#ask a Librarian

[harvardfineartslib]

Our asks are open!

For the first time since the birth of this blog (as far as I can tell,) our asks are open! I will be actively checking them throughout the day.

If you have any burning questions about our library, what we do here, or anything related to Harvard and libraries overall, I've got librarians on call and a plethora of fun facts in my back pocket for your informational amusement.

[wearelibrarian]

Since you requested asks.

What are some library resources that you love that don’t get the appreciation and use that they deserve?

I think y'all on Tumblr already know about this one, but the Internet Archive's Open Library is wonderful for accessing out-of-print resources that may not be available in other ways! It also serves as a catalog of books across the world, including ones which cannot be checked out or read through the Internet Archive. Most of my other favorites require that your local library (or your college/university) have a subscription, but this one is free.

The library resource that needs the most appreciation, though?

Librarians!

So many people are hesitant to come in person, which I understand - it can be scary to go up to the desk, and it can be difficult to find transportation to the nearest library. Many libraries provide assistance over the phone, and some even have online chat available to the public! You don't have to have a library card to ask a librarian for help, though we do appreciate when people sign up for cards. (September is Library Card Signup Month, fyi - go get your library card! I have four and intend to obtain more, since I'm lucky to be living in an area where I can obtain free library cards from multiple area libraries.)

[thebookewyrme]

So, yesterday, on Ask A Librarian chat I got someone asking for help finding a Seneca quote. They sent me the quote in English and then sent me the book they thought it was in (a Hathi Trust scan). And I was like “ok? Maybe they just don’t realize they can do a full text search?” And then I scroll down to the part they said they thought it was in and discover the whole damn book is in LATIN.

Like. Sir. Do you just think all librarians know Latin? Sure I took it in high school, but that’s 20+ years ago now, I literally don’t remember a word of it.

I did try just google searching it to see if I could find a translated version but all I got is the same quote in a Medium article and a bunch of links to Stoicism websites. I think they may have got the quote from the article actually. Ended up sending them to our Classics Librarian. But I was just like. 😆🥴

[3ib6vw]

Deadpool 3 - the one with the near sexual tension between the leads, the other being wolverine

that's what fanfic is about I'm pretty sure?

[ca-highway49]

I wonder who drives the books from one branch to the other in County Libraries... I wonder if it's a sinch to get if you have a CDL, if you need to volentueer a lot or if you need a degree

[tiffanyachings]

“Fiat lux! If you want to talk improbable, let’s talk about this”—a scrape of stone on stone—“being three thousand and some years older than this.” A heavy clunk.

“Inexplicable, Warden.”

“Certainly not. Like everything else in this ridiculous conglomeration of cooling gas, it’s perfectly explicable, I just need to explic-it.”

“Indubitable, Warden.”

“Stop that. I need you listening, not racking your brain for rare negatives. Either this entire building was scavenged from a garbage hopper, or I am being systematically lied to on a molecular level.”

“Maybe the building’s shy.”

“That is just tough shit for the building.”

[booksinmythorax]

Hey, guy who was really mad we wouldn't let you pay your wife's library fines without her card. I know you're feeling some big stuff right now and you evened out a lot by the end after you called her and she confirmed her card number to us, but the thing I wasn't going to start a fight with you about in the moment was:

Your wife is a separate person from you, and we don't know if you're an abusive husband.

We don't know if you're trying to find out if she's checking out books about divorce. We don't know if you're trying to find out if she's checking out books about infidelity or alimony or raising your kids differently than you'd prefer. We don't even know if you're actually married. We don't know you're not an ex who's trying to get information about someone you're stalking. And on and on and on.

Ultimately, your wife has a right to privacy just like everyone else. Privacy even from you. She can choose to share whatever she wants with you, but we need confirmation of that. Thanks for understanding.

[certifiedlibraryposts]

i used to work as a page at a library

Oh nice, they need a lot of those to be in all the books [i am dragged offstage by a comically long cane]

[ayyy-imma-ninja]

Library bats are bats that live in libraries and eat insects that could damage the books :3 you learn something new everyday, Bats that live in libraries are typically small and nimble species, such as: European free-tailed bats, Soprano pipistrelles, and Common pipistrelle bats, Bats eat insects that could harm the books, such as moths and beetles, that could damage the books' pages and glue. Bats can be found in libraries in Portugal, including the Joanina Library at the University of Coimbra and the Mafra Palace Library. During the day, bats roost quietly in the library, but at night they emerge to eat insects. Because bats are living things, they produce droppings, so librarians must clean up after them. To protect furniture, shelves, and floors, librarians cover them with tarps before closing the library each night. Because bats only hunt at night, it's unlikely to see them during visiting hours.

that's so cool and cute!!!

