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Repetitive, but interesting. I especially liked the short essays on the histories of various American libraries.
I am so glad this book exists! I have really fond memories of all the time I've spent in libraries, from childhood to today, but I've really never given much thought to the men and women who actually work there. This book gave me a chance to glimpse the world of libraries and librarians in an entirely new light!
I would love to own this book! As an aspiring librarian, it was so amazing to hear all the praise of the field that I so ardently believe in, reflected back to me. It would be amazing to have a copy to refer back to when the road gets a little bumpy. It was fascinating and relevant and I loved it! Here’s to the road ahead! I’m ready!
Note: this does not work as an ebook. Don't waste money on it. Get the actual book. It would make a fantastic coffee table book.
I was pre-approved on Net-Galley for this title and was pretty excited to check it out. The book does not disappoint, but the format did not work. Some of the text fades to SUPER light gray, almost matching the background of my kindle, and the layout just isn't made for ebook. Normally I'm super mean and would deduct stars for that, but I didn't this time, because with the upcoming administration this kind of message is very needed. It humanizes librarians all over and shares their stories, what's important to them, and their message. I do wish the photos were less "school photos" and more informal, but that's personal preference. I think it would have made the book more friendly and less like the scam "who's who" books. The ebook also didn't have an index so I couldn't quickly skim though to see if I knew anyone, or there was anyone from my state. I'm hoping that the finished version does have the index, because it would greatly benefit the book (there's a line that says index in the ebook, so I'm hopeful).
I definitely think this is a fun and useful book for libraries and schools to own, but it's very much a niche title and random people won't really purchase it.
I was pre-approved on Net-Galley for this title and was pretty excited to check it out. The book does not disappoint, but the format did not work. Some of the text fades to SUPER light gray, almost matching the background of my kindle, and the layout just isn't made for ebook. Normally I'm super mean and would deduct stars for that, but I didn't this time, because with the upcoming administration this kind of message is very needed. It humanizes librarians all over and shares their stories, what's important to them, and their message. I do wish the photos were less "school photos" and more informal, but that's personal preference. I think it would have made the book more friendly and less like the scam "who's who" books. The ebook also didn't have an index so I couldn't quickly skim though to see if I knew anyone, or there was anyone from my state. I'm hoping that the finished version does have the index, because it would greatly benefit the book (there's a line that says index in the ebook, so I'm hopeful).
I definitely think this is a fun and useful book for libraries and schools to own, but it's very much a niche title and random people won't really purchase it.
Very sweet. So nice to read, especially these days when we seem to be increasingly on the chopping block.
What a nice look at the career and the people who have chosen this line of work! I enjoyed seeing in visual form what I already knew: that librarians are an incredibly diverse bunch of people who happen to share a common love of learning. There ARE a lot of glasses and cardigans being sported here, but readers not very familiar with the profession might be surprised to see the tattoos, brightly-dyed hair, and hipster styling of many of these folks. (I wasn't, but then again I've been doing this for a long time.) We've come a long way from the bunned, shushing old matron of the classic stereotype!
Sprinkled throughout are short essays by famous writers on the role that the library has had in their life, and there are short pieces on the history of libraries, the interesting collections at various locations, etc. The quotes from the featured staff become pretty redundant after awhile, but it's nice to see a unified theme and enthusiasm (the bottom line of which is: libraries are important and awesome). The cynic in me wants to note that this a glowing portrait of the profession rather than a measured look at both the joys and challenges of this line of work, but that should be clear going in. I doubt that anyone is picking up this book to get an objective career overview. What it IS, then, is a lovely little promotional piece for libraries and the good that they do, and I would like to share it with people who are skeptics or perhaps just unaware of the many great things libraries are continuing to do in their communities. Recommended for the bookish set, who will see themselves reflected in these pages.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Sprinkled throughout are short essays by famous writers on the role that the library has had in their life, and there are short pieces on the history of libraries, the interesting collections at various locations, etc. The quotes from the featured staff become pretty redundant after awhile, but it's nice to see a unified theme and enthusiasm (the bottom line of which is: libraries are important and awesome). The cynic in me wants to note that this a glowing portrait of the profession rather than a measured look at both the joys and challenges of this line of work, but that should be clear going in. I doubt that anyone is picking up this book to get an objective career overview. What it IS, then, is a lovely little promotional piece for libraries and the good that they do, and I would like to share it with people who are skeptics or perhaps just unaware of the many great things libraries are continuing to do in their communities. Recommended for the bookish set, who will see themselves reflected in these pages.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Favorite photo caption goes to Daniel Ronsom, Institutional Services Librarian at the California College of the Arts: "The greatest challenge libraries are facing is the apathy of the privileged. Libraries are busier than ever before, but then someone writes a "think piece" stating that "libraries are dead" and politicians cite it when slashing library budgets. It's what actually happened to the Great Library of Alexandria. Yes, it was damages by fires, but contrary to popular conceptions that's not what destroyed it. In fact, it was time and the apathy of its leadership that led to its slow decline. We can't let the apathy of today's leadership have the same disastrous effect on the libraries of today." pg. 174. Lane Goldszer, Page at the Santa Monica Public Library, is my favorite photo on pg. 39. She simply says, "Libraries are a free space." I like that deep aphoristic wisdom there, and my heart is warmed by the inclusion of a Page in this series of "librarian" photos. (Love you, Mom.) And Taina Evans, Library Information Supervisor at the Brooklyn Public Library, is my favorite photo and caption combination page. She says, "Librarians empower users in their pursuit of knowledge, learning, and in discovery and research across all disciplinary fields, transcending race, color, and creed. By far the most valuable institution available to the public, for free. I love working here, empowering others." pg. 36. It's pretty clear that all of the folks featured in this book have followed Lankes' advice and have really chosen to be there. If you really "choose to be there" for others, your enthusiasm will show through and make an impact.
Anything we can do to combat the dried-up, shushing book hoarder the better. This is a nice photo essay about contemporary librarians and the great work they do.