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Dispatches from a Public Librarian
Contains 34 dispatches of "Dispatches from a Public Librarian" from McSweeney's contributer, Scott Douglas. Also includes several other library themed essays.
- GenresNonfictionHumor
49 pages, ebook
Published October 20, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 31, 2012
This short book is basically a series of idle thoughts in no particular order. Definitely tongue in cheek and while I found them humorous at times, it may not strike academic or public librarians the same way.
Some favorites include Dispatch 33-Not Posted Rules of the Library; Aimee Bender is Evil; and Nicholson Baker is a big fat idiot. Just for the record I don't know who Aimee Bender or Nicholson Baker is but clearly some California librarians do and after reading the articles, I was tempted to go find out.
Some favorites include Dispatch 33-Not Posted Rules of the Library; Aimee Bender is Evil; and Nicholson Baker is a big fat idiot. Just for the record I don't know who Aimee Bender or Nicholson Baker is but clearly some California librarians do and after reading the articles, I was tempted to go find out.
July 3, 2022
I originally read this about a decade ago, but - wow - has some of the content not aged well. I really thought I was going to rate it a four, but the “Jeffica” dispatch left a figurative bad taste in my mouth. For the most part it’s very relatable to anyone who has worked retail, or grocery store, or public service.
How I Use the Rating System
1: There is no 0 on the provided scale, so I use this as a 0. I find no redeeming qualities and would not suggest the title to anyone for any reason.
2: I hated the work and regret wasting my time reading it, but find or understand that it has some value.
3: Average. I don’t regret having read it, but what I received as an experience was nominal.
4: I enjoyed or found value in the title, but it’s not something I would recommend to everyone, or I would not consider rereading it, or there was a significant flaw that prevented it from being a 5.
5: I enjoyed it so thoroughly I would reread it and recommend it to just about anyone. Or I found it so valuable that I felt it deserved such a rating.
How I Use the Rating System
1: There is no 0 on the provided scale, so I use this as a 0. I find no redeeming qualities and would not suggest the title to anyone for any reason.
2: I hated the work and regret wasting my time reading it, but find or understand that it has some value.
3: Average. I don’t regret having read it, but what I received as an experience was nominal.
4: I enjoyed or found value in the title, but it’s not something I would recommend to everyone, or I would not consider rereading it, or there was a significant flaw that prevented it from being a 5.
5: I enjoyed it so thoroughly I would reread it and recommend it to just about anyone. Or I found it so valuable that I felt it deserved such a rating.
March 2, 2012
I'm a little conflicted in my rating, because while I enjoyed his storytelling, Douglas's attitude toward his patrons and job is fairly derisive. He frequently comes off as a serious tool. I understand his feeling toward the public, because I've worked most of my life in the service industry, and people can be pretty awful. But Douglas seems to feel MOST people are beneath him, and that's an attitude I can't tolerate. That said, he also has a dry sense of humor and is also rather witty, so when he's not being a tool--which is actually most of the book--he tells compelling stories about life in public service. As a former bookseller, I know that a great deal of what he writes about is fairly endemic, and this book was a real eye-opener. I'm really glad I'm not a librarian.
This book seems to be excerpted from his longer work, Quiet Please, Dispatches from a Public Librarian, and I think I would like to read that. As I said, Douglas is an interesting storyteller, and his tales are interesting and eye-opening...if one can get past his occasional forays into snottiness.
This book seems to be excerpted from his longer work, Quiet Please, Dispatches from a Public Librarian, and I think I would like to read that. As I said, Douglas is an interesting storyteller, and his tales are interesting and eye-opening...if one can get past his occasional forays into snottiness.
August 25, 2011
A collection of blog posts from McSweeney's, written by a librarian in a public library in California. Many of the incidents described are eye-opening. Unfortunately, Mr. Douglas's tone is generally caustic and denigratory of the library patrons he talks about, despite his impassioned statements on the necessity of libraries. I suspect he is actually a warmer and more approachable person, in his professional life, than he sounds when he talks about that life; I just wish that he'd let that appear here or there.
January 24, 2016
Delightful, although the latter part was a bit depressing considering it was published during a dismal time for libraries. Many of the incidents were similar to what I experience in my own public library in NC. I guess patrons are the same all over.
June 30, 2011
Do you like McSweeney's? Then you'll like this book. Almost made me wish I had gone to school to be a librarian, instead.
September 30, 2011
"Libraries are vital and sacred institutes, and the question you should be asking is do you really want your city to go without one?" (page 191)
May 11, 2012
This was very interesting as it was funny! I found myself laughing out loud....or just shaking my head in disbelief! Any pure book lover who ever loved going to the library should read this one!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews