Who Am I?My name is Chris. I have been collecting comics since 1983,and reading them since at last 1977. I have been trained as an actor,a radio producer,a graphic designer,a web designer,and,most recently,a librarian. I have been doing graphic design and layout for various comic book related publications for TwoMorrows Publishing since 2001 and am currently the designer for Roy Thomas' Alter Ego. In my main occupation I serve as Digital Resources Librarian at the Flaxman Library at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. You can contact me at chris@chrisdaydesign.com | So this Saturday I will be done with this phase of the great Summer ’11 Weeding,and there is a big post 0r two in the journey of the last few weeks. But not for this morning. For this morning,a quick reminder of why we do this…  Just one more book,that's all I want... Warey Myers Decorative Arts “The Basement Stacks” “Books breaking through the (faux) wall downstairs,referencing the “basement stacks”every library has. In this case it’s as if those stacks had been sealed up during some remodel,and are anthropomorphically breaking through,referencing the old library,history,roots,poltergeists… Created for the VIA Advertising Agency,which recently renovated and moved their offices into the old Baxter building,which served as Portland’s public library from 1888 until the 1960s.”(via Boing Boing) [This post was also originally written in August of 2010. Things started happening then.] Another piece to share. British comedian Stewart Lee (brilliant stand-up,director of Jerry Springer:The Opera,interviewer,and comic book fan):“What happens to a man who compulsively collects comics,books,records and CDs? He becomes very good at building shelves…”  The whole thing is worth a read,but here,from the conclusion:
Negotiating my friend Andy’s abandonment of his lifetime of books,and my own deranged tendency to keep everything,as if to prove that I existed,I have set myself a limit to my shelf space– a generous one by the average person’s standards,but a limit nonetheless. Each month I carve out a little more length and unbox a few more treasures. It’s a slow process. But there is a finite point. And the rest must go …But philosophically I remain none the wiser than I did when I first racked my Marvel comics on the wall of my bedroom,aged eight or nine. To paraphrase Larkin:“What are shelves for? Ah,solving that question/brings the priest and the doctor/in their long coats/running over the fields.”
Stewart Lee,“My Life On A Shelf”,Guardian.co.uk,The Observer,August 1,2010 Well that declaration of content didn’t work. But here is the first of a few short entries for you. First,enjoy this weird photo (no idea what the provenance is). UPDATE:Well know I do know what it is. “Olivier Charles creates his vision of the Stockholm Public Library, a virtual world of Architecture and CG Art.” Thanks Dad! 
So,after the previous tour,I wanted to go back and share details of some of the sections and shelves in my library. The original photos give you an idea of the size,scope,and arrangement of what I have gathered over the years. These should give you,and me,an idea of the individual elements and what some of these things mean to me,and what mean nothing to me anymore. I’m going to break these up by section,so lets start with the bookcases in the library and office that cover my independent comics,as well as the 1980s collection.  A collection of Grant Morrison books,including the runs of Doom Patrol,The Invisibles,and Seven Soldiers. The real pride here are the Titan Books Zenith collections from the late-80s. A real ground breaking work from early in his career that is so tied up in rights dispute who knows if it will ever be collected again.  Wondermark #442:In Which Beth Keeps Her Books | PN6725-PN6778?According to the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system Graphic novels and comic strips are classified in the PN6725-PN6778 range,arranged by the region or country of their creation (not publication) then double-cuttered by main entry (usually author,then title). For more information on "Cataloging Graphic Novels" checkout this presentation by Georgia Perimeter College. |
