In another Syracuse course within the library curriculum, our Professor noted an 'infamous' blog dealing with librarianship.
I have decided to post my thoughts on "The Annoyed Librarian".
http://blog.libraryjournal.com/annoyedlibrarian/2011/02/14/libraries-for-people-who-dont-need-libraries/
This most recent post deals with how to capture the interest of those who are not using libraries. A nice summary statement for the blog entry states:
"Even with childhood literacy, libraries aren’t necessary for a lot of people. Children’s books are cheap, and middle class people concerned with their children’s education often buy lots of them and read to their children themselves. They don’t need public libraries, and the ones who aren’t concerned with their children’s education don’t want libraries."
This is an important point. While the price of 'books' has declined, it is not only the well-heeled who find no use for borrowing from libraries, but now the 'middle class'.
My contention is that this author is missing the point. Libraries are not concerned with social stratification, nor have they ever been. In fact, it is the impoverished who NEED access to information in our society. The initial mandate created by Carnegie when founding the library system was to reach out to those most in need, not the other way around.
Additionally, those who campaign around the non-utility of libraries have little at stake in the equation. This is sad, if not reprehensible, within our communities. Libraries exist to serve the 'public good', regardless of the social standing of the patrons.
I continue to be amazed at the indifference our communities hold towards those who have real and daily needs.
