I am so very happy to share my new library of literary fashions at StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com! If you love libraries as much as I do, you will certainly appreciate the design and layout I have created that not only educates people about the structure of the library but allows each patron of my library to keep all of the library materials checked out at the circulation desk. It is literary fabulous!
One highlight at the ALA PopTop Stage on Monday was the debut performance of the 817’s (for you Dewey-challenged folk, that’s “American humor and satire”), a comedy troupe consisting of Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers, MLIS of Fortune (and singer) Danica Sheridan, and RUSA’s own Mr. Reference, Dave Tyckoson.
In addition to the finale song, a karaoke version of Madonna’s “Girl Gone Wild” (be sure to watch the amazing video, 4:54), the 817’s performed stand-up, improv, an “Occupy ALA” skit, “Guess the Celebrity Authors,” and a “Librarians in the Movies” skit. They also showed videos: “Library Avengers,” which featured some scenes from the exhibit floor, and a hilarious Dos Equis spoof, “The Most Interesting Librarian in the World,” featuring none other than formerALA President Michael Gorman, produced by Tyckoson.
The 817s perform "CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN Gone Wild" at ALA:
Today
I celebrate 2 years of StandUpLibrarian.com.A lot has happened since my first post on June 1st,
2010 (read that here: http://stand-uplibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-standuplibrariancom.html),
where my only intention after graduating with my Masters degree was to be an
advocate for libraries while looking for a job to hopefully work in one.My mission was simply to show how fun
& educational they are – for all ages, for all types of people.I thought a blog would keep me busy
while filling out those job applications and would show those I was
interviewing with that I was not sitting by the phone but an active member of
the library field with numerous talents and skills to offer my employers.
On
a personal note, I was trying to distract myself from a broken heart and hoping
to overcome writer’s block.In
committing to this blog, I was ultimately putting myself first again and trying
to find my voice as a writer.I
was forcing myself to write on a weekly basis while showing my strength and
vulnerability during life’s crazy experiences.I hoped to entertain people with my sense of humor but my
focus was less on being funny and more on just being myself…a person that does
the best she can but never gives up.
It’s
odd to me that now 2 years later with endless hours of filming & editing
videos, interviewing & interacting with a variety of experts in the field,
writing passionate blog posts and jokes that promoted the library (not made fun
of it), that I am still unemployed!How could a person work so hard and not get the one thing she did all of
it for?
Because
if there is one person who understands & identifies with the patrons at a
library, it is me!How to file for
unemployment?Done. Start a new
business? Done. Living with a crazy roommate and need a quiet place to go?Done.I could go on and on with scenarios here but I have to
wonder if any of it was worth it.Or if all that I created was just a huge mistake and actually hurt my
chances at getting a job due to the conservative folks out there that just
didn’t understand me at all.My
parents are some of those people constantly worried that I am offending someone
in HR.
Then
I look at what I have experienced over the last 2 years.What I have learned.Where I have been.Who I have met.I look at the person I was when I began
this journey and then at the one in the mirror today.In actuality she probably accomplished far more than she set
out to.Does it always make
sense?No. Does she ever make
mistakes? Yes. Does she have more fun at the library than most people?Probably.And isn’t that what it’s all about?
If
anybody goes to the library because of something I said or did, MISSION
ACCOMPLISHED.It doesn’t matter to
me if you think I am hilarious or talented or smart or qualified.What matters to me is that you USE THE
LIBRARY!And if you have fun while
you are there, well then I’m really doing something special.Oh and the words “Stand-Up” in Stand-Up
Librarian may have hinted at stand-up comedy, but it actually refers to
standing up for libraries and for yourself.In my opinion, you cannot have one without the other. If you
utilize the vast knowledge available to you at the library, you will always
have the means to stand up to any curve balls life throws at you.Think of me as the catcher.I’m behind you the whole way…if only to
remind you that your butt looks great in those pants!OK, maybe I should turn off the baseball game while I am
writing this.Anyway, thanks for
joining me in what has been the greatest adventure of my life.Support your libraries but have fun
doing it!
