You know the old thought experiment: "which historical figure would you like to have dinner with?"
I want to be in the room at World Book Headquarters the minute the Board learned about the existence of the internet. I wanna know what exactly was said.
My grandmother collected 33 encyclopedia sets in her time (in addition to very handsome shelves of Nat Geo dating back to the 1920s.). Her intention was for every grandchild to have a set. Have you read A.J. Jacobs The Know-it-All? Maybe that's your pen name? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28116.The_Know_It_All
I haven't read it, thanks for the suggestion. I'm always looking for something, and this looks like it is right down my alley. 33!! That is awesome. I actually was looking at the World Book set for my son a few years back and I couldn't believe the price. No wonder wandering door to door encyclopedia salesmen existed. I found a set on eBay for 9$ ... but I just can't justify the shelf-space! I would... for a nice Brittanica. :) Still love the World Book though!
I don't think thrift stores even accept the sets anymore. Shame! When I was a kid the best way to freak out my sister was to open the health encyclopedia. It was a glossy edition with very graphic images (i.e. childbirth)---best was the coverage of an eye operation. That always guaranteed first and all dibs on the Hostess potato chips as my sister lost her appetite. I can't believe you haven't read Know-it-All. Guaranteed less space than the 'K' volume of any set would take up!
I had a very brief job in our high school library---until I was gently 'fired' for purposely setting off the alarm when friends passed through the high-tech security with their legit checked-out books. Great gig, I'm sure! Librarianing is a great word---glad to be following you here Lutzi!
Thank you Adam for connecting us with the before times!
My WorldBook and Childcraft sets were from the late 60s and I enjoyed this connection with the world beyond my world so very much! Any parent that made the investment had aspirational thoughts for us to know a world beyond theirs… and it was a life changer for sure. Love that your mom was a librarian and kept a watchful eye for the set to remain complete. Thanks for sharing your story!
I was putting the 1984 World Book into the bibliography of my high school papers through 2000. It is so comforting to know it is still there on the shelf, a window back to the world I was born into. I still consult it on the regular. I can't believe they still make them!!!!
I just picked up Book A and was delighted to find the original receipt - the set cost $911 (with a free atlas). Not a small chunk of change. Thanks Mom and Dad!
That is awesome. I did the same thing. I was using this 1979 set through high school in 1993, and probably college.
I need to get another set . I kick myself for not getting my son a set. But I am perennially broke. That being said, I found this exact same volume for $10.00 on ebay. I am so tempted. So tempted... (but it is 1979). Shipping has got to be around a thousand bucks!
It must have been so much money for my parents too!!
Yes please don't take unnecessary risks in the procurement of an encyclopedia! I think it would be cool to get a set from the year my kid was born. Going to keep an eye out (maybe not on Craig's List now...)!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Amélie, I really appreciate it :) I am going to steal 'heart lightening' for my bio :-) love it.
Now that you mention it, I also would get call-backs for the encyclopedias I had in my room! My mother was a librarian though so she had it in her nature and couldn't abide a missing volume.
I, too, am a World Book graduate.
You know the old thought experiment: "which historical figure would you like to have dinner with?"
I want to be in the room at World Book Headquarters the minute the Board learned about the existence of the internet. I wanna know what exactly was said.
Ha! For real.
When our library got a CD rom of an encyclopedia… I made the shift.
My grandmother collected 33 encyclopedia sets in her time (in addition to very handsome shelves of Nat Geo dating back to the 1920s.). Her intention was for every grandchild to have a set. Have you read A.J. Jacobs The Know-it-All? Maybe that's your pen name? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28116.The_Know_It_All
I haven't read it, thanks for the suggestion. I'm always looking for something, and this looks like it is right down my alley. 33!! That is awesome. I actually was looking at the World Book set for my son a few years back and I couldn't believe the price. No wonder wandering door to door encyclopedia salesmen existed. I found a set on eBay for 9$ ... but I just can't justify the shelf-space! I would... for a nice Brittanica. :) Still love the World Book though!
I don't think thrift stores even accept the sets anymore. Shame! When I was a kid the best way to freak out my sister was to open the health encyclopedia. It was a glossy edition with very graphic images (i.e. childbirth)---best was the coverage of an eye operation. That always guaranteed first and all dibs on the Hostess potato chips as my sister lost her appetite. I can't believe you haven't read Know-it-All. Guaranteed less space than the 'K' volume of any set would take up!
I'm a trained librarian, not currently librarianing... so I'm surprised I haven't read it either! I also, cannot, read health encyclopedias! :)
I had a very brief job in our high school library---until I was gently 'fired' for purposely setting off the alarm when friends passed through the high-tech security with their legit checked-out books. Great gig, I'm sure! Librarianing is a great word---glad to be following you here Lutzi!
You too, Jules! I invented the word librarianing while I was chatting with you here! :)
It's a sport, really!
Thank you Adam for connecting us with the before times!
My WorldBook and Childcraft sets were from the late 60s and I enjoyed this connection with the world beyond my world so very much! Any parent that made the investment had aspirational thoughts for us to know a world beyond theirs… and it was a life changer for sure. Love that your mom was a librarian and kept a watchful eye for the set to remain complete. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks so much, Mo! I really appreciate it :-)
Totally agree, our parents should be applauded for being forward thinking. I really do owe a lot to the World Book :-)
I was putting the 1984 World Book into the bibliography of my high school papers through 2000. It is so comforting to know it is still there on the shelf, a window back to the world I was born into. I still consult it on the regular. I can't believe they still make them!!!!
I just picked up Book A and was delighted to find the original receipt - the set cost $911 (with a free atlas). Not a small chunk of change. Thanks Mom and Dad!
That is awesome. I did the same thing. I was using this 1979 set through high school in 1993, and probably college.
I need to get another set . I kick myself for not getting my son a set. But I am perennially broke. That being said, I found this exact same volume for $10.00 on ebay. I am so tempted. So tempted... (but it is 1979). Shipping has got to be around a thousand bucks!
It must have been so much money for my parents too!!
There's got to be a local set via craigslist or Facebook marketplace or Next Door. I want this to happen for you!
I'm always afraid of being murdered off CL haha! Not really.
It's a good idea. Unless I get murdered, then I'm blaming you @PappasBland.
I have seen sets at Goodwills and used bookstore, but they usually cost a bit more. There is also the shelf-space to consider...
Also, I have to consider the age of the Encyclopedia. Probably 2015 or newer...
Yes please don't take unnecessary risks in the procurement of an encyclopedia! I think it would be cool to get a set from the year my kid was born. Going to keep an eye out (maybe not on Craig's List now...)!
😄 Good hunting!
Really enjoyed this! You made me laugh out loud.
Thank you!! :)
Thank you so much for the kind words, Amélie, I really appreciate it :) I am going to steal 'heart lightening' for my bio :-) love it.
Now that you mention it, I also would get call-backs for the encyclopedias I had in my room! My mother was a librarian though so she had it in her nature and couldn't abide a missing volume.
Thanks, Shawn! 😄