To answer the previous ask if Sun uses them, I am afraid he doesn't. He doesn't want any sort of critters inside his library (unless they are service animals)

[ghostlyarchaeologist]

The Librarians S02E03/Almost Paradise S01E07/Leverage Redemption S02E06.

[el-ffej]

What is Thy Wi-Fi Password?

Me, on the welcome desk in the library: Good morning, how are you today?

Customer: I have welcomed Jesus into my heart and so I am well today and every day.

Me, a little unnerved: Okay then! Is there something I can help you with?

Customer, digging around in his bag and pulling out an iPhone in a box: Unfortunately, Jesus can't help me with this fucking phone, so I came to the library.

[anglerflsh]

everytime I mention the type of job I'd like to have (archivist) people tell me that literally no one on earth wants to do that which normally would be annoying but. you don't want to sort documents? to preserve things from the past? do you not like excel sheets and burocracies? my best friend burocracy?? sad

[wolfstarlibrarian]

9 books to read in 2025 (sweet + spicy)

Thank you SO much to @eyra for tagging me! I love an excuse to talk about books.

I had SO much fun reading these books I'm excited to share them, so pretty please let me know if you read any of them? I might put anon asks back on because I'm so eager to discuss them. Also, all of these books have HEAs.

Also, I'm working on related marauders lists for almost all of these, so stay tuned!

🌶️ = the more peppers the spicier it is

🍭 = the more lollipops the sweeter it is

Captive Prince: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This series is one that ifykyk. It's a dark, dramatic, sexy mlm series set in a pseudo historic age and WOW. If it was a fic it'd come with tons of warnings and tags, but there's also an underlying softness between the main characters. Lots of angst and drama and characters you can't help root for. DEFINITELY an 18+ rec so please proceed accordingly.

Johann: Vampire Mates: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭

I already rec'd one of the books in this series here, but this one is tied for my favorite. A modern soulmate/vampire au that's got humor, the CUTEST cinnamon roll who's inexperienced (and hundreds of years old), a russian mobster, and just enough angst to make me you ache.

Boystown Heartbreakers: 🌶️🌶️ 🍭🍭🍭

If you're a wolfstar fan, then you'll absolutely adore this friends-to-lovers modern story about a hairstylist who is so worried about dating his DROP DEAD GORGEOUS best friend. All the internal turmoil paired with a book boyfriend you'll absolutely love, and lines that actually had me laughing out loud makes this one of my top reads for the year.

The Charm Offensive: 🌶️🌶️ 🍭🍭🍭

This one totally surprised me with how well it dealth with mental health issues in the middle of a VERY charming story about falling in love with someone (when it's literally your job to help them fall in love with someone else). A bi-awakening and oblivious pining gem. If you want more fics that feature a reality show check out this rec list.

Myles Below Freezing: 🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭

Okay can someone alert the Hazelnoot server? Because this one feels like a cross between Solntse and Sweater Weather. Myles (a cinnamon roll, nerdy Remus IMO) has to solve a murder mystery at the South Pole while trying not to fall for the sweetheart Russian Alexei. The banter is incredible and honestly my friends and I need a second book about the lesbians in it. Forced proximity, oblivious DATING, anxiety rep, action and chase scenes, cuddling, and locked-in together all in one.

Sapphire Sunset: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🍭🍭🍭

If you don't know Chris Rice, he's the gay son of Anne Rice (author of Interview With A Vampire) and thank god he's followed in her footsteps because his romance books are SO good and intense and yet fluffy? It's a ton of drama about an ex-marine and a hotel heir and a family scandal for the books. Feels delightfully like an age-gap modern Drarry book.

Lightning Born: 🌶️ 🍭

A friend recommended me this Frankenstein mlm retelling, and I was like "ew, no". However, I was completely surprised by how much heart it had, and how much it reminded me of R/S. Amnesia (due to ya know, dying), forbidden love, some serious angst, and thankfully a HEA that includes lesbians getting to live out in the tropics.

Honey Girl: 🌶️🌶️ 🍭🍭🍭

This is the only book on the list with wlw as the main pairing and by god, it's beautiful. The writing style gripped me on the first page and I've been recommending it to everyone since I've read it. Imagine waking up in a hotel room in Vegas, by yourself, with a wedding band on your finger and a note. The whole book feels like an intimate love letter and it should absolutely be on your TBR.