*In
honor of my 2-year anniversary, I have created a special video that
incorporates my love for libraries & Madonna.Like a lot of girls growing up in the 80’s, I have been
influenced by her artistry in more ways than even I realized.While some are quick to judge her
often-controversial choices, I have always respected her work ethic and
passion.Madonna has dedicated her
life to the art of performance and how it can influence people, making them
think and question things.I don’t
always agree with all of her decisions but I will always respect her for being
fearless and an incredible entertainer.
I
would suggest watching Madonna’s very erotic “Girl Gone Wild” video before watching
my "Librarian Gone Wild" so you can understand the parody where I incorporate her books (I feature her Sex book from 1992 and her line of children's books.) I have posted both videos below for your convenience. Enjoy!
I can’t believe it has been
exactly three months since I moved back to Florida from Los Angeles.I wrote about the transition just two
months ago (read that post here: http://stand-uplibrarian.blogspot.com/2012/02/floridian-of-month.html) and now I know that it was one of the best decisions I have made in
years.In
leaving, I not only found what really makes me happy, but I also have the
support that helps my talents grow in the right direction.You can have all the talent in the
world but without the right team of people lifting you up, it is meaningless.
It is never easy creating
something that nobody has ever done before and while my goal for
StandUpLibrarian.com was always to educate and entertain people about
libraries, I forgot how difficult it was going to be to educate people about
who I was!!!Yes, I am a librarian
with a Master’s degree.Yes, I am
a comedian too. Hence the name: Stand-Up Comedian + Librarian = Stand-Up
Librarian.
I am also, as everybody
should know by now, unemployed!I
created StandUpLibrarian.com to have something positive to do while looking for
jobs.What people don’t know is
that everything you see on here I have done myself and I have done it all for
free.FOR FREE!I might not have money, but I do have
time and I think being an advocate for libraries is just as important as
working at one (‘Stand-Up’ in my name also refers to standing up for libraries
by taking action.)
So you can only imagine how
truly joyful and excited I feel at finally seeing all of my work take flight at
the Florida Library Association’s 2012 Annual Conference last week.Two years ago, there was no
StandUpLibrarian.com.I was just a
student at FLA about to graduate with my Masters degree from USF.But this year, thanks to one woman’s
kind heart, I was able to come back and perform as the Stand-Up Librarian.Just her support in that one decision
changed everything for me.
In performing, I got the
chance to thank the people who have inspired me all these years.I also got to see and hear a roomful of
librarians laughing at my literary jokes.More importantly, I was able to show those students about to graduate
that if I can survive without a library job for two years and still have a
smile on my face, anything is possible…you just have to believe it & maybe
even create it.
Finally, over at my display
table in between hugs and photos, I learned that people loved my literary
purses as much as I did…and I SOLD OUT OF THEM!Today, in addition to writing this blog post, I am sewing more
bags for all the online orders (to order one, visit my Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeredithMyersDesigns.) Plus I am responding to emails about possible jobs and fielding phone
calls about future performances.And why?Because one woman
believed in me and gave me a chance. Thanks Linda.
With Linda Goff, my hero.
Showcasing my talents at my display table. I would later sell all these bags.
With my two mentors - Gene & Maggie. Their support over the past two years has been incredible.
On Saturday, March 3rd, I had the opportunity to host the Gulf Beaches Public Library’s 5th Annual Food for Thought fundraiser in Maderia Beach, FL.What a thrill it was to give back to the place where my dream of becoming a librarian began in 2005 when I met a librarian named Maggie Cinnella.In 2010, I was volunteering at the library while finishing my last semester of graduate school, so my help with the fundraiser that year consisted of running around and doing whatever they needed me to do whether it was carrying plates of food and trying to convince people to spend more money on raffle items.It is incredible that in just two years, I was now hosting the event!Which once again consisted of carrying plates of food and trying to convince people to spend more money on raffle items.But I also got a chance to tell jokes and play my purple ukelele that had been collecting dust for six years!
