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Relying on amateurs for information has been a problem with the web and older information sources from day one (Carol Tenopir, “Web 2.0: Our Cultural Downfall?” Online Databases, LJ 12/07, p. 36). Web 2.0 sites may amplify the problem, but it’s the same as always. I recall my elders warning me not to believe something just because I read it in a book.

Verifying important information from multiple reliable sources has always been good information practice. As for undermining “high quality” content...a lot of what’s put out by “industry professionals” in entertainment isn’t much better than what can be found on YouTube and other 2.0 sites....

When libraries added film and popular music, they were accused of diminishing the quality of collections, but those items were added for their popular appeal, not their content worthiness. When it comes to entertainment, “authority” is not really the guiding principle. Now if Web 2.0 starts undercutting factual content providers, there may be a collection development ramification, but the preweb information sources posed those problems, too.

Where is it written that just because something is created by an amateur it isn’t high quality? Sometimes those folks create the best stuff out there.

—Teri Robertson, Children’s Libn., Baldwin Hills Branch, Los Angeles P.L.

I first met New Jersey State Librarian Norma Blake, just named LJ’s 2008 Librarian of the Year (John Berry, LJ 1/08, p. 36–38), when she was president of the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA). I was on the NJLA Executive Board. I was really impressed at how well organized she was and how smoothly she ran the monthly meetings. Most of all, as a young adult librarian, I was pleased at how supportive she was of youth services in New Jersey.

Almost a decade ago as state librarian she wanted the New Jersey State Library to provide more active support for youth services. At that time, there was no youth services consultant on her staff. Blake held a statewide youth services symposium. Over 100 movers and shakers in youth services were invited. They asked the state library to support statewide summer reading and to hire a youth services consultant. Blake did both. I was hired as the youth services consultant, with responsibility to coordinate statewide summer reading....

I worked closely with Blake until my retirement last year. I was impressed by the freedom she gave me to develop an active program in the state and by her grasp of youth issues and everything else that impacts library services in New Jersey. She is the consummate professional: organized, taking charge, and getting things done.... Congratulations, Norma Blake!

—Bonnie Kunzel, Youth Svcs. and Adolescent Literacy Consultant, Germantown, TN

Thank you for the recent review by Stephen Peters of my book A Terrible Glory: Custer and Little Bighorn—The Last Great Battle of the American West (LJ 12/07, p. 152). Of all the reviews I’ve seen, yours was the savviest—your reviewer understood what I was trying to do and for good reason. About seven years ago, in a review of another Custer book, Peters made the point that what was needed was a book on the subject that incorporated all the research and findings of the last 20 years into a readable narrative. There has been quite a bit of fresh material. At the time, I had just finished writing a light-reading coffee-table book on the subject, Custer and the Little Bighorn, and had come to the same conclusion. Your review inspired me to write A Terrible Glory. I honestly don’t think I would have written it if it hadn’t been for that LJ review.

—Jim Donovan, Donovan Literary, Dallas

Karen Sandlin Silverman’s review of Bruce Watson’s Sacco and Vanzetti: The Men, the Murders and the Judgment of Mankind (LJ 7/07, p. 104) does not note Watson’s blunder on p. 332, nor Watson’s calculated deception on p. 141. Watson does not tell readers that Elbridge Atwater was a defense witness who testified about Vanzetti’s revolver. He fails to report that Slater swore he sold Vanzetti’s revolver (Exhibit 27) to Riccardo Orciani. He does not report that Luigi Falzini swore he bought Exhibit 27 from Orciani and later sold it to Vanzetti. He does not report the critical statements District Attorney Katzmann made about Orciani in his closing argument. On p. 2187 in the Transcript of the Record, Katzmann reminds the Dedham jury that Orciani is “a man who, has never yet, gentlemen, stepped a foot inside this Court room.” On the same page, Katzmann says, “Riccardo Orciani has not yet walked upon the witness stand....” On p. 2197, Katzmann refers to “the missing Orciani.” On p. 2233, Katzmann challenges the defense team: “Why didn’t you bring Orciani into this court and why didn’t you permit Orciani to testify.... He has been outside the court room, as witnesses have testified, and he is not produced. What is the reason?” There are several other factual errors in Watson’s book.... Watson does not cite several articles, reviews, and letters about the case....

—Richard Newby, Editor, Kill Now, Talk Forever: Debating Sacco and Vanzetti (Author House, 2007)