Overload

"This Book is Overdue: How librarians and cybrarians can save us all," by Marilyn Johnson
I felt that this was a very interesting book to begin this course with. The author hits on some very important issues and just skims the surface, leaving us wanting more from each story that is told here, for the most part. I was particularly shocked to read about the Deadwood, South Dakota librarian and all that she does. She has to deal with annoying gunshot outside and tourists, she is the only full-time cataloger, purchaser, she runs the technology side of things, archives, deals with rare books, geneological records and probably security issues too. This lady deserves a medal, seriously. I have to ask myself, is this woman a control freak? She is either a superhero or an overachiever. Our author here, Marilyn Johnson may tend to exaggerate to add flavor to her text but seriously, is this where librarianship is headed?
I previously worked at a smallish special art library in Kansas City, MO who kept a full-time staff of 8 and they were always terribly behind in our daily work. I have since heard stories of other libraries who had been reeling from budget cuts and only had two or three staff members to perform all of the duties.
Anyway, I hope Miss Jeanette Moodie is a seriously special case.

I do agree that the author focuses too much on the interesting goings-on of extraordinary librarians when she could have written more about the mundane everyday life of a struggling broken budget librarian who probably couldn't afford to go to conferences but still does little amazing things all day that generally go unrecognized.