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How popular was your small east coast college library? I have a theory about this. Which is that the upper/upper-mid class in particular cares more about the i

How popular was your small east coast college library? I have a theory about this. Which is that the upper/upper-mid class in particular cares more about the image of a pristine library than they do the actual effectiveness/reach of that library. This theory shows itself quite a lot through how people talk about libraries: not in how many students find what they're looking for, how happy librarians are, how many grades or careers have been improved. It's bathrooms and walls.

slily 3y ago
Since when are public libraries responsible for improving the grades of students? I relied on the public library for computer/Internet access and of course reading for most of my childhood and never had that expectation... no doubt it helped me indirectly because I read a lot and I had no consistent access to the Internet otherwise, but how do you define "effectiveness/reach"? Can a filthy library occupied by homeless people be effective? My thoughts: it's largely up to parents to bring their kids to public libraries and encourage them to read. And that's not going to happen if it's not a comfortable place to spend time (i.e. clean and quiet). What's in the collection is of secondary importance.
supertofu 3y ago
I'm in a very progressive and educated town. The library here serves as a community education center. It's very well used, well loved, and well resourced, with tons of free classes for the community. There are three colleges in this town, so it's a more educated populace than the average town.
theoldlove 3y ago
I agree on principle, but in the details I have some quibbles. The core of a library is the books (the root of library is the Latin for book). For me, all I really want from a library is to loan me all the books I want for as long as I need them. I’m not particularly interested in the librarians’ happiness or grades or careers.

slily 3y ago

Since when are public libraries responsible for improving the grades of students? I relied on the public library for computer/Internet access and of course reading for most of my childhood and never had that expectation... no doubt it helped me indirectly because I read a lot and I had no consistent access to the Internet otherwise, but how do you define "effectiveness/reach"? Can a filthy library occupied by homeless people be effective? My thoughts: it's largely up to parents to bring their kids to public libraries and encourage them to read. And that's not going to happen if it's not a comfortable place to spend time (i.e. clean and quiet). What's in the collection is of secondary importance.

supertofu 3y ago

I'm in a very progressive and educated town. The library here serves as a community education center. It's very well used, well loved, and well resourced, with tons of free classes for the community. There are three colleges in this town, so it's a more educated populace than the average town.

theoldlove 3y ago

I agree on principle, but in the details I have some quibbles. The core of a library is the books (the root of library is the Latin for book). For me, all I really want from a library is to loan me all the books I want for as long as I need them. I’m not particularly interested in the librarians’ happiness or grades or careers.