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I have a vivid memory of accompanying my mom to the library sometime in the mid '70s. She was on a mission to definitively resolve (OK win) an argument that had been simmering between my dad and her for days. 

My dad insisted 1954, my mom 1956. The debate was heated.

I was about eight years old and this was before Google and other online resources that today deliver answers to these kind of questions on the spot.

Just now -  in 2015 - it took me all of two minutes to find and go to the Blue Suede Shoes Wikepedia Page and learn all I needed to know about the song (and more).

DISCLAIMER:  Wikipedia should NOT be used for true research.  They can say ANYTHING on there. For verified, reliable information, turn to  librarians and vetted database resources. Please. But.... wikis works in a pinch to solve silly arguments on-the-go.

But back then, my mom needed a reference librarian to guide us to the answer with the use of the card catalog and reference materials.

Thank goodness she got the answer.  I was just about over hearing about that song. And it turns out  - they were BOTH wrong.

Crisis averted, argument ended. Thank you reference librarian for bringing peace back to family-land!

I vaguely remember my mom feeling silly for asking the kind person at the reference desk for help with a "trivial" matter.

But today, having worked in a library for many years now, I know there was no need to feel silly. 

Librarians LOVE trivia.  Librarians COLLECT information. We LIVE for this stuff. It's WHAT we DO. Call it "reference" or call it "trivia" - none of it is trivial to us.

So it should come as no surprise that we regularly plan Trivia Nights at the Library. The next one is Friday, October 9 from 7 - 9 pm. 

Test your knowledge of things you should have learned in school while socializing with new or old friends.  Bring your own team members or let us put you on a team. Oh, and there will be "adult"  refreshments and some really great prizes. And it's free.

SIGN UP FOR TRIVIA NIGHT HERE

Want to get a little "practice" time in before the big event? Or want to embark on your own private "trivial pursuit"?  

At DPPL, you'll find a huge amount of trivia-related books and other materials packed with info about just about everything under the sun.

Here are some of our favorites:

Cubsology Trivia Challenge: Chicago Cubs Baseball

Paul F. Wilson & Tom P. Rippey III, editors

The Illustrated Stephen King Trivia Book

edited by Brian Freeman and Bev Vincent

Super Pop! Pop Culture Top Ten Lists to Help You Win at Trivia, Survive in the Wild, and Make it Through the Holidays

Daniel Harmon

A Trivia Lover's Guide to Even More of the World: Geography for the Global Generation

Gary Fuller

This Book's Got Game: A Collection of Awesome Sports Trivia

Hans Hetrick

399 Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges Specially Designed to Keep Your Brain Young

Nancy Linde

This Book is Top Secret: A Collection of Awesome Military Trivia

Cheryl Blackford

The Cat Lover's Compendium: Quotes, Facts, and other Adorable Purrl-ls of Wisdom

Milly Brown

So You Think You Know the Presidents? Fascinating Facts about our Chief Executives.

Peter E. Meltzer

The Ultimate Trivial Pursuit Questions and Answer Book

Superstars! Trivia, Facts and Quizes

Michael Anne Johns

The Smithsonian Book of Presidential Trivia

Amy Pastan

The Essential Tolkien Trivia and Quiz Book: a Middle-earth Miscellany

William MacKay

Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered

Dave Smith

The Little Green Book of Absinthe: An Essential Companion with Lore, Trivia and Classic and Contemporary Cocktails

Paul Owens and Paul Nathan

This Book Might Make you Gag: A Collection of Crazy, Gross Trivia

Connie Colwell Miller