Scan barcode
foofers1622's review against another edition
5.0
If you think libraries are just for books, you need to read this now! Libraries are so much more then just a house for books. Each library full fills the communities needs and as we now, each community is different from the next. That is why they are so important!
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
5.0
This book was awesome. This is a great read for anyone working in the Library field or someone who just enjoys going to their local library . I love how librarians describe their jobs and why Libraries are so important to everyone.
reba_reads_books's review against another edition
2.0
I think this book is great for the general public, anyone who has a very specific idea of what a library is and needs their perspective broadened. However, it's not so good for a reader like me who already works in a library, someone who's already aware of the broad range of options for a librarian's career focus. This is shelved in the library science section and it's a thick book, which made me think it would go in depth as to different librarians' jobs. For example, a section on academic librarians versus public service librarians versus technical services librarians versus special collections librarians, archivists, etc. This book clearly had the opportunity to do that with the range of librarians quoted inside, but it failed to take that opportunity. It gave this massive list of librarians one paragraph each and what all did they say? Pretty much the same thing...Libraries are important. At that point, it's more a photography book and should be shelved in the photography section, rather than the library science section. But, as others have said, some of the photography isn't quality. And sadly, I even found a typo early on. I'm giving this two stars instead of one mainly because another reader may enjoy it...and also the Cory Doctorow essay made it worth it. The rest of the author essays all repeated the same, overstated message--Libraries matter, and here are my memories of libraries and books from my childhood, etc. So much of this book is sweet in small doses (a coffee table read, for sure), but it missed a huge opportunity to be so much more and is lacking a certain quality to even be the best at what it tried to be.
erincataldi's review against another edition
5.0
I will admit that I am a little partial to this book because I'm one of the librarians featured in it, BUT that is not the only reason by a long shot! Kyle Cassidy has done an insanely impressive job compiling the essence and passion of librarianship into one beautiful coffee table book. Over 300 librarians from all over the world are featured and all have a gorgeous photo accompanied by a quote or statement on what being a librarian means to the. Some are wordy and eloquent, some are moving, and others are passionate pleas. Also included are mini essays from Kyle about different libraries and librarians, as well as essays from bestselling authors like Neil Gaiman John Scalzi, George R. R. Martin touting how libraries and librarians have helped their lives. A wonderful book that deserves a spot in very personal and public library. What an honor to have even been involved in this.
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
So inspiring! I love my profession and this book helped me love it even more.
jwsg's review against another edition
4.0
After reading this book, it made me wish I had trained to be a librarian. I've always loved libraries for, well, the books. But This is What a Librarian looks like made me realise that for many communities, a library is so much more than just about borrowing books. It is a lifeline: "programs for children and teens, after school programmes, computer classes, programmes to support small businesses and job seekers, visits from day care, community and senior centers, community meetings...English as a Second Language programmes" to name a few.
This is What a Librarian Looks Like features librarians from all across America - from public libraries at the town, city and state levels, high school libraries, university libraries, research libraries, libraries in correctional facilities and hospitals - speaking about their role. It also features essays written by guest authors such as Neil Gaiman (his essay was one of my favourites), Cory Doctorow, Amanda Palmer speaking about the importance of the library in their lives, and essays on different libraries and the different roles they play in their respective communities (the LA Central Library, the Lewis and Clark Bookmobile in Montana; the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library in Northampton Massachusetts, the Tablet Room at UPenn and the Greybull Public Library in Wyoming, to name a few).
It amazed me how broadly librarians interpreted their mandate to support the public's access to knowledge, their mission to build communities. They described libraries as "community centers, schools, health clinics, post officers, movie theatres, job placement centers", "safe place(s) for the maligned members of our community", catalysts for democracy, "places of community". Librarians saw themselves as "search ninjas", "sense-makers of complicated information environments", "connectors" of people and ideas, of past, present and future, "guide(s) to what's possible", "social worker, educator, storyteller, advocate and activist". I was amazed by some of the programmes librarians initiated and fought for: Nick Higgins at the Brooklyn Public Library created a programme in 2010 called Daddy and Me, which involved incarcerated parents at Rikers Island reading to their children and delivering a DVD to their child, to help connect kids with their parents; library director Mary Anne Antonellis of the M.N. Spear Memorial Library in Shutesbury, Massachusetts got a bunch of kayaks to loan out by the old town beach so that people could explore the lake without having to own a boat or transport one to the lake; Briony Zlomke Beckstrom is a youth services librarian at the Franklin Public Library in Franklin, Wisconsin in Milwaukee who started an American Girl Doll lending program so that little girls in the community could get a chance to play with the dolls even if they couldn't afford one of their own; Bretagne Byrd drives a 32 foot Freightliner which serves as a mobile library for communities in rural Montana.
Along the way, you also learn interesting nuggets like how librarians are increasingly automating the process of deciding which books in their collection to cull, using software like "Decision Centre to isolate recommendations for weeding, shelving allocation, floating collections, etc", and the tensions between archival and circulating collections.
