Comments on: The AL Hearts Libraries

By: Mr. Kat

Mr. Kat — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:13:23 +0000

AL, I’m appalled as much as you are. You’ve been re-iterating that you LOVE libraries since…2007? 2006? So how on earth do people keep making this mistake???? Oh, yeah, I remember now…one brief look at the state of our education system, and it all becomes clear… :P

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:29:44 +0000

AL has it right. The work libraries have done for the poor, the kids and the jobless is part of our core mission. Middle class types have forgotten they need us, but we cater to their supposed wants. These folks are clean, polite and, unfortunately, fair weather friends.They do use us when the kids are little. As for complaining about a particular library, and its straying from core values, I only got fired once for it, in forty good years of librarianship. It was worth it, and I am still a believer.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:59:46 +0000

From my observations, children’s librarians tend to consider the latest technologies secondary to developing literacy, partnering with schools, after school tutoring, and educational programming that is not always electronically based. Not a recipe for fame — the U.S. culture doesn’t seem to give much value to people who work with young kids. Neither did one of my professors when I was in a core library class. She typically signaled out students who were interested in working with kids in order to belittle them. Fortunately, the university eventually got rid of her. After seeing some very good children’s librarians working with kids and families, I’m happy to agree with AL. I heart them too.

By: Fanofbooks

Fanofbooks — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:30:54 +0000

This website is produced by a famous children’s librarian in Maryland.
Her name is Barb Langridge, and she also appears on the local news on a regular basis promoting books.

By: BookBitch

BookBitch — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:47:47 +0000

Dr. Henrietta Smith, Professor Emerita at the University of South Florida, is a children’s librarian superstar! Check out her Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_M._Smith

By: Parent Librarian

Parent Librarian — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:13:31 +0000

Another big reason to love public libraries: Not only do they provide educational and cultural resources, they also pick up the slack for so many other public agencies that have dumped their responsibilities on them.

1. State workforce development, when they think that “everyone” has Internet access to register for unemplyoment benefits.
2. The IRS, when no one else will provide tax forms.
3. State-provided care for the mentally ill/ developmentally delayed. Now group homes have a place to take their clients on free outings!
4. Schools that have little or no school library services anymore.

I’s sure there are a lot of other examples that other commenters will provide.

By: Libraryman

Libraryman — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:06:07 +0000

“That’s why all the librarians in the country love their jobs so much.”

Haha! Brilliant!

By: JessamyJane

JessamyJane — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:42:48 +0000

We have some pretty awsome library bods down under. I don’t know if these guys are trained librarians, but it’s a great service http://www.footpathlibrary.org/

By: gatoloco

gatoloco — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:24:30 +0000

What if you could heart your local public for the e-books you enjoy? Better than spending your own dough on recreational reading right? I mentioned in another response that I did want to live in a stratified society where dollars dictate access to materials. Well, I still feel that way of course. I think people need to move beyond the stumbling block of format. It’s still lending books in the end. I also heart children’s librarians. Thank you AL for highlighting that.

By: librarEwoman

librarEwoman — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:54:51 +0000

AL, I second what Rebecca said. As a Children’s Librarian, I appreciate you hearting Children’s Librarians, too. When people talk about the possibility of the public library disappearing, since everyone will just use their ereaders to download and read ebooks, my first thought is: “But what about the children?” Not all parents make an attempt to read to their children, and those who do read to their children usually benefit from having someone model reading techniques to them. When parents bring their children to story times, for instance, the children AND the parents learn early literacy skills. The children learn something about letters, vocabulary, narrative, etc, and the parent learns how to share stories, rhymes, and songs with their children at home in a way that teaches those early literacy skills. Like Rebecca, I also do outreach programs at local preschools, daycares, etc., since we Children’s Librarians are so passionate about early literacy that we’ll seek the kids out if they can’t/won’t come to us. I hate to think about what will happen if public libraries disappear in favor of ebooks and at-home internet use. Kids will be much less prepared for kindergarten, I think.