Feedback

By Staff -- Library Journal, 3/15/2006

Best? No way!

Herb Landau, director of the Milanof-Schock Library (John N. Berry III, “Everyone’s Hitching Post: Best Small Library in America 2006,” LJ 2/1/06), gets my vote for LJ Librarian of the Year. He obviously has done an amazing job of cobbling together resources to deliver a wide range of services to a community that, on the whole, chooses not to support its library very well. But as for his library being the Best Small Library in America? No way.

Is it possible to deliver high-quality public library services for $10.86 per capita—about a third of the national average? It is not.

The Milanof-Schock Library has only two paid staff members (no reference librarian or children’s librarian) and is only open 54 hours a week, according to the latest statistics I could find on the web (2003). It only spends about $20,000 a year for library materials. As a result, its circulation per capita in 2003 was only 6.0, less than the national average. The award should recognize communities that choose to support the highest quality library service.... I’d like to see this award go to a community that is economically challenged but where citizens choose to make the library a top priority for support with their hard-earned taxes. Mount Joy doesn’t do this, and its library is not deserving of this award.

Having said this, if Landau wants to come run a public library in my state, I’d be happy to welcome him. He sounds like an awesome library director.

—Jim Scheppke, State Libn., Oregon State Lib., Salem

Terminal fear

I appreciated Francine Fialkoff’s editorial “What’s So Bad About Books?” (LJ 1/06). Often we want to change user perceptions of the library rather than using those perceptions to be very good at what our users want. There seems to be terminal fear that if libraries don’t become centers of technology they will become irrelevant.

In 1996, the report of the Benton Foundation, Buildings, Books, and Bytes, indicated similar branding perceptions (libraries being associated with books). At the time, you heard the same calls that we need to change the way people look at libraries.

Fialkoff makes a good point, connecting reading and literacy. There is no reason for us to shrink from the perception that libraries are places that support reading for all ages. You don’t see bookstores saying that they need to change customer perceptions. They adapt to the online environment in a variety of ways, but in some ways they have a stronger sense of their mission than we do....

It can be difficult for librarians to argue for the value of the library as a source of reading because technology is so much sexier now. That’s where the money seems to be, and to many that is where our future lies. I think we run a greater risk if we ignore our users perceptions instead of embracing them.

I am heartened by the rising interest in readers’ advisory. It indicates that at least some librarians and library administrators understand that a healthy balance of technology and reading is possible....

—Barry Trott, Adult Svcs. Dir., Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA

“Shale City” twice

I read that Dalton Trumbo used the name “Shale City” to fictionalize Grand Junction, CO, in his novel Eclipse (Front Desk, “Dalton got his due,” LJ 2/1/06). He used the name “Shale City” again in his screenplay for the movie, Tender Comrade (1943), as the hometown of the characters played by Robert Ryan and Ginger Rogers.

—Kate Pecarovich, Head, Technical Svcs., UCLA Law Lib.

“Thin client” is ideal

As a librarian who has been fielding issues with desktop computers and students for a number of years, the “thin client” sounds like the ideal solution (Diane Romm, “It Pays To Be Thin,” LJ 2/1/06). No more will the librarian’s time and patience be plagued by such issues as tweaking the operating system, downloading inappropriate sites, crashing programs, destructive viruses, or memory glitches. Bravo to this innovation for its simplicity, efficiency, and economy! I can’t wait to be “too thin.”

—Adele Bildersee, Dir. of Libs., Dalton School, New York

Saddened by Berry

I was saddened to hear that John Berry is retiring but thrilled to hear that he will continue as Editor-at-Large at LJ. While I frequently disagree with Berry, I have profound respect for his integrity and intelligence—and his passion for our profession.

I started reading LJ in 1970. I always go first to Berry’s editorials.... I hope his “retirement” is not too retiring and that he continues to be involved in our profession—and to pen stimulating editorials....

—J. Robert Verbesey, Dir. of Lib. Svcs., Ave Maria Univ., Naples, FL