A lovely, lovely read.
This is What a Librarian Looks Like features librarians from all across America - from public libraries at the town, city and state levels, high school libraries, university libraries, research libraries, libraries in correctional facilities and hospitals - speaking about their role. It also features essays written by guest authors such as Neil Gaiman (his essay was one of my favourites), Cory Doctorow, Amanda Palmer speaking about the importance of the library in their lives, and essays on different libraries and the different roles they play in their respective communities (the LA Central Library, the Lewis and Clark Bookmobile in Montana; the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library in Northampton Massachusetts, the Tablet Room at UPenn and the Greybull Public Library in Wyoming, to name a few).
It amazed me how broadly librarians interpreted their mandate to support the public's access to knowledge, their mission to build communities. They described libraries as "community centers, schools, health clinics, post officers, movie theatres, job placement centers", "safe place(s) for the maligned members of our community", catalysts for democracy, "places of community". Librarians saw themselves as "search ninjas", "sense-makers of complicated information environments", "connectors" of people and ideas, of past, present and future, "guide(s) to what's possible", "social worker, educator, storyteller, advocate and activist". I was amazed by some of the programmes librarians initiated and fought for: Nick Higgins at the Brooklyn Public Library created a programme in 2010 called Daddy and Me, which involved incarcerated parents at Rikers Island reading to their children and delivering a DVD to their child, to help connect kids with their parents; library director Mary Anne Antonellis of the M.N. Spear Memorial Library in Shutesbury, Massachusetts got a bunch of kayaks to loan out by the old town beach so that people could explore the lake without having to own a boat or transport one to the lake; Briony Zlomke Beckstrom is a youth services librarian at the Franklin Public Library in Franklin, Wisconsin in Milwaukee who started an American Girl Doll lending program so that little girls in the community could get a chance to play with the dolls even if they couldn't afford one of their own; Bretagne Byrd drives a 32 foot Freightliner which serves as a mobile library for communities in rural Montana.
Along the way, you also learn interesting nuggets like how librarians are increasingly automating the process of deciding which books in their collection to cull, using software like "Decision Centre to isolate recommendations for weeding, shelving allocation, floating collections, etc", and the tensions between archival and circulating collections.
A lovely, lovely read.
rdyourbookcase's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading the author essays and the librarian quotes. I was happy to see a diverse (in so many ways) group.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
"Librarians are warrior princes and princesses wielding book love like swords." Susan K. McClelland from Oak Park Public Library
"I was always a library kid. What drew me to my calling was the realization that stories can be consumed and created in many ways, and that technology is a powerful tool to do that." Gretchen Caserotti from Meridian Public Library
“Impassioned librarians are a force to be reckoned with. We have the curiosity of a scientist, the work ethic of a teacher, the creativity of an artist, and the ferocity of a prize fighter. We are so much more than Google." Alea Perez, from Westmont Public Library
I vaguely remember when Cassidy started this project. I saw something in the library news about the first pictures that he took. Then, to be honest, I forgot all about it. I was retiring from the profession and I was sure Cassidy was not coming to take my picture. I am old and look a bit too much like the stereotypical librarian.
I am glad that my local library bought this and I hope that many people will at least look at it. Here are almost 220 women and men that are still librarians and are doing their best to show people that libraries are still important. I salute and thank them. Being a librarian was always a calling for me and I am so happy to see that is true for many of these librarians. Maybe someone will see this and realize that she is also called to this fun, wonderful career.
"I was always a library kid. What drew me to my calling was the realization that stories can be consumed and created in many ways, and that technology is a powerful tool to do that." Gretchen Caserotti from Meridian Public Library
“Impassioned librarians are a force to be reckoned with. We have the curiosity of a scientist, the work ethic of a teacher, the creativity of an artist, and the ferocity of a prize fighter. We are so much more than Google." Alea Perez, from Westmont Public Library
I vaguely remember when Cassidy started this project. I saw something in the library news about the first pictures that he took. Then, to be honest, I forgot all about it. I was retiring from the profession and I was sure Cassidy was not coming to take my picture. I am old and look a bit too much like the stereotypical librarian.
I am glad that my local library bought this and I hope that many people will at least look at it. Here are almost 220 women and men that are still librarians and are doing their best to show people that libraries are still important. I salute and thank them. Being a librarian was always a calling for me and I am so happy to see that is true for many of these librarians. Maybe someone will see this and realize that she is also called to this fun, wonderful career.
chocodippedlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Every library should have this book in their collection and should reference it often when asked what libraries can offer. I loved the variety of librarians and all that they do. I also love authors and actors/actresses chiming in on how librarians affected them.
One con is the lack of diversity among librarians but this is to no fault of the author. It just highlights that there should be more diversity among librarians.
One con is the lack of diversity among librarians but this is to no fault of the author. It just highlights that there should be more diversity among librarians.
caitb_05's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful book that reminded me of the magic of libraries. It provided so much insight into the huge role libraries play in our society and why they still hold such value in today’s technological age.