[Publib] curious question - The OJ book etc...

[Kerry McGeath]

I was kind of hoping as a profession that we were past the stage of
judging what is "reprehensible", or elitist value judgments about the
materials the great unwashed masses prefer to read. Either we are
relevant to our users, or we are not. 

 

Like it or not our world is now one of the Wikipedia in which the users
determine how they will access material, and even what the content of
the material is. The philosophy of our library is to reach out to the
community in the way they want to access us, not constrained by
libraries oft time petty rules, or even the bricks and mortar of our
facility. 

 

We can't seem to get past the issue of assuming we know better then our
users what their wants and needs are, instead of focusing on truly
satisfying their needs without judgment. I retired the need to prove my
superiority over my customers long ago. I am much more interested in
ascertaining their needs and satisfying them, while maintaining
relevance in our broader community.

 

Kerry McGeath

Library Administrator

Southlake Public Library 

1400 Main Street 

Southlake, TX 76092

817 748 8384, mobile 817 919 8486

kmcgeath at ci.southlake.tx.us

"uncommonly friendly service"

 

Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver.
Situation excellent. I am attacking. 

--Ferdinand Foch-- 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lise Chlebanowski [mailto:lchlebanowski at avondale.org] 
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 6:43 PM
To: Helen Rigdon; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] curious question

 

I would say that we buy many books that are morally reprehensible, and
that is just another. Sad, but true...

 

Lise @ Avondale, AZ

 

________________________________

 

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Helen Rigdon

Sent: Thu 11/16/2006 9:13 AM

To: publib at webjunction.org

Subject: [Publib] curious question

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone for their vacation policies.  I know have a backup
plan!

 

But I have another topic.  This morning on a local radio station they
were

discussing the validity of public libraries spending tax dollars buying
the

O.J. book.  What is everyone's take on buying that for the public?  I'm

totally against censorship and I just wondered what other's takes were
on

it.  (I figured my board president will question it)

 

Helen Rigdon

Director

Coffeyville Public Library

 

311 W 10

Coffeyville KS  67337

620-251-1370

www.cvillepublib.org

 

 

 

 

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