Awful Library Books

  • Primary Source Material in the Public Library

    Primary Source Material in the Public Library

    You may be tempted to keep older history materials, such as those written during the time the event was happening, because they are “important” or as valuable primary source material. Here’s the thing about primary sources: they are valuable and important; crucial to good research, even. Here’s the other thing…

  • Ah-One, Ah-Two!

    Ah-One, Ah-Two!

    Ah-One, Ah-Two: Life with My Musical Family Welk with McGeehan 1974 My America, Your America Welk with McGeehan 1976 Submitter: Here are two of the four Lawrence Welk biographies in our collection. The full color foldout of the whole cast is my favorite. Holly: There is a special place in…

  • No Naughty Cats

    No Naughty Cats

    No Naughty Cats: The First Intelligent Guide to Cat Training Pirotin and Cohen 1985 Submitter: First of all, 1985. Cover, design, everything is old-fashioned and faded. Second, training your cat to come when called? If you want a dog, get a dog. And finally… doesn’t seem like the program worked…

  • Desserts from the Fridge

    Desserts from the Fridge

      250 Luscious Refrigerator Desserts Berolzheimer, ed. 1954 For those of you with a sweet tooth, here is your source for all sorts of treats that use your fridge/freezer. Of course there are recipes for ice cream, Baked Alaskas, cookies, pies and puddings. Unfortunately, the black and white photography doesn’t…

  • Oozing from every pore

    Oozing from every pore

    Oozing for My Lord Heron-Love 2007 Another unfortunate title in our ALB line up. The author, however, insists that this title came to her. This book is actually decent enough as a memoir/personal faith story. The contents are totally appropriate for a general religion section, but I just can’t get…

  • Boy Scouts Get a Computer Badge!

    Boy Scouts Get a Computer Badge!

    Computers Boy Scouts of America 1968 Submitter: I removed this book from the shelves of my public library when I did a massive overhaul of the collection last year, soon after I was hired.  I saved a few of the most outdated and/or offensive titles under my desk.  This is…