This Book is Overdue!!!

Actually, that's the title of the newest book I got from the library:  This Book is Overdue: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson.     Here's the summary (courtesy of Goodreads): This Book Is Overdue! is a romp through the ranks of information professionals and a revelation for readers burned out on the clichÉs and stereotyping of librarians. Blunt and obscenely funny bloggers spill their stories in these pages, as do a tattooed, hard-partying children's librarian; a fresh-scrubbed Catholic couple who teach missionaries to use computers; a blue-haired radical who uses her smartphone to help guide street protestors; a plethora of voluptuous avatars and cybrarians; the quiet, law-abiding librarians gagged by the FBI; and a boxing archivist. These are just a few of the visionaries Johnson captures here, pragmatic idealists who fuse the tools of the digital age with their love for the written word and the enduring values of free speech, open access, and scout-badge-quality assistance to anyone in need. 

What I thought:  As a Librarian (yes, with a capital L), I had been looking forward to this book after hearing a lot about it from librarian blogs and colleagues.  Definitely wasn't disappointed.  Marilyn Johnson really loves librarians, and gives insight into a world that many people have no idea exist.    I think the above summary really gives a great description of what's in here --- but your reaction to this book might be different if you're not a librarian.  If you're not a librarian, you'll learn all about the people who find the information, manage the information, and provide access --- there's so much more than books going on at the library!   And if you're a librarian --- you're going to feel all kinds of happy reading this book.  At least I did.  I grew up thinking librarians were awesome, and I'm honored to know librarians, and be a librarian myself.   This is a great book.   I'm buying myself a copy, and just might find a few more to give as gifts.   :)