[15630] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: "The Perfect Library"
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Chuck Humphrey)
Mon Jan 3 21:56:19 2005
Date: Sun, 02 Jan 2005 20:16:55 -0700
From: Chuck Humphrey <humphrey@DATALIB.LIBRARY.UALBERTA.CA>
In-reply-to: <Pine.LNX.4.60.0412301018150.24293@pglaf.org>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-to: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
Message-id: <Pine.GSO.4.60.0501021917090.17628@datalib>
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
> Found in The Hindu, Madras's leading newspaper:
> "The perfect library", writes Vaidyanathan, "would offer you access
> to any text, song, film, image, or video game. It would be easy,
> convenient and free. The perfect library would be built and stocked
> by volunteers who donated their time, labour, creativity and passion."
Now seems an appropriate time to reflect on the "perfect library" in
light of the number of public library closures and threats of closure
in the U.S. The latest public library to receive a lot of press is
the pending closure of the branches in Salinas, California.
http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/alnews2004/december2004ab/salinastax.htm
What are the elements of the ideal library? I take exception to
Vaidyanathan's conclusion that it should be operated by volunteers.
While there should always be a place for volunteers in public libraries,
I object to the insinuation that the perfect library does not require
professional staff. Why belittle the contribution of professional
librarians and the role they play in the setting of the perfect library?
The only reason that I can see for making such an argument is based on
a mistrust of institutions and the professionals who organize them.
I guess that the anarchist in the library would be anti-institutional
by definition. The anarchist confuses the periodic need to renew
institutions with the belief that institutions should be abolished.
You have likely guessed that my ideal library is an institution organized
by professionals.
Chuck
