Review - Free For All by Don Borchert

Free For All: oddballs, geeks and gangstas in the public library by Don Borchert
Publisher: Virgin Books 2007
Hardback 223 pages


I'm crazy for libraries. Anyone who reads this blog will soon find out, that when it comes to public libraries, I can be a little fanatical in my appreciation for the institution. That is why I was so surprised that I had never heard of this book. I believed that no work, no matter how trifling, could pass by me on the subject of libraries, yet as I was browsing the 030's I found this absolutely wonderful, brilliant book. I have to admit that I devoured this book in a day and loved it. Not because it is one of those life changing books, masterfully written, but because I or any of my colleagues could have written this book. Actually for a while I had to look askance at one coworker in particular because the ironic voice of the author sounded too familiar to me. Borchert's library could have been any number of libraries that I have worked at over the years.

Anyone who has spent any amount of time working for a public library will instantly recognize the world of the author. The regulars we all watch out for, the unruly children and even MORE unruly children. The tiny miracles we see, basically the best and worst that humanity has to offer. The grumpy patrons who use and abuse you, and you just smile and nod and take it like the public servants we are. Hey, maybe I should write my own book!