Letters

I second the call to action voiced in John Berry's editorial "More Successful Than Begging " (LJ 6/15/02, p. 8). A recent poll commissioned by the American Library Association (ALA), called "@ Your Library: Attitudes Toward Public Libraries," discovered that approximately 90 percent of Americans find their public libraries to be "changing and dynamic places" and "places of opportunity for education and self-help." The same poll showed that 83 percent believe "free people need free libraries." Wow. With a constituency like that, how can we lose? Sadly, we lose every day, in towns and cities across America. But…we don't have to!

There is power in the people! We all know that but, as a profession, we have yet to capitalize effectively on this amazing strength to ensure that libraries everywhere (including state libraries) are well funded. I am pleased that ALA is working diligently on training librarians and trustees to become more effective advocates through the Rediscover America @ Your Library campaign. As the executive director of Friends of Libraries U.S.A., I realize our organization is unique in that we have access to citizens who love libraries. Given this, we know that we have a real opportunity to work with local Friends groups and the libraries they serve to ensure that they have the tools and support they need to be effective advocates at the local and state levels. The idea to campaign for independent library districts is a real winner, and I, for one, will carry this challenge with me as I work with the Coalition of State Library Agencies (COSLA) and other advocacy groups, including those within ALA.

Thank you for not only stating the problem but providing us all with a solution that is known to work!

—Sally G. Reed, Exec. Dir., Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA), Philadelphia

As you focus on Atlanta-Fulton Public Library and the many problems that have plagued the system there ("Can Atlanta-Fulton PL Emerge from Turmoil? " LJ 6/1/02, p. 54–57; "The Atlanta Lessons," Editorial, p. 8), please don't forget about those of us who work in library systems in other Metro Atlanta counties. We are serving the public, and we are coming up to the challenge.... Counties such as Cobb, Gwinnett, and Dekalb are all excellent library systems. Along with criticizing Atlanta-Fulton, you need to recognize these systems for providing excellent service.

—Patricia B. Ball, Branch Mgr., Stratton Branch, Cobb Cty P.L. Syst., Marietta, GA

I would like to add a thought to Rivkah Sass's timely and important article "Marketing the Worth of Your Library " (LJ 6/15/02, p. 37–38 ). I was recently at lunch with two local businesspersons, and we were discussing the ability of card-carrying members of the library to access our subscription databases from home or office. One asked what the return, monetarily, was on this service. I was about to reply there is no monetary return when the other businessperson came to my rescue. He simply stated that we must look at this and all library services as "prepaid." As taxpayers...it behooves them to take advantage of these services or toss their tax dollars out the window.

—Jeff Dawson, Business Libn., Topeka & Shawnee Cty. P.L., KS

I was a little concerned when I saw the Collection Development article on astrology ("Guide to the Stars: Astrology Explained ," LJ 6/1/02, p. 101–104). Astrology has high entertainment value, so works in this area are needed by public libraries. I also understand the need for libraries to have works on the historical aspects of astrology as well as the books out there for those who are believers. But there was no mention of any works critical of astrology. The author paid lip service to the idea that astrology is in fact criticized by academia and scientists but does not mention that there are works critical of astrology and that these works have effectively disproven that astrology actually works. There should have been a section of the article headed "Works Critical of Astrology" that included such titles as Lawrence Jerome's Astrology Disproved, Robert B. Culver and Philip A. Ianna's Astrology, True or False?: A Scientific Evaluation, or J.V. Stewart's Astrology: What's Really in the Stars, all published by Prometheus Books.

For periodical information about astrology, see Skeptical Inquirer, published bimonthly, or The Skeptic...or go to www.csicop.org for web articles taken from the Skeptical Inquirer regarding astrology….

As librarians, we need to have materials that look at both sides of this issue to help all our patrons, whether they believe in astrology or not.

—Timothy Binga, Dir., Ctr. for Inquiry Libs., Amherst, NY

The Popular Culture Association will be holding its annual joint meeting with the American Culture Association April 16–19, 2003, in New Orleans. The Libraries, Archives, and Popular Culture Research Area is soliciting papers dealing with any aspect of popular culture as it pertains to libraries, archives, museums, or research. In the past this has included descriptions of research collections, studies of popular images of libraries or librarians, or reports on developments in technical services for collecting popular culture materials. Particularly welcome are papers responding to Nicholson Baker's Double Fold: Libraries and the Assault on Paper

Prospective presenters should send a one-page abstract by September 15, 2002 to Allen Ellis, Professor of Library Services, W. Frank Steely Library, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099-6101; 859-572-5527; FAX 859-572-5390; ellisa@nku.edu