Awful Library Books

Vans: The Personality Vehicles

July 15, 2009 Holly Can I get there from here? 28 comments

Personality Vehicles
Dexler
1977

Submitter: This is a paean to the ultimate 70’s vehicle, the van. Of course it includes lots of color photos of sweet tricked-out vans, complete with nature scenes painted on the outside and shag and velvet on the inside.

Holly:My favorite is the one with flames painted on the side. Other than the fact that this book looks a little worse for wear, it’s pretty cool. What a perfect specimen for ALB! It’s unusual, nostalgic, and an example of something that was really cool in 1977 when it was published. I leafed through this book myself and was thoroughly entertained. Anyone who loves old books will love this! It most definitely does not belong on the shelves of the small public library that submitted it, but what a great display item or book sale find.

Mary: This might be a keeper in the Detroit area! We love our automotive stuff. For the record, I doubt my mother would have let me date anyone cool enough to drive one of these awesome machines. I am sure only dangerous boys drove these vans.

I want to be a LIBRARIAN!

July 13, 2009 Holly Librarian's Choice 23 comments

I want to be a Librarian
Greene
1960

Thanks to anonymous submitter for this wonderful relic from the past! Submitter says there is lots of information about the card catalog and finding good books. (I wonder if this counts as a good book?) I quickly breezed through the world cat holdings and A LOT of public libraries are hanging on to this title. Please do the profession a favor and get something more current.

Does this make my butt look fat?

July 7, 2009 Holly Looking Good 20 comments

Clothes for Disabled People
Goldsworthy
1981

This lovely title comes to us from an anonymous ALB spy in Michigan. I would imagine that this is a great topic for a public library. Ease of dressing for people who have limited mobility and other physical issues is important. However, looking at the cover now – in 2009 – suggests that if you are in a wheelchair, you cannot be fashionable.

I think the guy in a wheelchair is saying to the woman, “Do I really have to dress like Mr. Rogers?”

It’s all about the homemaking

July 5, 2009 Holly Home and Garden 43 comments

Good Housekeeping’s Guide for Young Homemakers
William Laas, ed.
1966

The forward of this book sort of says it all: “Homemaker–no other word in the language so precisely suggests what a young married woman is expected to do.” Actually this is an interesting book and kind of household ‘how-to’ encyclopedia. There are several pages on ironing and laundry. Caring for furs is another large article.

Stag Lines!

July 1, 2009 Holly Life, Death, Love, and Marriage 18 comments

Bert Bacharach’s Book For Men
Bert Bacharach
1953

Isn’t this a hoot? Thanks to anonymous submitter! This book is clearly before my time, so I was trying to figure out the meaning of “stag lines” for every occasion. (I have heard of stag films.) I am thinking this is a 50’s version of pickup lines or anecdotes–maybe to impress women? I also thought that maybe the author was composer Burt Bacharach. Not so ALB music fans. According to WorldCat, our man BERT is an author of all things hip and cool for the 1950’s and not a composer. Anyone with insider info on this title please enlighten us to the real meaning of stag lines.

Hanging Out

June 24, 2009 Holly Sports, Games, and Exercise 16 comments

Hanging Out: The Upside Down Exercise Book
Jay & Rappaport
1983

I’m not a doctor, and I’m not a trainer. Doing inversion exercises might just be the best thing ever. This book still has a ridiculous cover. You have to admit, it’s dated in a really funny way. If these exercises are still considered by health professionals to be beneficial, it’s time for a new book on the subject.

House of Hair

June 19, 2009 Holly Feelings and Self Help, Talkin 'Bout My Generation 23 comments

Dee Snider’s Teenage Survival Guide
Snider
1987

It’s confession time, ALB fans. I, Holly Hibner, am a closet metal head. Actually, not so closet. I have been to several heavy metal concerts and been known to “bang my head” while driving. Are you shocked? Just doing my part to break the librarian stereotype…

Ok, now that true confession time is over, let’s talk about this book. Dee Snider was the lead singer of Twisted Sister in the ’80s. This was a cool book in my day! It’s still a good book message-wise, but if you gave this book to a teenager today they would probably laugh hysterically and ask who the clown on the cover is. It’s definitely time for an upgrade!

A great choice for a parenting collection!

June 2, 2009 Holly Parent/Teacher Collection 21 comments

When Children Invite Child Abuse: A search for answers when love is not enough
Gold
1986

A fellow Michigan ALB spy has given us this gem! I am speechless just on the title alone! Who on earth is the target market for this book? Abusers looking for an “out”? Question to the public library with this holding: are child abusers one of your major patron groups that you feel are being under served by the public library?