lilliangretsinger's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay. It highlighted the different kinds of libraries and librarians out there and how important they are. I likes the essays from famous authors though. I think there are people that will read this book (librarians) and the people that need to read this book (the general public). However, it won't make it into the hands of the people that should be reading it, those that think libraries and librarians are irrelevant.
sarahfett's review against another edition
4.0
Librarians often don't look like the stereotype... and neither do libraries! This book is a great look into the evolving role of libraries and librarians in today's world.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
4.0
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
I recently started going to grad school to get my MLIS. I have a psychology background and am fascinated with representations of people and stereotypes and how they can hinder performance and such. One of my professors suggested this book.
This is a book of quotes and photos along with profiles and essays from various authors and library lovers including [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], [a:George R. R. Martin|19741654|George R. R. Martin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], and [a:Cory Doctorow|12581|Cory Doctorow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1361468756p2/12581.jpg]. I think this book is wonderful for those who love libraries, those who want to learn a bit more about what librarians do, and those who want to be or are working toward becoming a librarian.
Various topics are brought up such as the relevancy of libraries, how they incorporate technology, different views of librarians, and various issues that librarians face. I especially liked the sections that dealt with non-traditional circulation items such as canoes and American Girl dolls.
Because the majority of this is a book of photographs and quotes, it's not sometime that you necessarily read cover to cover in a few days. It took me over a month to read because I found it best to read a few pages of quotes at a time. It was a good way to really digest the ideas presented. Many of these ideas understandably overlapped, so reading large chunks at a time could get repetitive. It's a great book to flip through and peruse at various times.
I loved the idea of this book in breaking the stereotype of who a librarians is (a cranky old white woman who shushes people). We rationally know that there is various librarians, but many still have that stereotype at the front of their minds.
Those who have been librarians for a while or who have worked in libraries will probably already be familiar with most of the things brought up in the book (tech issues, funding), but they may also read things that resonate with them or that they can relate to.
Overall, I thought this was a good read that gave perspectives on libraries and librarians and helped change the narrative on what makes a librarian. Wonderful photographs, interesting quotes, and fascinating sections on various topics like tablet archives, library origins, and bookmobiles. This book is all things library and it is exciting to see how they have evolved and changed over time and place to meet patron needs.
I recently started going to grad school to get my MLIS. I have a psychology background and am fascinated with representations of people and stereotypes and how they can hinder performance and such. One of my professors suggested this book.
This is a book of quotes and photos along with profiles and essays from various authors and library lovers including [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], [a:George R. R. Martin|19741654|George R. R. Martin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], and [a:Cory Doctorow|12581|Cory Doctorow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1361468756p2/12581.jpg]. I think this book is wonderful for those who love libraries, those who want to learn a bit more about what librarians do, and those who want to be or are working toward becoming a librarian.
Various topics are brought up such as the relevancy of libraries, how they incorporate technology, different views of librarians, and various issues that librarians face. I especially liked the sections that dealt with non-traditional circulation items such as canoes and American Girl dolls.
Because the majority of this is a book of photographs and quotes, it's not sometime that you necessarily read cover to cover in a few days. It took me over a month to read because I found it best to read a few pages of quotes at a time. It was a good way to really digest the ideas presented. Many of these ideas understandably overlapped, so reading large chunks at a time could get repetitive. It's a great book to flip through and peruse at various times.
I loved the idea of this book in breaking the stereotype of who a librarians is (a cranky old white woman who shushes people). We rationally know that there is various librarians, but many still have that stereotype at the front of their minds.
Those who have been librarians for a while or who have worked in libraries will probably already be familiar with most of the things brought up in the book (tech issues, funding), but they may also read things that resonate with them or that they can relate to.
Overall, I thought this was a good read that gave perspectives on libraries and librarians and helped change the narrative on what makes a librarian. Wonderful photographs, interesting quotes, and fascinating sections on various topics like tablet archives, library origins, and bookmobiles. This book is all things library and it is exciting to see how they have evolved and changed over time and place to meet patron needs.
in2reading's review against another edition
4.0
The many libraries and librarians featured in this book made me especially proud to be a member of this amazing profession! Libraries are conduits to connection, learning, training, entertainment, answers and much more. They serve everyone. Whether or not you choose to use them, they provide tangible benefits to our society by giving all a chance to widen their horizons.
turn_down_for_smut's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing and inspiring read! I couldn't put it down. We as librarians wear so many different hats and this book truly shows that.
joeyhannah's review against another edition
5.0
It's always fun to spot a couple of familiar faces... 😁
And this book definitely made me feel proud of what I've chosen to do with my life. Even though being a public librarian is hard and the pay is terrible and the grad school debt is unbearable, what we do every day is meaningful and makes the world better for each person we help.
And this book definitely made me feel proud of what I've chosen to do with my life. Even though being a public librarian is hard and the pay is terrible and the grad school debt is unbearable, what we do every day is meaningful and makes the world better for each person we help.
crystalm17's review against another edition
3.0
As a librarian and book lover myself I was interested in a book which says it's a "celebration of libraries, communities, and access to information" but honestly this wasn't exactly a fun read through. With a title like "This Is What a Librarian Looks Like" I expected more diversity in the photographs. Sure there are men and women of various skin colors and with unique shirts, hair, and jewelry but all of the pictures are just more or less your basic school photo type picture. I think it would have been more interesting if the photographer had went to libraries and caught pictures of librarians in the act as opposed to just catching them at a conference and having them pose. That way people could have really seen the diversity in the jobs instead of hearing about it.
Another gripe, all of the statements from people and even little introspective pieces by authors were so similar. Perhaps we should have had everyone give more personal information instead of reading over and over again that libraries offer safe spaces, information, and services that towns/people might not otherwise get. How about you give us exact details on what you/your library offers? That's why some of the essays were far more interesting because they got into the unique details of different libraries.
All in all it's nice to see so many people loving and promoting libraries but I'm not sure it works in this format.
Another gripe, all of the statements from people and even little introspective pieces by authors were so similar. Perhaps we should have had everyone give more personal information instead of reading over and over again that libraries offer safe spaces, information, and services that towns/people might not otherwise get. How about you give us exact details on what you/your library offers? That's why some of the essays were far more interesting because they got into the unique details of different libraries.
All in all it's nice to see so many people loving and promoting libraries but I'm not sure it works in this format.