My evening last night turned out to be quite relaxing. I’m sure the cup of hot chocolate made a large contribution. I read The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce by Paul Torday for a bit and then decided I needed something lighter and more uplifting, some comfort reading. And so, I started a new book. Free for All by Don Borchert.
You may have heard of this. I think I recall hearing the author on National Public Radio a few months ago. The book, as the flap says, “offers readers a ringside seat to the unlikely spectacle of mayhem and absurdity that is business as usual at the public library.” Just as a regular volunteer at my main library branch I have seen some weird things. If I had known about some of these things before I had volunteered, I may have had second thoughts. I know I have seen only a fraction of what goes on in a public library. Since I have already been disillusioned, this book will be great fun.
Borchert has a friendly shooting-the-breeze sort of style. I can imagine standing around at a backyard bar-b-que with the guy, listening to his stories. The only thing that irks me a little is that he swears a lot. I’m not against swearing, I do it myself, but it seems somewhat contrived to me. It’s like he’s trying to prove something, or to shock–a cussing librarian! *Gasp* But I can overlook his cussing foible because he is pretty entertaining.
This book is going to be highly educational for me. I never thought about anything besides books being left in a book drop. But apparently, it is not uncommon to find other surprises of a very unsavory sort. This is an important piece of information. When I become a librarian, I will now know that I should do everything possible to avoid emptying the book drop in the morning. Forewarned is forearmed.
Ooh, this sounds great (says the librarian in me). Also, have you read any Will Manley? I idolized him when I worked in the library world (and it sounds as though he doesn’t swear quite as much, although he lost his job back in the ’90s at Wilson Library Journal for writing something very controversial. I forget what it was now. Maybe someone else will know).
This sounds like a most amusing book. I still have vivid recall of your story about the man in the library with a bowel issue, Stefanie. One doesn’t forget such things in a hurry
The book sounds both horrifying and fun — and very educational! Like Litlove, I can remember certain unsavory stories you’ve told here and I think it’s definitely a good idea to be as much forewarned as you can.
I am definitely going to have to read that book.
I’m an academic librarian, and I think many of the same types of things happen here. I’ve seen this book reviewed and thought it sounded fun. Thanks for reminding me about it.
I just read this last month and it sure made me laugh out loud quite a bit. My library branch is tame in comparison to some of the craziness that he encounters. Then again, maybe I just don’t hang out at the library enough to see more of the dark side
Sounds lovely! And perfect for the librarian to be!
I’ve actually not heard of this one, but it sounds like fun (minus all the cussing–that sort of repetition can get old). I’m not sure if I’ve heard of anything weird showing up in our bookdrop, but I wouldn’t be surprised to know it’s used for something other than books! What is it with libraries and strange people?
Oh, dear, what people take it in their heads to do! It just never would have occurred to me to..denigrate…the library drop box.
By the way, I got restored book borrowing rights at my local library. It was quite a challenge, and I think they saw that I was so motivated (or pesky) that they issued me a card. Yippee.
I read this one recently and it was quite entertaining. However, I think that there’s nothing new or shocking in it for anyone who has worked in public libraries for a while… we probably all have similar stories we could share. Good preparation for new librarians!
Emily, I have not read Will Manley, but I just looked him up and I see that I am going to have to.
Litlove, that story made an impression I guess
Funnily enough, this book began with a little fecal matter at the library. I’m planning on working in an academic library, I’m hoping there will be a little less–er–crap–there.
Dorothy, definitely an educational book. I’ll bet I won’t learn any of this stuff in school!
Bibliophylia, you will never look at your public library the same way again.
Lisa, I’d like to be an academic librarian and I was hoping this kind of stuff didn’t happen there. Well, I guess I will be prepared.
Iliana, I thought my library branch was tame too until I began volunteering there. I’ll bet your library is wilder than you think it is
Verbivore, perfect is right. I’m already stocking up on latex gloves!
Danielle, libraries seem to be a magnet for odd people. I’m sure we are the exception
LK, congrats! I knew you’d get your borrowing privileges back!
Melanie, you are right, I am sure anyone who has worked in a public library will not be surprised by this book, but both the characters who come into the library and the characters who work there are very entertaining.