Truly, truly awful books
This is a little off topic, but the thread on Terrible Books on the yalsa listserv is taking on a life of its own. It’s worth sharing, just to remind us to weed regularly.
The blog of two Michigan public librarians, Awful Library Books, brings the old, the ugly, the politically incorrect into the spotlight. All are real examples of books found in today’s collections. They are both cringeworthy and hilarous.
The yalsa people are talking about their own ‘treasures’ on list. One gem: I’m glad I’m a boy! I’m glad I’m a girl! a 1970 number by Whitney Darrow. Embarrassed to find it on her shelves, the librarian concerned was even more astonished to learn that it was exactly what the patron was seeking for their child.
Turns out this was published as a satire – a detail that has been lost over the decades. Salutory. Off to your collections and see what you find. And let us know.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:29 am
Thanks for this info. I love the Awful books blog. I am going to look at our collection with new eyes