How Books are Made
Cooke
1963

Wow!  Not a computer in sight!  Loved this picture of typesetting:

This book had lots of dated pictures and again should be retained for an archive.  A modern public library’s youth section? We can do better.

Mary

Better Homes & Gardens Guide to Entertaining
1969

Submitter: I am attaching a cover scan of one of my favorites, copyright 1969. People this groovy can only be doing one thing. Look closely at the center of the photo….that’s right…it’s a fondue party!

Holly: Everyone seems to love these old books about entertaining. The decor and fashion are always…entertaining! This one has got to come off public library shelves. Put it in the book sale, folks!


Celebrations in My World: Hanukkah
Aloian
2009

Submitter: Unfortunately, I didn’t come to the rescue in time- we actually bought this one this year and it makes me weep with frustration.  Can you spot the awful?

(Submitter, Continued): Yep, a GIANT Coptic Orthodox church with no explanation whatsoever.  Especially considering that Christianity didn’t even exist in the time of the Maccabees, I just can’t wrap my head around how this could have made it to publication.

Holly: Niiiiice.  Reeeeeal nice.  Pretty big oversight by the publisher!

How about some Christmas Crafts?

Better Homes & Gardens
Treasury of Christmas Crafts & Foods
1980

Submitter: This is one tacky Christmas book from 1980. Yes, it has the “Better Homes and Gardens” cred, but open it up….yikes. 382 pages of a whole lot of needlepoint, quilting, homemade crap (er, crafts) and the gaudiest tablescapes that would horrify even Sandra Lee.   The “Beautiful Creche Figures” will give you nightmares. Check out the face of the little boy who is sitting among the plush dinosaurs- priceless!

Holly: Okay, I usually am the designated Scrooge, but I think even the most enthusiastic crafter would probably have issues living in this insane Christmas world.    Check out the mother daughter tea party.

Mary:  The needlepoint Holy Family is just plain scary.  (At least I think that is the Holy Family…)

Handbook for the Woman Driver
Montgomery
1955

In the 50’s, the auto industry started to realize that there were more and more women drivers that they needed to start catering to. Women were interested in how a car looked and how comfortable it was, where men wanted a car that performed well. Dealerships started to realize that wives could make or break a sale, so they went to great lengths to cater to the needs of women. They started giving this book out to their women customers, and wives of their male customers. It has beauty and fashion tips in it, as well as advice for women drivers. Times have changed drastically, so I’m not sure a public library’s regular old transportation section is the right place for this!

Holly

Artificial Family: A Consideration of Artificial Insemination by Donor
Snowden and Mitchell
1981

Soooo, if you create a family using this method, you’re an “artificial family?”  A fake family? Wow!  Note the creepy ghost dad hanging by the mom.  What do you suppose is going on there?  A relationship issue?  Hmmm….

This old book covers legal situations, the issue of secrecy (do you tell your child he’s a fake?), and the political and social implications of this issue.  I’m sure in 1981 it was great.  Now, not so much.

Holly

Great Boom Ahead: your comprehensive guide to personal and business profit in the new era of prosperity
Dent
1993

From anonymous submitter: “I guess Harry didn’t anticipate the era we currently find ourselves in!”

Holly’s comment: A better choice for public libraries would be Dent’s 2009 title “The Great Depression Ahead: how to prosper in the crash following the greatest boom in history.”  I guess he’s got a book for every economic situation.  Hey – maybe there’s another great boom ahead and his first book will be useful again!

Like It Is: A Teen Sex Guide
Lieberman and Troccoli
1998

Submitter: It’s from 1998 but I thought it was going to be a lot older based on the cover.

Holly:  Watch your hands, Pal!  I would have guessed 1980’s, too.  How about this title instead?  Wait, I can’t see his other hand….

The Dating Book
Cahn
1983

The Land and People of Scotland
Buchanan
1958

Any book on Scotland that forgets to include the Bay City Rollers or Mel Gibson and Braveheart is obviously not worth keeping in a library collection.   There was a nice picture of some sheep, though.  

Mary

Let’s Visit South Africa
Newman and Caldwell
1968

Apartheid handbook
Omond
1985

Land and People of Rhodesia
Kaula
1967

I feel pretty confident in saying that these books are a bit dated. I think we have a weeding hat trick!  (In case you are wondering, yes they are all from public libraries!)

Mary