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Shelf Check
At the public library, staff often find themselves caught between those with nowhere else to turn and those with nowhere they'd rather be. Their goal: to enjoy the chaos, to maintain a semblance of order, and to get someone to read a book once in a while.
- GenresGraphic NovelsComics
143 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2021
21 people want to read
About the author
Gene Ambaum
17books29followersI write with Bill Barnes. I've worked as a paper boy, auto mechanic, courier, English teacher, operations manager, teen services librarian, and staff development coordinator. I enjoy a wide range of graphic novels and am currently obsessed with the work of Lewis Trondheim, Emmanuel Guibert, Hope Larson, and Kazu Kibuishi. My favorite book without words is Owly The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer by Andy Runton. My favorite book without pictures is Ursula LeGuin's A Wizard of Earthsea.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 19, 2021
Some of these comics are too relateable and too real. And so funny.
October 23, 2021
If you’ve ever worked in or loved a library, this is a must-read collection!
December 12, 2022
Author Gene Ambaum was my library's featured speaker for professional development day this year. He is as witty and observant in this collection of library comics as he was in person. Each comic strip of four simple frames, with a rotating cast of librarians and library staff, says something funny or profound or both about library life. Library workers will recognize themselves and their patrons in the stories shared here, many of which the author and illustrator will note are "based on a true story." From customers pulling books out of their pants, to unplugging the printer because they were trying to work and didn't like the noise, to asking if library staff can "just double-check" to see if their books are in, all of the situations depicted are familiar and funny.
December 12, 2022
Laugh out loud funny and true!! We do get to see a microcosm of the universe in the library. There are all kinds - both patrons and librarians. Loved it!
March 30, 2022
Now this feels more like The Library Book to me. Wish I could respond as calmly as the staff here.
September 27, 2021
Another joyous book of workplace humor from Ambaum and company from the online comic strip is now available in print. This makes it a “real book� according to Martin, a librarian in the strip adverse to online anything. Martin is the bearded one on the cover reading the book that everyone else is desperately checking the shelves to find. In library jargon it’s a process known as doing a shelf check to find a misplaced book.
If you are a person who thinks libraries are boring, the scriptwriter knows different, he works in one. It true you won’t find people working there who will be as snarky in public as the employees of this public library (however a warning is hidden in panel 1 on page 68). Shelf Check is filled with LOL human interactions, including one bonus crossover strip inked by Unshelved artist Bill Barnes.
If you are a person who thinks libraries are boring, the scriptwriter knows different, he works in one. It true you won’t find people working there who will be as snarky in public as the employees of this public library (however a warning is hidden in panel 1 on page 68). Shelf Check is filled with LOL human interactions, including one bonus crossover strip inked by Unshelved artist Bill Barnes.
February 20, 2024
A fun collection for those who work in public libraries. Proof yet again that our experiences with the public is universal, no matter where you work. (Unfortunately yes, just like in the book, I actually had a customer shove his hand down the back of his pants, rummage around, pull out a DVD and hand it to me as a return.) One of my favourites was on page 96, where the customers all confess their innermost secrets to the staff member. They really do this! I feel like a bartender/doctor/lawyer/therapist at times. I know WAY too much about their private lives!
April 28, 2024
A pair of librarian friends gifted me with this charming collection after a library conference. It reminded me how much I new to finish reading the rest of the Unshelved collection.
I really enjoyed this gift of comics about libraries and reading. ♎️
I really enjoyed this gift of comics about libraries and reading. ♎️
September 18, 2022
A fun collection! I get the comics through email, but it's fun to hold them in hand. Nice to see Dewey make a guest appearance!
September 16, 2024
I love these comics. Great stuff, and true as the day is long if you've ever worked in a library!
August 28, 2022
Loved it! Great for library staff
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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