They really do arrest you.

This lady came into the building today to settle some unpaid fines. Actually, she had a book she hadn't paid for. From 1999 or so.

Now, on the surface, this isn't really such a big deal. In the great scope of life, one piddly little book doesn't really mean a whole lot. However, if you really think about it, library books are city property. They belong to everyone. So when a person checks out a library book and never brings it back. he sort of steals from the city. If someone decides to spill her frappuccino with whipped cream and drizzled caramel topping on a library book, she has defaced city property.

If you or someone you know decides to steal something that is already free (or are just too damn lazy to return a book, even after a year or 10), we send you a letter or an email to ask you to bring it back. If you don't listen, a couple weeks later we call you and say, "Hey, it happens, you have some overdue stuff. Just drop it off." When you ignore us again, we send another letter pretty much telling you that your stuff is assumed to be lost and you have to pay for it. Then, if you are so bold as to ignore THAT, we send you a certified letter and take you to court. You stole.

Now, lots of times, people magically find these lost items. Or they find their way into the library and pay. Thing is, once a court date is set, you sort of have to go to court. You can't just ignore that. It's frowned upon. And not only do you waste the judge's time (and the library's time and the city's time), but they also put a bench warrant out for you. That means when you get pulled over for speeding, they can arrest you. For a library book.

Enter patron. Let's call her Jane. Several years ago, Jane checked out a book. An atlas of flowers or some such. Long story short, Jane never brought said book back. She ignored our attempts to remedy the situation, ignored the certified letter and court date. When Jane was pulled over for speeding, the officer saw the bench warrant. Jane was arrested. She had to spend the night in jail because she couldn't post bail.

So today Jane decides to come into the library and tell us it was quite an inconvenience to be arrested. To her credit, she didn't really scream or yell. She did however deny being sent correspondence regarding the lost item. Jane also requested we take into account the bail she posted and lower her debt. (We don't do that either.)

Moral of the story: Libraries really are there to help you. They are amazing resources, whether you are reading for fun, doing research, renting movies and music, checking email away from home, looking for a job... They are free. Does one honestly need to abuse that privilege? Are people like Jane too lazy to just bring a book back? Or I get it. Maybe Jane was very busy. For 10 years.

Why so serious?

I think The Dark Knight is one of the best movies I've seen in a while. I had the pleasure of seeing it again last night in iMax with a couple friends who hadn't experienced it like that.

Totally amazing. Plus I was like a little kid going into the theater. I think that amused them. But it's important to portray the little kid vibe sometimes. Who wants to be some stuffy old person anyway?

The first time the Joker growls those words "Why so serious?" gives me chills still.

Next movie to look forward to: Watchmen. Also coming out in IMAX. Very good indeed.

One Book New Jersey 2009

Last year was the 5th year I've been asked to do the One Book New Jersey poster for NJLA. It's a pretty sweet gig and usually fun to work on. The site is up and the posters are printed and mailed and the image is posted on the website towards the bottom of that page.

I also did some flyers for this year's program. Those were interesting (and done in gratis) and came out pretty cool too.

I loved the Read To Me selection: Art by Patrick McDonnell. That's right--the Mutts guy! Who, by the way, is from NJ. It's an awesome picture book, and yes, while it's for children, I think it's one of my favorites. I really need to do my own picture book. Hmmm...

If you're looking for some reads, the OBNJ site also archives the past years selections. Some of the best were YA selections So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld and Dunk by David Lubar. (I had the pleasure of meeting Lubar at a program he did for OBNJ 2005. He's an awesome guy. Friendly, down to earth, encouraging... He signed my copy of his book too but only after I signed his copy of my poster. Sick!)

You can find OBNJ merchandise at the Cafepress site. You can own a little piece of my artwork! I suggest the canvas bag to carry your stuff around and save the environment. Of course, a hoodie is always an option too!

Thursday morning laugh!

Hahahaha--love it:

Overheard in New York | Meet the Poster Children for Bike Helmets

"You have a very professional voice."

That's a comment I received today while on the phone with a patron. I do suppose it was a compliment. She proceeded to tell me that she used to do voice-over work, though she didn't say for what, so perhaps she was on to something.

Of course, maybe she was a little crazy. That happens sometimes. I never really considered myself to have an interesting or enjoyable voice. I don't even like to talk when setting up the message on my voicemail. I hate hearing myself. Perhaps there is irony in the fact that sometimes I can't seem to shut up.

Haha, but maybe I can do voice-over for some sort of annoying character in a commercial or something. Bet that would at least pay better!

Song of the day

Little Victories - Matt Nathanson

This time, I'll be sailing
No more bailing boats for me
I'll be out there on the sea
Just my confidence and me

And I'll be awful sometimes
Weakened to my knees
But I'll learn to get by
On little victories

This time, I'll have no fear
I'll be standing strong and tall
Turn my back towards them all

And I'll be awful sometimes
Weakened to my knees
And I'll learn to get by
On the little victories
And if the world decides to catch up with me
Still little victories

=)

Star Wars!