This is better written than Don Borchert's similar book, Free for All, but it is mean-spirited and full of unsubstantiated generalizations. Don't waste your time. ( )

Everyone thinking of going into public librarianship should read this book first. ( )

I have been reading a lot about libraries lately because I work in one and am a trustee of another. I expected this book to be comedic, insightful, and profound. In some parts it was. But, as I read it I constantly received a bitter taste in my mouth that did not leave until long after I finished the memoir. I found the author to be extremely bitter and even pretentious. At one point he tries to elevate himself by stating that he no longer wears jeans and is now a trouser (or pants) kind of guy. He says "it just happened" but the way in which he describes this seemingly innocuous and obviously irrelevant change symbolizes the height of his pretentiousness. He wears "fancy" pants now because he graduated library school and is better than everyone else that hasn't.

Also, he seems to strongly dislike his experience working in a public library. He is not shy about unleashing a plethora of less than positive adjectives to describe people who work in public libraries and people who use them. Mr. Douglass attempts to couch these epithets in "cute" anecdotes. Some of them are comedic but most are thinly veiled stories to promote his superiority and the inferiority of public library patrons.

From my almost ten years working in public libraries (starting as a page and working my way up to a library assistant in interlibrary loan and a trustee of a public library) I have relished every moment. Some of the authors stories ring familiar. There are certainly interesting people who use public buildings including libraries. These should be cherished and fondly remembered. The author, at the book's conclusion, relishes his freedom from the shackles of public library employment. If his experience was as awful as he attempts to convey then he should have stuck with the blogosphere, where many similar individuals dwell, and leave mainstream publishing alone.

The author completely missed the boat on what could have been a wonderful chance to place the spotlight on the wonderful institution of public libraries. He touches on some of the good and some of the bad that befalls public libraries, such as what happens when budgets are slashed. By and large, however, the author comes across as a vindictive individual who wrote this book to speak ill of the profession he fled.

I strongly urge people to put this disappointing book back on the shelves and instead check out "Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library" from your local library. You can find it at 020.92 B for most public libraries using the Dewey Decimal system. You won't be disappointed. ( )

Not nearly as funny as I'd thought it would be. ( )

Anyone who's worked in a public library (or any library) will recognise alot of the stuff in this book. How often have you sat in your staff room swapping stories about readers or eccentric colleagues when someone says "someone should write a book about it". Well I guess this is it. Some of the situations that Scott Douglas describes are spookily familiar - from the strange office politics and infighting to the strange requests from users it's all there. Although the book is generally well written, and made me laugh out loud in places (and weep for my profession in others!) I did wonder how wide an audience this would appeal to. I guess if you've worked in a library or spent alot of time in them then the subject will hold your attention but otherwise I don't know. Some of the themes (like computing in libraries, closures, refurbishments and equal access) are particularly relevant at the moment. All in all, definitely worth a read if you're interested in the subject. ( )