Take a photo of a barcode or cover
At times I loved this book and at other times I was underwhelmed. In a time when librarians are fighting tooth and nail to stay afloat this book can help to facilitate conversations about the wide range of services that libraries offer. I was inspired by the wide range of people were portrayed in this book. While librarianship is still mostly dominated by white women, I liked the diversity this book represented. Thank you for giving these librarians a place to have their voice heard. I was also inspired by the stories of other libraries and how they have fought to provide for their communities (i.e. Kayaks or dolls).
However, I got a little tired of the interjections from various 'well known people.' While I understand the power of stories, they all seemed to say the same thing...'libraries are amazing, my library was my second home, I read so many books, etc.' Of course these are important stories, but did this book need so many? The only other thing that bothered me was the 'sound bites' from librarians. I noticed a lot said the same thing 'if libraries close, it will be chaos' 'we help with technology.' Why so much overlap? There is so much to say about librarianship and these sound bites seemed to gloss over some of the real issues facing libraries. The few librarians who did tackle topics of social justice and libraries - THANK YOU for showing a bit of the complexities that we are facing as a profession.
Overall - a fun and fast read and I enjoyed see the vast locations and job titles presented!
However, I got a little tired of the interjections from various 'well known people.' While I understand the power of stories, they all seemed to say the same thing...'libraries are amazing, my library was my second home, I read so many books, etc.' Of course these are important stories, but did this book need so many? The only other thing that bothered me was the 'sound bites' from librarians. I noticed a lot said the same thing 'if libraries close, it will be chaos' 'we help with technology.' Why so much overlap? There is so much to say about librarianship and these sound bites seemed to gloss over some of the real issues facing libraries. The few librarians who did tackle topics of social justice and libraries - THANK YOU for showing a bit of the complexities that we are facing as a profession.
Overall - a fun and fast read and I enjoyed see the vast locations and job titles presented!
A great look into librarians and libraries. Libraries are my happy place and this book kept me there all day. Loved it. POPSUGAR 2018 - A book that involves a bookstore or library
I can think of no better time than now for a book that explores from so many directions the importance of libraries, librarians, and the free flow of information. Kyle Cassidy has created here a moving and humanizing panegyric, a love letter to knowledge and the people with a passion for sharing it, for making it readily available for all who seek it. Cassidy's delightful photographic portraits of librarians from all corners of the world alternately reinforce and shatter some stereotypes we have come to associate with librarians, and the words of the librarians themselves form a richly layered and complex madrigal that celebrates their common passion for empowering people with the information they need and entertaining them with the whimsy they desire. Cassidy includes short essays on libraries from the likes of Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, Nancy Pearl, and Amanda Palmer that reinforce for the reader a sense of community among those of us for whom libraries have always felt like home, for whom librarians have always felt like family. Beautifully written, photographed, and edited, this book deserves a place on the (no doubt already overstuffed) shelves of any reader or seeker of knowledge.
This is a must read for all librarians everywhere. It is a beautiful tribute to our profession.
A very worthy pursuit, and an entertaining read.
Thanks to Netgalley for the read.
Thanks to Netgalley for the read.
A really timely reminder of why libraries are important (and librarians).
In these dark times, when assaults on our freedoms are happening daily, it gave me hope to read these brief photographic portraits of librarians. The message of the book is clear: libraries are essential to a free society. Support your libraries and librarians!
When I received notification from my library that my hold on this book had come in, THE SAME DAY AS THE RELEASE DATE, I dropped everything and ran over there. I've been looking forward to this book for months, and it did not disappoint. Looking at the photos of all the different librarians, from all over the US (and some from Canada, and many who are, of course, immigrants) was deeply settling and inspiring. It was so cool to see their smiles, their outfits, their funky and fun and classic jewelry, the way they hold themselves-- and, of course, read snippets about their thoughts on the importance of libraries.
The book could get a little redundant at times, but I thought it spoke to how closely aligned most librarians are in their mission and goals. Plus, it underscored the importance of libraries and the breadth and depth of what they provide.
The essays by other creators were interesting, and I enjoyed the spotlights on particular libraries/librarians and the unique things they were doing (the one about the librarian who introduced American Girls into her library actually made me cry a little, because I know so many children in my life who would have adored that).
This was such an excellent book. I'm seriously considering buying two copies of it-- one for my office at my library, and one for my coffee table at home, just so more people can be introduced to the variety of librarians out there in the world, all of whom are doing excellent work.
(It was also a pleasant surprise to discover that a friend I know from online was one of the librarians in this book!)
The book could get a little redundant at times, but I thought it spoke to how closely aligned most librarians are in their mission and goals. Plus, it underscored the importance of libraries and the breadth and depth of what they provide.
The essays by other creators were interesting, and I enjoyed the spotlights on particular libraries/librarians and the unique things they were doing (the one about the librarian who introduced American Girls into her library actually made me cry a little, because I know so many children in my life who would have adored that).
This was such an excellent book. I'm seriously considering buying two copies of it-- one for my office at my library, and one for my coffee table at home, just so more people can be introduced to the variety of librarians out there in the world, all of whom are doing excellent work.
(It was also a pleasant surprise to discover that a friend I know from online was one of the librarians in this book!)
