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By Staff -- Library Journal, 05/01/2006
Republican librarians!
I've never written a letter to the editor before, but I felt compelled to do so after reading Brian S. Mathews's “The Inevitable Gen X Coup” (NextGen, LJ 3/15/06). Thank heavens librarians like Mathews are out there speaking what so many of us are thinking.... As a new, relatively young library director (mid-30s), I spend a large portion of each day trying to bring my library into the 21st century. Like Mathews, I choose to ask “Why not?” more than “Why?” and choose to move at a pace much faster than that of my employees (to which they would readily attest). Mathews's idea of “intellectual amusement parks” is a wake-up call of what is to come—what has to come if we are to remain relevant to the public. I, too, think the American Library Association needs to reinvent itself if it is to remain relevant to the up-and-coming generation of librarians, some of whom might actually be (gasp!) Republican. We need more solutions to the problems we face in our libraries on a daily basis and less political activism if we are to continue to feel a need to pay our dues every year. Kudos to Mathews. His column should be required reading for all library employees, both professional and paraprofessional. It will definitely be required reading at my library.
—Stephanie DeClue, Dir. of Lib. Svcs., Proctor Lib., State Fair Community Coll., Sedalia, MO
Wonderful images
I'm enjoying the 2006 LJ Movers & Shakers supplement. The photographers did a really nice job. Through those photographs our fellow librarians exude the confidence, brightness, and humanity that reflect our profession so well. Thank you for the wonderful images.
—Natalie Wiest, Lib. Dir., Williams Lib., Texas A&M Univ. at Galveston
No smoking!
Librarians don't need to be gray-haired women with their hair in a bun, but they should be role models in the community. How sad that a children's/teen librarian, of all things, chooses to put smoking in a positive light in the pop culture (“Pop Goes the Librarian,” Movers & Shakers, LJ 3/15/06).
—Elaine Skiles, AV Libn., Chester Cty. Lib., PA
[Ed. Note: The lighter in the photo of Sophie Brookover was a prop provided by the photographer. Brookover doesn't smoke. The lighter symbolizes the rock concerts where it is common to hold one aloft to express your joy, solidarity with the band, what have you. Brookover adds that camera phones are the preferred choice at today's concerts; then you can send the pictures to your friends.]
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em!
The issue of smokers taking frequent breaks is a common one not only in libraries (“Smoking Gun,” How Do You Manage? LJ 3/1/06). As an ex-smoker, I know the compulsion of needing a smoke. Asking a dedicated smoker to wait for the morning or afternoon break to have a cigarette poses a hardship, even though it is unfair to other employees. While all staffers should follow the same policy on breaks, another possible “solution” to the problem would be to offer other staffers an extra 15 minutes at lunch or another 15-minute break during the day. It is impossible to get one's pack, walk outside, smoke a cigarette, and get back inside within a minute. The issue here is no different from that of an employee who needs to leave early or come in late regularly because of family situations. Sometimes, accommodation can be done on an informal basis to satisfy all involved.
—Charles W. Walton, Lib. Mgr., SSG Paul D. Savanuck Memorial Lib., Defense Information Sch., Fort Meade, MD
Come to New Orleans
Thank you for your continued coverage of New Orleans and for your efforts to restore the Alvar Street Branch of the New Orleans Public Library back to its position of import in this historic community (“LJ To Repair NOPL Branch,” LJ 4/1/06).... It was 50 years ago that I learned many a new thing from books on those very shelves.
There is so much work still to be done, keeping us in your minds is crucial. Our tourism-based economy has suffered a severe blow, yet there is a duality to New Orleans right now that makes it a must-see for anyone planning a vacation. The French Quarter is virtually untouched, the Garden District is pristine.... Visitors could come to New Orleans now and not see a thing wrong. The large area of destruction is a side trip they should not miss.
Our world-class restaurants, galleries, music joints, and especially our wonderful small hotels are all ready for you now. Many of our attractions are small businesses, owned and operated by New Orleanians who are suffering greatly. With no financial aid, most of the thousands of small businesses that are the very heart of the traditional and unique “New Orleans experience” are hanging on by a thread. We are counting on the return of our visitors to keep us going.... Revenue from American Library Association conference attendees can mean the difference between staying in or being out of business....
—Joanne Hilton, St. Charles Guest House, New Orleans
