Quote:
Originally Posted by mldavis2
I'm not a librarian, but I think one very important facet of libraries is missing from this thread. Good librarians don't just shelve books and check them out. They are a valuable resource in helping people find books of interest for research or just plain reading. They can get to know patrons and, like the owner of a neighborhood bookseller, they can steer readers to new and unknown authors, more appropriate levels of reading material and be an inspiration to head off into new genres. They can assist younger readers in finding material appropriate to their reading level, monitor progress and push them a bit farther in their reading and comprehensive skills. They can steer them to 'must-read' classics to provide background for future critique of literature. They organize book discussion groups and assist in obtaining an adequate number of copies for the group to read simultaneously. And, from a previous comment, they help make people comfortable while in the library.  |
I think you are confusing book sellers with librarians. In recent years many public libraries have taken on the appearance of retail book shops though. IMO this is mostly a good thing. The next step is to give the librarians a cut of the revenue earned from the book sale that happens as a result of their recommendation, to be paid after the patron has read the book. Libraries will still be funded by the public in a copyright free world, indeed how could they ever not be??
I say we don't vote for anyone who's main platform isn't a 1000000% increase in library funding.