{"id":25527,"date":"2015-01-29T22:54:18","date_gmt":"2015-01-30T02:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=25527"},"modified":"2015-01-29T22:54:18","modified_gmt":"2015-01-30T02:54:18","slug":"review-of-library-mascot-cage-match-by-bill-barnes-gene-ambaum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=25527","title":{"rendered":"Review of Library Mascot Cage Match, by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"library_mascot_cage_match_large\"<\/a>Library Mascot Cage Match<\/p>\n

An Unshelved Collection<\/em><\/p>\n

by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum<\/p>\n

Overdue Media, Seattle, 2005. 120 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

We recently had a Library Staff Day, and Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum spoke, and we each received a copy of one of their books. I have seen Unshelved online, but I had forgotten just how funny their cartoons are.<\/p>\n

Unshelved<\/em> is set in Mallville Public Library. The comic is written so that even non-librarians will find it funny. However, we librarians? We think it\u2019s hilarious. At last the world is having some of their misperceptions about libraries cleared up!<\/p>\n

My favorite strip from this book is one they highlighted in their session. You see people running around the library, and a customer saying \u201cI thought libraries were supposed to be quiet!\u201d Dewey (the teen librarian) says, \u201cYou have what we call \u2018The Misperception.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Another good series is where a customer is advocating for a vote to close the library to \u201csave\u201d taxpayer money. The librarians help him prepare his case and his materials. At the end, he asks, \u201cWhat is this, the Twilight Zone???\u201d Dewey says, \u201cNo, a library. We don\u2019t have to like you to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

This book also includes, in the center, a full-color graphic novelette, \u201cEmpire County Strikes Back,\u201d when a high-tech bookmobile from a neighboring county tries to take over their customers and close their library. There\u2019s a lovely scene at the end where Dewey explains all that librarians do for their community, which technology can never replace.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to take sides. Are you going to be seduced by the lure of high technology or are you going to support your local public library the way we support you?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I need to take another look at this webcomic. Time to sign up for those daily emails \u2013 and order more of the books.<\/p>\n

unshelved.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Nonfiction\/library_mascot_cage_match.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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