Municipal libraries will soon be outsourced, away from being unionized. The NYT article mentioned a lady who had come to the library for 50 years (not being territorial, she must have felt somewhat invaded). So she signed up 1200 petitions against outsourcing. This was her second protest since her first (probably against the war) back in 1969.
Libraries and books are going through change. First Google scanned the books. Then E readers allow the public to read multiple content on one digital platform.
Now this (outsourcing library operations, as would the War in Iraq, or bullet train in the State).
By the way, the company, LSSI, used to provide software service for Federal government. I can see where this is going: libraries turn internet cafe (would you want cream with it?). Starbucks watch out!!! It’s like Tech Museum down the street, complete with gifts and bookmarks.
My local library has been under renovation for two years now. I am sure by the time it is reopened, things won’t be the same. Probably with more internet stations.
In Los Angeles, the city library got relocated to a more prominent facility after the fire.
It is an architectural marvel.
But the structure and civic surrounding came across as impersonal.
Reading is an interaction: reader and text.
Private space is needed for reflection.
Hard to concentrate when next to you is a homeless man.
Unless you too are becoming one.
Ever since the invention of the press (Westminster), we saw unprecedented growth but not much evolution of words in print, until now.
This decade will see pivotal change in how thoughts are communicated (links, twitter analytics called trendly etc…)
I got rid of my land line phone, then the fax machine and the answering machine. Pretty soon, my dvd player and perhaps, someday, my TV.
(Apple TV anyone?).
Just like the Ipad which is a relaunch of Mac Notebook, now serves as a disruptive force to the laptop. Watch out RIM, Dell!
So our libraries are going through downsizing, digitizing, and even ditching.
OUch.
Last bastion of public square. Guardian of sacred thoughts gets a make over. Free thinking results in free enterprise. Only that it is too close to home, or should I say,
too close to this sanctuary called the Library.
Thang Nguyen 555 