George M. EberhartCritiques

Well, I can thank for this book for introducing me to the term "librariana." Doesn't that roll off the tongue nicely?

Overall, it's a cute book. There were a few lists that did not withstand the test of time (for example, references to Google Reader and Google Wave LOL), but there's good info sprinkled through. I definitely found some books I'd like to read (Women Librarians in the American West? Yes, please!) and websites I want to check out if they're still around.

Either way, it's an easy, quick read for those who nerd out about libraries and those who work within them.

Cute, but out of date in places just like anything printed about technology would be in this day and age. The things that are eternal - the historical facts, the opinions, the advice - were spot on though, and amusing in places, informative in others. There were a couple of places where I found the links or apps to actually no longer be in use, but otherwise there were a few good things to try out in here so it was still worth a look!

This isn't even like a textbook, this is like the most wonderful gift to someone like me who has always wanted to know all these little facts and tidbits. Short sections, clear and concise information, packaged in a user-friendly book that is as informative as it is enjoyable to consume. I now can't wait to begin my classes!

Wonderful book of trivia, with some actual potentially helpful information, for librarians.  Much also applies to other professionals in other institutions, I imagine, for example museum curators, educators, perhaps even social service technicians and DMV representatives.  (Did you ever think those professions would be linked?) For a person who is simply an avid reader and a fan of libraries (not necessarily of librarians), it's not all that wonderful.½

A good book filled with a plethora of library-releated topics and factoids. If you plan to work in a library or if you enjoy libraries, this book is for you. However, some of the information is a bit outdated.

The Whole Library Handbook is as close to a comprehensive almanac of library and information science as one can get. The contents are divided first by subject – libraries, people, the profession, materials, operations, the underserved, promotion, technology, issues and librariana – and then subdivided from there. What results are lists, statistics, rankings, profiles, histories, guides, editorials, chronologies (i.e. great moments in the history of technical services, from 8560 B.C. on) and more. Some items are extremely useful – such as listings of grants and awards (extensive and subdivided), addresses of state libraries and federal depositories – while others are merely fun or interesting, such as “Visual Characteristics of Librarians in Films.” Editorials include thoughts on why exhibits are important to libraries to why libraries should collect graphic novels. Any librarian or student could find the book, which runs about $40, useful and practical to own or have access to. When you're used to Dewey and need a refresher on LC classifications, there is an outline for you; there is also a refresher on storage guidelines for disaster prevention and Cataloging 101. The book is, as expected, extremely well indexed, making the information you seek easy to find. And you'll be hard-pressed to think of something that was not included. -- Jeanie Straub

Used in my chapter on camaraderie, serious and not-so-serious sides of librarianship are covered here.

I had to go and get this one but it included some parts that i wanted to read that the "Whole Library Handbook 4" didn't. There are always interesting articles in these that i find helpful½

This is a book that can be read in pieces--it always has its interesting bits and i think its handy although my coworkers don't always agree.

Volume One signed: "To Bob Girard - May this modest set of volumes aid you in your endeavors to supply ufologists with the best (and the not-so-best) of UFO literature?! George M. Eberhart, January 8, 1987"