Comments on: On Noble Purposes

By: Spartacus

Spartacus — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:57:56 +0000

Wisner’s book “Whither the Postmodern Library” is inspired and impassioned. Though of few pages (less than 150), it’s not always easy–especially if you too are passionate about American libraries and education. Nonetheless, it’s well worth the time and thought needed to understand his thoughtful observations and insights. His prose is wonderful, and his story-telling talents are strong too. Read it.

By: carol44

carol44 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:39:18 +0000

July 20, 2009
In response to: 7b75n commented:

There will be a flood of great library jobs when the boomer librarians start dying off. Lord knows we are going to have to wait for that because the “me” generation still thinks that they are the only ones who can do anything right and cannot leave.

Once they start dropping off, things will be changing for the better.<<<<<

It won’t happen. I’m an ‘in betweener’ [not officially classed Gen X, and not a boomer either] and they said that about 15 yrs ago about teaching AND library jobs. I myself am still waiting fo the ‘early’ Boomers to retire, and we are first in line(!) fot those jobs when they appear. And we are in our 40s.

Generally, though, these mysterious waves of retirement do not happen, generally. They just eliminate the jobs as people retire.

By: NotMariantheLibrarian

NotMariantheLibrarian — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:45:02 +0000

7b75n – this middle-aged baby boomer finds it quite amusing to stay at her job when so many youngsters are clamoring for librarian positions. ALA sold you a load of horse poop. Get over it. The only librarians I know who took early retirement married well – their spouse made/saved enough $$$ to make it possible. I have every intention of working to 65 (another 15+ years) and may work beyond since there is no mandatory retirement age here. Working is fun, a rocking chair isn’t. So people drank ALA’s Koolaid, can’t find jobs, can’t pay off their student loans – maybe they should have done some research beforehand. I’ve written it before and will do it again: it’s always been a tough job market.

By: Mr. Kat

Mr. Kat — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:43:39 +0000

I’m Anti-Stupid. I don’t care if you’re gay, I dont care if your a socialaist, I don’t even care if you’re Old. What I object to most is anyone holding to ignorance as if by that one virtue they are spared from having to ever work hard a day in their life.

I Especailly object to those who want to to the humanitarian thing, by their definition, and further aid, abet and enable people into an ignorant lifestyle.

BUT Education Must Be Free. Education actually requires hard work to gain benefit, and further trains the individual how to gain new knowledge. that knowledge translates into a human being who is useul and not merely filling up space on a welfare roster. So I have NO PROBLEM if that one segment is free. Everything else – you gotta work, baby!!

By: blahrg

blahrg — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:54:08 +0000

*libraries…offer free internet access, free movies, free programs, to those who cannot otherwise afford such items.*

Yes, and in the “good ol’ days” they offered print media to those who could not afford it, because there none of these other things to offer at the time.

*I have given up on our People. They do not wish to be embettered – just entertained and entitled.*

Mr. kat, they also want to Godwin every thread they come across–oh, and then whine about political remarks by making more political remarks…and who quite incorrecly points out: one can’t be anti-socialist without also being anti-gay.

By: I Like Books

I Like Books — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:09:45 +0000

Responding to Spongebog Librarypant’s message way up there at the top… well, not much to add. Except that libraries struggle in hard financial times despite high circulation because there just isn’t the tax revenues that there used to be, and they struggle in good financial times because circulation drops. Feh.

By: Fancy Nancy

Fancy Nancy — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:08:39 +0000

“There are some aspects to the business worth retaining, even if they seem antiquated by the ‘movers and shakers’ infiltrating our libraries.”

That’s it in a nutshell.

By: nerdgonewild

nerdgonewild — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:16:42 +0000

Amen, AL!!! Libraries have resulted to appealing to the lowest common denominator and have consequently stripped any claim to educate the populace. If you want to compete with private purveyors of entertainment/information, (i.e. Blockbuster, Kinko’s, the arcade), you will certainly fail. When the economy improves and cheaper maket alternative appears (think Red Box instead of library DVD’s and exorbitant late fees), public libraries will quickly realize, “Hey, we shouldn’t have abandoned our purpose of being the people’s unversity for the sake of entertaining the masses”! And for God’s sake, let’s get some library administrators who don’t hate libraries! What’s so shameful about circulating books and making patrons adhere to a code of conduct. Just in case you’re wondering, I’m a twenty-something librarian who doesn’t mind if he sounds like a prude with a bun and a cardigan! There are some aspects to the business worth retaining, even if they seem antiquated by the “movers and shakers” infiltrating our libraries.

By: Social Librarian

Social Librarian — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:10:05 +0000

Goodness, not another irrelevant political discussion. Don’t you Republicans have some poor people to exploit, or some gays to bash, or an unnecessary war to start somewhere?

By: me too

me too — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:01:34 +0000

75N That just shows B’s socialist nature. Funny coming from a guy whose wife owns $6,000 purses. The price of fame and power. Oh it must be such a burden… Pretending to care.