Fun with Crime

Looking Forward to Being Attacked
Bullard
1977

Anonymous Submitter: “Talk about putting a positive light on something bad,  Looking Forward to Being Attacked was written by Lt. Jim Bullard from the Memphis Police Department.  It was published in 1977.  I included the table of contents to demonstrate how Lt. Bullard just oozes optimism.”

Holly’s comments: Looks like a great book with a weird approach and title.  No one looks forward to being attacked, even if they are a master at self-defense.  Oh, I get it!  He is being clever.  This was re-released in 1987.  With cell phones and car alarms, I think self-defense books in public libraries should be more up to date than this.  Please weed!

Holly

Of course it’s a “weeder”!

Marijuana
Stwertka
1979

Continuing with our wonderful theme of vices, I found this lovely book still sitting in a youth n0nfiction collection.
Yes, I was in high school in the 1970’s, but I was rather square and can’t seem to identify all the paraphanalia that goes with those lovely  joints on the cover.  I am assuming that the big yellow thing is your personal “compact” of weed… Any former (or current for that matter – hey we don’t judge here at ALB) potheads like to enlighten me to all the “stuff” on the cover?  I do think the cover should include some snack food if we are going for authenticity though. 
ALB wants you to say no to drugs, kids and say no to dated crap on library shelves!

Stay groovy,

Mary

Satisfaction!

They Satisfy: The Cigarette in American Life
Sobel
1978

Continuing our vice choices this week is one sent to us from a submitter doing some cleaning in youth nonfiction. I love the cover art, but I hate processing like this!  The barcodes and lables mess up the look of the cover and in this case part of the title.  Even a good title can look junky with library labels and sloppy processing.  (Don’t get me started some of the nasty book covers I have seen!)  Despite all that, I feel like lighting up after looking at the ever so attractive pack of cigs!!! 

Mary

Driving High

Driving High
The Hazards of Driving, Drinking and Drugs
Taylor
1983

This cover is too creepy!  I know, maybe that is the point.  I know there is more current info out there and certainly the issue of texting and driving is a hot topic for a teen nonfiction collections.  Remember the audience as well as content in deciding if something should be weeded.  In fact, given the issues of texting, I predict a new crop of teen driving safety books to be addressing this issue very soon!  This is a weeder folks!

Mary

A new idea for an inservice!

Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs
Their Use and Abuse
Worick
1977

How about this stuff on the cover at your next staff inservice?  Now that is a party!  (It might be worth a few continuing ed credits) However,  I feel confident in saying as a selection for teen nonfiction, this is a WEEDER!  Again, I would like to reiterate that the librarians at ALB in no way support abuse of certain substances.  Diet coke and chocolate are my preferred substances of “abuse” (the calories in the chocolate are cancelled by the diet Coke).  Holly has been known to remark that in certain situations a drink would be “helpful”  (I believe this was in reference to a few staff meetings and a seminar we once attended!)

Mary

West Point

West Point: The Life of a Cadet
Engeman
1967

Look at the cutting edge technology!  The commies are probably afraid!

Need I say more?

Holly

Planning to die? Here is your book!

How to Prepare for Death
Drazuin
1976

Sure glad this is a practical guide.  I would hate to see the impractical death books crowding the shelves.  This kind of material is usually a slam dunk for a library collection.  Death/Funeral preparations are a common question for the reference desk.  This kind of material also goes hand in hand with estate planning and it is crucial that this kind of information is current.   Most of the material within is simply okay, but I can’t get past the overly “cheerful” look to the book.  It’s a weeder!

Mary

After crafts, how about a few songs?

Music Activities for retarded children
a handbook for teachers and parents
Ginglend
1965

Another ALB spy sent this lovely book to us.  Think of it as a companion title to the crafts book!  Thankfully, it has been weeded from the collection.  Last time I checked Worldcat, this book was in university collections and a few large public libraries, which is probably appropriate for this title.  I also must confess it took me quite a while to realize that is some kind of bird on the cover.

Mary

Tastes like Chicken

A Herpetological Cookbook
How to cook Amphibians and Reptiles
Liner
1978

Who says libraries don’t have everything?  An ALB spy from the southern U.S.  shared this gastronomical delight from his collection.  I am well aware that many folks like eating snakes, turtles and other creatures, but I think this is about the oddest thing I have seen float through this website. Can you imagine how the purchase of this item went down?  “Hey we need some lizard recipes for the library,  I hear it tastes like chicken!”    I am torn between keeping it or weeding since it is SO odd!  Any gastronomical librarians out there care to give a comment or two?

Mary

More fun with VD

VD: Venereal Disease and what you should do about it
Johnson
1978

 

VD: Veneral Disease and what you should do about it
Johnson
1974

I had so much fun with our other VD book ,I found another and the new and its new and improved version.  Dig the groovy colors!  Makes me want to go out and get some VD for myself!  Yes, these are still in 2 separate youth collections and no they have not been weeded yet!  I really have to take issue with a library that continues to put outdated MEDICAL information in the hands of teens.

Mary