While in class yesterday I realized that GSLIS needs some kind of organized library sporting event. My initial desire was to have this take place at the end of the term, though it now seems that there isn’t enough time between now and then.
My new idea is that this can serve as part of the orientation process next September. Teams could be comprised of first and second year students. If we get really adventurous would can invite teams from libraries around Montreal, and maybe even from the University de Montreal library school. I guess I have to be careful to make sure that this doesn’t get out of hand or too complicated in the first year.
Possible events:
Book truck races – take a loaded book truck through a course without losing any books. This can be done either individually or in the style of a relay. The other main question seems to be whether or not it should be done head to head, or against the clock.
Shelving races – each competitor would be given a pile of books and have to order them correctly on a shelf as quickly as possible. I am not sure if this would be timed, or whether it would have to be done in a certain period of time.
Head to head ready reference – two people would be seated a computers, each with an data projector. A judge would read a ready-reference question and the two competitors would have to try to find the correct answer as quickly as possible.
Story telling – competitor would have to read/present a story to the audience. The judging panel, comprised of children, would determine the winner.
Costume (Traditional or Theme) – Just before the awards ceremony there would be a costume competition. People could either enter the traditional librarian group or the themed side of the contest. In the traditional category competitors would be judged on such things as tightness of bun, thickness of glasses, and comfort level of shoes. The themed category would be a little more open, basically as long as it could be in some way linked to books or libraries. An example that was suggested today that would fit this category would be “book worm.”
Speed Cataloging – Competitors would be given something to catalogue as quickly as possible. An experienced cataloger would then judge it.
Shushing – competitors would be given situation and then have to provide the appropriate ‘shush.’ An example might be that a patron is on a cell phone in a silent area, or two children are talking.
Suggested events that may never get off the ground:
Book burning – reduce your book to ashes the in the shortest period of time. The concerns regarding this one are rather obvious; one knows that librarians can’t be trusted with matches.
Pimp out your book truck – mainly because we have a shortage of book trucks and this may take too long. If you are interested in seeing a pimped out book truck then check out the latest issue of Unabashed Librarian.
Suggestions for further events are welcomed, particularly if they are archive or knowledge management themed. Also, suggestions for scoring and competition structure are also welcomed.
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3 comments:
Those are hilarious. I don't think the costume or shushing would work particularly well, but the others would be great. The costume might work better as a team event, where one team member would be dressed up, but the prep work would be done by the team, this would help people meet each other, and also prevent 60+ people dressed as bookworms. Similarly for the "Pimp my book truck" event.
I was thinking that the costume could be team based, only one entry from each team in each category.
I was thinking of a book warrior, the codpiece would be made from the cover of an Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Could people outside library school be able to attend those events?! Seriously, think about it! You could have a category where you take a random student who does not handle searching in libraries and show him how to search for what he wants and if he can find it; you got a winner... Anyways, on a somewhat related note, I have been to the UQAM Library a couple days ago and quite enjoyed the experience (I found exactly what I was looking for and even was able to help another student!).
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