Brewer,S553 Reading Journal Post/ week 1: Jan. 17, 2012

Submit or Resist:  Steve Bell addresses end user demands and changes to academic research and library resources and the threat caused by search engine, in particular “Google  Steve feels an approach to keep the original library approach alive as being important…expressing most librarians will have agreement with both camps “Resistors” / “Googlelizers”.

Let them Steal Books: David Isaacson shares his ability to support and forgive library thieves who enjoy  books, often walking away with material as “different” and someone who should be understood and honored for their intellectual love of learning and makes suggestions of others who are lazy, on power trips or adding to their collection.

Give them what they want: Shirley Duglin Kennedy responds to Steve Bell….elaborating on her real life experiences and diverse end users who don’t fit into traditional use of library resources.  She explains how she provides quick, dirty training to searchers while suggesting “Google Scholar” and finds many willing to accept this advanced “Google” search.

Standard of Eligibility to Receive State Funds:  Great summary of rules and requirements of state that Director, staff and board must follow to qualify for state funding in public library.

What Literature: Michael Cart speaks how children’s literature used to be appreciated as “art” with similiar level of education, growth and inspiration to learn as adult material.  He is concerned literature is reaching a slow death due to society’s influences and decreased funding choices.

I found the articles a great start to open our minds for class discussion.  I relate in my job to short timelines…needing information quickly or “one stop shopping”.  I support interfacing resources into major search engines and Shirley’s approach in stepping up to demand as she represents her “real time” experience. I compare this to the movie “Field of Dreams” where they keep saying, “build it and they will come”.  I know there are alot of concern with society “settling” for information, but I feel we have to keep in mind changing demands to complete and produce in job/school work.  How nice to utilize a system supported by strong academic resources.  Today most employees must make major changes, be flexible and work with less…. like Shirley I support the library as “special”, knowing these factors have to apply everywhere eventually.

Individuals and groups are constantly seeking free material for self improvement  projects.  The state has programs to support needy, special programs and etc. and would be supportive of extra measures to redistribute free books into society.

I feel society has changed massively and we don’t need to “dummy down” literature for children, but instead utilize the great amount of books and writers meeting different capabilities strong or weak.  I loved how “Cart” suggested a childs mind as the most important toy and the books allowing them to play. 

Last, I knew the state had requirements/reporting measures affecting operational/fiscal of public libraries in order to qualify for funding, but I was surprised at some of the simple good business practices tha were outlined in the article this week.  I’m sure this is necessary to ensure funds are used as intended keeping best interests of society and elibibility determination equal.