Saturday, September 12, 2009

Will Etherspace Eradicate Libraries?





















18 comments:

fishy said...

I adore libraries. I expect most of you do too. This mornings paper had a mention of the Library Board meeting. Today's agenda is about again reducing the hours our libraries are open and a reduction in "acquisitions". Ouch.

Our local library is utterly amazing for a community our size. It is BIG, it has architectural interest and presence. It is well organized,with lots of comfy leather seating interspersed, plenty of work tables, plenty of computers, beautiful bronze sculptures in the children's reading /garden room. I just love it and have often spent a Fall Sunday afternoon there while Blowfish treated himself to multiple football viewings.

Now our Library is no longer open on Sundays and they are considering closing at 4pm on Saturdays and 7pm on weekdays. Sigh .... I am not liking the attrition rates of so many things affected by "the econonmy".

I find myself wondering if our libraries are all at risk, more so from etherspace than economy or maybe because they don't have a Starbucks?

moi said...

I sure hope not. Libraries and bookstores are one of my favorite places to hang out on days when I have nothing much going on. The smells are divine, too.

However, because libraries are dependent upon public funds to stay open (and we all know just how efficient gub'mint run organizations of any kind are), they do indeed seem doomed in these doomy times. Would that we could only privatize them as non-profit organizations.

Aunty Belle said...

uh--is this yore BAK 2 Skool post?

I'se hoardin' books--built shelves in the buggy barn so I could stockpile more books-- it ain't such a big secret no more--when the books and libraries is gone an' all ya have is cyber info--IT WILL BE CENSORED!

Save books like seeds.

Blowfish said...

Moi,
I think your idea to make libraries NFP is a great one. It actuallly might prove to be the salvation of the libraries.
Like you I adore the environment of libraries, especiallly ones with lots of leather bound books!

The blessing in our community is a very strong patrons group which successfully raises awareness and funds. There is even some talk of using the library space in the high schools for growth and directing the students to use the public libraries. We already have public bus service between the schools and the libraries so the option is viable, for the moment.

Aunty,
Nope, this is not by MM post. Been a little lax about posting anything other than the MM lately . This is just my response to the morning read here in my little town.

I also agree with you, saving books is top of the charts like seeds. I am particularly distressed at the
editing og History books happening these days. I have a collection of those published before 1965.

I aslo agree the internet is going to be THE source for disinformation. I am SHOCKED to my core about the gulibility of today's youth to accept whatever they find on the internet as being valid. They don't even slow down to think or question ANY of it.

And have you noticed how much they have dumbed down the vocabularies of TV shows aimed toward youth? Tragic. And no, I do not watch any of those broadcasts, I came by this opinion from seeing the promotions for them. UGH!!!!!

Buzz Kill said...

My town just built this huge, 2 story library under the political premise that it now replaces the county library. Whatever, it's a nice library and my town ponied up for only a portion of it. I just recently visited it for the 1st time with my youngest. He participated in a free art program and had to pick up his artwork. It had been on display there for the summer. This place is impressive. They offer many free kids and adult programs throughout the year. Not only can you get books but they also have movies on DVD, banks of computers for internet access and research and a coffee shop.
My point here is that this library (although new) is trying to stay current with technology and avoid obsolescence. Seems to be working.

fishy said...

Buzz,
Kudos to your town for investing in knowledge and attracting multiple age groups.
Post the artwork of your youngest for us bloggers to see. You know parents DO get to be proud of their children :-) it is good for the children and good for the parents too.

Oh....previous response was not from Blowfish .... it was from me.
I forgot to change the log in on his computer.

Pam said...

*sigh* ... libraries. book stores. My faves. I'm sure they are having to evolve or will go the way of newspapers ... *sigh*

sparringK9 said...

wow, ive never been in a library as beautiful as these.

Vixen said...

All great images. But the texting ones cracked me up.

HappyMonday!

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