[Publib] libraries are limited, obsolete

[K.G. Schneider]

> Your thoughts regarding the original column at ljworld.com, as well as the
> blog responses, are most welcome.
> 
> Bruce

I wrote a response, which I finally got posted (it had to be under 3000
characters, including spaces, so it took me a few attempts). 

I don't think the strategic place to have this discussion is on library
blogs or lists. I'm NOT criticizing Sarah or Michael's posts; in fact their
posts were crucial news alerts, and they gave me a lot of food for thought.
I'm also not saying we shouldn't discuss this on PUBLIB and elsewhere. But
it's REALLY important that the people of Lawrence hear how libraries offer
value to society and why Lawrence needs a better library.  

That editorial is by a guy who clearly has no use for public libraries, and
it's published a few days after a couple of articles about scaling back the
proposed library design. It would be interesting to know what shaped his
opinions: was it a bad day at a library, a series of events, conjecture,
assumptions, or simply that he doesn't like spending public money?  I'd also
want to know why the paper chose to run this piece by this guy. Whose ear
has he got? 

Karen G. Schneider
kgs at bluehighways.com