Not many librarians are known for their influences on pop culture. Austin Community College librarian Red Wassenich is. But it’s not Mr. Wassenich as a man that is cause for celebrity, it’s the 3 words mentioned offhand on a local radio station in the spring of 2000 that are -“KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD.” This offhand remark has since become the slogan for a campaign to preserve small-ish local businesses, a merchandise cash cow for local tourism, and inspired copycats such as “Keep Portland Beered.” For me this slogan reflects much more on the populace of the “15th largest city in the US” and the dualities of its inhabitants.
