Re: GEN: Classroom/library

[Jeff Kirkpatrick <jeffkirk@CONCENTRIC.NET>]

Subject: GEN: Classroom/library

> If we concentrate on the final objective of teaching students to read
> and also to give them the opportunity to practice their reading skills
> in order to make them lifelong readers and learners, I believe we could
> all agree that it doesn't matter where they get their encouragement...

Earl (and all),
    While I concur with your perspectives as far as they go, I am compelled
to observe that the final objective of libraries differs markedly (and
necessarily and appropriately) from that of classroom teaching and/or
classroom collections.  And it would be a grave error to overlook this fact.
The final objective of libraries, I believe, is to maintain a COMMUNITY
resource whose aggregate parts, scope, and convenience (preferably) grandly
exceed what may be accomplished through individual efforts.  That is to say
when we responsibly pool our resources we may be able to afford the
equivalent of a community pool, snow plow, water treatment plant, etc.,
which would be impractical if not cost prohibitive for most individuals to
have and retain, themselves.
    When, a few years back, one of my students made the apparent magnanimous
gesture to suggest that if she had a million dollars she would buy a
computer for everyone in our school, I found myself gently advising that
this might not be the best idea.
    Rather than conspicuous consumption, sharing, responsibly, is the better
idea.
    Factually, resources ARE limited.  Factually libraries and library
programs are woefully, irresponsibly, faithlessly underfunded, at present.
Economizing, through a practical, healthy, community-embracing sharing
model, which IS a library, is the better idea.
    If establishing and encouraging individual puddles impedes the ability
to provide water for all, we have a problem which attacks the very
foundations of community and peaceful coexistence.
    That having been said, again I concur that (mixing metaphors with
abandon) though I keep much of my money in the bank (or I would, if I had
any!), it would be foolish of me not to keep some money at hand, etc... .
    Thanks for your input.
    Take care.

JEK

*****
        A library is a simple thing.
        A library is two or more people choosing to trust, then choosing to
share.  With two people, it's as simple as a marriage--and every bit as
beautiful.  With three or more it gets just a bit more complicated, but
commensurately more beautiful--more magical--when we trust to share, and one
book becomes one hundred, or more.  It's Stone Soup.  And it takes but an
eternity to establish and maintain such a library, after all.  Or an instant
to tear one down.  Remember?

Jeffrey E. Kirkpatrick
Advocate for libraries, education reform and humanity, in Aurora, CO
e-mail address: jeffkirk@concentric.net

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