Comments on: “well at least they’re reading” the role of the judgemental librarian in media portrayal of library use

By: Walt Lessun

Walt Lessun — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:09:50 +0000

Me, I’m sorry they are not reading Mao, Marx, Trotsky, Chomsky or Sigurd Olson. Why can’t everyone be just like me. The planet would be so much better off.

By: Janelle

Janelle — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:11:12 +0000

This happens quite a bit. It reminds me of the rules put down on computers, too. Several libraries/librarians feel the need to limit the amount of time kids or others use the computers if they are not doing homework and then give extra time to those that are doing homework. Then of course the patrons that are not doing homework are not allowed any extra time. This is one thing that always upsets me. First of all, I think it encourages patrons to lie and say they are doing homework and secondly it just defeats the whole purpose. It is not the library’s job to “filter” what the patrons are using the library for, it’s the patrons job to decide how they want to use the library.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:50:15 +0000

That poor woman, she must be miserable in her job! Does she feel that the way patrons use the library reflects poorly on her somehow? Is she somehow embarrassed by the kinds of formats and genres in her library?
I am continually amazed at how much my patrons “direct” the library themselves by demanding more of what they want and just ignoring what they are no longer interested in. The perpetual evolution of public library collections and programming is energizing: how dull it would be indeed if the publishing world had ground to a halt when Mr. Dickens finished writing.
Of course now I am going to lay awake and wonder if anyone is using our outdoor outlets at night and what does that mean about how they regard the library…..

By: steev

steev — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:00:56 +0000

i also think that, for whatever reason, people tend to buy books despite the bad economy. people are not buying music cds (just ask the riaa!) or dvds as much anymore. they are seen as “throwaway” entertainment–people only want the hit single from the disc or to watch a movie one time. that’s where libraries are really helping people who can’t afford entertainment media.

By: patrick

patrick — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:34:23 +0000

Right, Steve! What better way to encourage reading than to make it seem like homework? And why are these people surfing job sites when they could be reading the great masterpieces of world literature?

It’s an interesting conclusion that someone checking out a CD or DVD is not also reading books (even if the person in the example isn’t). I mean, has book circulation decreased? The story implies that it’s booming. In my couple-weekly trips to the library, I definitely pick up and return more movies than books. This is either because I hang on to books longer (unless I hate them) or because I’ve borrowed them from the academic library where I work, or gotten them in some other off-the-radar way. I imagine this is true for many people.

By: Joe morgan

Joe morgan — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:55:59 +0000

Amen, this is what I’ve been saying for a long time. It’s funny because when libraries began a lot of benefactors sneered at the idea that there would be fiction books (as opposed, I guess to history). If we offer the materials, we should be happy they are being used.

By: Steve Lawson

Steve Lawson — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:03:51 +0000

It’s also kind of funny to paint Dickens as somehow opposite escapism and entertainment.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:44:55 +0000

Thanks Jessamyn! I couldn’t agree more! All library users need to feel that the library is for them, regardless of what services (or reading material) they choose to take advantage of. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is knowing that I’ve connected someone with material that they’ll enjoy whether it be a classic work, some fluffy fiction or a movie for the weekend!

By: Adrianne

Adrianne — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:30:00 +0000

True, but it’s also a bit about your place in society — if the people deciding where to allocate scarce public resources say, “hey, nobody’s checking out any books, they’re just going for the movies and CDs — is our purpose really to be a free Blockbuster?” … well, they may decide that money might be better spent elsewhere.

(Can of course be countered by both making sure that you’re *not* just a free Blockbuster and by successful PR — we put in a wii in the kid’s room, there were complaints (“is that what my taxes are going for?”)… until we pointed out that the book circulation for the kid’s room has gone up as well, as the kids go for the “how to draw manga” and often the Japanese history books as well, etc.)