Anonymous Patron writes “AP Wire: Following a public outcry, Gwinnett County Public Library officials are expected Wednesday to restore funding for Spanish-language fiction.
The library’s Board of Trustees will hold a called meeting to ratify the decision before the library’s budget year begins July 1, officials said.
“We heard from people on both sides of the issue and we heard from a lot of the press,” board Chairman Lloyd Breck said. “We are choosing to restore that line item. … We were not trying to send any signal, but everyone seemed to think we were.”
The board decided earlier this month to cut $3,000 for Spanish translations of popular books. Afterward, board members received letters and e-mails from as far away as California and New Zealand from writers, professors and editors.”
A librarian in Florida too
I sent them a letter telling them that ILL for Spanish language materials would be a lot more expensive than just buying the books. I clarified the need for the collection and even offered to set it up for them as I had started a Spanish language collection in my previous library.
I wonder if it was my offer to help, or the part about “I know that librarians and community leaders will spread the word in Gwinett’s Spanish speaking neighborhoods. I know that one librarian has made up a flyer to distribute to all of the Mexican markets in the area explaining how to use ILL, and that it is a free service to all library cardholders.” (I didn’t mention that librarian was me.)
I also noted that I was certain this would be discussed at the annual ALA meeting and that lots of librarians were going to bombard them with mail. Now I did mail them, and one board member even responded, but I volunteered to go to Duluth and set them straight on my own dime.
Anyway I’m glad they saw the error of their ways.
Re:A librarian in Florida too
That was a great offer. Though I doubt the offer is what swayed them. I’d prefer to think that the world revolves around intelligence but the cynic in me has doubt.