Street Lit in the NYT

Urban fiction, street lit, gangsta lit.  Whatever you want to call it (and I think we should all call it gangsta lit.  Say it with me now: GANGsta lit.  Oh yeah, you’re down.), it’s pretty hot even in our suburban library system. 

The New York Times thinks so too, and recently published a story on the topic–From the Streets to the Libraries–which has been making the rounds among librarians in the know. 

It’s an interesting article and gives some interesting perspective about the genre.  But one thing the article kind of skates over is the loss factor.  It’s mentioned briefly: “the library’s embrace has been great for business, since libraries buy multiple copies and reorder when they wear out or disappear.”  But that’s it.  And I think that’s a big concern for many libraries–especially in uncertain economic times when budgets may not allow for replacement.

For more, check out the always entertaining comments section.  (Apparently many readers are a little offended that libraries are still being described as “prim”!  Yeah!)  One commentor also posted a link to ringShout: A Place for Black Literature, which has a great list of contemporary black literature. 

So what are YOUR thoughts on gangsta lit?

Professional Reading – Black Belt Librarians

 For your professional reading enjoyment . . . 

Check out Black Belt Librarians by Warren Graham.  Graham appeared at PLA this year, and reviews of his presentation were extremely favorable.  Graham has 25 years of professional security experience and has spent the last seventeen years as the Security and Safety Manager for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

This is a quick and simple guide to security in the library.  He makes great points about establishing and enforcing rules, training staff, and documenting issues.  Thanks to his martial arts training, he gives excellent advice on addressing behavior problems, how to handle saying “no” to patrons, and ways to approach patrons with a variety of emotional states (anxiety, belligerence, out of control) that are pretty familiar to any library staff member.

Good reading for anyone who has to deal with the public.  Also, it’s only about 56 pages long–and the back cover blurbs includes the word “snappy.”   Also, “readable”–one of the best attributes in a book.  (Carol J.)

Diablo on Judy

Diablo Cody, author of Candy Girl and screenwriter of Juno, writes a column in Entertainment Weekly called Binge Thinking.  Her most recent column was in praise of children’s/young adult author Judy Blume.  Check out “In Praise of Judy Blume” for Cody’s unique take and appreciation of Judy Blume and her work.  The comments section also makes for good reading–Blume’s work really seems to leave a lasting impression on readers. 

And if that’s not enough Judy appreciation for you, check out the book of essays Cody mentions in the article called Everything I Need to Know about Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume.   Authors (mostly chick lit) like Meg Cabot and Megan McCafferty talk about how Judy Blume’s books affected their lives.  Fun reading, though it’s amazing how many authors talk about Deenie.  (My personal favorite–and Cody’s–is Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself.)  (Carol J.)