"The crucial thing with a shambrarian is that although they begin to understand librar* stuff they don't understand *why* librarians do it that way" (The right honourable Pattern)

The rules are somewhat hard to codify, mainly due to this being a sham organisation that only exists in the collective mind of twitter by those who should be working (in libraries, obviously).

As far as we can tell:

* Dear Librarians, just because we like you, doesn't mean you can be a shambrarian. Sorry. (Cheal's first law http://twitter.com/juliancheal/statuses/8068923165 )

* Maybe if you've forgotten why librarians do things in the ways that they do, you could drop back to shambrarian level? (Pattern's diplomacy http://twitter.com/daveyp/statuses/8068443333 )

* whats with the shambrarian vs librarian thing, aren't we one big happy family? (Patel's Plea http://twitter.com/damyantipatel/statuses/8068567236 )

* if qualified colleague looking for resource online I enjoy asking "have you tried Google?" ( Sheppard's first rule on information literacy http://twitter.com/mrnick/statuses/8067432669 )

* Basically, if in doubt: ask on Twitter. Then let us know what the answer is please. It sticks until someone (anyone) says something which contradicts it.

* Is there a drinking game? why yes there is "The rules for the [shambrarian] Drinking Game are quite simple: When something happens, drink. As much as necessary."
(paraphrasing @benosteen and the ASR faq http://twitter.com/benosteen/status/12523278396)

* Librarian n. A cat loving, cake eating, tea drinking fan of Boolean searching and provider of staplers to the great unwashed
(DaveyP explains to the world why he's not a librarian http://twitter.com/daveyp/statuses/14752650654)

* Shambrarian n. A code loving, cake eating, beer drinking fan of Google searching and provider of staphylococci to the great unwashed
(DaveyP explains it all (not in a mid 90's nickloden sitcom style) http://twitter.com/daveyp/statuses/14753907526 )

(you'll be able to do stuff with this once Chris works out how to use Drupal. I wouldn't hold your breath)