Why Hackers Should HaveLibrary Cards

A common sense examination of the awesome shit you can get for

free with a tiny plastic card

Brought to you by Alison B.

What is a library?

“A library is a temple devoted to the

antielitist notion that knowledge should

be cheap if not free – doors should be

open”

Vaidhyanathan, Siva. The Anarchist in the Library: How the Clash between Freedom and Control Is Hacking the Real

World and Crashing the System. New York: Basic Books, 2004. Print. .

Hackers Vs. Librarians Pop Quiz!

• Information should be free for everyone!

Hackers Vs. Librarians

Hacker Code (Levy)

• Information wants to be free

ALA Code of Ethics

• We provide the highest level of service to all library users through […] equitable access

Fuck Censorship

Hacker Code (Levy)

• Information still wants to be free

ALA Code of Ethics

• We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

Fuck Authority

Hacker Code (Levy)

• Mistrust authority

ALA Code of Ethics

• We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.

Fuck Privacy Violations

Hacker Code (Levy)

• Continue to mistrust authority

ALA Code of Ethics

• We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

Warning: The government are assholes but we are not

Okay, now what?

• The library loves you but first you need to make a

commitment. It is a small commitment. We won’t even

call you.

You can even choose the design.

What your commitment gets you:

• Books• Magazines• Music• Movies• Wi-Fi• Access to a typewriter• Graphic Novels• Video Games (East Bay!)• And…

DATABASES HELL YES

• Between 2004-2005, California libraries spent

$7.76 million

on electronic reference materials

And you get to use all of them.

For free. (You’re welcome.)

This is where you go.

Look at all the database types!There are over 120 databases JUST FOR YOU.

Hey, it’s us! Thanks, PressDisplay

Learn a language with Mango!It’s like Rosetta Stone but free FOR YOU!

Oh hey a bunch of free e-books with Safari!

EBSCO is like a database Borg hive queenThis metaphor makes sense I swear

Other Databases FOR YOU

• Lexus Nexus!• Gale!• EBSCO!• JSTOR!• Genealogy databases!• Every repair manual EVER EVER• E-media of all kinds!• Art! Stats! IT’S ALL THERE MY GOD

You know you want to.

Also, remember that:

Librarians are actually paid for their actual job to find information JUST FOR YOU! Come ask us questions!

If we don’t have a book or whatever at the library but someone nearby does we will ship it to the library you like best FOR FREE. Really!

In conclusion:

Get a library card. If you already have one and show me, I’ll give you some candy.