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Child of the 7th Age · 03-04-2006, 11:23 AM

Davem,

I would voice one word of caution. This is a recommendation not from academics but librarians. Therefore, I don't think you can jump to the conclusion that Tolkien is now more accepted by the literary establishment. The two groups are not identical.

Incidentally, I'm a librarian by training. When jobs were so tight for medievalists, I went back and got a second master's and worked for a number of years in academic and university libraries. I loved it and actually found the people I worked with a breath of fresh air compared with the more "rarified" but (in my opinion) more self promoting literary and historical establishment.

Librarians are a unique group! Despite the common stereotype, my experience has been that they are far more likely to be nonconformists, willing to go off the beaten track. It doesn't surprise me that a librarians' group would be the one to put Tolkien on their list. Not only do they know something about the quality of a particular title, but they know what people are actually reading.

Believe me! I was a collection development specialist with oversight for the ordering in all the city libraries, and we ended up ordering tons of Tolkien, not because I loved it but because we all knew our readers loved it. There are some titles that a librarian selects with a grimace because, frankly, they are popular works that really have little merit. There was never any hesitation with Tolkien in this regard because obviously the books had great merit.

Just a side note, I concur with To Kill a Mockingbird. I've always felt that is one of the best books out there if you want to understand the American character--both the good and the bad. How interesting that this recommendation comes from a British group!

I have read a number of these title but will try to tackle Birdsong sometime soon.

P.S. It's interesting to note that a number of Tolkien scholars are librarians. The first names that come to mind are Hammond and his wife who are just coming out with all the new companions and guides.

03-04-2006, 11:23 AM	#2
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Davem, I would voice one word of caution. This is a recommendation not from academics but librarians. Therefore, I don't think you can jump to the conclusion that Tolkien is now more accepted by the literary establishment. The two groups are not identical. Incidentally, I'm a librarian by training. When jobs were so tight for medievalists, I went back and got a second master's and worked for a number of years in academic and university libraries. I loved it and actually found the people I worked with a breath of fresh air compared with the more "rarified" but (in my opinion) more self promoting literary and historical establishment. Librarians are a unique group! Despite the common stereotype, my experience has been that they are far more likely to be nonconformists, willing to go off the beaten track. It doesn't surprise me that a librarians' group would be the one to put Tolkien on their list. Not only do they know something about the quality of a particular title, but they know what people are actually reading. Believe me! I was a collection development specialist with oversight for the ordering in all the city libraries, and we ended up ordering tons of Tolkien, not because I loved it but because we all knew our readers loved it. There are some titles that a librarian selects with a grimace because, frankly, they are popular works that really have little merit. There was never any hesitation with Tolkien in this regard because obviously the books had great merit. Just a side note, I concur with To Kill a Mockingbird. I've always felt that is one of the best books out there if you want to understand the American character--both the good and the bad. How interesting that this recommendation comes from a British group! I have read a number of these title but will try to tackle Birdsong sometime soon. P.S. It's interesting to note that a number of Tolkien scholars are librarians. The first names that come to mind are Hammond and his wife who are just coming out with all the new companions and guides. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 03-04-2006 at 11:29 AM.