January 17th Readings

“Let Them Steal Books”-Davis Isaacson

David shares with the reader his categories of the types of books thieves and how they should, or shouldn’t, be punished.

 I found this article to be highly amusing. Punishing rare book thieves with “long prison sentences without reading privileges” is a punishment only a librarian would think harsh. I did find myself agreeing with the author that professors who keep things forever are some of the most annoying patrons out there. Here at IU there are professors who get periodicals, including Library Journal, before they go to the shelf and then “forget” to return them and only bring them back when they clean their desk area once or twice a year.

“Submit or Resist”-Steven J. Bell

Steven discusses two factions eating away at librarians today, the Googlelizers and Resistors, as well that the impact their choices will have on the library field.

I believe Steven had some good points made in regards to googlizing libraries. While everyone, including myself, uses Google (or some other search engine), we know it doesn’t make it the best option. If libraries adapted googlized search methods I personally would have to quit learning anything because I would never truly get the results I wanted because when it comes to quality, Google comes in behind libraries and databases every time.

“What Literature”-Michael Cart

Michael discusses his view on children’s literature, its potential decline and what that means for the future.

I am a little perturbed by the tone of this article. I didn’t realize it until the second page when Markie Mark was spoken of, but this article is from the early 90’s, not the last ten years like I thought at first. I turned 7 the month this article was published. I had already been reading chapter books for at least two years. If someone would have told me at that age that I was “NOT equipped” to figure out what I wanted to read I would have been upset. Perhaps that is just me personally, but I think the author is more wrong than right in this case.

“Give Them What They Want”-Shirley Kennedy

Shirley argues discusses the Google debate in regards to end users and argues with Steven Bell’s article.

Having worked in a public library for four years, I can see where Shirley is coming from. Patrons there are all about the quickest, easiest answer. Getting them on actual databases can be like pulling teeth. My only thing is that I wouldn’t want people to take her advice as is. It isn’t the patron base you need to adjust your pitch to, it’s each and every patron and I think that could be expressed clearer.

“Standards of Eligibility to Receive Funds”

This Article discusses the rules and regulations libraries in Indiana must follow to receive state and federal aid.

This was probably my favorite reading this week. I thought it was fascinating to see everything spelled out. I could see this being very useful as a library director in laying out the policies for the library as almost everything is outlined here. However, it makes me wonder how much knowledge the committee behind these rules had in regards to how libraries work. Every library is used differently so making blanket rules like this could cause trouble for some. Still, I kind of wish every state had something like this as a starting point.