What makes a library a library?
December 10, 2009
Yesterday, I posted about a new “Express Library” in King County that has no staff, and is basically a holds pick-up shelf, a catalog-computer, a telephone to call another library for help, a small paperback collection, and a book return. In thinking about this facility being called a “library,” I asked the question:
What makes a library a library?
Buffy Hamilton, a librarian at the Creekview High School in Canton, Georgia, took a video camera and asked some of her students what they think makes a library a library.
I love it! I love the answers, and I am motivated to try to record some of our library patrons to see what they think. Maybe that would help us make some of our tough budget decisions.
December 11th, 2009 at 7:18 am
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December 11th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hello,
I came across this on twitter (I am infodivabronx).
First of all I am so glad to have landed on your blog. What a treasure! I will come back often for inspiration.
Secondly, I can only respond as a Middle School Librarian…
A library (in a middle school) serves as a place (both physical & virtual) of knowledge, collaboration, and learning.
I also insist on a comfortable TEEN space, where my young charges feel comfortable when curling up with a good book. A library, in order to survive the axe of terrible budget cuts, MUST be flexible to serve the many needs of a school community.
Regards,
chris
December 11th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Hi Sarah,
My name is Maria and I’m from Spain (sorry if my english is not good enough). First of all, congrats for your blog. I really like it
I’m a medical librarian and I have to say that a hospital library is quite different from a public library. We have more journals than books, And the users need to use medical databases. Most of them need help to find articles and information on the Internet. The only person who can help them with those issues is a medical librarian. Everybody can find information on the Internet, but a librarian knows where to find the right information. A librarian makes a library a library. A library without a librarian is just a room with a pc or shelves with books, not more.
Regards,
María.
December 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Love hearing buzz, noise and chatting in the library! Really! Silence is OK in silence areas, but libraries MUST be conversation places, meeting places, and information places.
Love your blog, also.
December 12th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Did anyone else viewing this say, “Hey, I know those kids! Don’t they go to my library?” I’m intrigued to try this at my library – with adults and children as well as teens.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:06 am
[...] at the Creekview High School in Canton, Georgia, took a video camera and asked some of her students what they think makes a library a library.” Note the refreshing lack of silence in the [...]
January 29th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
[...] What makes a library a library? [...]
March 6th, 2010 at 5:01 am
[...] strikes a good balance between concrete practical tips and tricks, and reflective analysis of wider issues related to librarianship and [...]