Comments on: Libraries in crisis? http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188 Minneapolis + St. Paul Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:11:27 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joanna http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156582 Joanna Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:09:25 +0000 #comment-156582 Bixby, your list is great. <br /> I love libraries. I go to several. They are all full and busy with kids doing something other than watching TV or playing video games; folks reading the paper, magazines, books; kids and adults doing research for school; people doing research for their businesses or job searches; tax documents to pick up; storytelling hour; lines to use the internet if you can't afford a computer of your own; free access to music, films, and TV shows; material in multiple languages; reference books; instruction manuals; back issues of magazines; adolescents who are not doing drugs or having sex; a safe dry warm place to sit for people of all ages; families doing something together; teachers checking out a hundred books to bring to their students at school; free classes to learn English for all; announcements of talks by writers and artists; smart people who can answer my questions or tell me how to answer my own. Information, fun, beauty. <br /> No bacon, though, but the Central library has a cafe and great people-watching opportunities. Bixby, your list is great.
I love libraries. I go to several. They are all full and busy with kids doing something other than watching TV or playing video games; folks reading the paper, magazines, books; kids and adults doing research for school; people doing research for their businesses or job searches; tax documents to pick up; storytelling hour; lines to use the internet if you can’t afford a computer of your own; free access to music, films, and TV shows; material in multiple languages; reference books; instruction manuals; back issues of magazines; adolescents who are not doing drugs or having sex; a safe dry warm place to sit for people of all ages; families doing something together; teachers checking out a hundred books to bring to their students at school; free classes to learn English for all; announcements of talks by writers and artists; smart people who can answer my questions or tell me how to answer my own. Information, fun, beauty.
No bacon, though, but the Central library has a cafe and great people-watching opportunities.

]]> By: dezelske http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156533 dezelske Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:27:09 +0000 #comment-156533 <i>Any why do people think they're entitled to free reading material?</i><br /> <br /> This is absolutely, without a doubt, the single stupidest thing I've ever read on the internet. Any why do people think they’re entitled to free reading material?

This is absolutely, without a doubt, the single stupidest thing I’ve ever read on the internet.

]]> By: Lunch! http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156522 Lunch! Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:21:45 +0000 #comment-156522 old fashioned library: You probably have not been in a library in over 20 years. Paper catalogs were outmoded in the 1950's when librarians devised the electronic coding MARC, while the waited for computers to catch up. Books? Seriously you are deluded if you thing that the bulk of a library's information is in the stacks. It's in the databases which tend to make up more than 50% of most acquisitions budgets. As for demand, you make very conflicting statements: the waiting list for books is miles long and then you go on to say that there isn't as much demand as there was 20/30 years ago. Which is it? Your lack of knowledge is shocking. Libraries serve more people in more media than ever before. Check the stats. Waiting lists are long in number of people, but short in time frame, as the libraries base their purchasing on the number of sign ups of the list. A friend told me that Ramsey county buys based on the number of people on the list. Did you think they just bought one copy for the several million people who use the system? <br /> <br /> It makes me furious, the amount of misinformation spewed by the ignorant. But if you are information illiterate you believe anything you hear or read. old fashioned library: You probably have not been in a library in over 20 years. Paper catalogs were outmoded in the 1950’s when librarians devised the electronic coding MARC, while the waited for computers to catch up. Books? Seriously you are deluded if you thing that the bulk of a library’s information is in the stacks. It’s in the databases which tend to make up more than 50% of most acquisitions budgets. As for demand, you make very conflicting statements: the waiting list for books is miles long and then you go on to say that there isn’t as much demand as there was 20/30 years ago. Which is it? Your lack of knowledge is shocking. Libraries serve more people in more media than ever before. Check the stats. Waiting lists are long in number of people, but short in time frame, as the libraries base their purchasing on the number of sign ups of the list. A friend told me that Ramsey county buys based on the number of people on the list. Did you think they just bought one copy for the several million people who use the system?

It makes me furious, the amount of misinformation spewed by the ignorant. But if you are information illiterate you believe anything you hear or read.

