How could I resist? I'm a retired Librarian and I just knew that I would love this tribute to the profession and and the wonderful contributions that librarians make to society. If you have an advanced digital copy like I was fortunate enough to get, do yourself a favor and read it on an IPad or better yet buy a copy so you can see the beautiful photographs of librarians from public libraries, university libraries, corporate libraries, school libraries.

I love what Susan K. McClelland from Oak Park Public Library says , "Librarians are warrior princes and princesses wielding book love like swords." I was personally touched by Meridian Library Director Gretchen Caserotti's thoughts. "I was always a library kid. What drew me to my calling was the realization that stories can be consumed and created in many ways, and that technology is a powerful tool to do that." I was a library kid too, spending after school time and summer days there , thrilled at my first job at 16 as a "page" at the very same library where I spent countless hours. Although my career path led me to a corporate library, my heart will always be in that neighborhood library where I spent countless hours of bliss. John Jackson, a librarian at Loyola Marymount University says: "As a college librarian at a small institution, I have the opportunity to teach students to think critically, to think beyond their own experience, and put themselves in others' shoes."

You'll find a bit of the history of libraries in the introduction, pictures and quotes from many librarians interspersed with thoughts from writers such as Neil Gaiman. He talks about the influence of public libraries and reminisces about the "magic" of interlibrary loans . Author Jude Deveraux brought me down memory lane remembering a school librarian handing over a copy of "The Borrowers" , a childhood favorite of mine as well. It wouldn't be a tribute unless it included a piece by Nancy Pearl , everyone's Librarian who contributes to NPR and written her notable "Book Lust" books.

I highly recommended this to library lovers, to every reader actually. It will give you a greater appreciation of libraries and librarians and the importance of the profession as well as the institution. Every librarian should read it. It will make you feel even better about what you do.

I received an advanced copy of this from Hackett with Books/Black Dog & Levanthal through NetGalley .

I’ve been dipping in and out of this lovely book for the last month or so. If any librarian on the planet was after quotes or ideas to explain exactly why they do what they do, then this book is just full of them.

What changes a collection of books into something useful is a librarian: a curator, an indexer, a manager, a gardener who knows what to cut back, what to add, what to highlight, and, most of all, what the community around them needs to grow as a society.

You get lots of perspective on libraries over time, how they were originally thought of by the ancients as well as historical figures who have been influential in the library world. From Alexandria to Benjamin Franklin and on through more recent times.

Tyrion in particular says that books are a weapon. As a sword needs a whetstone to keep it sharp, a mind needs books, and his mind is his weapon

There are wonderful essays from the likes of Neil Gaiman, Jeff Vandermeer and George RR Martin just to name a few. All lovely perspectives on their experiences of libraries throughout their lives and their thoughts on the future of libraries. I found some of these essays very moving and really rather lovely. Also, quite revealing, some of our most revered authors have had experiences in libraries which have strongly influenced their work.

But then there are the beautiful photographs of librarians that the book is filled with. Each one has a quote from the subject of libraries, what they do in their libraries, who they work with and the new ways they serve their communities, all kinds of communities from prisons, hospitals, schools, companies and organisations of many kinds. The photos show how diverse the library community is and the comments by the librarians show the ways that needs are met despite challenges and how the role of libraries in communities of all kinds is growing and changing and adapting to technology and modern times.

I found this book to be inspirational, it gave me so much to think about, often I would read the words of a librarian and have to stop and take pause to consider how I could apply their thoughts to my work. I think that the library community will treasure this work, I’m so glad that I read it. I’m sure I’ll go back to it again and again, I fully intend to buy a print copy.

What a nice look at the career and the people who have chosen this line of work! I enjoyed seeing in visual form what I already knew: that librarians are an incredibly diverse bunch of people who happen to share a common love of learning. There ARE a lot of glasses and cardigans being sported here, but readers not very familiar with the profession might be surprised to see the tattoos, brightly-dyed hair, and hipster styling of many of these folks. (I wasn't, but then again I've been doing this for a long time.) We've come a long way from the bunned, shushing old matron of the classic stereotype!

Sprinkled throughout are short essays by famous writers on the role that the library has had in their life, and there are short pieces on the history of libraries, the interesting collections at various locations, etc. The quotes from the featured staff become pretty redundant after awhile, but it's nice to see a unified theme and enthusiasm (the bottom line of which is: libraries are important and awesome). The cynic in me wants to note that this a glowing portrait of the profession rather than a measured look at both the joys and challenges of this line of work, but that should be clear going in. I doubt that anyone is picking up this book to get an objective career overview. What it IS, then, is a lovely little promotional piece for libraries and the good that they do, and I would like to share it with people who are skeptics or perhaps just unaware of the many great things libraries are continuing to do in their communities. Recommended for the bookish set, who will see themselves reflected in these pages.

This wasn't really what I expected. It does indeed show you what librarians look like, but only librarians from the United States. I would have liked to see a more global picture but otherwise an interesting book.