More importantly, as a librarian, it gave me a chance to show gratitude to the people that made me want to work in the library field in the first place.As a comedian, it gave me an open opportunity to heckle audience members into donating money to the library.How cool is that?A win-win for everybody!
Anyway, I know many of you out there couldn’t make it to the event, but you can still donate money!Just go to http://gulfbeacheslib.org/ to learn how.To see all the fun you missed, just watch the video above.Enjoy!
Entertaining the crowd.
With Circulation Manager Stan Silverstein.
Library staff & volunteers come together
...over vino.
I’ve been fortunate in my life to have met and worked with lots of talented people over the years, and one of those people came back into my life last week when he was performing a show in Clearwater, FL. The incredibly talented Ryan Star.
I met Ryan back in September of 2002 while working as a publicist in NYC with a band called Angel 13. Ryan was in a band called Stage and since they were childhood friends with Angel 13, they did a show together at the Mercury Lounge. Like a lot of people, I was instantly hooked on Ryan’s energy, intensity, and passion as a performer. His voice was raw, rugged and full of power. When I heard him sing the song “I Will Be Something,” it not only made me realize I was working with the wrong band, but that one day I wanted to be something more than just a publicist.
While Stage was signed to Madonna’s label Maverick, they still weren’t getting the press and attention I felt they deserved (which happens a lot in the music industry), so I asked Ryan to give me several cds so I could pass them off to key people in the industry. Ironically, one of those people was an A&R guy from Atlantic Records (they would sign him years later as a solo artist) and another was a Tampa radio DJ named Kristy Knight, who would interview him about his hit song “Breathe” from that very album.
Thanks to Ryan and many other people who have inspired me to follow my dreams, my focus has since shifted away from PR work to that of libraries and comedy, however I am still very much a publicist when it comes to promoting talent that I think has something truly special that deserves to be heard and shared with the masses.
Being a friend to Ryan all these years, I have supported him from his time on “Rockstar: Supernova” to his shows in Anaheim and Los Angeles to last week in Clearwater, and all of that has been great. But what Ryan has done for me as a fan is far greater. His music speaks to me in ways no other artist has. His music talks about the struggles of unemployment (“Breathe”), the pain of heartbreak and moving on (“Right Now”), and most importantly, that no matter what challenges are before us, there is always a “Brand New Day” just around the corner. Ryan gives us hope.
I cannot thank Ryan Star enough for being the soundtrack to my often difficult life, while at the same time asking him to continue making more music that inspires so many of us in numerous ways. Because I know when I finally get to where I am going, I will most certainly need a really kick-ass theme song to celebrate.
Ryan knows that before every show I text him begging him to play the old Stage song “Perfect,” which he never does. I’ve never told him why. For ten years, “Perfect” has been the song that cheers me up when things don’t work out…and despite what people may think, they don’t usually work out most of the time. “Perfect” just reminds me to smile.
For more information on Ryan Star and to purchase his music, please visit RStar.net
It was one month ago today I was getting on a plane and leaving Los Angeles for Florida with nothing but faith that things would be okay once I got there.I still wanted to be a funny librarian doing what I loved.While things weren’t where I wanted them to be in LA, it was still a five-year investment and difficult to walk away from...even though I was probably the unhappiest I have ever been in my life.
Would I find library work in Florida?Acting roles?Places to perform comedy?
My faith paid off…in a matter of days.
I applied to five library jobs and submitted a proposal to plan a fundraising event.While at the library interviewing a local author for this blog, a comedy club owner booked me for a show.In reading the local paper, I learned a film with James Franco was going to start shooting down the street.
Was it really my faith that those opportunities happened?Or was it me making an effort to find them?I like to think it was both.Of course, whether I get those jobs or people laugh at my jokes is out of my control and I’m done worrying about it.More important than the acceptance of others is just me learning to be happy again wherever I am, because that is probably the one thing actually within my control and always has been.After all, geography is just a zip code or a difference in humidity.Only now instead of sitting in traffic for an hour to get to the beach, all I have to do is walk outside.
And performing at a comedy club on the beach?Well, just watch how many times I smile.Enjoy…
Dressed as Pippi Longstocking for my literary birthday party!
