Jockbrarian
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Unfortunately, most librarians are truly clueless when it comes to sports.
            -​Will Manley, from Booklist 
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Not on my watch!
​                      -Jockbrarian

 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.
 Basically, the goal is to create better readers, and a societal group that is engaged in the past and present world of sports and all the stories it has to offer.  Only if people are aware of the material that is available to them will this happen.
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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.

Copyright Jockbrarian 2015
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  • Book Blog
  • Book Lists
    • Coaching
    • Small Town Dreams
    • Books and Movies
    • Olympics
    • Legends
    • Overcoming Addictions
    • Overcoming Health Obstacles
    • Culture
    • Athletes and The Military
    • New GHS books 2015-16
  • News Articles
  • On Wisconsin!
  • Building a collection
    • Steps to developing a collection
  • Author Talk
  • About
    • Speaking
  • Contact Me