THIS is the kind of book I was anticipating when I read "Public Library and Other Stories", by Ali Smith, last year. It's filled with photos of librarians in all facets of the position, of all ages and backgrounds, in all types of libraries. Each librarian shares his/her personal thoughts on what it means to be a librarian and the future of libraries. For those working in libraries today, this book is an uplifting affirmation, which is a nice change of pace from all the gloom and doom we hear about libraries today.

I'm not sure how those who think libraries are obsolete would feel about this book. I don't think it's going to change anyone's mind, but I will certainly recommend this to librarians and other library employees.

Yes, Yes, Yes! It is time the stereotypical librarian description of being stern and homely looking is challenged! I love the descriptions that even describe the different and unique programs librarians have introduced into their library! Inspiring for librarians!

This was a really beautiful and unique book that wad necessary in today's world. I loved it and would recommend it as a must read for every one. I really enjoyed it.

An informative and inspiring read that not only speaks to the importance of libraries and librarians, but also showcases the diversity of librarians working in the field, and the passion they have for their work. I'll be asking my library to order a copy.

This collection opened up my eyes to the many library functions that I wasn’t even aware of!

Lovely book showing the diversity within librarianship and interspersed with essays and excerpts reminding us of the value of libraries.

The Big Reveal
The stereotype of the stern librarian shushing anyone who dares make a sound lives on. In the movies, the shy dull looking middle-aged librarian suddenly changes into a younger, attractive somewhat wild woman when the library closes and her hair is let down. Author Kyle Cassidy opens with a brief history of librarians and the quest for knowledge. Over two hundred good quality photographs accompany sidebar comments from professionals about their field. Guest author cover key aspects of libraries such as America’s First Lending Library, A Library of Mud, Bringing the Library to You, The Cathedral of Learning, and more. There are photographs to display highlighted libraries. Professional and amateur book lovers will find the words inspiring and the illustration delightful.

As a reviewer, I chose this book from NetGallery, a service that promotes and publicizes forthcoming books. I received this book free and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

This book was Interesting but was not exactly what I expected. I thought it needed more visuals since the cover made me think it would.

This is the ultimate coffee table book for lovers of books, libraries, and their librarians. And the format is a fantastic journalistic homage to it's subtitle about celebrating libraries, their communities, and accessing information. I downloaded it from Netgalley and even reading it via PC was hard to read, I want the actual print book when it comes out!

There is an introduction, interspersed stories from famous trumpeters of the beauty of librarians including their first experiences, their first experiences with their children. Then there are interspersed stories of the first librarians, championing access to prisoners, libraries that collect ephemera, and more. And then interspersed within THAT are pictures of librarians from all over the United States and their 1-4 sentence tributes about what they stand for, what they think, and how they champion access.

So insightful and inspiring. Much love!

Loved the diversity featured and the reverence shown for libraries and librarians. Beautiful and engaging book.

Note: this does not work as an ebook. Don't waste money on it. Get the actual book. It would make a fantastic coffee table book.

I was pre-approved on Net-Galley for this title and was pretty excited to check it out. The book does not disappoint, but the format did not work. Some of the text fades to SUPER light gray, almost matching the background of my kindle, and the layout just isn't made for ebook. Normally I'm super mean and would deduct stars for that, but I didn't this time, because with the upcoming administration this kind of message is very needed. It humanizes librarians all over and shares their stories, what's important to them, and their message. I do wish the photos were less "school photos" and more informal, but that's personal preference. I think it would have made the book more friendly and less like the scam "who's who" books. The ebook also didn't have an index so I couldn't quickly skim though to see if I knew anyone, or there was anyone from my state. I'm hoping that the finished version does have the index, because it would greatly benefit the book (there's a line that says index in the ebook, so I'm hopeful).

I definitely think this is a fun and useful book for libraries and schools to own, but it's very much a niche title and random people won't really purchase it.

This is a perfectly adequate 'feel good' book, that probably will appeal more to non-librarians than those of us in the profession. The pictures show diversity in the profession, perhaps leading to the conclusion that we are more diverse than we really are., for the lack of diversity is an issue of long standing. The snippets from librarians range from trite to insightful, although often put in terms less familiar to library users than librarians. And the longer pieces from more well known library users are fairly predictable feel-good essays. Ali Smith's new Public Library short story collection offers a more nuanced and insightful look at the real value of libraries to those who use and depend on them. This Is What A Real Librarian Looks Like will spend more time on most coffee tables than in reader's hands and minds.

Librarians often don't look like the stereotype... and neither do libraries! This book is a great look into the evolving role of libraries and librarians in today's world.

I liked this book! I may be prejudice as I work in a library, lol! But I did enjoy reading about the various libraries in history and also loved seeing fellow library employees and reading their comments about what they loved about their work! Yeah all of us! And Yeah to the author, too!

I love the diversity, zeal, heart, and spunk of this collection of librarians' and libraries' stories. It makes me proud to be a librarian. Also, I want to steal that American Girl doll lending idea!

*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.