Comments on: Information Needs?

By: Joneser

Joneser — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:09:22 +0000

Maybe free books are so ubiquitous in Central MA because the libraries are supposedly so bad?

Hey, one paperback with a blue cover is the same as another with a blue cover – right?

By: noutopianlibrarian

noutopianlibrarian — Sat, 19 May 2012 22:55:09 +0000

Seems to my peabrain that no matter what library types think, the community that funds the library should have an expectation that it will provide the reading and informational materials that it wants. Twisting our undies in the wind about what is, and isn’t, an “informational need” is a paternal (or maternal as the case may be) distraction. In many communities, there are fairly broad tastes so that both Virginia Woolf and E.L. James are appropriate. At the same time, I walked into a community “library” one time that seemed to consist almost entirely of romance novels, westerns, and hunting books. Who are we to say that this was or was not appropriate?

By: Jean Costello

Jean Costello — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:54:42 +0000

I had two thoughts about Ned’s comment (and picked up on the irony this time):

WRT pesky customers: many public librarians have told me their greatest challenge/stressor is dealing with unruly, unappreciate patrons. Makes me wonder about the correlation between the materials & services offered and the characteristics of the patrons who find them attractive.

WRT returning to books only: taken literally the idea won’t work, of course. What would work, I believe, is a comprehensive vision based on its sentiment – to reposition the libary for contemporary needs in a manner that is true to its historic mission and differentiates it from other organizations. I’ve worked out such a vision and betcha it would drive usage, prestige and impact beyond anything libraries have seen for the past 30-40 years.

This is a big claim, I know – but what makes it credible is the amazing potential of the Institution, its incredible heritage & brand, and new needs for quality librarianship arising from info abundance. There’s so much to work with here, which is why I’m so sad we’re settling for what our libraries are becoming.

By: Overworked Librarian

Overworked Librarian — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:35:15 +0000

Oh Nedd as I read your comment I was thinking, there will be no patrons if you take away all of that! I am a Public Librarian and I would say 80% of the usage here is entertainment based. 20% is research related to actual needs like applying for jobs, financial aid, college applications, typing up letters, legal research and genealogical research.

By: Jean Costello

Jean Costello — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:23:47 +0000

Hi Will – an editorial in today’s NYT puts libraries’ “give the people what they want” mantra into broader context. David Brooks writes of our democratic institutions:

But, over the years, this balanced wisdom was lost. Leaders today do not believe their job is to restrain popular will. Their job is to flatter and satisfy it. A gigantic polling apparatus has developed to help leaders anticipate and respond to popular whims. Democratic politicians adopt the mind-set of marketing executives. Give the customer what he wants. The customer is always right.

By: Jean Costello

Jean Costello — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:04:23 +0000

Hi NaH – Thanks for following up. I so agree with you about the benefits of reading fiction. The points you listed and your articulation helped broaden my thinking and appreciation.

Interestingly, our exchange followed a pattern I’ve experienced a number of times. It goes something like this:
1) Library person makes a claim that is overstated or superficial.
2) I push back and we iterate a few times.
3) Library person demonstrates depth of knowledge, critical thinking, commitment to high-value aspects of library mission.

By: Ned Ludd

Ned Ludd — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:52:23 +0000

We need to bring back the Real Library. Just BOOKS. We choose. No more CDs, graphic novels, vampires, popular fiction, mass market, Ebooks, DVDs, public access computers, video games, audio books, comic books, celebrity bios, DIY-flavor-of-the-month, or pesky customers. I know we can do it!

By: not a hipster librarian

not a hipster librarian — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:14:23 +0000

Jean — Perhaps I overstated what leisure reading can accomplish, but do you not see any educational value in leisure reading? Here are the benefits I’ve personally experienced from leisure reading: expansion of vocabulary, knowledge of different cultures, knowledge of history, empathy towards other with different lifestyles from mine. Leisure reading often leads me to doing further research about something I learned about.

On a lighter note, if you read the Savage Love column this week, at least one person’s horizons have expanded by reading 50 Shade. (Perhaps that horizon expansion has opened up a bigger can of worms for that woman than she expected.)

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:37:26 +0000

Remember Dickens was payed by the word.

In many systems, funding is tied to circulation so we need popular items and bestsellers.

By: will manley

will manley — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:56:23 +0000

Moby Dick anyone?