On Writing

No spice or sweetness in this non-fiction book, because it's a book by Stephen King on writing. Whenever I talk to anyone who's struggling with their craft I always recommend this book. It's short, to the point, and will leave you feeling much more confident in your abilities while helping you improve your writing. 10/10.

⭐

Okay well I hope you enjoy these recs! I've turned on anon asks so please share your thoughts or your own recs as I'm always looking for new books and fics to read. (We'll just ignore how long the TBR list is already...)

Tagging: @thedrarrylibrarian @wolfstarwarehouse @wolfstarmicrofic @pancakehouse @imsiriuslyreading @lavenderhaze @rainbowrowell @gayliketheancients @brandileigh2003 @mrtellmeafckingsecret @imjusthereforwolfstar And ANYONE ELSE who also love books

[lover-of-small-things]

as a senior at the university of iowa working on my novel, unfortunately i cannot stop thinking about jughead jones, senior at the university of iowa, working on his novel... like. did he sit in prairie lights drinking black coffee until it closed. did he lay on the riverbank reading proust. did he fall asleep in some corner of the english and philosophy building and wake up confused and crammed on the shitty chair by the elevator the next day. did he go to local readings. did he eat shitty dorm food. did jughead jones go to my favorite iowa city gay bar.

[rileyslibrary]

can you maybe do something where like, things simon does when he realizes he’s falling for you? :,)

Let me start by saying that I see Simon as someone more accustomed to others falling for him than the other way around. Like, he is the one who tends to be pursued rather than being the pursuer, if you know what I mean? I don’t know why but I feel he doesn’t have to put too much effort into wooing someone (and he probably knows that). A tall, beefy dude with a rugged appearance and that voice of his? The guy has it easy.

Now, what if he’s the one who falls for someone first? Aha! Well, He doesn’t even realise he has feelings for you, but they manifest in other ways, mainly through actions.

Ghost, as your lieutenant, for example, starts assigning you to low-risk missions or insists on accompanying you to ensure you’re safe.

In a more personal context, Simon offers to pick you up from your home so you don’t have to walk or take public transportation. He might even escort you to your car at night to protect you.

He tells you jokes he thinks you’d enjoy. He absolutely loves it when you laugh; he feels defeated when you roll your eyes and even a bit salty when you already know the joke (or fail to “get” it.)

He pays close attention to the details. He remembers your favourite food, how you like your coffee/tea, and your pet’s name. No, he won’t cook for you (yet), but he’s taking mental notes, studying you.

However, he’s not aware of what he’s doing exactly (or why he’s doing it, for that matter). It’s not until the rest of the team notices and insinuates that there’s something more between you two that he comes face to face with his emotions. Emotions he’s not ready to accept yet.

He rejects the idea that he has developed feelings for you and hopes that by suppressing ignoring them, they’ll fade away. But, as my boy Freud once said, “unexpressed emotions never die; they are buried alive and come forth later in uglier ways.”

He begins distancing himself from you. He rebuilds the walls you once torn down and returns to treating you just like everyone else. He had people he loved before, and it’s only brought him pain. His past experiences have left deep scars, and he’s determined not to go through that again. He’s not just doing it just for himself, though; he also wants to protect you from him and the pain.

Him. Pain. What’s the difference?

You, on the other hand, pick up on his behaviour but don’t confront him about it. “You know how the lieutenant is,” they once told you. “Sometimes he’s all jokes, other times he’s just business.” Maybe, you think, he needs his space. So you begin mirroring his actions, pulling away and giving what he seemingly wants.

But he secretly doesn’t want you to do that. Contrary to what he hoped to achieve by distancing himself from you and, therefore, from his feelings for you, he falls even harder.

Once cocky and arrogant, now he’s insecure. He starts projecting his fears onto you, feeling that you’re the one pulling away, even though you’re merely respecting his unspoken need for space.

So he confronts you. He wants an explanation for the change in your demeanour. And you? Well, you tell him the truth; you thought he needed some space. Right?

Who knows. Maybe you were just respectful. Perhaps you were giving him a taste of his own medicine.

It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that he gets it now. Running away from his feelings or those he cares about doesn’t work, just like ignoring his emotions won’t make them disappear. On the contrary, they directly affect both him and you.

Of course, he doesn’t admit it. No, he wouldn’t be caught dead doing that.

Yet, he decides to (re)open up to you, this time gradually, bit by bit, at his own pace. Just for a chance that this calculated, ruthless operator that many perceive him to be can finally transform into a genuinely emotionally invested human being for the first time.

[prophetictattoo]

i did @aliengirl 's business and hobbies cas bingo and i rolled for:

the librarian, the nail artist, and the acting teacher