Feedback

A heartfelt “amen” to Laura Magzis's “Books, Books, Books!” (BackTalk, LJ 3/1/07, p. 50) about the centrality of books to our work, a contention that was well supported in OCLC's recent report on the public perception of libraries. I have been brought up short more than once by administrators who bemoan the report's finding that people view us as primarily a home to books and reading and who vow that we need to win hearts and minds to fix this “image problem.” Indeed, libraries that fail to heed this message by joining the readers' advisory renaissance and prioritizing their most sought-after and vital service do have an image problem but not in the public's eye.—David Wright, Libn., Seattle P.L.

Surely Emily Weiss didn't really mean it when she alluded to her friends needing “to settle” for jobs in isolated rural areas (“Dining with the Director,” LJ 3/1/07, p. 32–34). Our rural library is a vibrant, very busy, thriving place for our community members, and best of all...I selected this position over a suburban opportunity. Good luck with the fellowship, Emily, and I hope you don't have “to settle” for something.—Larry Oathout, Dir., Tell City–Perry Cty. P.L., Tell City, IN

As cosponsors of a program that took place at the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC), we want to say this conference stands as a monument to all that is affirmative, inspiring, challenging, and hopeful about librarianship (Rebecca Miller and Aida Bardales, “Better Together: The Joint Conference,” LJ 11/15/06, p. 34–35). Within recent memory our profession excluded librarians of color from professional gatherings and associations—a shameful part of our past that we hope no librarian of today would regard as the “good old days” of American librarianship.

The candor of Tess Pappas (“All Americans?” Feedback, LJ 2/1/07, p. 10) reveals the extent to which those in the profession and within library education must continue to address social history, the politics of exclusion, and multiculturalism. Her misconceptions about the Colonial history of language in America, a unified, homogenous America, the Founding Fathers' religious beliefs, and concept of melting pot all serve to illustrate the need for the continued, rigorous education and enlightenment of members of our profession.... We still have a long way to go. A reflective librarianship can and must play a role in building that reality.—Elaine Harger, Libn., Mount Si H.S., Snoqualmie, WA, for the Coordinating Committee of the Progressive Librarians Guild

Moab's Grand County Public Library is beautiful both inside and out! Congratulations to Grand County Public Library for being selected the Best Small Library in America for 2007, and thank you for the great article (John Berry, “Moab's Living Room,” LJ 2/1/07, p. 32–35).

What struck me about the cover photo was something probably trivial for Moab but is a continuing problem for us. It is the skateboarding child near the entrance. Maybe I am being too sensitive about it, but I thought it was somehow ironic. It is a challenge for us to keep the very agile local children from practicing at our site, despite our posted municipal code and painted “no skateboarding” signs on the main entryway and our surrounding walkways. We have a skate park nearby, but when it is “too busy” (according to the skateboarders), they come here. Is Moab freely letting this happen because “youth come first,” or was it just a chance photo? Just curious....—Kathleen Wade, Buena Park Lib., CA

MOAB'S TALLMAN REPLIES: We strive to be friendly to everyone. While skateboarders trigger negative reactions from many public agencies, we don't have a bias against them, and unless they truly diminish the library experience for other patrons, I don't think they are doing anything wrong. I personally find it refreshing to see athleticism, balance, and skill in a young person. We have had only one patron complain about skaters, as opposed to many complaints about smokers near the library entrance and cell phone conversations in the stacks. A more pressing legal issue for us concerns dogs tied up to our bike racks, which is against local leash laws and creates a nuisance for other patrons, especially those who want to park their bikes....—Eve Tallman, Dir., Grand Cty. P.L., Moab, UT

The “Great Expectations” sidebar in “In the News: First Novelists” (Barbara Hoffert with Ann Burns, LJ 3/15/07, p. 42) makes the erroneous comment that “no one has ever accused Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian of being a gorgeous and consistently gripping read....” Although I did have to stop reading the book until I had a roommate because it scared me so much, I found the book to be both gripping and gorgeous. I consistently recommend it to friends and patrons!—Elizabeth Heffington, MLIS, Libn., Edmondson Pike Branch, Nashville P.L.