[Publib] Wall Street Journal Weighs In On Public Libraries

[Rebecca Bronson]

I hope that all the folks who have responded to this Wall St.
Journal/Washington Post article here on PUBLIB have responded to those
publications as well. :)

Rebecca Bronson
Reference Librarian
Handley Regional Library
P.O. Box 1300
Stephens City, VA  22655

540-869-9000 (voice)
540-869-9001 (fax)

www.hrl.lib.state.va.us


-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Erik Adams
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 5:58 PM
To: 'Bruce Bumbalough'; Kathleen McCorkle; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Wall Street Journal Weighs In On Public Libraries


I have to agree that the content should be available, however, I think that
if the print format is collecting dust and taking up space, why not replace
it with an electronic version? It sounds like Dynix/Sirsi has a fancy
automated feature, beats manually creating lists as a weeding tool. :)

Erik

-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Bumbalough [mailto:bbumbalough at grapevine.lib.tx.us]
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 2:38 PM
To: Kathleen McCorkle; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Wall Street Journal Weighs In On Public Libraries


We are not telling them what they can read.  We are telling them what
they can borrow from the local library.   It is not the library's fault
or obligation to replace a bookstore if no big box outfit elects to
build in a community.

Personally I think a library that weeds Hemingway because it hasn't
circulated is missing the boat.  There are titles the public expects a
library to have -- Hemingway, Faulkner, Shakespeare, Plato, Wheatley,
Alcott, Austen, Dickens and countless others fall into that category.


Kathleen McCorkle wrote:
> ""public and one that merely uses tax dollars to subsidize the
recreational
> habits of bookworms.""
>
> Since we live in an area that has no bookstore, (85 mile round trip)
> Hemingway is a little advanced for children and the seniors have already
> read it,
> are we now supposed to tell people what they can read?
> I always thought libraries were so people could afford to read and
practice
> does make us better readers.
> Many people in our area do buy books but most can not afford that luxury.
> I wonder what will be considered classics in another 50 years?
> I am admitting I love to read so is that bad?
> I admit I am confused.
>
>


--
Bruce L. Bumbalough
Reference Librarian
Grapevine Public Library
1201 Municipal Way
Grapevine, Texas 76051

Voice: (817) 410-3404
Fax:   (817) 410-3084
email: bbumbalough at grapevine.lib.tx.us

The opinions are mine.

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