Great Gifts for Librarians and Information Professionals

* For the librarian who needs a good laugh, snap up a copy of Unshelved Volume 1, an entire year’s compilation of the only comic strip set in a public library. Unshelved takes place in the Mallville Public Library and features a cast of characters including Dewey the comic book-loving young adult librarian, Mel the branch manager, and Colleen the crabby reference librarian. The strip is created by real-life librarian Gene Ambaum and his co-writer and author Bill Barnes. Available at Overduemedia.com.

* For your favorite children’s librarian, the 2004 “Celebrating Children’s Books” Calendar is an excellent choice. This wall calendar from Peaceable Kingdom Press features illustrations and other tidbits from some of today’s best-known and well-loved children’s books, such as Olivia, The Polar Express, Where the Wild Things Are, and Charlotte's Web. Available at Amazon.com.

* Know a librarian who has an appreciation for the long-lost art of letter-writing? The Renaissance Library greeting cards might be the perfect gift for them. These cards depict beautiful old libraries, such as the Library of the Sorbonne in Paris, France and the Vilnius University Library in Lithuania. Cards are printed on heavy stock and come in sets of 12. Available at RenaissanceLibrary.com .

* No gift list would be complete without the Librarian Action Figure. Push the button on her back and she raises her fingers to her lips and “shush”-es. Modeled after Seattle librarian Nancy Pearl, this five-inch must-have for Holiday 2003 comes with a stack of books, a check-out card, two bookmarks and a Nancy Pearl trading card. Available at Archie McPhee’s in Ballard.

* If money is no object, take your favorite librarian on a trip to New York City and stay at the Library Hotel. Each of the ten floors represents a Dewey Decimal category, and each room is named for (and inspired by) a different Dewey number. You could stay in Slavic languages, or Paranormal, or Twentieth Century History. Take your pick. You’ll be treated to continental breakfast in the morning, gourmet coffee in the afternoon, and wine and cheese receptions in the evening. And just when you thought life couldn’t be better – additional amenities include Belgian chocolates, bottled spring water, and – drumroll please – high-speed Internet access in every room.

* Last, but certainly not least- consider giving a charitable donation in your gift recipient’s name to a worthy cause, such as Washington Literacy, First Place School, or any other organization in need of donations.

Librarian Action Figure