Libraries Will Survive (long version)
10:54
Inspired by the 1978 disco hit "I Will Survive", the lyrics were rewritten to proclaim support for libraries, particularly under the stress of tight budgets. It begins with a send-up of a typically hectic day in the life of a professional librarian.
LYRICS
When the budget was first slashed,
I was petrified
How to do my job
With my new printer denied?
Then I ran off a few more
They didn't look too wrong
The streaks are long
But we'll just have to get along
So we step back
In the library's base
Approving fewer, but better programs
Without disgrace
Should we stop inviting authors?
Should we buy condensed books?
Pretty sure that the homeschoolers
Would just give us dirty looks
Come on now, walk, in our door
Just wander around now
You are welcome to explore
Did you think we'd stop reading to your kids?
We still want them
To learn about the pyramids
We'll advise!
Alphabetize!
For as long as we have patrons
Libraries will stay alive
We've got computers spread throughout
And so much to check out
We'll survive
We will survive
Hey hey
It took lots of hard work
To stand this budget squeeze
Trying hard to mend the pieces
of your DVDs
I drove oh so many miles
Just feeling sorry for myself
We used to worry
But we'll be better in a hurry
For us a crisis
Is nothing new
Just bring these items back by
The date that they are due
Check out new releases
Wonders to behold
But I'm saving this one for the patron
Who has placed the hold
Come on now, stroll, in our door
Check us out now
Take a book down to the shore
What do you think about this whole manga craze?
All I know is they
Make some really cute displays
Come to learn!
Something new!
For as long as you want
Just go online to renew
We've got meeting space for groups
From D.A.R. to Boy Scout Troops
We'll survive
We will survive
Hey hey
So come on now, walk in our door
Find inspiration and knowledge
How-to books to ancient lore
We still think libraries are the epitome of cool
To do a job search
Or get some help with school
And now we've built
Something new!
From now into the future
Libraries will stay true
We've got a mission to uphold
Just watch our tale unfold
We'll survive
We will survive
Hey hey
Tags: library libraries librarians reading books literacy budget survive survival crrlvideo
Added: 2 years ago
From: crrlvideo
Views: 42,996
[scene opens with a female librarian sitting at her desk in the backroom, reading a copy of the Daily Star (featuring headlines like "Libraries Struggling Under Budget Cuts: Will Programs, Booktalks, and Collections Be Reduced?"; "Public Need For Libraries Soars As Economy Falters"; "In Support of Libraries Local Citizens Speak Up Against Budget Cuts") as Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" plays on a radio in the background]
[she gets up, turns off the radio, and opens the door (to the sounds of murmuring patrons) as she walks up to the checkout desk just as a female patron arrives carrying a large stack of books]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Hi, can I help you?
CIRC PATRON: I'd like to check these out!
[the librarian reaches over to help keep the stack from tipping over, then scans each book in rapid succession]
[cut to a male patron (wearing a blue "Superman" baseball cap and a long red snuggie) walking up to the desk]
SNUGGIE PATRON: Can you help me with some research?
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: The adult reference librarian would be happy to help you right ov--
[she stops and looks around]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Where is the reference librarian?
FEMALE LIBRARIAN: [from off camera] She's retired.
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: So who's working Reference?
FEMALE LIBRARIAN: [from off camera] No one is ... Budget cuts, you know.
[she turns back to the patron]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: I'll be right back to help you.
[she gets up and leaves, then cut to sped-up footage of the librarian walking to the reference desk (as "Yakety Sax" plays in the background) ... when she sits down, she finds the same male patron (rubbing his hands up and down his snuggie and winking at her) waiting for her]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [pause] Nice outfit, sir ... What did you need to know?
SNUGGIE PATRON: Which sleeved blanket was invented first ... the Snuggie or the Slanket?
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: I know just the reference material you need ... One moment.
[she gets up and leaves, but is interrupted when a young male patron (wearing a "red ensign" outfit) jumps in her path]
TREKKIE PATRON: Excuse me, madam! Can you please tell me where the DVDs are located?
[he points off camera]
TREKKIE PATRON: They used to be right here!
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Uh, our collection has been downsized, so they now fit on a small shelf right over here.
[she points in the opposite direction, then runs off]
TREKKIE PATRON: Thank you!
[cut to the librarian looking through a bookshelf, when someone from the other side of the shelf suddenly sticks his hand through and waves a yellow card in her face]
COMPUTER PATRON: [from off camera] I signed up for computer time, but the computer's not there! What am I supposed to do?!
[she takes the card and looks at it]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Uh, yes ... That one broke down. Uh, we can't afford to replace it, but I can get it sorted out. Uh, meet me over at the counter.
[cut back to the checkout desk, as the librarian places an old-school tabletop electronic videogame on the desk]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Here you are!
COMPUTER PATRON: What is that?
