Re: [LM_NET] SHARE-->Article from a Different Point of View

[Shonda Brisco <sbrisco@GMAIL.COM>]

I posted my response to the blog.  Here's the copy of it:

************

As a school librarian, I guess an obvious question that I have
is..."Did you ask a librarian if there was a quiet place to read?"
That's usually a big hint to a librarian that things are a bit noisy
and some patrons aren't happy.  They usually try to make some changes
(or at least, I would!)

Another thought was that perhaps activities were taking place at "just
that moment".... (like the summer reading program for children which
often releases children who have been quietly participating in another
area and who have just been released to locate books, find parents,
etc.,---as a school librarian, I encouraged my students to participate
in this program to help them maintain their reading skills for the
fall. I'd be excited to know that my students were actually using the
public library in JULY!!)

I agree that the cell phone situation should have been "nipped in the
bud" by the nearest librarian who would have shown the patron their
signage which reads, "Thank you for using your cell phone outside."
However, I also realize that signage is ignored (and I hope it's not
because patrons cannot read it!)

Regardless of these annoying things, the reality is this.... the
summer is one of the busiest seasons for public libraries and
librarians.  Children and teens are out of school and adults are on
vacation. Most are looking for inexpensive, creative, yet entertaining
programs and activities.  Public libraries serve each of these groups
of individuals better than any other "under-funded" program under the
sun.  With videos, DVDs, and books available free of charge (although
maybe not the newly released titles that everyone anxiously awaits
because new books require the allocation of additional funds --- or at
least substantial funds to meet the needs of a community), the public
library provides a service that NO other agency can provide.  Although
it may be noisy sometime throughout the day, at least it is being
used.  Imagine how mad you'd be to find a multi-million dollar tax
investment sitting quietly alone without anyone inside on a perfectly
wonderful summer's day? Your tax dollars are being used (stretched and
squeezed) through your public library...everyone in the community is
using it!! :)

Finally, if you haven't been able to find your favorite author's
latest title at your public library, remember to contact your local
city government and encourage the allocation of additional funds for
public libraries to purchase those titles.  In addition, be sure to
watch for upcoming votes on funding for new construction to the public
library (perhaps for a quiet study / reading area just for you), as
those taxes help to increase the library's opportunity to serve you
better.  Voices like yours help to make significant changes that can
produce results, such as new library programs, services, and
resources.

Rather than regarding the library as a "noisy place" to ignore, take
just a moment to investigate how libraries have changed.  Like most
living, growing things, the library is stretching and changing to meet
the needs of a new type of patron...maybe the noisy one who, until the
day of your visit, had never been inside a library before to learn
about "library rules."

Thank goodness, someone taught you how to use the library...and how to
return to it for quiet comfort. Please give it another chance and
become "invested" in it beyond the one, noisy day.

~Shonda


-- 
Shonda Brisco, MLIS
Library Media / Technology Specialist
Digital Bookends wiki / blog:
http://digitalbookends.pbwiki.com
http://shonda.edublogs.org/
sbrisco@gmail.com

Resources for Texas School Librarians:
http://txschoollibrarians.ning.com/
http://txschoollibrarians.wikispaces.com/

"Digital Resources" columnist
School Library Journal

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