Attending SU, and working at the Fayetteville Free Library, I sometimes forget that the world I'm immersed in is many ways idealistic. I take it for granted that having a vibrant, living library built around community and conversations rather than books is a good thing, and I assume that if such an endeavor is successful, everyone will be happy about it. The feedback from my patrons overwhelmingly shows that the library is giving them what they want. So I was startled when I had the following encounter this afternoon:
Patron: Can I ask you a question?
Me: Sure!
Patron: Do you ever have authors in here for book signings?
Me: Sometimes! We even-
Patron: You should really clear all this (gestures to DVD shelving) out and do stuff like that more often instead of this video game nonsense you're promoting.
Me: Well, we try to have something for everyone.
Patron: But that defeats the whole purpose of the library!
Me: But think, if we can get teenagers in through the doors, we have a better chance of getting them interested in other things!
Patron: Well, that's true....
I'm grateful for the reality check. Not that 21st century libraries don't blow their predecessors out of the water, but it's not right to assume that everyone defines libraries the way I do. Moreover, it's super important for us to remember that there are those who are not only not interested in innovative library services, but who are actually threatened by their presence. So yes, let's keep solving problems, starting new conversations and expanding the scope of libraries' missions, but always be ready to defend our choices.
At Fayetteville, we've been loud about the fact that we're "Not your grandmother's library!", but what we haven't been so explicit about (and what I hadn't realized until today needed to be said) is that, no, we aren't JUST your grandmother's library, but we are still her library, and yours, and your child's as well.
As harsh as this man's criticism seemed to me (us 21st century librarians aren't fond of being told to get back in our box where we belong), it was an honest expression of a completely valid point of view. I'm all for being radical and innovative and expanding our reach, but in our rush to the new frontiers of libraryland, let's make sure we don't leave anyone behind.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A quick update
Spring semester is here! Today marks the official start of classes, although I've been engaged in my fieldwork since last week. I expect this to be my busiest semester, as I'm juggling three regular classes, 100 hours of not for credit fieldwork, regular work and a variety of other activities.
In spite of that, I'm hoping for this to be a more balanced semester. I have a better idea this time of what I'm capable of, and how hard I'll have to work. I can also look back on last semester and see what I did right and what mistakes I made.
On the plus side: Coming to Syracuse was a great decision. Putting in the time to cultivate friendships with my classmates was well worth it. I've discovered a new passion for trivia. I love my job and don't regret taking on as many hours as I have.
On the other hand, I can see now that I was so excited by the buffet of library-related projects and information that I spread myself too thin. I'll accomplish more if I allow myself to focus on the things that are most important to me personally. I also let some things slip in my personal life, losing sight of interests that I consider central to who I am. I recognize that graduate school is not life, but it will shape my life, and I don't want to give up things that matter to me. With that in mind, I'm making a point of staying active, and I've signed up for the Iron Girl in order to have a goal.
All in all, I think I'm closer to my ideal self than I was at the beginning of summer. I'm discovering more things that I need to work on - my fieldwork experience has shown me that my shyness is a huge problem that I need to make a point of overcoming - but it's fair to say that I am more confident and self-directed than I've been in the past. So onward....
In spite of that, I'm hoping for this to be a more balanced semester. I have a better idea this time of what I'm capable of, and how hard I'll have to work. I can also look back on last semester and see what I did right and what mistakes I made.
On the plus side: Coming to Syracuse was a great decision. Putting in the time to cultivate friendships with my classmates was well worth it. I've discovered a new passion for trivia. I love my job and don't regret taking on as many hours as I have.
On the other hand, I can see now that I was so excited by the buffet of library-related projects and information that I spread myself too thin. I'll accomplish more if I allow myself to focus on the things that are most important to me personally. I also let some things slip in my personal life, losing sight of interests that I consider central to who I am. I recognize that graduate school is not life, but it will shape my life, and I don't want to give up things that matter to me. With that in mind, I'm making a point of staying active, and I've signed up for the Iron Girl in order to have a goal.
All in all, I think I'm closer to my ideal self than I was at the beginning of summer. I'm discovering more things that I need to work on - my fieldwork experience has shown me that my shyness is a huge problem that I need to make a point of overcoming - but it's fair to say that I am more confident and self-directed than I've been in the past. So onward....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)