"StereoLit" by Micah Taupule
Originally uploaded by Not What You Think
There are a few random endeavors for which I have become an unpaid advocate.
One is my phone company, which actually just started paying me for my passion.
Another is Wii Fit.
And a biggie is The Chicago Public Library.
I was born and raised in Chicago. So, I remember their childrens summer reading program ( I think it was called The Great Book Log?) where we got stickers on a treasure map until we read a certain amount of books, and then earned a prize from a treasure chest and our name in the paper. I think they still do an updated version of this program.
I remember going there every couple of weeks with my dad so he could stock up on documentary video rentals.
And of course there was every research project of my entire academic career.
The only thing I ever found frustrating was getting newly released or obscure books. You had to go in and request them and then get on a waiting list to finally get to read them once they arrived. And if you were at a small branch it took a while. After I finished college, the library and I sort of lost touch.
When we bought our house a few blocks away from the Humboldt Park Branch, I decided to see if they had a website, and boy do they.
Getting a new book is now easier (and cheaper) than shopping on Amazon.
Just type in your library card number, search for whatever you are looking for, and place it on hold. It will be sent usually within a week to your library of choice. And then you can either renew it online or drop it off at any library location when you are done with it.
Amazingly convenient.
Plus every branch has free wi-fi and computers (often laptops) available for checkout within the branch, workshops and lectures and discussions, and quirky perks like the fishing poles you can check out at the Humboldt Park branch for fishing in The Humboldt Park Lagoon.
So, anyway, the real reason for this post: The library has recently started rebranding itself to appeal to people like you and me. The campaign is called Not What You Think. It seems to be working, because I noticed it when I saw an ad on a bus of a hipstery-looking girl with tattoos and a library ID and, at first glance, thought it was someone I knew.
Their newest effort is a contest for artwork for this campaign, and my favorite entry just happens to be by a very talented coworker of mine, Micah Taupule and it's called StereoLit. I love the Mucha-looking girl with the headphones, and the Chicago tattoos. It's a tough competition, and the other entries are giving Micah a run for his money. So, go check them out and vote by logging into Flickr and adding your choice as a favorite. And choose Micah's!
I AM ONLY 35 AND I REMEMBER THE OLD WAY OF CHECKING OUT LIBRARY BOOKS IN THE CASES FILLED WITH INDEX TYPE CARDS.(I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE CASES WOULDNT YOU) AND YES MY DAUGHTER AND I LOVE THE LIBRARY AND WE DO JUST WHAT YOU DO AND ORDER ON-LINE AND PICK THEM UP. WE USUALLY GO 1 TO 2 TIMES A WEEK CARRYING OUR BAGS FULL OF BOOKS THAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES LOOK AT US LIKE WE ARE WEIRD BUT THINK HOW DANG SMART WE ARE FOR READING SO MUCH. AS I ALWAYS SAY, "SO MANY BOOKS, SO LITTLE TIME!"
ReplyDeleteMY LIBRARY ACTUALLY HAS AN ADULT READING PROGRAM ONCE A YEAR WHEN WE GET PRIZES JUST LIKE THE KIDS DO IN THE SUMMER READING PROGRAMS, I LOVE PARTICIPATING. WE ALSO GET TO DO POETRY AND WRITING CONTESTS. I AM EXCITED TO GO CHECK OUT YOUR LIBRARY SITE AND ALSO GO LOOK AT THE ART WORK. I WILL MAKE SURE TO VOTE AND I LOVE YOUR FRIENDS ART PIECE AND HE HAS A GREAT NAME "MICAH" LOVE THAT NAME!
Etsy. How unique. You'll have to tell me all about this program. There may be a "Fancy Pants" in your future.
ReplyDeleteMorning Noonan Night
It has a nice ring to it.
Mr. N
Oh my god, Cry, I would totally love to have those cases. Train your daughter young, a bag of books is hot.
ReplyDelete