February 2012

Libraries are not in the construction business

Social constructionism, constructivism, post-structuralism, standpoint epistemology, deconstructionism….ever heard of these? Chance are, if you’ve taken a look at some of the recent literature in the philosophical aspects of librarianship, you’ve come across these and/or similar theories. Variously lumped together under the aegis of postmodernism, these theories are distinct, yet they are united through a common belief that we have no epistemic access to a mind-independent reality. Some of these theories go even further and claim not only that we can’t know anything about the world outside of ourselves, but that there isn’t even an objective, mind-independent reality at all—reality is subjective. In effect, these theories advocate various forms of relativism. I’ve criticized this type of relativistic thinking in previous posts, but perhaps it’s time to clarify. Specifically, I want to explain why relativism, in all of its forms, is harmful to librarianship. This type of thinking is self-refuting, it impedes learning, it disenfranchises those who most need our help, it obstructs social progress, and it erodes the value of libraries in society.

From Philly.com a report on South Korean journalists visit to the city of Camden NJ, where the abandoned library “has a tree growing through its roof”. Camden is the second most dangerous city in the US, and the foreign journalists were shocked by the poverty and crime.

Maybe if Governor Christie put some effort into helping that city restore its library and its community the situation would improve for the youth of Camden NJ.

Book by the Snead & Co. Iron Works – Library planning, bookstacks and shelving (Full text at Google books – click on book cover at Google to see full text)

Here is a 1908 version of the book at Internet Archive: Book stack and shelving for libraries

Wikipedia entry for Angus Snead Macdonald
Excerpt: Angus Snead Macdonald was an American architect and businessman; from 1915 to 1952 the president of Snead and Company. This company manufactured the cast iron book stacks found in libraries all over the world in the beginning of the 20th century including the Washington DC Public Library and Harvard’s Widener Library. After World War I Angus Snead Macdonald would lead Snead and Company to revolutionize and standardize library book stacks.

Athenaeums are social libraries, cornerstones of a community where you don’t just borrow books – you can visit cherished antiquities, hold talks, attend parties – and even bring your dog. In Providence, R.I., the “Ath” is a 19th-century library with the soul of a 21st-century rave party.

See full story

Article discusses the “Right to Be Forgotten” laws that some countries are implementing.

Library Workers request No Board report to spur negotiations
The Toronto Public Library (TPL) Workers Union (CUPE Local 4948) has requested the Ministry of Labour issue a “no board” report on its contract negotiations with the Toronto Public Library Board.

Maureen O’Reilly, President of Local 4948, said the union made the no board request because negotiations had reached an impasse. Despite the presence of a conciliator, the employer has not shown any interest in substantive negotiations leading to a collective agreement that would ensure stability and protect the library services Toronto residents depend on. “It’s our members who deliver those services. And our members value the services they deliver just as much as the public does,” said O’Reilly. “But it’s also our members being cut from budgets, and now the Library Board is seeking massive concessions from their contract.

Walden Media Will Adapt Supernatural Librarian Comic ‘Rex Libris’
Walden Media, the company behind the Chronicles of Narnia franchise adaptation, is looking to capitalize on both the supernatural and comic book trend Hollywood loves so damn much now with an adaptation of Rex Libris. Based on James Turner’s comic book of the same name, it centers around a quirky librarian with fists of steel who battles zombies and wrestles monsters in order to protect Middleton Public Library from danger. Hunting down late fees from alien warlords and saving customers from falling into alternate realities is all in a day’s work for Rex, who is a member of a secret society called Ordo Biblioteca. Read on!

Jonathan Franzen: SELL
Toni Morrison: HOLD
Philip Roth: BUY

Article mentions the Ransom Center at the University of Texas has started guessing which authors will have lasting historical import and then buying up their papers.

Details here

There is a story on NPR today: When Disposing Of Sacred Texts, Respect Is Key

This issue is in the news because of the burning of Qurans in Afghanistan. See: In Letter, Obama Apologizes To Karzai For Quran Burnings

In the disposing of religious texts piece people from different religious backgrounds are questioned about disposal of religious texts. Burial and burning are cited several times as correct methods of disposal.

If the U.S. military were to take special steps to dispose of religious texts should libraries be doing the same thing? Religious texts such as bibles and Qurans that are weeded from library collections currently end up in landfills or the recycle bin in some circumstances.

Does your library treat religious texts in the same way as non-religious texts when it comes to disposal? Should libraries treat religious texts differently than non-religious texts?

Why Are We Boycotting Elsevier?

Walking away isn’t always easy. It means we won’t be able to submit our work to many journals, some of them with strong reputations. We may have to turn down review requests from friends who serve as editors. We may have to explain to tenure and promotion committees that our choices were made to further knowledge, and furthering knowledge is at least as important as building our reputations. This is why we should congratulate all those who are willing to put their tenure on the line to do the right thing.