]]> By: old fashioned library http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156501 old fashioned library Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:09:08 +0000 #comment-156501 The concept of a library is archaic at best. They don't embrace technology, they file stuff away on paper catalogs, and their shelves are filled with a bunch of outdated material - the new books are always checked out and the waiting list is miles long. Besides that, it's basically a homeless shelter w/ books.<br /> <br /> It's so much easier to go on the internet. It's faster and more up-to-date. Granted, you need to know if your source is reliable. Why waste an afternoon searching through a bunch of outdated books when you can load up Google and have your info at your fingertips within 2 seconds?<br /> <br /> Libraries don't have much of a place in the 21st century. Like movie rental stores, TV repair shops, and used CD stores, libraries will be gone within 20 years.<br /> <br /> We dont properly fund them because there isn't much of a demand as there was 20/30 years ago. Any why do people think they're entitled to free reading material? Free up those tax dollars for other stuff like better road maintainance. <br /> <br /> I'd rather go to a Barnes & Noble. They let you drink coffee, relax, answer your cell phone, and have lively conversation. Libraries have primitive rules that our society doesn't relate to anymore. The concept of a library is archaic at best. They don’t embrace technology, they file stuff away on paper catalogs, and their shelves are filled with a bunch of outdated material – the new books are always checked out and the waiting list is miles long. Besides that, it’s basically a homeless shelter w/ books.

It’s so much easier to go on the internet. It’s faster and more up-to-date. Granted, you need to know if your source is reliable. Why waste an afternoon searching through a bunch of outdated books when you can load up Google and have your info at your fingertips within 2 seconds?

Libraries don’t have much of a place in the 21st century. Like movie rental stores, TV repair shops, and used CD stores, libraries will be gone within 20 years.

We dont properly fund them because there isn’t much of a demand as there was 20/30 years ago. Any why do people think they’re entitled to free reading material? Free up those tax dollars for other stuff like better road maintainance.

I’d rather go to a Barnes & Noble. They let you drink coffee, relax, answer your cell phone, and have lively conversation. Libraries have primitive rules that our society doesn’t relate to anymore.

]]> By: Mpls Joe http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156359 Mpls Joe Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:18:44 +0000 #comment-156359 If the county hadn't bailed them out now, how many more libraries would they have closed. They built a nice new downtown library, but it wasn't open nearly enough hours as most of their libraries. That's why the county has always had the edge. They are open many more hours for patrons to visit their libraires. The county has already reopened several closed librairies and they plan to expand the hours at more to come. They even expanded the hours at several suburban librairies. THEY AREN'T OF ANY VALUE IF THEY AREN'T OPEN SO PEOPLE CAN USE THEM!! If the county hadn’t bailed them out now, how many more libraries would they have closed. They built a nice new downtown library, but it wasn’t open nearly enough hours as most of their libraries. That’s why the county has always had the edge. They are open many more hours for patrons to visit their libraires. The county has already reopened several closed librairies and they plan to expand the hours at more to come. They even expanded the hours at several suburban librairies. THEY AREN’T OF ANY VALUE IF THEY AREN’T OPEN SO PEOPLE CAN USE THEM!!

]]> By: kevin http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156251 kevin Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:29:53 +0000 #comment-156251 <em>Kevin could also use ILL ferchrissakes. If the library does not have the book they can borrow it from another library or another system for you. Pretty basic library service</em><br /> <br /> I know, and I do. I worked in one for 4.5 years. I know all about OCLC numbers and all that jazz. <br /> <br /> I don't eat squirrel. I don't eat turkey either, unless I think it's chicken, which I did today. Now I wonder if all turkey is that good. Kevin could also use ILL ferchrissakes. If the library does not have the book they can borrow it from another library or another system for you. Pretty basic library service

I know, and I do. I worked in one for 4.5 years. I know all about OCLC numbers and all that jazz.

I don’t eat squirrel. I don’t eat turkey either, unless I think it’s chicken, which I did today. Now I wonder if all turkey is that good.

]]> By: The Rat http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156245 The Rat Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:25:03 +0000 #comment-156245 Minnesota has a serious Neil Diamond jones<br /> <br /> <br /> Minnesota has a serious Neil Diamond jones

]]> By: kevin http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156240 kevin Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:18:23 +0000 #comment-156240 Speaking of history, Neil Diamond is coming to the Xcel on July 19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /> <br /> Swoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Speaking of history, Neil Diamond is coming to the Xcel on July 19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: JACC http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156238 JACC Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:14:16 +0000 #comment-156238 <em>And me, but for other reasons.</em><br /> <br /> You know Max, I know a guy with some great Third Intermediate Period sphinx drawings on papyrus scrolls for sale. <br /> <br /> I'm not talking parchment and vellum, this is the real deal. And me, but for other reasons.

You know Max, I know a guy with some great Third Intermediate Period sphinx drawings on papyrus scrolls for sale.

I’m not talking parchment and vellum, this is the real deal.

]]> By: msparber http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/12188#comment-156229 msparber Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:05:55 +0000 #comment-156229 Freud would disagree. Freud would disagree.

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