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jen_the_librarian13's review against another edition
5.0
As a librarian this book was just so perfect. I read the whole thing in one sitting.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to my hubby for giving me this for my birthday!! Yay!!
This book give a wonderful insight in the American library system. I really enjoyed reading all about the libraries, the inside scoop, how things worked, and also what kind of jobs he had and the things he experienced. I would have liked more funny experiences/situations. We get a couple here and there, but most aren't by the writer but instead from other librarians through his facebook. I was looking forward to those experiences/situations quite a bit, so that was a disappointment.
But I still had tons of fun reading the book and I learned so much about American Libraries and how they work. :)
This book give a wonderful insight in the American library system. I really enjoyed reading all about the libraries, the inside scoop, how things worked, and also what kind of jobs he had and the things he experienced. I would have liked more funny experiences/situations. We get a couple here and there, but most aren't by the writer but instead from other librarians through his facebook. I was looking forward to those experiences/situations quite a bit, so that was a disappointment.
But I still had tons of fun reading the book and I learned so much about American Libraries and how they work. :)
tinynavajo's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a librarian or know a librarian, or just want to know what it takes to work in a library, this is the book for you. Please, check out this book and see that there is more to working in a library than sitting around and reading all day.
emviolet's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
ellenmc07's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Unfortunately just not what I thought it was going to be. I wanted more funny stories then personal struggles to enter the library system because of his self imposed regionalism. Still had its moments though.
Unfortunately just not what I thought it was going to be. I wanted more funny stories then personal struggles to enter the library system because of his self imposed regionalism. Still had its moments though.
trayceebee's review against another edition
3.0
I have enjoyed William Ottens' 'Librarian Problems' posts, Facebook page, and blog for a few years now. I believe he created the majority of the early posts, but it really took off in Library World and I think that there are many fan contributions now.
If you work, have worked, or volunteer in a library, I definitely think you should read this book. It, like Librarian Problems, is a great outlet for people in Library World to maybe vent/commiserate with people who will truly get where they're coming from. And as Ottens points out in his book, these posts DO NOT mean we don't love our jobs working in libraries. I would guess that the majority of us DO love our jobs.... but hello, they're "jobs," meaning there are tough bits, bits we don't enjoy doing, etc. Ottens gets into a little bit of detail as to how he, himself, became a librarian (and why), as well as some of the inner workings of the typical library system. There was little in this book that was *new* to me, but it was definitely an entertaining read, knowing that it's the same all over. (Validation is such a big thing for humans, I think!)
*SPOILER*
One interesting tidbit--this book came out smack in the middle of COVID-19 and it's touched upon briefly in the final chapter. This is the first book I've read that talks about the Pandemic, and since we're still IN IT, it was definitely surreal. But I was glad, too, because it really felt like "life moves on" when I read that chapter. We deal with the challenges as they come our way, and we come back for more!
If you work, have worked, or volunteer in a library, I definitely think you should read this book. It, like Librarian Problems, is a great outlet for people in Library World to maybe vent/commiserate with people who will truly get where they're coming from. And as Ottens points out in his book, these posts DO NOT mean we don't love our jobs working in libraries. I would guess that the majority of us DO love our jobs.... but hello, they're "jobs," meaning there are tough bits, bits we don't enjoy doing, etc. Ottens gets into a little bit of detail as to how he, himself, became a librarian (and why), as well as some of the inner workings of the typical library system. There was little in this book that was *new* to me, but it was definitely an entertaining read, knowing that it's the same all over. (Validation is such a big thing for humans, I think!)
*SPOILER*
One interesting tidbit--this book came out smack in the middle of COVID-19 and it's touched upon briefly in the final chapter. This is the first book I've read that talks about the Pandemic, and since we're still IN IT, it was definitely surreal. But I was glad, too, because it really felt like "life moves on" when I read that chapter. We deal with the challenges as they come our way, and we come back for more!
literallykalasin's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure who exactly this is aimed at, because the author is known for his inside-baseball memes, but this seems like an intro to library life for people who have never been inside of a library.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting insight by a librarian about library happenings. Quick read.