Reviews

Overdue: Reckoning with the Public Library by Amanda Oliver

avg_bookworm's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

3.0

rachelkpf's review

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2.0

Fine autobiographical creative nonfiction project; not great "reckoning with the public library." Both too limited in perspective and unfocused in scope.

delaney3's review against another edition

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I want to read a physical edition of this book.

maggiemusing's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

jonathan_burgos's review against another edition

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dark informative sad tense medium-paced

2.0

braddy7's review

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5.0

This book is an “I see you” for librarians that work with hard populations. I love the history mixed with memoir mixed with let’s be people of hope and action.

caffeinated_gills's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced

3.75

A pretty good memoir that describes the importance and challenges associated with modern-day libraries. It describes how professions dedicated to serving marginalized communities rapidly lead to burnout for young professionals. Care is a necessity, but without support, those providing care are likely to become jaded and leave meaningful work. Libraries act as a stopgap for a horrible lack of services in this country, and as a result end up taking on some of the oppressive elements of the state. 

I think I'll recommend this book, but only to folks experiencing burnout due to a similar set of challenges caused by interacting with folks who struggle the most. 

katiegrrrl's review

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2.0

I didn’t really care for this. I agree with some her thoughts around public libraries, but I guess I am not sure I think she has the right to write this. Working nine months in a public library does not make her an expert. I also get a strong dose of white savior from her, even though she often denies it.

ryanhafener's review

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medium-paced

3.25

c_rewie6's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.75