Letters

Francine Fialkoff's "Kudos to 'Legitimate' Review(er)s" (LJ 3/15/04, p. 63) was an eye-opener. I know how authors will scratch one another's backs by reciprocating laudatory blurbs. I was not aware of electronic versions of these on Amazon. I should have known better.

I check daily Amazon reviews for books that I review for LJ, most of which are current history and political science. Many "reviews" are just sniping in the cultural wars. The "reviewer," who obviously hasn't read the book, offers his or her opinions on the liberal or conservative integrity of the author or subject of the book. I wish there was a way to shovel these off the site. However, some of the amateur Amazon reviews are among the best reviews of a particular book. Let the reader beware!

For the fourth year I will judge current history or political books for the Book of the Year Award given by ForeWord Magazine. One of the books I am considering is Rich Lowry's Legacy: Paying the Price for the Clinton Years. I will judge the book on its merit, even though Lowry is the National Review editor who, angry at librarian opposition to the Patriot Act, amended Shakespeare's "Let's kill all the lawyers…" with "sure, but only if we kill all the librarians next." Of course, I'll review the Lowry book impartially, but as for Lowry….

—Karl Helicher, Dir., Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

What an elitist bunch of garbage (Francine Fialkoff, "Kudos to 'Legitimate' Review(er)s ," LJ 3/15/04, p. 63)! Pardon my language, but it's librarians—or whatever your occupation is—like you who give us all that very snooty, authoritarian, ivory tower image that we claim to detest. As a reference and adult services librarian in a small public library, I have learned through many years of working with the public that reader response not only has its place but is held in much higher regard than so-called "legitimate" reviews among a large number of adult readers.

I am also a fiction writer who chose to publish print-on-demand and therefore was deemed "unworthy" of a legitimate review. Instead, I have enjoyed the feedback—both verbal and in writing—from the many readers who liked my book. A wonderful article about me and my book was written by a young woman for my hometown newspaper. I treasure that far more than commentary by a reviewer who may or may not have responded to or even understood what I wrote. Experts may have their place, but endorsements by readers and other writers often do more to promote sales and reading than "legitimate" reviews. Librarians and bookstore owners might consider whether it's time to "wake up and smell the coffee." Publishing is changing and so are readers. They trust their own judgment often more than that of so-called experts….

—Jane Mitchell, St. Pete Beach, FL

I have been hoping for an article like the one on Linda S. Porter ("Paraprofessional of the Year 2004 ," LJ 3/1/04, p. 36–37) for my 33 years as a reference librarian. Some of the most talented and intelligent people are the paraprofessionals. It doesn't always take degrees to run an efficient library. It does take hard work and dedication, which many of these assistants have. The Harley cover on the issue proves that we are no longer the stodgy library people whom most outsiders thought we were. Thanks for the article and congratulations to Linda Porter.

— Marie Scholding, Reference Libn., Deptford P.L., NJ

In "What's the Difference: Gorman vs. Stripling " (LJ 3/15/04, p. 30–32), the URL for Michael Gorman's web site was incorrect. By doing some Internet sleuthing, I found it at http://mg.csufresno.edu. There is no "www" in it.

I personally would crawl on hands and knees across gravel to hear Michael Gorman speak about anything. I am always amazed at his knowledge, profundity, insight, and wit.

— Sandra Smith, Boyce Lib., Fullerton Coll., CA

In "The Cuba Compromise" (News, LJ 2/15/04, p. 18), LJ stated that the Friends of Cuban Libraries receives U.S. government funding. This statement is incorrect. The organization is funded entirely by our members. As announced by the Friends in 1999, some of my travel expenses on several trips to Cuba, made before the Friends was founded, were paid by human rights groups that receive grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the National Endowment for Democracy. Since the time of the Friends' founding in June 1999, neither I personally nor the Friends of Cuban Libraries as an organization has received funding from any source other than the members of the Friends of Cuban Libraries. As an organization, the Friends defends the right of all libraries to receive donations from any source. At the present time, Cuba's official libraries, as well as the uncensored independent libraries, receive donations from a variety of public and private sources, including foreign governments, as is their right.

—Robert Kent, Friends of Cuban Libraries, New York