“member” vs “customer”

I love this idea of making library users into library members: “Sometimes the switch from using “customer” to using something warmer is too ridiculous to swallow. I will never, no matter how many times I am referred to as one, feel like a “guest” at Target. But I think it possible that a customer who […]

250 British Libraries scheduled to close

Catherine Bennett in the Observer, in regards to 250 British libraries scheduled for closure: “By the time experts have established that, where the alleviation of ignorance, illiteracy, isolation, helplessness, unemployment, infirmity, boredom, neglect and poverty are concerned, libraries do, after all, offer something culturally irreplaceable, they will be gone.” Well this just sucks.

Garth Nix had the right idea….

lirael cover

I’m increasingly convinced that if Librarians and Library staff carried swords – and knew how to use them – the whole Library profession would be taken a lot more seriously. Swords send the immediate visual message that the information and services we provide are valuable, and that we are willing to fight to protect your […]

The Wall Street Journal doesn’t understand the difference between books and a Library…

WSJ photo of Library worker demonstrating the digitally locked cubby. This article really annoyed me, because it’s got both Library folks and the general public focusing on the wrong issues. There’s nothing wrong with the book vending machines themselves – the danger here is the assumption that all libraries do is lend books. If our […]