Because the Librarian Action Figure is overdone

November 27, 2009 3:44 PM

Librarians: what do you want for gifts this holiday season? (Not at your libraries, but you personally).

I have several librarians or librarians-to-be in my life. Including a law-librarian-to-be. Any ideas on genius gifts for Christmas? I've looked here and here, but neither seem to fit the bill. First of all, the law-librarian-to-be is male. Second, he has a healthy sense of sarcasm/overall sense of humor. So, I need something either practical or amusing, but not something too cutesy, if that's a word. As evidence of his overall devotion/nerd-dom, I must say that he has impressive recall of small details of the Library of Congress K classmark for law [PDF].

Your ideas and witty library gift ideas (hopefully moderately priced) are much appreciated!

posted by midatlanticwanderer to Shopping (12 answers total)

Does it have to be a library-themed gift? If not, thinkgeek.com seems like it would have a few choice gifts for your nerdy, sarcastic giftee.
posted by Xianny at 3:58 PM on November 27, 2009

I gave my wife a card catalog that came out of her college library. It works well as canned good storage.
posted by mearls at 4:31 PM on November 27, 2009

The Onion Store has some fun stuff.
posted by TooFewShoes at 6:41 PM on November 27, 2009

I really want a card catalog so I can turn it into a bar.
posted by nestor_makhno at 8:27 PM on November 27, 2009

Booze.
posted by box at 4:51 AM on November 28, 2009 [1 favorite]

On a librarian's salary, I'd really appreciate a luxury item that I usually can't afford; doesn't have to be terribly expensive, but a nicer brand wine or liquor would be nice, or a facial. Depends what the person is into.
posted by cestmoi15 at 7:53 AM on November 28, 2009

Unshelved, the go-to library webcomic for me, sells museum-quality prints.

He might appreciate this one, but I don't think he should display it at work.
posted by Decimask at 3:08 PM on November 28, 2009

Also, partly because I think it's hilarious that a bibliocomic's search engine doesn't support booleans or wild cards, here's a link to the comic search I ran.
posted by Decimask at 3:11 PM on November 28, 2009

Well I'm a librarian, and I personally would not want any library/librarian themed presents. Books on the other hand, are always welcome. As is booze :) So I'd go for things that these people would actually enjoy, outside of work.

If you really want library related ideas pay for a membership at LibraryThing, or for Delicious Library. After verifying that they don't already use one or the other.
posted by grapesaresour at 4:38 PM on November 28, 2009

I'll tell you one thing I *don't* want: that Nancy Pearl librarian action figure. That is way overplayed.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:39 AM on November 30, 2009

I'll tell you another thing I don't want: one of those bullshit 'personal-library' kits, with the second-rate due-date stamp and hokey stickers.
posted by box at 1:33 PM on November 30, 2009

Gift card for Amazon. My wish list is never, ever empty.
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:32 AM on December 2, 2009