Overdue: Reckoning with the Public Library

The audiobook was fine, I did speed it up and still sounded good! I got it at libby from my library! ;)

I think this hits a very specific library audience, but I would still welcome anyone wanting to read it to read it. It addresses focuses on libraries in 2020-2021+ era, with focus on wanting to connect people without housing to resources, trauma (personal and vicarious), and society expectations of libraries to pick up the slack. This is not a “we all love libraries and let's only say great things about them” - I think a lot of people were surprised by this, but libraries have their own problems/battles that they must face. BUT, I wouldn't call this book unflattering and I hope it creates stronger library advocates.

These are pretty real in the library world, since 2020 i've attended multiple webinars of mindfulness to trauma in the library. And I think no matter what size library you are in - when you work with the public, at some point you will be in situations that will stick with you. I think the levels/rate will be different based on community. You may also experience vicarious trauma from what other employees experience or what has been reported in the news. For example, multiple library stabbings, stalking, being run over, being yelled at about masks/wanting material removed...and more. I've been reading some harsh comments about her trauma experiences and you don't get to decide what traumatizes other people.

I feel the burnout/society issue that Amanda addresses with people who are unhoused. The library has supplied a lot of resources, but not enough...while there is not a dedicated facility that really meets all their needs/being closed/already filled/ then it falls to the library to pick up this responsibly. And it hits hard when you can help...but not enough! I think of a library in 2020-2021 that was picking up/navigating pandemic conditions and the city wanted them to provide covid tests to hand out in the facility to the public. The director said no to protect their staff from patron medical questions they don't have the knowledge to answer, enforcing people so no one takes all the tests, staff being stretched thin and stressed! The city pushing it upon the library without asking them about the capability of achieving this goal. Amanda talks a lot about lacking programs or even libraries not being taking seriously with individual problems because other libraries don't have those. Each community will be different with different needs, something that makes each library so unique.

Def. a little older. I think this book would have had much more of a punch about a year ago. Now, i feel like the huge threat to libraries are people/groups that have worked together to destroy or remove materials from libraries, threatened libraries and patrons, have suggested throwing librarians/teachers in jail for allowing people to read materials that they don't like.
It can be a scary time for libraries and schools right now!

Anyway, the book itself I see more of a talking point- it brings up a variety of recent topics that librarians are chatting about. It also includes personal stories and experiences from Amanda's 9 YEARS! (I keep also seeing months? Where did people get that? I heard it was months for a public library branch - maybe? If someone has the resume let me know!) I think the book's writing is good enough, I think the personal stories sometimes are a hit or miss. Some subjects of writing I wish would be discussed more than others.