Truth about Reference Librarians [Paperback]

Will Manley (Author), Richard Lee (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1996 | ISBN-10: 0786402202 | ISBN-13: 978-0786402205

Most historians agree that full scale library reference services first appeared in the ancient Sumerian city of Uruk at the turn of the third millennium B.C. During a dig at the site of Uruk, archaeologists discovered the Royal Library, home to the first reference desk. Chief archaeologist Helmut Flapmeyer was able to determine the answer to a burning question in librarianship: What was the first reference question ever asked? (The answer: "Where's the bathroom?") Super library sleuths Will Manley and Richard Lee once again dig through the remnants of the profession's dusty past to uncover the truth about reference librarians. Where did they come from? Should they really be cataloged under the subject heading "Illogical?" How do they eradicate such reference pests as Jerkus disgustis, Pervertus horribilis, and perhaps worst of all, Studentus moronis? With an intense and abiding sobriety, Manley answers these and other questions from libraryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786402202
• ISBN-13: 978-0786402205
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,184,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANY and EVERY librarian can relate to this one, May 16, 2002

By 

Corinne H. Smith (Athol, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Truth about Reference Librarians (Paperback)

When the journal _Booklist_ appears in our library mailbox, I grab it, open it, and quickly scan the table of contents for the page number of "The Manley Arts" column. Forget the book reviews -- they can wait until lunchtime. I *have* to read Will Manley first. He's the Dave Barry of librarianship, the Andy Rooney of bibliophiles, the Jerry Seinfeld of bookworms. His comments are always on the mark and usually make me smile and nod my head in agreement. Here, his observations about goofy patrons with bizarre questions and typical reference desk scenarios are accompanied by Richard Lee's funky illustrations. The result is the kind of honest silliness that should first be thoroughly enjoyed by oneself and then immediately shared with colleagues. Though this book is clearly one of specialized humor, anyone who works in a public service occupation will recognize some of the customer categories -- "Dorkus Completis," "Studentus Moronis," "Parentus Irresponsibilis," and the rest. If a layperson stumbles across these pages, let the outcome be that he/she learned that (a) librarians are people too and (b) that they have a good sense of humor. It might be a strange and twisted kind, but it is humor nevertheless. Thank you, Will, for encouraging us to laugh at ourselves.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very funny, toungue in cheek., May 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Truth about Reference Librarians (Paperback)

Just read this one, checked out from my local library. I'm not a librarian but my mom is, and I'm about to start working on my MLS. We both had a good laugh w/ this book.

The section on "stupid reference questions" made me howl. I pray I will be able to keep a straight face if I ever end up working in Reference. May end up choosing cataloging from the get-go! The 10 stages were funny, if a little depressing.

Think of Matt Groening's "Life is Hell", focused on Librarianship. That's pretty much the kind of book you have here.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for stressed-out library students., September 22, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Halifax, Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Truth about Reference Librarians (Paperback)

Will Manley's "The Truth About Reference Librarians" is a must for stressed-out library students. Feeling pressured about your Information Sources exam? Pondering the absolute ridiculousness of LC Subject Headings? Wondering if an MLIS is really worth all this idiocy? Here's the book for you. Manley provides a selection of valuable resources: the signs of reference burnout (personal favorite: "You might be suffering from reference burnout if a patron asks for a good mystery and you offer her AACR2"), suggested epitaphs for librarians, and a list of technological innovations reference librarians *really* need (such as the odor-activated antiperspirant gun). Richard Lee's illustrations are a good complement to Manley's lively text