tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post1836940726498098194..comments2023-11-03T06:20:06.604-05:00Comments on Lesa's Book Critiques: Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public LibraryLesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-65195646962930432302007-11-20T06:59:00.000-06:002007-11-20T06:59:00.000-06:00Thanks, Scott.Yes, you're right. Definitely a ste...Thanks, Scott.<BR/><BR/>Yes, you're right. Definitely a stereotype. If he's been working in libraries for 12 years, I wonder how he came up with that idea!Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-25440742584619047152007-11-20T01:33:00.000-06:002007-11-20T01:33:00.000-06:00Lesa,Since you enjoyed the book, you probably woul...Lesa,<BR/>Since you enjoyed the book, you probably would enjoy the article on him in USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2007-11-19-borchert-library_N.htm)<BR/><BR/>Although I must say I really didn't like his comment about librarians..."Librarians, Borchert says, tend 'not to be overly ambitious people. Not extroverts. It's a way for some people to hide. But that doesn't mean they're not good people.'" What a stereotype! Most librarians I know are about the most assertive people around!Scott Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17702996334629741325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-79318733941898153552007-11-19T21:27:00.000-06:002007-11-19T21:27:00.000-06:00Hi Scott,I do agree about the date due slip. And, ...Hi Scott,<BR/><BR/>I do agree about the date due slip. And, I didn't get the impression that the author's library has used them since he worked there. Of course, he might not have had any say in the cover.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with your book when it comes out!Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-64894148785432336272007-11-19T18:33:00.000-06:002007-11-19T18:33:00.000-06:00I was looking at the negative reviews, and I don't...I was looking at the negative reviews, and I don't think they were saying only a real librarian should write the book. I think they just felt mislead. I haven’t read the book, so I can’t say I agree with them, but they seemed fair (likewise the positive reviews seem fair too, so I say just read the book and be your own judge!). I will say one thing about the book that I don’t like, and that’s the cover! Does anyone even use due date slips still! Maybe I only go to modern libraries, but I haven’t seen them in years.<BR/><BR/> I honestly wasn't too impressed by the excerpt I read online over at the Wall Street journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119507176507693107.html?mod=The-Weekend-Adviser), but I'm sure there are plenty of others out their who disagree. Regardless I'm still going to read the book, because it's about libraries and who doesn't love that!<BR/><BR/>I must shamelessly add that my own memoir about libraries is coming out in April from Da Capo Books. It's called "Quiet, Please" (ISBN: 0786720913).Scott Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17702996334629741325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-32926016001655853812007-11-18T16:52:00.000-06:002007-11-18T16:52:00.000-06:00Kay, Thanks for checking on the reviews. I though...Kay, <BR/><BR/>Thanks for checking on the reviews. I thought they were a little nasty in tone. <BR/><BR/>You summed up your job beautifully. And, to tell you the truth, some of us with Masters, as shown in this book, get too far into the administration, and get away from the reasons we went into the profession. You're still doing what you love, and that's perfect.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-91269874249233483722007-11-18T14:18:00.000-06:002007-11-18T14:18:00.000-06:00You know, Lesa, I went and looked at those reviews...You know, Lesa, I went and looked at those reviews on Amazon and 2 of the individuals who rated the book a "1" had only written this one review. The other one has not written very many, 5 or 6 maybe, and she was very uncomplimentary about most of the the books that she reviewed. I will say that I have come to the time in my life when I don't continue reading a book (usually) if I don't like it, so my reviews are mostly positive. I don't really get writing such a nasty review. Different strokes I guess.<BR/><BR/>Also, I don't have my MLS. I do work in a library and I do handle all our new materials and I do run our book group (and an additional one in January) and I do recommend books and field reference questions and handle the desk, etc., etc. But, I'm not a librarian. I'm a Library Administrative Assistant (Clerk). Some people have some attitude about the titles and some do not. Guess it's pretty common. I absoluately know that I am in the right job though and my aim is to help as many patrons as I can find just the right book for them and I like to think I am fairly successful at that. I have great respect for all of you with the MLS but I'm not about to go back to school now. I would miss so much reading time! Ha!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-964286981992463002007-11-18T13:05:00.000-06:002007-11-18T13:05:00.000-06:00No, Maria, I hate to say it's all over. So, to he...No, Maria, I hate to say it's all over. So, to heck with the snobs. <BR/><BR/>It's a good book that will remind you of any public library you've worked in.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-50596322216601058722007-11-18T11:32:00.000-06:002007-11-18T11:32:00.000-06:00I will have to check it out. And then add my own ...I will have to check it out. And then add my own little stories...because I do have some humdingers!!!! Libraries only Look Sedate!<BR/><BR/>I thought that snobbery over the MLS degree was just a local thing at my library! I didn't realize it was something all over. Now I feel better.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234907275906877802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-10174375802585772242007-11-17T23:11:00.000-06:002007-11-17T23:11:00.000-06:00Kay, I was very disappointed at a couple reviews I...Kay, I was very disappointed at a couple reviews I saw on B&N and Amazon who seemed upset that the author wasn't a librarian. All I can say is, for those who are snobs, and don't realize how much he's doing that is a "librarian's" job, they reinforce that image I've never agreed with. I have my MLS, and I'm proud of it. But, two of the best "librarians" I ever worked with, one in children's services, and one in reference, never had their MLS, and they were as good as, and better than many I've worked with with had the degree. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. For me, he painted an accurate portrait.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-85358195815908988712007-11-17T22:19:00.000-06:002007-11-17T22:19:00.000-06:00My, my, my. Sounds like one I need to get, read a...My, my, my. Sounds like one I need to get, read and nod my head at. Working in a library is never dull. You never know what will come up next and the pages are the hardest working people by far. It's a tough job. Thanks for sharing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com