The daily interaction of the staff and customers of the small suburban Mallville Public Library are recorded in only slightly exaggerated form in this final collection of the online comic strip “Unshelved.” For example: displays for Banned Books Week (often seen in real libraries) is joined by a lineup of customers beneath the sign “CELEBRATE BANNED PATRONS WEEK,” each one holding an individual placard before them reading respectively, “internet time limit abuser, Ranter/shrieker, Book thief, Rude. Just really, really rude,” and “Cord chewer” (something not seen in actual libraries) [page 113]. But also included are real stories from the field, e.g. a boy ask the children’s librarian, “Is my nose bleeding?” When she answers no, he pokes at it until it is, and then asks, “How about now?” to which she answers yes, and he responds, “Cool!” [page 95] Also included is the “graphic novella” Lights Out depicting how to keep a modern library functioning during a power outage and many additional tips for library conference goers. While it’s sad to see this strip come to an end it is encouraging that Ambaum and Hallbeck are creating a new strip, “Library Comic.” ( )

The twelfth, and final collection of the Unshelved strip. Seeing these familiar characters fade into history is disappointing, not least because the two remaining creators, Gene Ambaum and Chris Hallbeck (Bill Barnes had already left the series), have immediately begun a new library strip. So far, I haven't been able to detect that the gags in the new material could not have worked in the original, which leaves me to wonder why the need to close it.

But that's all gripes, I suppose. Anyone who worked in or enjoyed public libraries recognized immediately the slice of reality that Unshelved both reflected, but saw the humor in. It will be missed. Goodbye, Dewey.... ( )