I’m with Walt. It never hurts to write someone. The worst they can do is tell you not to bother them again. I once wrote Noam Chomsky about an issue I believed he was mistaken on and got back a rather lengthy reply I don’t have permission to share.

Not trying to name drop, just trying to illustrate that there is always a chance that writers and speakers will have something to say to you, even if you’re not known in their field.

If any students are going to the Computers in Libraries conference next month (or are just in the DC area), an excellent way to meet and talk informally with some of the famous guru types is to sign up for the dine-around restaurant outings. And hang out in the hotel’s bars in the evenings. You don’t even need to be registered for the conference. I’m going to PLA this year, so I’ll miss all that.

p.s. I was hoping that some obsessive biblioblogger would take on the task of making a linkarific list of all the sites in The Blogga Song. Haven’t seen it happen so far, so I’ll probably end up doing it myself soon.

I’m not much for formal mentoring, but I’ve certainly been (informally) mentored back in the day (and more recently–it’s fair to say that Steven M. Cohen was mentoring me on the ways of the biblioblogosphere). Since I’m an undegreed rarity in the field, I’m not a natural to be an informal mentor, but I’m always happy to do what I can. And, other than lacking an MLS, I think I’m the rule, not the exception.

(Those who rebuff reasonable approaches will be spotted for whom they are, and the sharper students will find ways to let the library universe know about those whose self-importance has become too large.)

When I was newer to the library world, I was definitely cowed by people who seemed to really have it all figured out. There were a few proactive people who took the time to explain the lay of the land to me and save a seat for me at this or that event and introduce me around. I’ve always wanted to be that person for someone else.