Smile Politely

Here’s a fun way to see what librarians do all day

Louise Knight-Gibson
Ah illustration of a non-binary character. They wear a blue oversized sweatshirt with a white shirt st the bottom and dark blue pants. They have light brown skin and blue hair.They are standing in a room of tall shelves holding a new film canister after finishing treatment
Image by Preservation and Conservation at U of I library art by @danikey_art

The Preservation and Conservation Library introduced their new, unofficial non-binary mascot. Meet Ash (they/them), Ash is an illustrated character by @danikey_art. they were created to reflect the library’s diverse workforce and illustrate what the librarians do. The library posts stories as Ash navigates their new job working in Preservation Services as a Graduate Assistant. Above they are “working on an AV rehousing project for the Rare Books and Manuscript Library. Seen here retrieving a new film canister after finishing treatment.” The library’s Facebook also features a comic about rare metals in bookbinding.

Ah illustration of a non-binary character. They wear a blue oversized sweatshirt with a white shirt st the bottom and dark blue pants. They have light brown skin and blue hair. The character is standing in front of an orange half circle and there is white text next to them that says, "introducing Ash they/them) with dark blue outlines of the character putting books on a library cart and walking while holding a book.
Image by Preservation and Conservation at U of I library art by @danikey_art

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