October has been a very productive month.I’m so busy making my dreams come true that I have been away from posting anything in almost three weeks!I guess this is also what happens when you have an actual job to go to.Yay library job!
I’ve also been busy having fun this past weekend celebrating my birthday, which at first I wasn’t even going to acknowledge, being happy enough to simply have a job at the library of my dreams (which isn’t the whole truth, I just didn’t think anyone in LA would care enough to celebrate it with me.)However, thanks to a couple of friends with kind hearts, I was encouraged to celebrate with a few activities – a literary birthday party being one of them.Thank God for actors because they are the only ones who wanted to dress up and then be in character all night, which made it a heck of a lot of fun – Twilight kids, Ernest Hemingway, Joan Didion, and Edgar Allen Poe, I’m talking to you.Thank you!)
It’s hard to believe it has already been a year since I celebrated my birthday in 2010, high on the trapeze after going on my first library job interview which didn’t result in a job offer (link to that post here: http://stand-uplibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/10/circus-that-is-merediths-first-library.html.)Now as I look back, it’s crazy to think about just how much I have experienced in the past year as a result of NOT getting that job.Get ready for an old school Oprah full circle moment…
In being forced to work as a waitress, a valet attendant, an executive assistant, a “background artist,” then be further humiliated and disappointed by endless people at these jobs, I learned the important lesson…to just stop doing them!!!Or kill myself, but that wasn’t an option because like my party, I was worried that nobody would come to my funeral either.Instead, I decided to go into debt by focusing my energy back to the library whether they were going to pay me or not.By depending on myself and having true excitement and passion for the work I was doing as a volunteer with the library, (not to mention having few friends left to distract me with actual fun), I ended up accomplishing far more than I ever imagined.I met Steve-O.The end.
I kid, I kid.Seriously, Steve-O should be happy he met me and I had the time to issue him a library card because that’s the smartest thing that “Jackass” has ever done.My point with this post is that I finally work with really cool people in an awesome library that I love and I am paid to be there.While I am not officially a librarian yet, I am treated with the same respect as if I were.For example, just the other day a patron said that our library has too many stairs and that I am too skinny and should gain some weight.I almost cried.It was only a year ago that I was just a waitress wanting to work at the library and here I was…unable to accidentally drop her food in her lap.
Listen folks, life will give you lemons and you could make lemonade but I say keep your dang lemons.I prefer carrots.
***Oh and I’m really digging that new Kelly Clarkson song “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger).”
“What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter”
I made a reference to killing myself but suicide is never the answer, the library is.It has saved me on numerous occasions.Unlike people, the library will always be there for you even when you feel you have nothing else.Information will always make you stronger.Trust me.
Celebrate yourself today.
-MM
Ending my birthday weekend by worshipping the stage
with a dance at the House of Blues. Hallelu-yeah life is pretty great!
Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers Issues “Jackass” Star Steve-O His First Library Card at the West Hollywood Public Library
Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers Issues Steve-O His First Library Card.
Photo credit: Joshua Barash
LOS ANGELES (October 3, 2011) – Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers issued“Jackass” star Stephen “Steve-O” Glover his first library card while at the new West Hollywood Public Library on Sunday.Steve-O was appearing at the 10th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair promoting his new book Professional Idiot: A Memoir.Myers works at the library and was performing literary stand-up comedy on the theater stage.Myers had previously interviewed Steve-O on WHBF Radio and encouraged him to apply for his first library card.
Steve-O was one of 783 people to apply for library cards at the new West Hollywood Public Library during Sunday’s West Hollywood Book Fair, which is in addition to the 500 applications at Saturday’s grand opening ceremonies.
Steve-O recently made headlines for his appearance on Comedy Central’s “The Roast of Charlie Sheen” where he intentionally ran into Mike Tyson’s fist and received two black eyes and a broken nose.In addition to appearances promoting Idiot, Steve-O is currently on a stand-up comedy tour.Myers, a librarian and comedian, has been educating and entertaining people about the importance of libraries.
