Notwithstanding Trollope's focus on the "librarianess" and her dual qualities of "pretty" and "learned" as explicated in the Oxford English Dictionary (my favorite go-to for information, word history, and idle browsing), a librarian is "a keeper or custodian of the library," i.e., one "concerned with or employed about books" (vol. VII, p889). These days, a keeper of the library is employed about much more than just books, but it's an undeniably interesting facet of our work. Trust me; since I started working in libraries in 2008, my reading list has grown longer than two of me could get through in a lifetime!
Although our team of Mechanics' Institute Librarians do things like managing budgets; teaching classes; designing websites; configuring the online catalog and making sure books are findable and accurately described there; administering reading and writing groups; caring for the archives; organizing programs; developing partnerships with like-minded institutions; establishing contracts with third party providers of eBooks, databases, and more; and dabbling in graphic design with publications like the newsletter, program flyers, and bookmarks -- not an exhaustive list, BTW -- we librarians each manage and develop specified subject collections as well.
Because library materials are only one of the many things we concern ourselves with, it's always gratifying to be reminded that books still matter to our members, quite a bit, in fact. Yesterday at the reference desk, I was delighted to hear from a member who, upon returning his books, declared:
“I got so absorbed in this bait you put out that I lost track of the due date, but I’ll cheerfully pay the fine. That’s the best tradition of the library: librarians choosing books you wouldn’t normally know about!”
In this spirit, I offer you a few good books that our librarians have chosen for the collection which may have escaped your attention, but are well worth a read:
The Metabarons (2012)
This science fiction series of graphic novels chronicles the lives of five metabarons – a dynasty of perfect warriors – over the course of several generations, incorporating Greek tragedy, mythology, history, and science – if you like Frank Herbert’s Dune series, you’ll love:
The Metabarons: ultimate collection
The Metabaron: The Techno-Admiral and the Anti-Baron
Feminist Fight Club: An Office Survival Manual (For a Sexist Workplace) (2016)
This illustrated primer, ostensibly for women – covering everything from lactation in the workplace to negotiating a raise – is actually for everyone, including ways that each of us can be part of the solution rather than ignoring or unwittingly contributing to the problem. It's written in a funny, engaging voice, with plenty of quirkily drawn infographics, such as “May I Mansplain?” and “Is That Woman On Her Period?” It’s a fun read, but also an informational one that'll make you think about ways you can take a crack at the alive-and-well patriarchy.
[bonus round: If "patriarchy" is a meaningless buzzword to you after these many decades it's been in the lexicon, check out Germaine Greer's 2000 follow-up to The Female Eunuch, The Whole Woman, in which she exposes forms of discrimination and exploitation that continue to plague women, from the workplace to the kitchen, and from the supermarket to the bedroom. Then read a couple of books you probably have heard of -- Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist and Lindy West's Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman -- to dig into a contemporary, intersectional take on feminism, performing womanhood, and a lot of other thinky topics.]
Still Life with Oysters and Lemon (2002)
Not exactly memoir, not exactly essay, this book encompasses what I love best about the non-fiction of Mark Doty – it’s an extended meditation on art, the philosophy of representation, and the interplay of memory with life (and death). It’s an eminently quotable book, rife with description both lush and sparse. It’s also a quick read, a slim volume. If you’re looking for a poetic, wide-ranging work of meandering grandeur, give this book a try.
In the Heart of the Sea (2000)
Taryn tells me that she was ELECRTIFIED by Nathaniel Philbrick’s recounting of the true story of a Nantucket whaler that was rammed and sunk by an irate whale. "Sound familiar?" she aks. "Indeed it was the tale that inspired Herman Melville to pen Moby Dick. Spoiler alert – this tale is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach and be prepared to stop your life in order to read it cover to cover. Thar she blows!"
The Portable Frank (2011)
Joel says, "Jim Woodring’s amazing wordless comic tales of Frank are surreal and symbolic and bizarre and magical and unlike any comics you’ve likely read."
Hopefully, you'll check out a couple of these underappreciated gems and examine our displays and blog reviews for more great finds!
