Letters

It came as no surprise to me that the author of "What a Library Is Not" (Blaise Cronin, Dean's List, LJ 11/15/02, p. 46) is a [now former] dean and professor of information science. My sensibilities were offended by an ivory tower academic who obviously hasn't worked in a public library in quite some time.

If this library were the Augusta National Golf Club, we could ban all types of individuals from entering. We could serve only the clean, the polite, and the quiet. However, we allow everyone access to our collections, services, and computers. We have rules of conduct, and if they are violated, the offenders must leave.

Stains on our carpets are primarily from preschool children attending story programs. Vandalism to our buildings is primarily from upper-middle-class high school students whose parents never taught them to respect their public institutions. We have had engineers arrested for masturbating in the library. We have had an attorney arrested for stalking young female patrons. Our library is, from time to time, a refuge for the homeless—one place where they know they will be treated with dignity.

Our library serves latchkey children. We provide after-school activities and homework centers supervised by enthusiastic youth services librarians. Should we have a checkpoint and stop school children from using the library if unaccompanied by a parent or guardian? "No child left behind"—what was President Bush thinking?

I agree with Cronin that "a library is not a dumping ground." Where is the official dumping ground for the great unwashed in Bloomington, IN?

—Donna B. Schremser, Dir., Huntsville Madison Cty. P.L., AL

I just read your excellent editorial "Beyond Party Politics" (LJ 12/02, p. 8). It is just the right message at just the right time. Thank you.

—Pam Nissler, Mgr., Highlands Ranch Lib., CO

I agree wholeheartedly with John Berry ("Keep It Simple," LJ 10/15/02, p. 8), and I'm of the under-30 set. While on hold with an airline, I heard that I could check in from home, within six hours of departure, print out my boarding pass, or if that was inconvenient (!), I could use my PDA or my web-enabled cell phone to check in at the airport, thereby bypassing the "old school" concept of waiting in line (gasp!). Indeed, technology is a bit too loaded right now. Read Silicon Snake Oil (Doubleday, 1996) or High Tech Heretic (Doubleday, 1999), both by Cliff Stoll. Both take some decent swipes that agree with Berry, and both are excellent reads, even if, like me, you don't agree 100 percent with Stoll.

—Blaine E. Thompson, Information Asst., Walter E. Helmke Lib., Indiana Univ.–Purdue Univ., Fort Wayne

American Library Association (ALA) President Mitch Freedman spoke at our state library association. We do not face some of the inhumane conditions under which some really poor librarians toil, nonetheless it was heartwarming to hear him. During the ALA conference in Atlanta I told Freedman that in my 28 years as a degreed librarian his was the first presidential campaign that I can support without reservation. ALA presidents' campaigns, while often well intentioned, rarely relate to the rank and file who work as indentured laborers.

A number of my classmates are opting to retire. As a library worker I'll need to work another 12 years before I can retire with an income that will pay for cat food (Lauren Bacall will be serving us in crystal dessert cups).

Years ago LJ quoted me as stating, "ALA doesn't give a rat's ass about the thousands of library workers who support the organization." My statement rings true today about ALA's "well-paid editor" (John Berry, "Serve and Starve? Not Now," LJ 11/1/02, p. 8). Thanks for speaking out on our behalf.

—James N. Letendre, Charleston, SC

Ours is a great country, where democratic values like access to and freedom of information and expression are upheld and guaranteed. Librarians…are always on the front line, safeguarding those hard-earned constitutional rights. Cheryl Maraj-Aboudola's letter ("A voice for Islam," 11/15/02, p. 10) couldn't have found a space in LJ had it not been true. It is very sad and tragic that a few who with a political agenda of their own hijacked the planes to unleash terror also hijacked the faith of 1.2 billion peace-loving Muslims…. It is natural to spread hatred and malicious propaganda against the faith and culture of others by those who have a medieval mind-set, can't understand diversity, and fail to appreciate the rainbow beauty of American society…. Salutations to the guardians of freedom of information who hate hatred in the name of faith, ethnicity, or culture.

—Owais Jafrey, Libn., Whidbey Island Campus, Skagit Valley Coll., WA

Due to an editorial error, the titles to be published by Salem Press (2003 Reference Announcement supplement, LJ 11/15/02) were listed under Magill's. Magill's is an imprint of Salem Press.