Comments on: Attitudes Toward Public Libraries 2006

By: walt

walt — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 21:49:13 +0000

Dave and Angel: Good comments. I’m impressed (in an odd way) by those who find the glass 30% empty… and mildly depressed by the small number of people who seem to think it would be a grand and glorious thing, and somehow likely, for public librarians to no longer be in the physical-book business. But I think that’s a small fringe group.

By: Dave Tyckoson

Dave Tyckoson — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 21:44:55 +0000

Walt,

As you often emphasize, it is books AND computers AND media AND everything else, not OR. What this study says to me is that public libraries are doing a good job meeting their traditional needs and that the communities that they serve appreciate those efforts. Yes, we need to keep up with new technologies, but we should not lose sight of our historic roles (education and entertainment, although I would have thought that the order would have been reversed).

That the community also appreciates the library as a public space tells us something as well. Even though we are connected in many ways today that did not exist in the past, a public space within the community to visit in person and to see other people similarly engaged in similar education and entertainment purposes is still important. This validates the need to retain the places that we have and expand or build new ones as needed in the future.

A 70% satisfaction rating for any public agency is tremendous. I would like to see the DMV, the assessor, or the school districts come even close to that number! Public librarians, keep up the good work!

By: Angel

Angel — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 02:28:55 +0000

Hmm, interesting findings, even with the caveats you point out. The sad thing is from reading much of the biblioblogosphere as well as seeing some news stories, you would get the impression that those places so well appreciated because they provide a community space and check out books are on their way to extinction, the way of the dinosaur unless everyone goes in to use computers, to check out I-Pods, and who knows what other electronic toys and gizmos. If they are not using every single toy that W-2 offers, then those libraries are just on life support and about to get their plug pulled. Not that one should not experiment now and then, but you’d think someone is about to pull up with a wrecking ball to any library who does not employ the latest toys (no matter the funding). At any rate, I know I am very appreciative of my little local county branch. Sure, they do have a lot of good things, but I still go for those books (ok, the graphic novels too). Best, and keep on blogging.