Saturday, June 20, 2009

Post 5 Facebook in libraries

We were talking about Facebook and privacy concerns in our forum this week and I wanted to read more about it. I found this article by Lynn Blumenstein on Library Journal. http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6664520.html This article the Highlands Public Library System in Florida choosing to allow access to Facebook in the library. I guess the county commissioner, Jeff Carlson voiced his opinion and said the library should bot be an entertainment center and should focus on education and research. I guess this man has had arguements with the library before and librarians are annoyed. Carlson also complained about library budget and said the library should not be buying best sellers because they are too expensive. The library blog discuss what librarians and users thought of the comments made by Carlson. One post stated, "Media, no matter the kind, stretches the mind, builds vocabulary and most certainly has its place, uncensored, in a public library". I agree with this statement. There are not just book anymore. The web is used for research and education all the time. I am not sure why Facebook is the issue. This man is obviously out of date and out of tune with the library world. He can do his research and someone else can read the best seller. This article feels about 70 years old. It seems this guy also thinks he has a say in what is allowed at the library, I wonder why? Does county commissioner create collection development plans??? Why would he think public libraries would only focus on research and education? Public libraries are access centers, not just places to do research?
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7 comments:

  1. dbowmanJune 21, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    Libraries are surviving today only because they are not just about books. Public libraries would become ghost towns if there were no computers, DVD collections, cafes, and fun programming. Public libraries are not research centers. Of course, people can do research at public libraries, but the sole purpose of a public library is not research. Perhaps at an academic library--- but not at a public library.

    And no bestsellers?! It sounds like this guy has not gone into the library in the past 30 years or ever talked to an average library patron.

    Let's hope that he has no real power to change things concerning the library, because he obviously has no idea what he is talking about.

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  2. El BastardoJune 21, 2009 at 12:09 PM

    Sounds like he wants them to scrap all their fiction, as well. Wonder if he knows that would include Shakespeare? And don't forget that the Bible is also a bestseller!

    And what if you're doing research on Facebook?

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  3. HPL Just For TeensJune 21, 2009 at 9:42 PM

    Not buying bestsellers because they are too expensive? Scholarly and research material, databases, etc. are expensive, too. Public libraries work for the public, plain and simple. The public is diverse, and not everyone comes to the library to work. We have to provide materials for leisurely reading and other materials for the community.

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  4. ejwhooverJune 22, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    I think we are dealing with a good, right wing conservative, old, white guy. I got money on it.

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  5. Agnes (Alex08)June 22, 2009 at 8:46 PM

    There are definitely county officials, board members, and regular patrons who believe that their personal opinions about collection development should be paramount. I was surprised about the objection to bestsellers. Can you imagine the patron outcry? I have heard more negative response about libraries purchasing DVDs, even though that is fairly standard procedure now. I do not think these objections properly consider patron-driven library practice. This type of negativity about any non-traditional materials frequently come across as condescending, elitist, and out-of-touch.

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  6. thestateiminJune 23, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    I dont know what else to say that others havent already, this guy is out of touch. It is pretty silly to think that someone could make an objective decision about what qualifies as "education" or "research". What about reference books about sports? cooking/recipe books? Geneology books can be research or education, but most patrons use these materials because they enjoy geneology, thus making them entertainment.

    If only Mr. Carlson volunteered to be Czar of Library Collections, then librarians wouldnt be needed and the world would be a better place.

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  7. AmyJune 23, 2009 at 7:55 PM

    I understand that some patrons get angry when they can't use the computers because people are playing games or on facebook, but computers are first come first serve. If you want a research library than you should go to a University library. Libraries should only be just for research, why can't you have a little fun at the library. I think he very out of touch.

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