[Publib] MA Library in trouble

[Robert L. Balliot]

Many librarians enter the profession with a certain degree of naivety.  And,
I was certainly one of them. 'People' want their government information to
be accessible and transparent. 'Government' does not necessarily want the
same thing.

I created the first librarian generated public library website in Rhode
Island.  When I became a director, I designed the town website and the
library website.  The more transparent government information became, the
more special interests came out of the backroom woodwork in opposition.  

After I left and there was no longer advocacy for access, all of the
information was removed:

http://middletownpubliclibrary.org

I expect that there will be some sort of library site recreated as time goes
on.  Patrons want and expect access to information.  However, we can't
expect 'government' to operate outside of personal interests. There are
many, many things special interests want to remain hidden and inaccessible. 

This is one of core reasons to have strong MLS / MLIS programs. Without a
foundation of ethics and a strong national organization to support them,
library employees cannot support the interests of their patrons and the
democratic ideals of the profession.

*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
*************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Phalbe Henriksen
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 6:11 PM
To: Babel, Elisa (DCPL)
Cc: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] MA Library in trouble

Babel, Elisa (DCPL) wrote:
>
> What's the governor thinking?
>
*Is* the governor thinking?

Thank goodness the friends of Florida's state library rallied and 
stopped Twig from closing the state library.

If any of you have friends in Florida who support libraries, e-mail them 
and ask them how it happened.

Phalbe Henriksen


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