Unshelved

Unshelved #1

by Gene Ambaum, Bill Barnes

Welcome to Unshelved, the world's only daily comic strip set in a public library! Writer Gene Ambaum (the made-up name of a real-life librarian) and co-writer and artist Bill Barnes have been publishing since February 16, 2002. Some of the stories are made up, some of them are based on real life, and some are absolutely true stories sent to us from our readers. And the stranger the story, the more likely it is to be true.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Comics, Fiction, Books About Books, Adult, Graphic Novels Comics

127 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

I write Unshelved 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.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got quite a few hoots out of this collection of comics about life in a library. Meet a staff that's ready, and (sometimes) willing to help patrons with all their personal and computer problems, and occasionally even recommend a book . . . like what's happening in this strip where two very different librarians attempt to introduce teens to the library:



You really don't have to have worked in a library to enjoy these toons; I'd say if you've ever done time in retail or woked any job that involves serving the public, you'll be nodding your head in agreement as you recognize familiar situations.

Anyway, here's my favorite:



If only, if only . . .

Psst - you can read them all here - http://www.unshelved.com/2002-2-16

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Unshelved, a comic about a public library and its librarians, but, sometimes the cartoon hit too close to home. I've been treated and spoken to like Dewey at the information desk, tons of times. So, librarians beware. Some of these are almost too true to be funny. On the other hand, I like my job, so I've never responded like Dewey. It's cathartic, reading his sarcastic responses to ridiculous questions and situations.

Favorite character: Buddy the Book Beaver! Of course.

Favorite cartoons: The one where Merv writes a brochure to get more teens to come to the library pg 33 (my department is responsible for the young adult room, so I really appreciated the humor).

When the patron asks Dewey if he has any pens when he's standing next to a pile of pens (happens all the time). bottom of pg 41

And finally, when Dewey starts dispensing Eastern philosophy to the library patrons: "Search without searching. Look for nothing and find everything. Read the book but don't look at the words." top of pg 103. That's probably me in about thirty years.

If you enjoyed Unshelved, you may want to pick up Rex Libris, Volume I: I, Librarian (Rex Libris, #1-5) by James Turner (another librarian themed comic) or The Black Belt Librarian: Real-World Safety & Security by Warren Graham (non-fiction book on how to deal with difficult patrons or security risks at the library).

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum have created something special here: a comic strip about libraries and librarians. If you've ever worked at such a place, especially in recent years, you'll understand the crazy things Dewey, Tamara, and friends experience in this volume. Though the comic is viewable online, it's great to have a print edition of the strips. Some discerning readers may take issue with certain bits of humor, though.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unshelved has been shamelessly recommended to me via Goodreads' recommendation page, based on a few other low key graphic novels that immediately resonated with me. It's almost like the filter won't let me move on until I read this one; I'm glad I finally took its advice. It just screams me! It's essentially Portlandia set in a library. Oh wait, wasn't that a skit? Never mind, that's the feminist bookstore. I'm doing the hand reach now...

Dewey, the main protagonist, is the librarian who mans the reference desk, and is in charge of the young adult section. Armed with his fatalistic sarcasm, and antisocial shield, we sit back and watch him answer the most ridiculous questions, or in most cases skillfully avoid doing so. On hand are his trusty sidekick librarians, who aren't always the most helpful when it comes to dealing with many of the regulars (loony patrons).

Styled in a daily comic format, the back leaf mentioned that many of the strips were based on actual experiences from Gene Ambaum's time working as a librarian. Others, as outlandish as they might seem, were based on experiences that were sent in by readers who are librarians.

If you're a book nerd, love your local library, or just looking for a laugh, this book is definitely the book for you. I am so happy that there are more books in this series. I can't believe there isn't a television sitcom around that is set in a library. So much scope for the imagination.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a smattering of amusing cartoons along with many mediocre ones. I do love the idea of cartoons about a library, librarians, and library patrons. I accidentally read the second book before I read this first one. Reading this first one, I did understand more about who a couple of the recurring characters are. I might have enjoyed these cartoons more one at a time or a few at a time.

