they need to be transformed into gathering places for all sorts of activities, combined with rec centers, perhaps, and focused more on multimedia.
I was going to say. My public library has toys in the children's room, two rooms of entertainment DVDs and videos (they're gangbusters on TV series), and a small lecture hall. And free internet, and ESL materials, and two reading rooms, and a bunch of smaller conference-style rooms for group work, and a reference librarian to whom you can direct questions, and oh yeah a whole lot of books. And a giant plant (possibly a ficus) in the middle of the non-fiction floor!
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....
What amych said. The only libraries I can think of that don't have meeting rooms are older ones with serious space issues. All of them have a lot of public programmes that are so much more about books.
You can keep your glass vertical Sue! We believe in you! You the woman!
I am heartened by your belief in me, Gud. But I actually threw my travel mug in my bag after rinsing it out, without dumping all the water out.
That never-use-a-library person's posting makes me wait for the one where s/he complains her/his tax dollars shouldn't go to libraries... because that's what comes next at least 50% of the time.
It's a classic way to weasel out of the argument: changing the focus of the discussion from talking about the good of the whole to the good of a specific person (usually the speaker).
In other words, Pfft!
And yet, addictive because it's this trick of figuring out how far I can get in vocabulary level (highest I've gotten was 47 but with a ton of luck and guessing).
Totally. I think I hit 49 a couple of times but that was after a string of lucky guesses and dropped right down into the mid-40s after another string of not so lucky guesses. I also want to find out what happens if you get over 9000, but Safari crashed and I had to start over before i got that far.
I also want to find out what happens if you get over 9000
You actually feed someone.
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...
But he loves books!
Eh, I shouldn't give his opinion much weight. He's also the guy who said he was tired of caring about New Orleans.
I just...when I read crap like this-even the seemingly nice enough lady, who says the internet has replaced a lot of research her kids need to do for school-I wonder what foreign land I've wandered into.
Oh, BTW I want to point out that never-goes-to-the-library person?
Is on the editorial board of the newspaper!!!!
ETA: Actually all but 2 are because it's the editorial blog.
My best friend from back home just lost her job as a librarian when the town voted to stop funding the library.
So it's closed now. During the lead up to the vote, she was frequently attacked in the grocery store, on her way to work, anywhere she went by citizens who angrily insinuated that she was a welfare leech, that there was no need for a library "since we have the internet," and other such kindnesses.
After the vote, she flew here to get away from the madness for awhile. She was still visibly shaken.
So now, there's no town library in Bridgewater...nor a senior center, or afterschool kids' center.
Because those were all welfare leeches as well.
That's horrifying Allyson. My god!
