"Wayne Wiegand, a distinguished academic, has entered the arena with a narrative covering almost three centuries which neatly complements his previous books...This book presents a fascinating snapshot of social history in local communities, well compiled, and with a thoughtful commentary."--Library & Information History

"For impatient readers, I will cut right to the chase: this is a landmark book. Wayne A. Wiegand, if there was any doubt, is a fine historian. He is also a fine scholar and has a supple grasp of contemporary theory. This book blends both but is overwhelmingly straight-on history done chronologically, extraordinarily well documented and imaginatively researched...[A] fresh look at what is known and a fresh look at what has been overlooked...It is an excellent history that should be read throughout the profession and beyond."--The Library Quarterly

"To say that this is a powerful book is an understatement: the author intersperses statistics with hundreds of personal stories, weaving a narrative that is both scholarly and down-to-earth at the same time, illustrating how changes and directions within public libraries were influenced by the challenges of the time while still affecting the lives of their patrons one person at a time...[R]eally enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it as a 'feel-good' book full of stories and statistics related to how the American public library has made a mark on the lives and communities it has served during the last two hundred years."--Brad Eden, Journal of American Culture

"This is a must-have book for all public, library-school, and college libraries and one that should be read by all librarians."--starred review, Booklist

"Millions of us have come through public library doors to find purpose, shelter, story, a sense of belonging, and much, much else. As Part of Our Lives reminds us, this legacy deserves the investment of hard work and imagination that will be required to keep the doors open."--Los Angeles Review of Books

"In seeking the patron's perspective, Wiegand finds that the library's role in popularizing reading and providing community spaces is just as crucial to the people the library serves."--Publishers Weekly

"[C]ompelling and oftentimes amusing read..."--Library Journal

"Readers interested in public libraries, but also American economic, political and social history will find this book fascinating."--Billings Gazette

"Wiegand is as much a historian of reading as he is of libraries and librarianship. This means he is in a position to mount a strong defense of the value of leisure reading--its power to inform, bond, and enlighten, as much as entertain--on the context of the public library, past and present."--Alistair Black, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois

"This lively and engaging book explores Americans' love affair with their local libraries. Brimming with fascinating detail and vivid comments from ordinary library patrons, Wiegand's account shows how this key public institution has captivated those it sought to serve for more than 150 years by enabling them to find information they needed, a quiet yet social place for reflection and reading material to fill enjoyable leisure. Part of Our Lives should be read by everyone who remembers the thrill of getting that first library card, feeling spellbound during story hour, or the satisfaction of finding the perfect book."--Janice Radway, Professor of American Studies, School of Communication, Northwestern University

"Authored by one of the titans of American library history, this volume is a celebration of the transformative role public libraries have played in US society since the second half of the 19th century...A good read for anyone, librarian or not."--CHOICE

"I finished Part of Our Lives appreciating its readability and the ground-level perspective it provided readers A Part of Our Lives expands one's contextual understanding of libraries Anyone teaching a course in United States history or the history of American education would benefit from what Wiegand has to offer because of the connection between schools and libraries in society."--History of Education Quarterly

"With most histories over the decades emanating largely from practitioners and educators in the library field, a persistent criticism has been researchers' reluctance to engage more fully with the literature and methodologies of wider history and other disciplines. There are exceptions to this pattern, however; and Wayne Wiegand is categorically one of them. His work has embraced the 'new history' of recent decades, including the use of critical cultural theory, especially that relating to place and community. For good reason, Wiegand is regarded as the 'Dean of American library history studies'."--Social History