Lamination...
I love the Despair, Inc. posters, so this library-related riff got to me.
Poster by Darien superstar John Blyberg (CC-Attribution); hat-tip Michael Stephens.
I've wondered if lamination and similar protective techniques in libraries don't encourage the very disaster they anticipate—"Oh, the book has a plastic cover on it? I guess that means its okay if I read it while eating a meatball sub!"
Poster by Darien superstar John Blyberg (CC-Attribution); hat-tip Michael Stephens.
I've wondered if lamination and similar protective techniques in libraries don't encourage the very disaster they anticipate—"Oh, the book has a plastic cover on it? I guess that means its okay if I read it while eating a meatball sub!"
posted by Tim at 4:55 AM
15 Comments:
At one library where I worked one of the librarians laminated the construction paper she used for the backing of photographs in a display. I think it cost more to laminate the paper than the paper cost. She loved to laminate things. We used to joke that if you stood still for too long, she would laminate YOU.
My mother has a laminator. Of all the dozens of devices we've given her, I think it was the biggest hit. Frankly, I find it sort of fun too. But I don't have one. I have self control...
Laminators certainly seem to exert some Dread Power over their owners. My-sister-the-teacher will occasionally call me (long distance...) to ask me, "Need anything laminated?"
The only device I've seen exert the same hypnotic power over people as a laminator does is a paper shredder.
I wonder if everybody can be classified either as an Apollonian "laminator" or a Dionysian "shredder" based on their preference for office equipment. I smell the makings of a pop psychology book...
I love to laminate! Especially bookmarks - they last so much longer when they're laminated. I really wish I had a laminator – I may have to ask Santa for one this year. Just think of all the things I could preserve!
Hmmm, in the library world the label maker also seems to have an almost hynotic effect.
Ohh! Labelmakers!!!
Laminating is a proverbial art form here is our small pub. lib. As I always say..."that just about cover's it!"
Well, you've hit the nail on the head here!! OH, and I am also wondering if you could add a good aussie librarian blogger to your list? My friends Michael Stephens and Stephen Abrams are in the blogroll :-) Just check with them to see if Heyjude could be a good add for downunder. http://heyjude.wordpress.com Cheers.
Oh, bookmarks. Heck now I want a laminator!
Whenever I do bookmarks, I just put contact paper on both sides and then cut it down. Cheaper than a laminator, though vastly less exciting.
In these hard economic times, luxury items, chief among them laminators, sometimes need be foregone. :)
My dad used to work at the one of the State Library and Archives. Many, many years ago, someone had the bright idea to laminate all the most important historical documents. There is no way to unlaminate these, so they are deteriorating because of the acid in the paper.
Laminators and shredders....
They're even better when you put them together. Shredding laminated material is the height of office fun...especially if it's colored construction paper that has been laminated...pretty colors (starting to drool now).
When it comes to library signs, none is better than the one (laminated, of course) that is posted near the circulation desk of Sydney Uni's Fisher Library:
Please do not put your card in your mouth.
Library Staff will be unable to help you if your card has been in your mouth.
I'm sorely tempted to post my own sign: "If the library would only provide a bench/shelf on which we could rest our books while we organise them with covers open at the barcode (in the way you ask us to) while we wait in the queue beside this wall then maybe we wouldn't feel moved to put our cards in our mouths!"
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