Remember Windows 3.1?

A Quick Course in Windows 3.1

Salley Oberlin, Patrick Kervran, and Joyce Cox

1992

When was the last time a patron asked you for help using Windows 3.1?  If their “computer” runs 3.1 (and I put “computer” in quotes because it’s more like a calculator or abacus compared to today’s computers), it is a doorstop. Not only is the book irrelevant, but so is the machine.  Let’s hear it for Windows ‘95!  Wait, ‘98?  ME? 2000? XP?  Oh, that’s right…we’ve upgraded Windows SIX TIMES since this book was published!  Vista, anyone?

If you’re wondering, no – the owning library does not have a special collection in computer manuals or the history of computer science.

Not Your Mama’s Terrorism

Not Your Mama's Terrorism

Crusaders, Criminals, Crazies
Frederick J. Hacker, M.D.
1976

Somehow, I think that terrorism “in our time” is different than terrorism in their time. This is 25 years before 9/11.  This book takes a unique psychological perspective on terrorists, but a more current book would point out at least two more cases of Stockholm Syndrome since Patty Hearst’s 1974 ordeal (including both Shawn Hornbeck and Elizabeth Smart in 2002).  A whole generation of history has happened since this book was published that contributes directly to today’s terrorism.

For the record, the library owning this little gem has plenty of other books on terrorism, including books about 9/11, including the psychology of terrorists, and even as current as 2009.  This is just dead weight in their collection.

Bankruptcy, circa 1976

How to get out of debt
Nichols
1976

Although I am not an attorney or play one on tv, I am going to go out on a limb and say that maybe, just maybe, some of the laws and issues surrounding bankruptcy might be different from those over 30 years ago.  What particularly frosts me is that this particular library when they automated sometime in the early 90’s (when this book was only 20 years out of date) STILL thought this was worth keeping, took time to barcode it, make ILL notes on the circulation of this book over the years as well as fix up this 5.95 paperback.  I can only guess, but I bet they spent enough of staff time, stickers and barcodes over the years to maybe cover the cost of a newer book! As a side note, even ignoring the obvious problem with currency, this book is also bad even for 1976.  The “forms” they reproduce for the reader are microscopic and nearly impossible to read.

Career advice for that “gal on the go!”

What to do with the rest of your life
Catalyst
1980

Given the economic climate of the day, outdated career stuff in circulating collections really makes my blood boil!  This wonderful book from 1980 gives our modern gal great advice on everything from professional dress to exciting new career as a keypunch operator.  (Personal note from MY reference desk:  I have helped people that really haven’t had to prepare a resume in 20-30 years and they won’t realize that what used to go for resume content and format has changed.)  P.S.  If you are under the age of 50, I bet you couldn’t tell me who Bess Myerson is without a Google search!

Leeches

Those Amazing Leeches
Halton
1988

I am willing to concede that maybe there isn’t much in the way of scientific advancement in the world of leeches, but c’mon!  The toenail fungus on the cover is disgusting!

Breast cancer information from 1973

What every woman should know about the breast cancer controversy
Crile
1973

Sadly, this book details new breakthrough treatments like  “radiation”.  I am going to make a big guess and say that maybe medical science has had a few breakthroughs since 1973.  This is probably one of the best illustrations of why weeding should be everybit a priority. Why is this book in a public library collection??  Seriously.

Should we tell the children that the USSR is no more?

Soviet Union
Jackson
1968

This wonderful book was one of several we found in various catalogs.  I wonder if a teacher would accept a country report about the USSR even if it was defunct.  In all fairness, this was a perfectly wonderful choice for a library in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

Welcome to Awful Library Books!

For all you public library professionals, take a look at the dark underbelly of collection!  These books and other materials represent the worst in public library holdings.  We all know about a quality collection and the necessity of weeding materials, but please!  There really is no excuse for ANY public library to maintain these items.  Hopefully, this will inspire you to be more attentive to collection quality issues.