Why Hackers Should Have Library Cards Brought to

Why Hackers Should Have Library Cards Brought to you by Alison B. A common sense examination of the awesome shit you can get for free with a tiny plastic card

What is a library? “A library is a temple devoted to the antielitist notion that knowledge should be cheap if not free – doors should be open” Vaidhyanathan, Siva. The Anarchist in the Library: How the Clash between Freedom and Control Is Hacking the Real World and Crashing the System. New York: Basic Books, 2004. Print. .

Hackers Vs. Librarians Pop Quiz! • Information should be free for everyone!

Hackers Vs. Librarians Hacker Code (Levy) ALA Code of Ethics • Information wants to be free • We provide the highest level of service to all library users through […] equitable access

Fuck Censorship Hacker Code (Levy) ALA Code of Ethics • Information still wants to be free • We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

Fuck Authority Hacker Code (Levy) ALA Code of Ethics • Mistrust authority • We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.

Fuck Privacy Violations Hacker Code (Levy) • Continue to mistrust authority ALA Code of Ethics • We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

Warning: The government are assholes but we are not

Okay, now what? • The library loves you but first you need to make a commitment. It is a small commitment. We won’t even call you.

You can even choose the design.

What your commitment gets you: • • • Books Magazines Music Movies Wi-Fi Access to a typewriter Graphic Novels Video Games (East Bay!) And…

DATABASES HELL YES • Between 2004 -2005, California libraries spent $7. 76 million on electronic reference materials

And you get to use all of them. For free. (You’re welcome. )

This is where you go.

Look at all the database types! There are over 120 databases JUST FOR YOU.

Hey, it’s us! Thanks, Press. Display

Learn a language with Mango! It’s like Rosetta Stone but free FOR YOU!

Oh hey a bunch of free e-books with Safari!

EBSCO is like a database Borg hive queen This metaphor makes sense I swear

Other Databases FOR YOU • • Lexus Nexus! Gale! EBSCO! JSTOR! Genealogy databases! Every repair manual EVER E-media of all kinds! Art! Stats! IT’S ALL THERE MY GOD

You know you want to.

Also, remember that: Librarians are actually paid for their actual job to find information JUST FOR YOU! Come ask us questions! If we don’t have a book or whatever at the library but someone nearby does we will ship it to the library you like best FOR FREE. Really!

In conclusion: Get a library card. If you already have one and show me, I’ll give you some candy.