[Publib] Re: Wall Street Journal Weighs In on Public Libraries

[Sue Kamm]

Many years ago, a member of the Los Angeles City Council thought it would be A Good Idea to eliminate LAPL's Central Library's collections and services. The public, said he, could use UCLA or other public-funded academic libraries.

I've forgotten if he was still on the City Council at the time of the Central Library fire in the mid-'80s.  The second- and third-tier reference services, which drew on the library's collection, set up shop at UCLA.  (This was Before the Internet.)

They had to point out to the public that the UCLA library's purpose was to support the needs of faculty, students, and staff. Since UCLA offered no courses in home economics/cookery, practical gardening, or automobile repair, the reference librarians had to rely on other sources for these questions.  

I think someone, as Ann Landers put it, needs to wake up and smell the coffee.  (And, in many public libraries who have coffee bars, they can do just that!)

Your friendly CyberGoddess and Councilor-at-large,
Sue Kamm
Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
Truest of the Blue, Los Angeles Dodgers Think Blue Week 2000
Visit my blog:  http://suekamm.blogspot.com
email:  suekamm [at] mindspring.com
When you absolutely, positively HAVE to know, ASK A LIBRARIAN!