What do Casanova, Pope Pius XI, Benjamin Franklin and first lady Laura Bush have in common? At one time, all were members of the librarian profession. While librarians are often stereotyped as quiet, shy ladies who wear their gray hair in a dignified bun, that doesn't reflect the variety and diversity of today's library professionals. As of 2004, 159,000 people in the United States held the job of librarian. Although only 18 percent of that number was male, the median age for librarians was a young 47--far from the gray-haired, bun-wearing ladies of our imaginations!

From pick-up lines to bumper stickers, this volume takes a light-hearted look at the many facets of the librarian occupation. Beginning with statistics, it enumerates gender divisions, personality types, salaries and educational requirements for various types of librarians including public, academic, school and special librarians. Other topics include specific occupational health risks, job-related recreation and novelty gifts for library professionals. Instances of librarians found in prose, poetry, film and musicals are also discussed.