Librarians to the Rescue

New Action Figure Salutes Unsung Heroes

by Melissa Block

Listen Now:

Real Media|Windows Media Explain these links

Nancy Pearl, the Seattle librarian who served as the model for the figure.

Seattle librarian Nancy Pearl served as the model for the new action figure.

See the entire figure.

The new Librarian Action Figure.

Nancy Pearl's new book, Book Lust, due out later this month.

Nancy Pearl's new book, Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason

All Things Considered, September 1, 2003 · On this Labor Day, we pay tribute to the librarian. Librarians feed our hunger for knowledge, they steer us down the proper research path, they find us sources and citations, and dig out obscure facts.

And though their efforts often go unheralded, now librarians are represented by an action figure. From the company Archie McPhee -- offbeat outfitters of popular culture -- the librarian action figure joins the ranks of the Albino Bowler action figure, the Sigmund Freud action figure, the coffee shop Barista action figure, and the Jesus action figure.

The model for the 5-inch-tall plastic librarian is Nancy Pearl, who works at the Seattle Public Library and is author of the book, Book Lust. She also started the program, "If Everyone in Seattle Read the Same Book," which has been imitated around the country. NPR's Melissa Block, host of All Things Considered talks with Nancy Pearl about the honor bestowed on her. The action figure should be available in October.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)