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: This is a 1981 Tron tabletop videogame, designed after the landmark film where people get sucked into a vast computer network!
[a "Tron" movie poster appears on screen, then disappears]
COMPUTER PATRON: So I can go online with it?
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Strangely enough ... no.
[cut to a closeup of the videogame's screen (as the patron plays a game of Tron), then cut to him standing in front of the computer terminal - which has an "Out Of Order" sign taped to it - as the librarian simply shrugs and smiles]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Watch out for those light cycles!
[cut to more sped-up footage of the librarian walking away to "Yakety Sax", then cut to the librarian being stopped in the stacks by a woman holding two small children]
LITTLE GIRL: Mommy!
STORYTIME PATRON: Uh, I would like to sign up for storytime ...
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Great!
[the woman holds up a flyer]
STORYTIME PATRON: But I can't find the Tuesday/Thursday listings ...
LITTLE GIRL: Mommy!
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Oh, those were discontinued.
STORYTIME PATRON: Of the Friday morning walk-ins ...
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Unfortunately, we can only have one storytime a week now ...
LITTLE GIRL: Mommy!
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: And we can't keep the lights on in the auditorium anymore.
STORYTIME PATRON: [pause] So that's why your one storytime is ... held in the parking lot?
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Yes.
STORYTIME PATRON: At six in the morning?!
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [pause] Well, at least the streetlights are still on!
[she smiles and walks off]
LITTLE BOY: Mommy!
[cut to the librarian returning to the reference desk, where the male patron in the snuggie is waiting for her]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: The Snuggie and the Slanket are actually made by the same company, with the Slanket being released in 2006.
SNUGGIE PATRON: I knew it!
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Though they were both, uh, predated by the Freedom Blanket in 2005 ...
[he continues rubbing his snuggie]
SNUGGIE PATRON: I'm glad I've got mine ...
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Sorry about the chill, the heating system's down.
[the young Star Trek fan approaches]
TREKKIE PATRON: I was unable to locate your "Star Trek Original Series" DVDs on the bookcase indicated.
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Did you look in the fiction?
TREKKIE PATRON: [pause] Fiction?
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Uh, "Star Trek" is science fiction.
TREKKIE PATRON: That does not compute.
[the lights suddenly go out]
TREKKIE PATRON: Computer! Lights!
SNUGGIE PATRON: Is it a power outage? Save me, Snuggie!
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: No no, they're just trying to cut costs ... Uh, budget cuts, you know.
[cut to the librarian using a flashlight to find the light switch and turn the power back on, when the phone starts ringing, so she runs over to the checkout desk and answers it]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [into the phone] Regional Library, how can I help you?
[she pauses]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [into the phone] Yes, of course, let me check on that for you.
[she starts typing on the computer]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [into the phone] Yes, you do have the room reserved.
[she pauses]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [into the phone] How early? Of course, I'll go set that up for you right now! Thank you!
[cut to more sped-up footage of the librarian walking away to "Yakety Sax", as she sets up several chairs in the meeting room (all by herself), then cut back to the checkout desk as the female patron puts a large stack of books down]
CIRC PATRON: Can somebody help me?
[the librarian slides into the scene and gives a big smile]
CIRC PATRON: Can I get a printout of these so I know when my books are due?
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Sure, let me just--
[she reaches for the keyboard, when someone off camera reaches in first and takes it away]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Hey! Where's my computer?
[the person reaches in from off camera and hands her an abacus]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: What's this? Where's my computer?
MALE LIBRARIAN: [from off camera] Had to downgrade ... Budget cuts, you know.
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: But how do I--
[the patron reaches in and hands her a book]
CIRC PATRON: Can you renew this item? It's my favorite!
[the librarian looks at the cover]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Leonard Maltin's "Movie and Video Guide" from 1995?
CIRC PATRON: I love this book, I've been renewing it for years!
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Ah ... He comes out with a new one every year.
CIRC PATRON: I know, but I love his review of "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!"
[the librarian starts reading from the book]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: "A funny and irreverent illustration of what inspired professionals can accomplish without much of a budget" ...
[the librarian casts a knowing glance to the camera, then slams the book shut]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Alright, let's renew this puppy!
[she smiles, but then reaches down and finds only the abacus]
CIRC PATRON: You really should have enough money for computers.
[she smiles, then reaches down and places a large glass jar marked "Tips are Appreciated" on the desk]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: I'll be right back ...
[cut to more sped-up footage of the librarian walking away to "Yakety Sax" (as she stops to reshelve some books in the childrens' section), then cut to the librarian being stopped in the stacks by the same woman (without her children)]
STORYTIME PATRON: Excuse me, do you have a booklist for kids who like mysteries?
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Of course!
[she reaches up and takes a flyer off of a nearby shelf]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Uh, here you are!
[she hands the flyer to the woman, who shakes her head]
STORYTIME PATRON: I can't read this, it's all streaky!