Instead of reading the book(s) you can read this cartoon daily, including via email or feed, which for me will be a much more enjoyable experience, at: http://www.unshelved.com/. I found this resource in the back of this book.

[Rift Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this free web comic for ages, and I was happy to support their KickStarter campaign of last year. My reward was a cute little thumb drive in the shape of an old fashioned library card catalog drawer, and on the thumb drive is a EPUB copy of all of the Unshelved books! My favorite comic in this book is Why are you letting my son look at adult websites? That one just cracks me up because it's so clever! I'm so happy I have so many more to read!

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text: 4 stars
Art: 3 stars

Single-author black-and-white compilation of comic strips, originally posted on the internet on a weekly basis. As with any comics collection, some of the strips are funnier than others. But overall, this is often humorous, especially if you're a librarian or hang out frequently in a library.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly, there are certain things about working in a library that happen all across the board - no matter what part of the country you work in. Quite a bit of Unshelved hit close to home, and I loved every minute of it.

If only I could get away with what Dewey does...

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why haven't I heard of this already? This sounds really good. And it was. Basically its comic strips that's set at a public library and its librarians. A lot of moments that will either make you smile or laugh or just well want to read the rest of the volumes. The art was fun too.

[April eclecticbookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comic strip full of funny realistic stories about odd patrons and situations in a good sized library from the librarian side of the desk. 3.5 stars?

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of comic strips that take place in a public library. Quirky characters and humorous situations.

[Kaitlin Lewis-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very very relatable to me for some reason 📚

[Daniel Shellenbarger · Rating 4 out of 5]

While some of the jokes are starting to feel dated (ah, the days when we actually threw people out for eating and drinking in the library... or talking on their cell phones!), Mr. Barnes' series catches the humorous insanity of life on the other side of the desk at the library and while it may be a little far-fetched (though not as much as you might think) there was plenty that rang true to my own experiences (though his main character is probably the least enthusiastic librarian I've ever met) and it was a fun/quick read that I'd definitely recommend it to anyone else who has ever worked in a library.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this compilation of comics by the Unshelved guys - too funny and spot on! Many incidents reminded me of some things that have happened in my school library. I had the opportunity to hear Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum speak at a conference and found them hilarious, love their comic strips and I look forward to reading many more!

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

a collection of small comic strips all about library-ness. I liked it cause it shows the real side of much of it, such as the crazies and the stupids and the assholes we have to deal with day in and day out. It doesn't glorify working in a library like a lot of library related reading which I appreciated!

[Kristina Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit of a rocky start as we're introduced to the characters who work at and frequent the Mallville Public Library. The illustrations are simple but get better over time. The writing and jokes are great and only start to build on each other. I LOVE the Library Tips! Those are the funniest!

[Aleya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone donated this to our library so I was first to put a hold on it.
It has a ton of humor for all people, not just library staff, but it's especially funny to those of us that do work in a library.
It was a fun read. Dewey is definitely my favorite.

[Bekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Dewey, Merv and the gang. Very funny. A few sections seemed to drag on for me, but it was still hilarious and I will likely read more of the series.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have started with this one, volume 1. Now I understand the guy in the beaver costume.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such sarcasm!
This was funny and relatable for me. I only wish I could say half the snarky things Dewey says to his patrons. Haha
The other characters are funny and pretty realistic too.

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so many laugh out loud moments! I worked at a public library while going to college and there's definitely some truth in this book. :)

[Olgalijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be mandatory reading for anybody who wants to become a public librarian!!

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread these every few years and I think it's now been 7 or 8 years since my last read through. It's been 20 years since the first strip published and I still find them enjoyable.

[Kristi Clemow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts were pretty funny - couple laugh-out-loud ones in the beginning.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I have ever enjoyed a book of comic strips as much as I enjoyed this one! Granted, it's probably been more than 10 years so definitely not my genre of choice but, I look forward to reading more of Dewey's adventures in the Mallville Library!!

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knows what evil, ok not evil exactly, silliness lurks in the stacks at the Mallville Library? Bill Barnes, alias Dewy the librarian, alias some dude what is a really a public librarian- Do -and with his eventually trusty artist Gene Ambaum you can read Unshelved as they fight to serve their community on shoe string budgets and pay that mostly makes it to the end of the week.. This is the first printed volume of what had been a web based cartoon about the high pressure high living life of that least sung of the unsung Heroes, The librarian.

