This book presents eight essays based on a demographic survey of librarianship that explores the question of gender and ambition, as well as personal observations after 30 years in the library profession. The survey results show what kinds of librarians are eager to climb the managerial ladder and why. Facts are revealed about the barriers that still impede many librarians, ranging from race and gender through obesity to family. Included are accounts of personal experiences in the fight against censorship, the development of book and film collections, and attending conferences on a tight budget The titles of the essays are: (1) "A Different World"; (2) "A Man, 30-40, Married, with Children"; (3) "Climbing the Managerial Ladder"; (4) "A Profile of ALA Members"; (5) "The Librarian as Censor"; (6) "Waiting in the Wings"; (7) "The Critical Consensus"; (8) "The Alternative Conferencegoer." (Author/AEF)