Welcome to Litsy!

This week‘s book report will be a little late. First, I‘m attending our local little book festival. Here‘s our County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, kicking off the event and introducing the author of the tagged book.

After looking at this on my shelf for far too long, I listened to it on Libby. Interesting arguments for building & supporting social infrastructure (like public libraries, parks, etc) as they will help save lives in times of crisis and curb crime rates by building communities…. And also work to help the planet in light of climate change. A bit disorganized in the presentation… and not nearly enough on the affect of systemic racism in all of this

Good idea/information; disorganized execution. I may reread in the future—it really is fascinating.

Highly educational look at the importance of social networks and connections in addition to more familiar hard infrastructure in promoting healthy communities. Touching on climate change, inequality, the roots of police brutality, and the challenge of feeling connected when we can't be together in person, this little book is very timely. Thank you again, @Sunraven , for the winter swap! It took me 6-ish months to read it, but I'm so glad I did!

"At Starbucks, and at most businesses, really, the assumption is that you, the customer, are better for having this thing you purchase. Right? At the library, the assumption is you *are* better. You have it in you already... The library assumes the best out of people. The services it provides are founded upon the assumption that if given the chance, people will improve themselves." (pp 51-52)

So many thanks to @Sunraven for the very thoughtful gifts you selected for my #LitsyLove #WinterSwap box!

I love it all, but especially the beautiful card and the journal cover you embroidered, which my daughter covets. And dairy-free caramels!! I haven't had caramel since I had to quit dairy almost 15 years ago, and I'm so excited to try these!

Thank you so much for hosting, @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks and @TheBookHippie !

This was on track to be a five star read for me. I once was an aspiring social scientist, and am now a librarian. The social science aspect of this book is fascinating, and the author has nothing but praise for libraries and other “social good” projects Parts of this book made me teary eyed. But it lost a star.. because of its complete lack of organization. It was like libraries—> parks —> libraries -> old people —> hurricanes -> libraries etc.

An interesting look at social infrastructure, with a heavy emphasis on public libraries and their impact on communities.

Currently reading

I really liked this nonfiction about infrastructure. It talked a lot about social issues. I am a civil engineer so I was hoping for a little more about the roads and trains. But I ended up really being interested.

Libraries as social infrastructure? Hell, yes! Sociologist Klinenberg has examined what makes libraries an integral part of a community. Must reading for #LibrariansOfLitsy. Read my full review and essay at https://itsallaboutthebook.org/2019/02/18/places-for-the-people-by-eric-klinenbe...

This is a great book! As a librarian, i know libraries contribute significantly to the social infrastructure of their communities as this book reinforced that and added much more to the discussion. I particularly loved this quote from the conclusion. I look forward to discussing this book with my colleagues and neighbors.

I. Loved. This. Book. So much. It is everything I prefer in my nonfiction and, more than that, it makes such a strong case for the societal value of libraries that if anyone says libraries don‘t deserve funding or are outdated institutions or do nothing for their communities, they should be locked in a room with nothing but a library copy of this book. THEN we can have a chat.

Social infrastructure is not a concept I had heard of before and I found this book to be a through, well researched and well examined look. The organization of the material revolves around different benefits that good social infrastructure can encourage: community, safety, emergency help, drug issues, and even bring together people who clash politically. #netgalley

I have several non-fiction reads on my TBR shelf. Will definitely be hitting these, but I always need some fiction mixed in! #TBRTuesday