The Good Library Blog

Hi. With all the non-fiction available on-line, I would think it was the non-fiction books that had a diminishing place in public libraries. It is the fiction we like to read in print, so I think it would have an increasingy place in public libraries. Cheers.

John

I see from your site that you are a library person- but I don't understand what you mean by "all the non fiction available on line". Which non fiction?

Tim, I presume that John is refering to the millions of websites devoted to various subjects which some might see as an alternative to reading about them from books.

Personally I disagree with this viewpoint. People may well use the internet as a first port of call but will usually read books on a subject that they wish to research in greater depth.

Books are still more convienient and portable, for example taking your laptop along to the allotment in order to follow diagrams on how and where to grow fruit trees is hardly a sensible alternative to bringing a gardening book.

As to your remark about "those who believe that there is no longer a place for fiction in public libraries" who are you refering to? Aside from Yinnon Ezra (who is not a librarian and as far as I can ascertain has never worked in a library regardless of his MLA post) I've not heard anyone suggest that we do away with fiction. Fiction issues are usually far higher than non-fiction (for various reasons) so I can't imagine that it would be a popular view.

Miriam

Good to hear from you. I think we agree about both your points!

In the first I was trying to challenge the careless statements that one does read frequently that say "libraries are finished- it's all on the internet these days" or similar. Of course huge amounts of basic and detailed information are brilliantly available and more accessible than they ever has been; but written and edited non fiction (or illustrated work) is not available freely. So I also think it is misleading to say that "non fiction books have a diminishing role". The newspaper book reviews are not an indicator of anything reliable- but even they seem to find time for works from all parts of the spectrum, from Alastair Campbell's diary to John Carey's work on the role of Art.

Secondly, yes, you are quite right, my remarks about fiction are directed at Yinnon Ezra, Richard Ward, Margaret Snaith and Ken Thornber, the officers and councillors of Hampshire County Council who have been operating their library service for some time on the basis that fiction in libraries is a thing of the past. Yinnon is not a librarian, but Richard is and between them these four have a dominating influence in the third largest council in the country.

What was important was to make people aware that this was happening without them knowing. I don't think I can repeat this message too often until they change or leave.

I would say that it is to the enduring shame of Hampshire County Council, the MLA and the DCMS that they continue to allow this to happen and leave it to people like me and journalists to say how wrong it is. It is time they all showed some courage and firmness of purpose.

Hi Tim and Miriam,

Miriam is correct about the non-fiction resources on the web. There are of course non-fiction and fiction resources all over the web. The web and digital technology are terrific for finding information and for reading short snippets. I don't mind at all reading short snippets on the web; when I do this, I am usually looking for factual information, non-fiction, e.g., directions, health tips, how-to tips, code snippets, titles of books or names of authors. I often scan full journal articles on the web. But when I want to read in depth or read fiction titles, it will always be a book. I find this is a common opinion. Based on that, academic libraries will always have a need for research texts. Public libraries arguably have a diminished role in providing non-fiction resources because the non-fiction needs of the public might be fairly well satisfied by the snippets on the web. However, public libraries should have an increasing role in providing fictional resources. Digital technology allows us to find more titles than ever and publish more cheaply. When we want to read them, we hope the library will have them. Regards.

One more point,

If you challenge me on the point about a potentially diminishing role for non-fiction in public libraries, I will crumble. I do not wish to argue for that, I merely use that to emphasize the point that fiction is easily as important in public libraries as non-fiction.

Thanks.

John

We shall not challenge any more. You are most welcome-- where are you based?

tim

Hi Tim, I am a library student at UWO in London, Ontario while working full-time as IT Specialist. I live in Thorndale, Ontario, a small rural town near London. Looking forward to following your blog. John

I won't challenge you John but I'd suggest that the role is changing rather than diminishing. Don't under-estimate public library users, they often do in-depth research too. I have seen a rise in non-fiction issues so there is certainly still a demand for them :)

Susan was talking about a school library yes? They are, in my experience, very keen to promote fiction. And indeed non-fiction, for developing research skills.
I was disappointed recently on visiting Sheffield Central library; it's fiction stock wasn't great. That said, I haven't seen any Sheffield branches, which may be superb.