Map of the Land of Books (in German!)

From the Strange Maps blog comes this gem of a map!

“This map by German illustrator Alphons Woelfle (1938) shows the extent and the divisions of Bücherland (the Land of Books). The Land consists of about half a dozen distinct territories, most of which are explicitly named: Leserrepublik (Reader’s Republic), Vereinigte Buchhandelsstaaten (United States of Booksellers), Recensentia (a realm for Reviewers), Makulaturia (Waste Paper Land), and Poesia (Poetry). The capital of the US of B is the city of Officina (Latin for workshop, and the origin of our ‘office’; the name seems remarkably unremarkable. Possibly there is an old reference or a German word-joke here we’re not getting).”

Source: Strange Maps

Book secret

Image from the Postsecret blog.

Eat this book!

Spring is upon us, and once again it’s time for the EDIBLE BOOK FESTIVAL! The festival will take place on March 29th, from 2-4pm at the Kilgarlin Center.  All entries need to be submitted by 1:45pm that day.  Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

• Best in show
• Wittiest
• Tastiest
• Best Book Structure
• Least Appetizing 

More information can be had from the Edible Book Festival website.  Bon appétit!

Child-Assisted Paper Destruction

Watch in horror (or amusement) as a child facilitates the wanton destruction of innocent pieces of paper!  Watch this movie at your own risk!    

Peter Callesen’s Paper Art

As some readers have pointed out, these are actually the work of  artist Peter Callesen.  Please check out his website for more examples! 

I know I am not alone in my geekiness when I admit that, after my initial response of “oooh,” my second thought was, “hmm… what are some of the conservation challenges that these pieces would present, and what would be the best way to tackle them?” Thoughts?

 

Isn’t Google Going to Make Your Job Obsolete?

http://wpcomics.washingtonpost.com/client/wpc/wpopu/2007/12/30/

International Vintage Poster Dealers Association

IVPDA Online: About Linen Backing for Posters

I give them credit for plugging professional conservation, even if they do refer to us as “conservationists.”

Tape is evil!

Beth Heller, paper conservator and Kilgarlin alum, speaks out against the evils of tape in her blog (now added to the blogroll as well). With gift-giving holidays right around the corner, what better way to show your thoughtfulness than with a “Tape is Evil” coffee mug or Paper Conservation calendar? Just check out Beth’s Cafepress store for more Tape Is Evil merchandise.

xkcd comic about librarians (also applicable to all book people)

Click comic for best results [and the rest of the comic].