Oranges and Peaches

There's a common story told in introductory reference classes. A patron comes to the reference desk and asks for a book called "Oranges and Peaches." The librarian has never heard of the book before, but does a quick search in the catalog. Nothing. A quick search on Amazon offers some possibilities, but, no. Nothing. Rather than send the patron away, the librarian probes the patron for more information about the book.

L: Can you tell me what the book is about?
P: No idea.
L: Hmmm. How did you hear about it?
P: My professor assigned it. I have to read it for class.
L: Which class are you taking?
P: Biology.

L: Could it be Darwin's Origin of Species?

This blog is about all that stuff that is apparently common knowledge that I don't know, or managed to forget. Without fail, a new bit of 'common knowledge' presents itself to me on a daily basis. Hopefully, without huge embarrassment to myself. I expect to have frequent postings. We'll see how it goes.

Update 12/28/2007: I learned tonight that the oranges and peaches reference came from a hilarious movie called Party Girl, which I have actually seen. Parker Posey plays an eccentric young woman who starts to work as a librarian out of necessity. In one scene, a patron approaches her and asks for "Origin of Species," at which time Mary directs that patron to books about oranges and peaches. I really need to see that movie again.