Myers stated, “Steve-O’s done plenty of crazy stunts but applying for his first library card is probably his most important.Even people who pierce their butt cheeks together should have a library card.”
Myers has a Masters degree in Library and Information Sciences and has been performing stand-up comedy since 2002 after checking out a comedy book from her local library. Binding her experiences in comedy and libraries, Myers created www.StandUpLibrarian.com in an effort to showcase how varied, fun, and vital libraries are to our current society and intends to bring an awareness to the often-stereotyped library field revealing that librarians are as diverse as the libraries themselves.Through interviews with experts and authors, tours of unique libraries across the country, library and literary-specific stand-up performances and sketches, not to mention plenty of book recommendations, Myers’ unique perspective and humor is perhaps just what libraries need in a tough economic time where city budgets seem quick to eliminate them or reduce staffing.
A former-publicist who enjoys promoting all things literary, Myers has spent the past week interviewing authors/artists appearing at the WeHo Book Fair on WHBF Radio. Below is the interview with Steve-O.
Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers Interviews Steve-O about Professional Idiot: A Memoir on WHBF Radio:
STAND-UP LIBRARIAN MEREDITH MYERS PERFORMS AT WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR OCTOBER 2ND
Comedian/Librarian Meredith Myers of StandUpLibrarian.com Educates While Entertains About the Importance of Libraries
LOS ANGELES (September 29, 2011) – “So a comedian walks into a library and decides to work there…” Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers will be the closing performer at the 10th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair on Sunday, October 2nd at 5:25pm on the Theater Stage in the West Hollywood Library Community Room, 647 North Vicente Boulevard. The event and parking are free to the public.
Myers will perform an all-ages literary comedy show…at the library! No cover charge or 2-drink minimum required. A cross between Pippi Longstocking and Sandra Bernhard, Myers entertains while educates about the importance of libraries as she addresses everything from the Dewey Decimal System to Harry Potter, and her adventures in librarianship!
Myers has a Masters degree in Library and Information Sciences and has been performing stand-up comedy since 2002 after checking out a comedy book from her local library. Binding her experiences in comedy and libraries, Myers created www.StandUpLibrarian.com in an effort to showcase how varied, fun, and vital libraries are to our current society and intends to bring an awareness to the often stereotyped library field revealing that librarians are as diverse as the libraries themselves. Through interviews with experts and authors, tours of unique libraries across the country, library and literary-specific stand-up performances and sketches, not to mention plenty of book recommendations, Myers’ unique perspective and humor is perhaps just what libraries need in a tough economic time where city budgets seem quick to eliminate them or reduce staffing.
A former-publicist who enjoys promoting all things literary, Myers has spent the past week interviewing authors/artists appearing at the WeHo Book Fair on WHBF Radio. Below are the links to those interviews:
STAND-UP LIBRARIAN MEREDITH MYERS INTERVIEWS AUTHOR JILLIAN LAUREN FRIDAY AT 1:30PM (PST) ON WHBF RADIO
Author Jillian Lauren & Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers Will Be Appearing at the West Hollywood Book Fair October 2nd
LOS ANGELES (September 29, 2011) – Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers will interview Jillian Lauren about her new book Pretty on West Hollywood Book Fair Radio, Friday, September 30th at 1:30pm (PST).Both Myers and Lauren are appearing at the 10th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair on October 2nd.
Author and performer Jillian Lauren grew up in suburban New Jersey and fled across the water to New York City. She attended New York University for three minutes before dropping out to work in downtown theater, where she performed with Richard Foreman’s Ontological Hysteric Theater, among others. She is the author of the novel, Pretty, and of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, both published by Plume/Penguin. Some Girls has since been translated into fourteen different languages. Myers, a librarian and comedian, has been educating and entertaining people about the importance of libraries.
Lauren will be appearing at the West Hollywood Book Fair in the Fiction Pavilion on the panel Fresh Fare From Fabulous Females: New Voices in Fiction, from 10:30 – 11:30am, followed by a signing at 11:30pm. Myers will be appearing on the Theater Stage at 5:25pm.
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