Unfortunately, most librarians are truly clueless when it comes to sports. |
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Not on my watch! |
Athletes who read. Reading for sports fans.
Who am I?
I am a teacher, librarian, coach, family man, and sports lover. Except for the librarian part, I'm a pretty typical guy!
Why Jockbrarian?
The world of sports extends far and wide! When you consider every sport, every age group, every gender, every level, every location--sports touches the corners of our lives almost more than anything. Sports has become a truly universal language among all people. Unfortunately, many librarians don't know how to speak this language!
Throughout my 20+ years as a teacher, coach, and librarian, I have been asked many times to recommend good sports books. In 2014 I did a presentation for teachers and librarians in Wisconsin about nonfiction sports books. Since then, I have received numerous requests for book lists and help in the development of library sports collections around the State.
Thus, out of a discovered need, a resource is born! The Jockbrarian has added himself to the lineup!
Mission
The Jockbrarian looks to connect the drama, stories, and lessons from sports books to those looking for a good read. I represent athletes who like to read, and readers who like sports.
I really don't think of this as a "book review" blog. With my job as full-time librarian and family guy, I would never be able to do justice to a formal "review" of every book. I'm much too busy living my sports dreams vicariously through my children to live on the couch with a book! Rather, it is my intention that this functions as more of a resource.
Here are some considerations for my mission:
- Think of this as a shopping trip to my library for a book.
- Think of it a way to start a conversation between those who read sports books and those who play the game, write books, and publish material.
- Think of me as far from an authority, but closer to a voice.
- Think of my job as not really telling you what is good or bad, but bringing materials to your table.
- I function as an idea man, not an answer machine.
- While a large part of the audience may be librarians, there is an appeal to anyone who in interested in sports books.
- I do not at all hold the assumption that all athletes read books about sports!
- I do not believe that sports books are only helpful or interesting to athletes. These books are for everyone.
Why nonfiction?
It would be ideal to be everything to everyone, but I have to start someplace. This place is nonfiction in relation to an audience of about middle school on up. There is nothing wrong with fiction, and young kids are neat--I've raised some in my day. What I have found, however, is that the sports books gaining the most traction in my high school library are adult level nonfiction books. I have thus chosen this arena, with hope that in time, the scope will expand.