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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Jo Knowles has an incredible post up about how important it is to support local libraries during harsh economic times.  Art Brodsky voices some similar concerns at the Huffington Post.  I've been struggling for the right way to express my feelings on this important matter.  Having recently left a children's librarian position that I absolutely loved due to looming layoffs in this shaky economic climate for a (hopefully) more stable job across the country has been a recent and extremely personal challenge for me.


I was saddened, but not entirely surprised when a chatty seatmate on my flight to Atlanta learned of my profession and immediately said something to the effect of, "Well, now that we have Kindle, I'm sure libraries everywhere will be going out of business."  This is exactly the kind of attitude that needs to change.  Technology the end of libraries.  Far from it.  Continued advocacy and education are what's needed to turn opinions like hers around.  In the meantime, I am rooting for libraries everywhere.

2 comments:

  1. Wow, that woman on the plane was Woefuly unaware of what libraries do in a community, and how critical librarians are! There's this misconception that a library only means access to books, but it's so much more... Maybe we need a public info campaign?
    Thanks for all you do,
    namaste,
    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  2. It really surprises me how many people don't know how much technology instruction goes on in libraries. And how people use them as community centers and meeting spaces. Books are just the beginning!

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