Will’s Bio
Will Manley, a trustee for the Livermore (CA) Public Library, is the author of nine books on the lighter side of librarianship, Manley has published over 600 magazine articles. He currently writes the “Manley Arts” column in Booklist and the “Will’s World” column every month in the ALA’s American Libraries Magazine. Manley is also a popular speaker at library conferences and staff development days.
Here is Will’s resume:
RETIREMENT YEARS
Current Obsession – To perfect my golf swing in order to represent the library profession in a respectable way on the golf courses of the San Francisco Bay area.
Hobbies – Hiking, golf (hiking gone bad), living a green lifestyle, listening to Mozart, reading Finnegans Wake, and rehabbing a raccoon infested property.
Library Interests – To spread good cheer to librarians everywhere and to spend at least 10 hours a week as a non-problem patron at the Livermore (CA) Library.
PRE-RETIREMENT YEARS
Education – BA- Notre Dame; MLS-Univ. of Denver; MPA – Arizona State.
Work Experience – 30 years as a public librarian and 7 years as a city manager.
PAST LIVES
700 BC – Reference Librarian at the Alexandrian Library
950 AD – Monastic Scribe at the Lindisfarne Library
1867 AD – Janitor at the Library of Congress
PUBLICATIONS
9 Books - None of them appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and none of them were translated into other languages, but all 9 got rave reviews from my son Stephen on Amazon.com. They are all out of print and out of stock but there are still boxes of them in my mother’s attic, and you can get several of them for less than a quarter from ebay.
628 Monthly Columns
1980-1992 – “Facing the Public” – Wilson Library Bulletin
1992 to present – “Will’s World” – American Libraries
1992 to present – “The Manley Arts” – Booklist
How to contact me:
Email me at wmanley7@att.net for a speaking engagement.
I work at the Reference Desk in a small town library. I’ve always enjoyed reading your articles in Booklist. Then today I saw your article “I Blog, Therefore I Matter” in American Libraries. So I’ve signed up to recieve your blogs in my email and I’m looking forward to them.
Beverly, thanks so much for the very kind words. You made my day.
I am a Children’s and Teens’ Services Librarian at a mid-sized public library. Much like Beverly, I also enjoy reading your articles. Also, I find it interesting that you graduated from Notre Dame. I graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 2006. I was just reading your December 1, 2009 The Manly Arts column today, and your mention of reading Anselm and St. Augustine in college struck a chord with me. Their writing was also a big part of my college education. Anyway, thanks for the entertaining articles!
Angela…thanks for the kind words. I was in the last all male class at Notre Dame. I graduated in ’71 and ND went coed in ’72. I did however end up marrying a St. Mary’s girl. I haven’t been back to campus for decades, but your last name rings a bell. Isn’t there a building at ND with Eck in the name? w.
Your column in AL is my favorite in the whole journal. I enjoy reading it for years and love your humor. Glad you are blogging now. I am looking forward to reading more of your writing.
Thanks, Qin!
Hi Will, I’m not a librarian, but some of my good friends are. The library is my favorite place to visit. I’m really enjoying your Blog. If you get a chance, give my novel a try, “Life After Phantom: Opera Erotica”. It’s available through an Inter-Library loan.
Welcome to the blog, Samantha.
Regarding your dislike of mysteries, I would like to recommend Nancy Pickard’s The Virgin of Small Plains. I’m an avid mystery fan, and this is undoubtedly the best mystery I’ve ever read. Janet Steiniger, Head of Reference, Bethpage Public Library, Bethpage, NY
Thanks, Janet.
Dear Will,
having read some of your books about librarians & librarianship & your columns,I have found your writing to be humorous, ebtertaining & most of all, insightful. As a municipal employee for 17 years prior to becoming a librarian, I am awed by the fact that you have both an MLS & MPA degrees with work experience as both a librarian & city manager (1900 employees would make it a fairly good-sized city!!)
I’m probably partial, because i AM ONE, But librarians ARE among the most interesting persons around because we are seemingly always curious/ looking to learn something new & interesting.
I’ve heard it said that livrarians are curious about everything, experts on little. You have demonstrated that is not the case!!
Enjoy your retirement & grandchildren!! Thanks much for your writings-they are wonderful!!
Steve Nelson
Senior Reference Librarian
Hammond (IN) Public Library
I am just discovering your work–it looks like I will have to read more. I found this post through LoneWolf Librarian’s post on religion this morning. I just completed my MLIS (online SJSU) very late in life (turned 65 in June of this year) and serve in a VERY small library at California Christian College in Fresno. I need all the help I can get and it looks like you will provide both inspiration and information. Thank you
Hi Will! Even though we don’t share the same opinion about mysteries(I really do like them!), I wanted to tell you that I’ve always gotten a chuckle from your writings about librarianship-I’m one of those children’s types. I’m glad to find you on the blog circuit.
Anne
Hello Will,
I found your Manley Arts piece, Alternative Medicine, to be insightful and quite timely. It seems that we are reaching a point in time that is increasingly ironic. Your piece exemplifies this rather splendidly.
Cheers.
melbourne delaney (ref librarian @ Cerritos Library)
We’re in Phoenix for a day.
Any body you want me to break kneecaps before we leave town.
No, not really. I love AZ.
I am a trustee at the Washoe County Library in Reno, and have read a couple of your books, I have enjoyed reading about your perspective and especially love your sense of humor. I am glad to have found you are continuing to write online.
(Guess there’s no point in sending in the survey at the back of “Manley Art of Librarianship?”
)
- Jim
I am a 56 year old woman working on an online MLS degree – a fun but expensive hobby.
Last week I had a job interview & was asked “Why do you still want to work?” Not expecting this question, I tried to answer diplomatically but finally ended up saying “I’m paying for 2 kids in college!”
Do you find this question sexist & ageist or is it just me?