Comments on: Be All You Can Be, to Everyone, All the Time

By: Eli

Eli — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:02:59 +0000

The Berkeley Tool Lending Library has been around for just over 30 years: http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/about_the_library/neighborhood_branches/tool_lending_library/

By: Aramis

Aramis — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:13:31 +0000

What’s the theoretical distinction between holding gaming parties for teenagers and shower parties for the homeless?

Gaming parties for teenagers celebrate the same idea of a shared community experience of some particular media that library book clubs or a library film viewings do. They’re definitely on the “fluffier” side of the public library’s mission, but they do relate to the mission (as I see it) of making available and guiding people toward media they may not encounter otherwise which can educate and/or entertain.

The idea of libraries as vehicles for entertainment has been controversial since the inclusion of fiction in public library collections. Each fresh attempt to demonize another form of media (magazines, romance novels, detective novels, science fiction/fantasy, graphic novels, popular music, CDs, audiobooks, VHS cassettes, DVDs, video games) is just a harkening back to the attitude that libraries must be bitter medicine, stocking only the most educational non-fiction and people are lucky they are allowed to enter and better themselves, and should they have no interest in that then good day.

Libraries do some dumb things for some silly reasons, no doubt, but the trend of occasional teen gaming in public libraries isn’t one of them.

By: shortround

shortround — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:07:43 +0000

The public library I grew up with (in the 80s) also lent out art work. Maybe that was a popular trend back in the day of tight-rolled, stone-washed jeans. Thank goodness both these things have come to an end.

By: Fancy Nancy

Fancy Nancy — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:17:27 +0000

I used to work for a library that lent out fishing poles in the summer, and in the 80s I worked for a library that lent out artwork…yes, artwork! We had big wooden bins that held framed paintings big and small. Nice for the homeowner who wanted to (temporarily) make a change in the living room.

By: Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:24:50 +0000

More like Roddy McSpam. Am I right?

By: Roen

Roen — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 03:27:52 +0000

Libraries are about learning. If people think libraries are only about reading, it’s no wonder everyone thinks that’s all librarians do.

By: Roddy MacLeod

Roddy MacLeod — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:55:36 +0000

Read your blog regularly. Sometimes I also get annoyed:
http://roddymacleod.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/i-pity-the-students-and-researchers/ and http://roddymacleod.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/many-university-library-websites-suck/

But also praise where it’s due: http://roddymacleod.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/some-libraries-get-it-right/

By: Real Librarian

Real Librarian — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:55:48 +0000

How is the RDA handling records for bowling shoes?

By: Raynor

Raynor — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:55:53 +0000

I think I’ve already seen a story on a library lending bikes.

By: Real Librarian

Real Librarian — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:01:48 +0000

So, we want to become socialists like the Brits?

pip pip

cheerio