Free for all : oddballs, geeks, and gangstas in the public library (original 2007; edition 2007)

Although I work in an academic library, I use the public library religiously, and since I'm hoping to attend library science school next fall, I had high hopes for this book. Brochert's style was humorous to me at first, but eventually I got weary of the dramatically negative way the author worded things. For instance, when describing the library's Technical Services department, Borchert writes, "Suneeta was in the basement of the library, learning the driest and dullest of library alchemy--technical processing......Technical processing is eight hours a day sitting in an uncomfortable chair, staring at a computer screen that is all lines and fields of information, with almost no human contact."

There's a little more on this subject, but you get the idea. Both technical services departments I've worked in have been very different than his description, and since he's never worked in "technical processing," I was unimpressed by his lack of knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of modern technical services workflows and work areas.

Hey, maybe I've taking his view of "technical processing" too seriously, and you can tell by the title that this book wasn't necessarily supposed to paint public libraries in a nice way (but in many ways, it actually does). Public libraries are amazing places, staffed by many people who care about their work, and who deal with an extremely varied "customer base." Still, it rubbed me the wrong way that his brief mention of behind-the-scenes work at the library was so negative and stereotypical.

While Technical Services is well-suited for introverted personalities, there are many outgoing people in Tech Services as well. And even introverted Tech Services staff are involved in local, state, and national professional organizations, if they want to be (and many are). Sharp communication skills are vital, too, no matter where you work.

I think I'm glad I read this book, but I know I'm glad to be done with it! ( )

The author never seemed to find his voice in this book, so the writing is inconsistent and lackluster. Which is a shame, because the anecdotes and brief character sketches are an interesting slice of ordinary American life in a public library. ( )

Meh. Shock-value stories written without any charm. ( )

Who doesn't like a librarian book?

Great fun for anyone that uses the library ( )