The topic of the day on the DMN bogs is a new library, but is turning out to be about libraries in general. [link]
This strikes me as being completely ignorant of the function and value of a library.
A the risk of hurting Betsy's feelings, I absolutely do not use the public library, never have and never will. Not unless major changes are made to make the the libraries more of community meeting places and less focused on collections of books. I love books. But I think libraries, especially branch libraries, are a waste of space as they exist now. They duplicate effort with school libraries and rec centers. I think if we're going to have them, they need to be transformed into gathering places for all sorts of activities, combined with rec centers, perhaps, and focused more on multimedia.
Thoughts from buffista librarians.
My boss's boss's last day is today. After thirty-five years here, he's being laid off. He was going to retire in a year or two anyway, so I hope they gave him a really good package.
The 5 Creepiest Urban Legends (That Happen to be True)
The Legend:
A teenager manages to provide the Halloween show he’s in with the ultimate finale when, while pretending to hang himself in front of the audience, he actually hangs himself.
The Truth:
While the fine citizens of Frederica we discussed were perhaps a bit slow on the uptake, the people involved in this hanging-related legend are on the dipshit honor roll. Mainly because it's happened more than once.
Yes, people have repeatedly tried to pull off an imitation hanging for a Halloween show, forgot to include the "imitation" part and went ahead and accidentally killed themselves. Yes, they were pretty much all teenage males.
In my experience, libraries are constantly used as community meeting places, even showing movies, so I don't know what that person is complaining about.
The problem with the library complainer is that they're describing what libraries already do -- but since s/he declares that s/he doesn't and never plans to go there....
From that library column:
Few RHS teacher require library research ... and most all reading assignments (biographies, fiction, current events) must be annotated, which means students must buy paperback versions, not check them out at the library.
Um, what? Does she mean "annotated," as in the book must be turned in with the paper, all marked up? If so, is this true, because I hate the very idea.
"I've never been to a school, and I have no plans to ever go to one, but schools should be about teaching children things and not just about a place to keep them indoors for the day."
The problem with the library complainer is that they're describing what libraries already do -- but since s/he declares that s/he doesn't and never plans to go there....
"It's just an outdated building full of stupid books! Why would I go there???"
Kathy, teaching students to mark their text is a pretty key skill in high school, at least. I usually give them the option to use post-its if they have a real problem with writing in a book, but a lot of kids don't read closely until they learn that skill.
(Not commenting on the person herself; just on the annotation thing.)
