The Good Library Blog

Dear Mr. Coates, how fortuitous to have stumbled upon your blog link while reading the article in the Guardian to which you're referring in this post. I'm going to bookmark this site as I have enjoyed perusing it. I work at a public library across the pond, in the Chicago suburbs, and from reading all the comments at the Guardian site I feel as though libraries in this area must be very different from the majority of libraries in the UK, or at least those libraries talked about in the comments. I am the program coordinator for my library, thus I book all the speakers, music acts, authors, etc., who come here to put on programs. I also started up a writers' group for local people interested in the subject, and am rolling out our first online classics book group in September. I enjoy writing very much, and review for publishers in the US and UK, so started a book and film review for my library, plus I blog on bookish topics for the library system (Northwest Suburban), as well: http://blogs.nsls.info/thebook/ Our library system is a veritable cornucopia of books in all subjects, as well as audio books, CDs, DVDs, you name it. I feel we are very responsive to the needs of the patrons, though of course you can't please everyone all the time. But you are right, it's up to the library to bend over backwards for the patrons, and not vice versa. We are in the public sector, thus are public servants. Service is key, as is hiring people who know what's what in every area to keep our catalog filled with materials people actually would like to borrow. We weed materials constantly, and add materials constantly, but we're fortunate to be well-funded, which not every library is. I think that may be one key, having the money to provide all the varied services public libraries should provide. It's not the only thing, certainly, but it is a very big obstacle. My own biggest obstacle is either apathy or sheer busy-ness of the patrons, as programs I spend hours planning are sometimes well attended and sometimes not attended at all. Getting the attention of a very busy public is a difficult thing, but I do my best. I'm not sure what the solution is here, but am quite passionate about public libraries in general, so had to send you a note. Apologies for the length and rambling nature!

Dear Lisa

How very kind of you to write. It's really good to hear from you. Tell us more about your life and your library .. and pass the blog to your friends. What is your programme (program!) in the next few months?

Tim

I was likewise a bookseller and former partner in this bookshop: http://www.tudorrose-books.com/ My business partner's still in the business, but I branched off first into book searching, then moved into book reviewing, and now of course am at the library AND still doing the reviewing. Phew! As my library system blog is says, "the book's the thing" for me. I appreciate that you're so very passionate about the role of books in libraries, and will covertly dare to agree libraries should be more about them. As program(me) coordinator I view my role as the person who gets people into the library so they see the books, then hopefully they'll actually check a few out. (Well, the ones I haven't checked out as I seem to have half the library at home at any given time...) As for my upcoming program(mes!), this summer I'm putting on two outdoor music concerts (one Creole, one folk). We have a lovely terrace, as well as a nice lawn that is NEVER USED. Can't have that! Pave the way, I say, and let the rest follow your example. I'm also showing films every other Monday, which has also NEVER BEEN DONE here, at least for adults. "Calendar Girls" is on for July 31! Feel free to stop by... Summer programming is light, but I'm also offering regular daytime "scrap booking" program(mes!), which is fairly popular with ladies into crafty sorts of things. Not bookish, I know, but again it's getting them through the doors. I'm also just starting to plan our next One Book/Two Villages community read. I instituted the program this past March, for the first time, and we read Fahrenheit 451. Turnout was abysmal, despite hiring Bradbury's biographer to come and speak (he was fascinating), showing the Truffaut film, and holding two book discussions. Crossing fingers for better turnout next year. I'm only part-time but the above, plus reviewing and blogging, really keeps me hopping. My, am I long-winded!

Lisa

Is yours a big library? Where in Chicago? More than half the hits on the site are from America so you may get some audience by telling everyone on here. Do.

Tim

I work for the Algonquin Area Public Library District, which serves the communities of Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and bits and pieces of surrounding communities. The combined population of the area we serve is probably around 50,000 - 55,000 or so. We have two libraries in town, the older is now the branch and the newer was built in 2001. The newer one is just lovely, on lots of open land and for now in a fairly undeveloped area.

By the way, was also intrigued by your post on whether the library degree should be required or not. I don't have one, and am really befuddled as to whether I should get it or not. Here you really need it in order to advance, but I dread spending the money then having it become obsolete. I hold a B.A. in English literature and really wonder if there's anything I need to know that I couldn't be taught on the job. At this point, having been there only ten months, I really can't judge that. I'm still researching and am considering distance learning as an option.