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Well, our printer is very old and we can't afford to replace it, but let me try to run you off a fresh copy ...
[cut to the librarian in the backroom trying to use the photocopy machine, which makes horrible grinding noises before spitting out another streaky copy]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Ugh ...
[the sound of a door opening can be heard, as she whirls around to the sound of all the patrons screaming "There you are!"]
CIRC PATRON: [from off camera] How will I know when to bring my books back?
TREKKIE PATRON: [from off camera] You're missing Season Two Disc Five! "The Trouble with Tribbles" is my favorite episode!
STORYTIME PATRON: [from off camera] The real "mystery" is trying to make out these booklists!
COMPUTER PATRON: [from off camera] That Tron game is too hard ... and I'm missing the live chat on "SexySumoWrestlers Dot Com!"
[the librarian holds her hands up to silence everyone]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Okay!
[she turns and addresses the first patron]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Just bring your items back in two weeks.
[she turns to the next one]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: We can't afford multiple copies of any DVD, but if you place a hold, we'll call you on your ... "communicator" when it comes in for you.
[she turns to the next one]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: If you squint, maybe you can read it ... If not, just give them some "Hardy Boys."
[she turns to the next one]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: And you ... "SexySumoWrestlers Dot Com"? Eww!
[cut to the librarian waving out the doorway]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Thank you so much! Glad I could help! You come back now ... goodbye!
[she smiles and closes the door behind her]
CIRC PATRON: [from off camera] She was nice!
[cut to the librarian breathing a sigh of relief, as she turns to someone off camera]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: Another day at the library, huh?
[the camera pans over to reveal a male librarian sitting at his computer, as he plays the keyboard as if it was a piano]
[cut to the librarian (now wearing a long black dress) leaning up against a printer and singing to the camera]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: When the budget was first slashed, I was petrified! How to do my job with my new printer denied? Then I ran off a few more, they didn't look too wrong ...
[she takes a piece of paper out of the machine, with a sad look on her face]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: The streaks are long, but we'll just have to get along!
[she throws the paper over her head, then cut to three female librarians dancing in the library]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] So we step back, in the library base, approving fewer - but better - programs without disgrace!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] Should we stop inviting authors? Should we buy condensed books? Pretty sure that the homeschoolers would just give us dirty looks!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] Come on now, walk ... in our door! Just wander around now, you are welcome to explore!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] Did you think we'd stop reading to your kids? We still want them to learn about the pyramids!
[one of the librarians holds up a copy of "The Tomb of King Tutankhamen", then cut to three female librarians dancing while reshelving books]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] And we'll advise! Alphabetize!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] For as long as we have patrons, libraries will stay alive! We've got computers spread throughout, and so much to check out! We'll survive, we will survive ... hey hey!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] It took lots of hard work to stand this budget squeeze ...
[cut to three female librarians throwing DVDs at the camera]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] Trying hard to mend the pieces of your DVDs!
[cut to two shirtless male librarians loading boxes into a truck]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] I drove oh so many miles, just feeling sorry for myself ...
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] We used to worry, but we'll be better in a hurry!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] For us, a crisis is nothing new ... Just bring these items back by the date that they are due!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] Check out new releases, wonders to behold ...
[one of the librarians holds up a book, then another librarian rushes in from off camera and grabs it]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] But I'm saving this one for the patron who has placed the hold!
[cut to two female librarians showing books to a pair of teenage patrons]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] Come on now, stroll! In our door ... Check us out now, take a book down to the shore!
[cut to the two teenage patrons looking at a display of manga books]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] What do you think about this whole manga craze? All I know is that they make some really cute displays!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] Come on to learn something new! For as long as you want, just go online to renew!
[cut to two female librarians waving American flags]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] We've got meeting space for groups, from D.A.R. to Boy Scout troops! Then we'll survive, we will survive ... oh!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] Come on now, walk in our door! Find inspiration and knowledge, how-to books to ancient lore! We still think libraries are the epitome of cool, to do a job search or get some help with school!
[cut to more librarians dancing]
VOCALIST LIBRARIAN: [in voice over] And now we've built something new! From now into the future, libraries will stay true! We've got a mission to uphold, just watch our tale unfold! And we'll survive, we will survive ... hey hey!
[cut to more librarians dancing, as the scene fades to black]
Starring
The staff of
Central Rappahannock
Regional Library
Written, directed, & edited by
Sean Bonney
sbonney [at] crrl dot org
"I Will Survive"
Music (c)1978 D. Fekaris & F. Perren
---
From librarypoint.org:
Everyone knows times are tough. Budget cuts and belt-tightening are commonplace.
The library has felt the pinch too, but we know we'll carry on and continue to offer the best possible service to our patrons.
Humor often helps us through the hard times, so we'd like to share this video, inspired by the 1978 disco hit "I Will Survive," made by and featuring CRRL staff.
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