S.S. Librarianship

This week, with special guest Matthew Murray... Mind Grapes: Matthew introduces us to the wacky world of Tsutomu Nihei; Alli's been rewatching the arguably even wackier Mystery Science Theater 3000; Sam breaks her New Year's resolution just a teeny bit to revisit Pastwatch. Class Z(ed): Matthew fills us in on the world of zines - what they are, the vast diversity in their style and content, how they're made/traded/sold/shared, and the way they empower their creators and consumers (who are very often one and the same). Plus, we talk zines about librarians, zines in traditional libraries, and homegrown libraries of zines.

This week on a very special guest-packed episode... Mind Grapes: We do a large round table discussion of our favourite “hidden gems” of books and video games with special guests Adena Brons, Michael Wynne, Melanie Cassidy, and Jon Newell. We highlight books and video games that we love that no one else seems to have read or played. A giant mind grapes is all we have this week, but it’s an awesome discussion.

This week... Mind Grapes: We talk guilty pleasures in the form of scifi thrillers and medical shows, plus Alli reports back on Circulating Ideas' fascinating interview with Cory Doctorow. Where Do We Put This?: Sam interviews Alli about her work in UBC Library's Digital Initiatives department - we get into the process and the product of digital collections, and talk about why digitization is an excellent thing to have in your back pocket when someone asks, 'You need a Master's degree for that?!'"

Mind Grapes: On a three for three book review this week, Jason shares one of his favourite re-reads in the young adult / teen fiction department, Sam talks about her latest non-fiction find, and Alli shares her late night Rainbow Rowell experiences. We also bandy about some movies and t.v. shows that we have been dabbling with. Class Z(ed): We get into some issues surrounding video games in libraries, how do they get there, and why do we think it's important to develop these collections. Also a little discussion about the nature of games as art and why people who don't think they can be art are stupid.

Mind Grapes: Lots on our post-holiday mind grapes, including surprises from Brandon Sanderson and social commentary from Margaret Atwood; cooking with ratios; playing very old video games; and, of course, our thoughts on The Hobbit (spoiler alert: we loved it, and we couldn't be happier about Tauriel). Class Z(ed): Bits and bites on professional development, including learning about assessment, perception, and camaraderie at Academic Librarians in Public Service; getting experience running the Cool Tools Unconference; our jobs this term; and our final library school courses.

This week, on a special New Years edition of the podcast... Mind Grapes: On a super-sized mind grapes this week, Sam and Alli compile their top ten lists (in no particular order) of the ten things we liked best this year. The rules of the game maintain that the items also have to be from this year or a series that continued into this year. New Year’s Resolutions: Sam and Alli talk about their hopes for 2014, including some goals and achievements we set for ourselves. Tell us what your resolutions are!

This week, with special guest Theo Mills... We might be miles apart, but we're back! Mind Grapes: Sam kicks of the holidays with Frozen and Love Actually; Alli was floored by American Hustle and is enjoying the new Zelda; Theo's been playing the new Splinter Cell and enjoying Almost Human. Where Do We Put This?: We have a wide-ranging conversation with Theo about video games - in addition to his studies toward becoming a game designer, we also touch on the emergence of the "sandbox" standard, the economics of the industry, and the way players interact with each other.

Mind Grapes: Lots going on on our mind grapes this week, from Saved by the Bell and time travel movies to murder mysteries and feel-good holiday flicks. BiblioFiles: Barbara Gordon/Batgirl/Oracle - how does she hold up as a librarian, as a superhero, and as a female comic book character? Melanie walks us through her research, analysis, and wishlist on the history and future of this iconic librarian.

Mind Grapes: Nadia's been playing some complex board games, Sam has been working her way through Children of God, sequel to The Sparrow. Alli has finished the great Gilmore Girls re-watch and remembers everyone as Class Z(ed): Nadia shares her experience as an intern at the library inside the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. She reflects on the wonders of working with a unique collection and the people who need it.

Mind Grapes: Sam's loving Happy Endings, and still reading about Jesuits in space; Alli reads Fangirl in one sitting and gives Supernatural a try; Mary tells us about the new cops and robots saga Almost Human, and gives us some southern insight into apocalyptic narratives. Class Z(ed): We talk to Mary about her transition this year from library student to working librarian, and she tells us all about her non-traditional, but still incredibly vital, position with the BC Libraries Cooperative, where she performs IT assessments for rural library consortia, and works on the NNELS project to develop library materials for the print disabled. The takeaway? Network, network, network!