Alternative Library Literature 1986-1987

Berman, Sanford & Danky, James P.

Publisher:  McFarland & Company, Jefferson, NC 28640 USA
Year Published:  1988   First Published:  1988
Pages:  285pp   Price:  $35.00   ISBN:  ISBN 0-89950-336-5
Resource Type:  Book
Cx Number:  CX3769

An anthology of writings about alternative literature and sources and producers of alternative literature, as well as about libraries themselves, and about what is happening within libraries to make them more relevant and activist in their orientation.


Abstract:  What is this dryly named book about? On one level, it is an anthology of writings about alternative literature and sources and producers of alternative literature. By 'alternative', the editors seem to mean a wide and stimulating range of materials from writers and presses that challenge orthodoxy, including political alternatives, underground cartoonists, small presses, and perspectives that are rarely found in the mainstream media. At the same time, the book is also about libraries themselves, and about what is happening within libraries (primarily in the U.S.) to make them more relevant and activist in their orientation.

The articles are almost all well-written and interesting, and the volume is richly supplied with humour. Alternative Library Literature is divided into several sections, on library work, on women, on peace, on censorship, on alternatives, on Service/ Advocacy/ Empowerment, on kids, on audiovisual material, on books and reading. There is a special section featuring articles on Central America, especially Nicaragua, with articles on the role of small presses in presenting information on what is really happening in that part of the world, and on events in Nicaragua itself, especially related to books and reading. You can open this book almost anywhere and quickly become absorbed. It would be an excellent acquisition for anyone interested in alternative sources of information and ideas. As befits a library-oriented book, it's well indexed.

[Abstract by Ulli Diemer]

Subject Headings

• Alternatives
• Books
• Information/Access to
• Libraries