Lib lit

E: The library "underground" press is a flickering, but welcome flame to many of us.

C: These selections are by people who for personal, disparate, reasons find themselves on the independent publishing scene. (Sipapu has been mentioned, p.57. The Liberated Librarian's Newsletter is available from Apt. E-1708, 2200 Ben Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia 19130. Send some $ or cheer.)

E: There are maybe 8 (?) small, struggling library newsletters under no organizational thumb.

C: That is, they won't run ads disguised as articles like Xerox's Lj did on a microfilm collection put out by a corporate bedfellow (4/15/71:1330.) Nor will they eschew advocacy journalism, sweet whimsey, or plain individualism like the bloodless institutional bulletins must.

E: Why doesn't Synergy go independent? It's sea level - neither underground nor overground.

C: We hope it sort of connects the two. Locked, compartmentalized information is sad. Politically, of course, Synergy is all brinkmanship and compromise. But wow it sure taught me the voice librarians can seize through the press. Especially power over our own lives.

E: There is the beginning now of a library school publications network. This is a beautiful way to end isolation and protest departmental crap. Staff newsletters can really blossom too - with a little effort and lots of courage.

C: I once wrote an article on library periodicals. yup. It began in fascism (stamp out all but 20 of the 500 library mags) and ended in anarchy (if you don't like lib lit go out and make your own.) It's much more fun to do the latter.

E: Libraries desperately need a good review service on independent, small, alternative type publications. At least two thirds of what's published is never reviewed anywhere. lotsa stuff to do....