I came upon this article today which talks about the Brooklyn Public Library. It talks about how the new director wishes to shake up some preconceptions about what libraries are like. So what does she do? She invites rock bands to play, tells librarians to stop their "shushing", and says that talking in the library is alright. Dionne Mack-Harvin, the new director says,"We've moved away from what some consider the 'shushing library' model of the past, from being a sterile, educational place that's somewhat elitist...to being a community space where everyone walking in the door can find a place for themselves". In fact, the article reports that she "is so determined to end the shushing that librarians from all 60 branches have been attending training sessions to get the word out about her approach"
So what do you think about this? Are libraries sterile places that should be quiet and serene? Do you feel as if you want to be in a community center or in a museum? I think there are limitations and definite differences between academic and public libraries, but it all depends on who your audience is, right? Right?! Check out this article from the New York Daily News and let us know what you think an academic library in the future should be like.
SHELBY, JOYCE. "LIBRARIES FIND NEW VOICE. They're community centers, says chief who bans hushing." DAILY NEWS New York 23 Sep. 2007, sports final ed.: 1. LexisNexis Academic Universe. Roosevelt University. 11 Oct. 2007
The differences are to some extent arbitrary and unnecessary. Someone could see many books as a museum. Someone could see the communication in a library as a community center. I do not see the need to put a wall between the idea of a library and a museum and a community center. All those purposes and concepts are involved. Saying one can never talk and needs to shh is sometimes valid and sometimes not depending on the community needs at the time.
What I did want to say is I think blogs have a potential for conflict as do library labor and credit issues. What if a good idea is posted here; who gets credit for it? What if a good idea is found in a library database and used even with credit or citation?
There are rock bands playing whatever model is used. Music is here and some people hear the music irregardless of whether or not the band actually plays out loud.
I wrote also on this in a 2005 letter to the editor to several journals and library resources. Quietness in a library may have been contributed to by monastic communities role in libraries. Monks kept books, monks stayed quiet, hence quietness in libraries. Quietness is not necessary as part of a library possibly a relic of monastic control to some degree as well as a need to concentrate.
Posted by: James T. Struck | October 25, 2007 at 07:24 PM