Wayne Wiegand, F. William Summers Professor Emeritus, School of Library and Information Studies, Florida State University

Wayne A. Wiegand is F. William Summers Professor Emeritus of Library and Information Studies at Florida State University and former director of the Florida Book Awards. Often referred to as the "Dean of American library historians," he is the author of more than one hundred articles and numerous award-winning books, including An Active Instrument for Propaganda: American Public Libraries During World War I and Irrepressible Reformer: A Biography of Melvil Dewey. In 2008-9, he was a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow to support his research on the American Public Library. He now lives in the California Bay area.

"The surprising connection between libraries and alcohol is one of the many fascinating revelations of Wiegand's narrative, which demonstrates that library history is also the history of social life and civic culture." - Faye Hammill, Times Higher Education

"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." - K.A. Manley, Library & Information History

"Part of Our Lives is a richly detailed, deeply researched, eminently readable book. It will certainly become a standard work in the historiography of American public libraries." - Tom Glynn, Journal of American 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

"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

"Wiegand's commitment to libraries and his extensive grounding in American library history make this people's perspective account particularly useful for scholars and others interested in librarianship, cultural studies, and American history." - Indiana Magazine of History