Glasses and cardigan not included. (Yes, I wear both proudly!)
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And if you ARE a librarian already, well, show this gang what you look like! They are collecting photos of librarians to show off our gorgeous diversity. They have tons of submissions already—join the party!
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Genealogy was never so suspenseful as in this video! The New York Public Library just does everything bigger, doesn’t it?

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Thanks as always for reading, and don’t forget to email me with all the great library and literary goings-on going on in your town. See you next week!

Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

Happy Hunger Games Week! Are you going to see it? Hope you already have tickets — advance sales are record-setting!
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Bye-bye Britannica! Will you miss it?
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Remember when we learned about the Espresso self-publishing machine? Well, guess which oh-so-hip borough’s public library has its very own? Brooklyn, you’ve done it again!
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Everyone loves a good meme, librarians included! See a nice collection here.


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The best reason yet to get an e-reader: so no one can see the naughty things you are reading! I love this new term, “romantica”!
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Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

Looking for a way to combine your love of books and of Sir Mix-A-Lot? Bless you, Etsy.
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If you have a child, or are a children’s librarian, I hope you know about Mo Willems’ great books! And, specifically, about his Elephant and Piggie series. These are instant classics but, to one writer, also “existentially terrifying.” I guess he has me convinced…
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These cakes aren’t wrecks at all, they are lovely children’s literature tributes — check them out!
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Trying to do a good deed and donate some books to your library? If you live in New York City, better not. I know it sounds crazy to outsiders, but as a library worker I completely get it. What do you think?
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Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

Little libraries abound this month! Here is one in a phone booth in New York. I didn’t even know they still had phone booths!
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And USA Today has a nice round-up of various other “little libraries.” A return to simpler times, when we all made our own pickles? Perhaps.

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Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

You know you loved those Berenstain Bears books, and I bet your kids do, too (even if your tastes have changed). A sad announcement, then: creator Jan Berenstain has passed away. You can find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Bear Family right here on mental_floss. What was your favorite book?
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Did you know there is a librarian-superhero comic? Rex Libris has been around for a while and guess what? He’s gonna be a movie star soon! I’ll be one of the first in line for tickets.
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What if The Hunger Games were real? I would not last very long, tell you that much.
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Who is lurking in your library, watching graphic adult videos? Inside Edition is on the case! This video is worth watching just for the enunciation, guys.
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Each week Miss Kathleen provides links to a variety of stories about libraries, authors, and books. If there’s something noteworthy going on in your local library, leave us a comment!

Happy belated Presidents’ Day! If you weren’t able to celebrate properly on Monday, try visiting DC’s new Center for Education and Leadership, where you can see this 3-story-tall tower of books all about Abraham Lincoln. Amazing!
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Do you come home after a relaxing day of wandering with MORE books? Yeah, me too.
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