Just finished reading Victoria Law's Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles Of Incarcerated Women and wanted to recommend it. Vikki's book is an inspiring read, a great work of activism, and a eye-opening archive of the life of women in prison.

For all of you who may not be able to make it to the Biblioball on Friday night, you can now order a copy of The Borough is my Library zine through paypal! Complete with silkscreen covers and special inserts! Proceeds go to Literacy for Incarcerated Teens: http://www.literacyforincarceratedteens.org/LIT/Welcome_.html

You can order a copy online here.

Click through for contact info for mail and international orders*

*If you would like to order a copy via the mail email alycia(at)brokenja(dot)ws for mailing address and further details, or to get a quote for additional shipping costs for international orders.

The Borough is my Library: A Greater Metropolitan Library Workers Zine

An exploration of the bibliographic undergrowth of New York City through the eyes of those at work in independent libraries, academic institutions and in the streets. Featuring day-in-the-life comics created by zine librarians, narratives of those who started their own collections from scratch, and other works that explore library microcosms within the city. With works by members of the ABC No Rio Zine Library, Books Through Bars, Branch Project, Radical Reference, Reanimation Library and more!

Copies available on a sliding scale $3 – $7. All profits go to Literacy for Incarcerated Teens. Other issues available online here.

Contents of The Borough is my Library Vol.1 No.1:

• Branch: Libraries as Public Space Interventions/Jerome Chu
• The Work of the Zine in the Age of Social Networking/Jack Z. Bratich
• A Day in the Life of a Reference + Zine Librarian in New York City: March 24, 2009/Jenna Freedman
• Books Through Bars/Victoria Law
• Kathleen Hanna and Riot Grrrl Archives/Kate Angell
• The Cataloging Department/Suckzoo Han
• Radical Reference/Melissa Morrone
• Solace Among the Stacks/Eric Nelson
• Reanimation Library/Andrew Breccone
• Paperdoll Librarian/Caitlin Quinn
• (portions of) East Village Inky/Ayun Halliday
• Also: Reprints from Synergy, ed. by Celeste West

I had a moment at the both the beginning and the end of the Feminist Pedagogy Conference yesterday; I relished in the fact that I have the ability spend a day listening to feminist scholars talk about the intricacies of their "intellectual signature"* (and I get paid to do so to boot). I felt really lucky to be at the conference, and savored the feeling of being able to sit and absorb the work of these speakers.

The 3rd Annual Feminist Pedagogy Conference is free and open to the public (with registration), and happening on Friday November 6 at the Grad Center. After kicking this cold, I hope to see you there!

I just took a peek at the program and I think this might be one of those times when you have to make tough decisions about which panel to attend (which is a good conference problem to have). Thanks to E. for the link!

I am teaming up with Desk Set to create a zine to distribute at the next Biblioball scheduled for December 11, 2009! (mark your calendars!) I am looking for local NYC-based librarians who might like to write something for this compilation zine, and for independent libraries or library groups/organizations that might like to talk about what they do. If you are interested, please drop a line to: alycia (at) brokenja (dot) ws

This Fall is a transitional one for me, and also a busy one. I'll be speaking as part of two panels coming up in October, as well as learning the ropes as a new faculty member at the Brooklyn College Library. Hope to see some of you at the following events! (click through for full info)

One great thing about Library Camp and unconferences at large is that you not only attend, you contribute. I was surprised and excited to hear on Tuesday evening that I would be presenting on not only one but two topics: Organizing Library Events and Drupal. It was nice to have a heads up so that I knew what I was in for on Wednesday morning, and also nice to know that people had voted and there were certain to be participants interested in each of these sessions.

I attended Library Camp NYC this week at Brooklyn College.

Jonathan Cope facilitated this session. What follows are my random notes taken during the session.

Critical Pedagogy

Paulo Freire

active and engaged subjects
not a banking model
sage educator implanting knowledge
collaboration
engagement in the social world, educator as facilitator

authority-subject authority-peer reviewing
does consensus give value?

Who am I to tell students _____?

peer review
variables
evidence-based medicine

I attended
Library Camp NYC this week at Brooklyn College.

Jonathan Cope facilitated this session. What follows are my random notes taken during the session. Another participant's notes about this session are
here.

Jonathan Cope facilitated this session. What follows are my random notes taken during the session.

Librarianship as an Intellectual Craft

ethics of print collections (from the past) and how this evolves moving forward

All info about the Zine Fest can be found on our website (http://www.NYCZineFest.org)
Until we finalize our formal press release (a week or so), below is some info for you (pretty much taken from the site).

We will send more info over as it happens. Thanks! Write with any questions.
Deb, Alycia, Susan, Aliqae
NYCZF Organizing Committee

BASIC INFO:
NYC Zine Fest '09
June 27 and 28
Brooklyn Lyceum in Brooklyn, NY
12 - 7 both days
Tablers, Workshops, Discussion Groups, and Parties.

MISSION:
The mission of the NYC Zine Fest is to circulate and promote independent, homemade, self-published, and small publications. We aim to support and expand the network of creators who self-publish zines in and outside of the NYC metro area. We aim to connect artists, writers, and collectors of zines and to further the NYC zine community through a two-day annual series of events, including tabling, workshops, presentations and parties. We hope to celebrate and highlight the spirit of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) culture that zines represent.
This event is meant to be fun and participatory. If you have suggestions, comments or would like to help us plan these events, please contact us at nyczinefest (at) gmail (dot) com
We hope to grow this over the years, each time adding additional programming and networking/educational opportunities.

TABLING: TAKING TABLING AND WORKSHOP APPLICATIONS NOW, Deadline MAY 30.
TABLE COSTS: (includes table and up to 2 chairs)
4' ONE DAY: $25 4' BOTH DAYS: $40
8' ONE DAY: $50 8' BOTH DAYS: $90

FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE FEST: MAY 29

I got the opportunity (thanks to a library friend and mentor) to serve on an ALA scholarship committee this year. Although I have somehow gotten my deadlines all discombobulated, tonight I used up my insomnia time wisely, and theraputically read through the application materials.

NYC Zine Fest '09 Fundraiser and Party!
Friday, May 29th at the Brooklyn Lyceum
$5-15 sliding scale

Raffle, Zine Reading, Dance Party? All rolled into one?! Come to the Lyceum to support and sustain the NYC zine and self-publishing community and keep costs low for participants at the Fest. Meet like-minded DIY'ers, take part in our raffle, and dance! Check our website for all the latest details: http://nyczinefest.org

The Brooklyn Lyceum
227 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 857-4816
8pm-midnightish

I am learning to weave in a class taught by Linda of the Yarn Tree every Saturday until June. We're using little rigid heddle looms and learning all kinds of hand manipulation techniques. This week the Leno Weave really perplexed me. The whole process has been really fascinating. Kind of similar to the way I felt when I learned to use a letterpress and it totally warped my conception of type and computers.

I made a list of zine links for Utne Reader recently!
http://www.utne.com/Media/Alt-Wire-World-of-Zines-with-Librarian-Alycia-...