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acarmola's review
5.0
Fellow librarians, this is a must-read, even if homelessness is not an issue at your library. Excellent info for conflict resolution and communication. Also good for non-librarians. Basically, everyone read this book! 😁
dealingwithdragons's review
emotional
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Most, if not all, of the de-escalation tactics in this book are invaluable for conversations with ALL patrons, including those not experiencing homelessness. Super useful stuff and written from a human-centered lense.
namaenani's review
4.0
Good insights and helpful suggestions. I do wish more of the strategies were named something that more clearly reflected what they were. When previously explained strategies were mentioned in later chapters, I had a very hard time remembering what they meant.
in2reading's review
5.0
Practical and empathetic. It would be helpful for all librarians and anyone who ever walks through a city to read this book. Highly recommended.
wknapp78's review
5.0
A really great look at what library staff do everyday, but from the perspective of another professional. With lots of practical advice and words of wisdom, Dowd also infuses humor and just enough emotion to make you feel better for having read the book.
queenstheif's review
4.0
His approach complements how my brain works, so I found this book very helpful. I liked how one piece of advice built on another until he started describing certain situations library staff may find themselves in and ideas for working through them. I feel like he does understand libraries' main concerns despite not working at one himself. I still have many followup questions.
twinklybugs's review
4.0
What an excellent, useful, enjoyable read this was. While some might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of tactics Dowd outlines (there must be over 100), in reality he’s just giving hints on empathy in practice to anyone who happens to need the practice :) And really, in 2018, when we’re all suffering adrenal and emotional fatigue, who doesn’t?
Covering everything from tools to better serve people in crisis, to an overview of their needs, to ways to support staff in feeling safe and comfortable, this book is indispensable to any librarian.
Covering everything from tools to better serve people in crisis, to an overview of their needs, to ways to support staff in feeling safe and comfortable, this book is indispensable to any librarian.
dags_'s review
4.0
Overall: Insightful, well-written, informative. There are many, many tips and perspectives within this book I think will be useful for the rest of my career in the library. The author is passionate about this topic and has the experience to back up his work.
Now...the picky things: Other reviews mention this, but there are parts of the book that feel extremely repetitive; that doesn't cancel out the usefulness of the things shared in this book. However, *that* part other reviews mention was as "yikes" as they made it sound. I hoped, with context, it would sound better.
It didn't.
"If you are a woman, don't worry about your gender. It isn't a problem unless you make it one." is something I never want to read in a book again.
Now...the picky things: Other reviews mention this, but there are parts of the book that feel extremely repetitive; that doesn't cancel out the usefulness of the things shared in this book. However, *that* part other reviews mention was as "yikes" as they made it sound. I hoped, with context, it would sound better.
It didn't.
"If you are a woman, don't worry about your gender. It isn't a problem unless you make it one." is something I never want to read in a book again.