Libraries have been going through some challenging times lately. Due to the recession, funding for libraries has been decreasing. This has led to layoffs of library personnel and to reduced hours of operation. On the other hand, also due to the recession, use of library resources has greatly increased.
This apparent conflict has led to a bit of discussion on the value of libraries and their place in the communities. I personally am very much in favor of libraries. They provide a number of resources that many (in some cases, most) people would not otherwise have access to, including a vast number of books and periodicals (many of which are not available online); a large number of CDs, DVDs, and other electronic media; a variety of databases; and, in most libraries, free public access to computers and the Internet. Many libraries also offer wireless access. In addition, libraries host a variety of educational and cultural events.
Recently students and faculty from the University of Washington's Information School produced a delightful video, Librarians Do Gaga, on the value of libraries. To view this video, please visit:
Librarians Do Gaga
NPR (National Public Radio) publishes an entertainment and pop-culture blog, Monkey See, written and edited by Linda Holmes. A recent post in this blog, "Why The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries," takes a look at the role of libraries. To read this post, please visit:
NPR: Monkey See: Why The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries
For some serious reading about the current state of libraries in the U.S., you might consider the American Library Association's annual report on libraries:
American Library Assn.: The State of America’s Libraries, 2010
This apparent conflict has led to a bit of discussion on the value of libraries and their place in the communities. I personally am very much in favor of libraries. They provide a number of resources that many (in some cases, most) people would not otherwise have access to, including a vast number of books and periodicals (many of which are not available online); a large number of CDs, DVDs, and other electronic media; a variety of databases; and, in most libraries, free public access to computers and the Internet. Many libraries also offer wireless access. In addition, libraries host a variety of educational and cultural events.
Recently students and faculty from the University of Washington's Information School produced a delightful video, Librarians Do Gaga, on the value of libraries. To view this video, please visit:
Librarians Do Gaga
NPR (National Public Radio) publishes an entertainment and pop-culture blog, Monkey See, written and edited by Linda Holmes. A recent post in this blog, "Why The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries," takes a look at the role of libraries. To read this post, please visit:
NPR: Monkey See: Why The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries
For some serious reading about the current state of libraries in the U.S., you might consider the American Library Association's annual report on libraries:
American Library Assn.: The State of America’s Libraries, 2010
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