- ISBN13: 9780753515013
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
From The Wall Street Journal to National Public Radio, mild-mannered librarian Don Borchert had America laughing with the hardcover edition of his tell-all memoir that revealed the often startling truth about modern-day libraries. Not long ago, the public library was a place for the bookish, the eggheaded, and the studious—often seeking refuge from a loud, irrational, crude, outside world. Today, libraries have become free-for-all entertainment complexes filled… More >>
Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library
This book might have been a cleaver read if not for the author’s vehement hatred of homeschoolers and Christians. It’s too bad he has such a narrow minded opinion of this group of library patrons.
Rating: 1 / 5
While it was interesting to read about some of the bizarre people and events that Don Borchart describes in his book “Free for All”, I feel this book is not a Must Read for the following reasons. First of all, I was offended by the swear words used in this book. Perhaps they were used to create shock value, but they were unneccessary. A professional or paraprofessional librarian would not use this type of language in the workplace, or any place, and certainly not in his/her writing. If I’m wrong, the civilized world is on a more serious slide than I ever imagined. Secondly, the book digresses to very personal autobiographical material that doesn’t seem to fit here.
Don Borchert gives us his personal uncensored interpretation of what it is like to work in a city library today. He is right to warn us, through his description of scary scenerios, of the many dangers that lurk in our “safe” library buildings. The library, after all, attracts all kinds of people. The library is in essence a mirror of society at large. That being true, the majority of people would not be interesting or bizarre enough to be in Mr. Borchart’s book. Most people are still decent and want to use the library to find information they need.
Don’s message that libraries are changing is correct. They are not the quiet, safe places we remember from years ago. There are many new challenges but libraries are now busy, dynamic places. Anyone working in today’s library must be a multi-tasker, open to new ideas, and willing to work with a demanding public!
Rating: 3 / 5
The average public library holds dozens of funny and interesting stories. As a librarian, I have had my share of bizarre encounters and stories that have amazed and amused my family and friends.
Borchert’s book is full of the kinds of stories that are typical among public librarians. Told among friends, they might bring on some chuckles. However, written out as they are, they somehow come off as unpleasant, unfunny, and totally lacking in charm. I’m not sure if it’s Borchert’s writing style or the content that falls flat, but something really doesn’t work.
On top of the book being dull, it contains a major inaccuracy – Borchert is not a librarian! Although he refers to himself as an “assistant librarian” he is in fact a “library assistant.” The titles sound similar, but there is a major difference: a librarian is a professional with a master’s degree. An assistant is anyone who can pass a civil service exam. Now, there is nothing wrong with being an assistant; they do important work within a library. But I can’t help wondering why Borchert seems to be ashamed of his position, glossing over his real job and instead giving himself a title – librarian – that implies a great deal more education, as well as greater pay and seniority.
Rating: 1 / 5
This book is the perfect example of how the modern library really works. Contrary to the negative reviews that seem to focus on such trivial things as the authors official position in the library system, most negative reviews seem to overlook that todays modern library, for better or worse, is not the repository of knowledge it once was. Todays library is little more than a public, taxpayer funded Blockbuster. But, unlike blockbuster, the more you screw up, the faster you’re promoted.
I’m sure the author could have given more information on the subject (such as theft of materials by Library employees, corrupt union officials, and budgets based on over-inflated patron counts) but he must have felt no one would believe him.
Overall, this books gives an inside view of how your tax dollars are spent at todays public library.
Rating: 5 / 5
I couldn’t wait when I heard there was a book coming out about a librarian’s life of public service! Then I got the book, and found that not only was this not by a librarian (he’s a library assistant), but it was a dry and boring read. It’s nothing more then a memoir by a cranky old man who discovered too late in life what he wanted to be when he grew up; if that sounds funny, then you are mistaken–it’s not.
It had potential; it opens to a great anecdote that keeps me reading, but when it’s over the book begins to quickly fall flat on its face, and never really gets back up again once it’s there.
It’s funny in places, but has no substance; it has nothing that’s lasting. The book reminds me of Borat; I’ll admit that there were places I laughed in that movie, but I laughed because I was shocked and appalled; in retrospect I don’t know what was so funny about that movie, and, a year after seeing it, I can’t remember a single scene in the movie; that’s how this book is–I laughed because I was shocked and appalled, but nothing in it is lasting.
I don’t know why anyone would buy this book when you can hear these kinds of stories for free all over the Internet. The stories are a dime a dozen on the hundreds of library blogs out there.
I’m waiting for a book by an actual librarian who has more then a funny story to tell. I want funny with substance. In short, I don’t want this.
Rating: 1 / 5