Ok, not exactly high pressure, but certainly caffeine fueled. Dewey plays center court of a fairly rich library staff. For example the too eager, still believing Children’s section chief, Tamara and the newly promoted but nobody’s fool library branch manager, Mal. The other team on this comic strip court is the public, a regular and irregular cast citizen customers who may not know the limits of what a library can do, or the limits of a librarian’s patience. Regulars include Ned The man who makes us glad that there are still newspapers (The one in front of him is all the clothes he wears) and the under-supervised, where are his parents, Merv, who is not esp naughty, he just never needs to be anywhere else and never seems to read anything. Come and go are the people who expect the library’s research section to be a living web ap for answering not just any question but the ten others that may or may not follow from the first and so forth.

Over all Unshelved comics are fun more than occasionally funny and, IMHO speak to the stranger and the micro aggravations in almost any form of public service.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unshelved is a quaint little comic set in a library. It follows the exploits of Dewey the Young Adult Librarian who also works the reference desk. Many of the comics are based off of real things that happened in libraries. This is evident in some of the questions Dewey gets asked. However, Dewey responds in the sarcastic biting way that many librarians wish they could respond in. Honestly, I think the most unrealistic part of the entire book was that Dewey did not get himself fired with how he treated library patrons.

The other characters are also quite enjoyable if not falling slightly into stereotypes of different librarians. The children’s librarian is upbeat and cannot help but be optimistic about everything, the adult librarian is an older woman who loves romance books and hates computers and technology, and the manager is the rules-oriented librarian who enjoys reading catalogs and ordering office supplies. In addition to the librarians we are also introduced to the summer reading program mascot, Bucky the Book Beaver.

Overall, it’s a great comic for anyone who likes books or works in a bookstore or library. I wouldn’t say it is the highest quality comic book/graphic novel I’ve ever read but it also isn’t bad.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I not share my favorite comic strip ever? I will love Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum forever for creating the only comic strip set in a public library. Having worked in one, as a children's librarian, I can say it is right on target(although I was never as perky as Tamara, she is a dead ringer for the woman who headed the department). It's eerie how often their strips turn out to be true to life, and sometimes it leaves me howling in laughter. I've also worked with librarians like Colleen and Mel, and yes, you wouldn't believe the questions people ask and the things they do in a public library. And Dewey, disaffected geek boy and the voice of my generation, says and does all those things we think but never say. I love how Barnes and Ambaum get the absurd side of librarianship (the graphic novel Preacher getting cataloged with religion books) and make you care (and laugh) at (and with)the cast of characters, not just as librarians but as people. These guys have struck a chord not just in librarians but in thousands of other people, and now that you know about Unshelved there is no reason in the world why you shouldn't visit their webcomic right now, at overduemedia.com.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super funny - if you work in a public library, this is a must read.

Unshelved has a little bit of every common librarian: a witty YA librarian, a hard-working and adorable children's librarian, an overworked manager, and a traditionalist reference librarian with a cute baby. Add in colorful patrons like a nudist, a teen with clever schemes, and a new beaver mascot, and the stereotypical library is complete.

Barnes and Ambaum capture the spirit of working in a public library perfectly. While some of the stories are too silly not to be true, other over-the-top scenarios take an everyday library experience to a much more hilarious level. I also love the "Dilbert" nature of Dewey always getting out of work with a completely cynical yet often realistic perspective about the latest crazy episode in the community.

Easy to read and very funny!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly? I don't think I've ever loved a series of comic strips more. I'm HIGHLY tempted to purchase these books for my own collection. I discovered this book a few years ago, unironically at work shelving it in the graphic novels area. When I read it back then, I was just an aide whose main job description was to put books on the shelves. I've been promoted since then and now work at the circulation desk. I got the humour back then but not as much as I do now. Just like other reviews have said, it got too real at times; but not in a bad way. I've had similar conversation exchanges with patrons where I sincerely question their "outlooks on reality"

Anyway, great job Bill and Gene. I look forward to reading the rest of the collections.