Sentimentality as a danger to libraries

 

A good friend, knowing my love of both reading and libraries, sent me the following quote:

On the power of books:

"Books hold most of the secrets of the world, most of the thoughts that men and women have had. And when you are reading a book, you and the author are alone together—just the two of you. A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people—people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book." from Letters to the Children of Troy by EB White

I recognize and share the sentiments expressed by Mr. White. I’ve often felt comforted by reading a book and spending time in a physical library - especially as a child and young adult. 

But I worry that White’s feelings are those of a time and generation now past. And that if we assume libraries exist primarily to provide psychological comfort to people through access to physical books, we are doing modern libraries a disservice.

Yes, for some people, all types of libraries provide a “third place” environment. But for many, it is the socialization, not isolation that White describes, as the library's primary value. A passive rather than active place seems to me to be a tougher sell to those who may not have a sentimental attachment to quiet, old-fashioned libraries.

As for being buried in a book, White’s letter was written in the early 1970s to the children of Troy, Michigan (not Homer’s Troy) and so predates the ebook as well as most electronic forms of both personal entertainment and information. It wasn’t until 1989 or so that I installed an early digital encyclopedia in my library media center. Yes, print books are still widely used and loved, especially by young children and older adults. But for many of us, being engaged in a book means making sure your Kindle or iPad or smartphone is fully charged.

I get as much or more value from my public library today as I ever have. But I very rarely darken its door. I check out all my materials electronically from home. I read more in retirement than I have ever had time to when working. But I almost never read a print book. I do keep a few well-loved print tomes in my home bookshelves, but the mass of my purchased materials sit in some Amazon cloud. Times they are a changin’. Or for younger generations, already changed.

The fellow who sent me this quote is one of the most intelligent people I know. He keeps informed, especially on education and technology, and is in fact a highly regarded expert in the field. But it bothers me a little that a person so well informed about so many things might see the value of libraries still accurately reflected in this quote rather than the diverse, multi-platform, multi-function institution professional librarians have been struggling to make them over the past few decade.

Fellow librarians, our work is not yet done!

Comments

[Jeri Hurd]

While I completely agree with you about library nostalgia (as the IB calls it) speaking as the self-named "Third Space Librarian," (!) I think your use of "third space" here--library as an emotional escape for kids out-of-step with their peers-- limits the meaning of the term, at least as currently used. A Third Space library actually provides ( or at least promotes) all those connections. It's a place to spark conversation, helping students link academic content with their own interests to create new, personal meaning.

But, yes, library nostalgia is a HUGE problem for us! In my first library position, I wanted to make a learning commons, and they took out all my posters and beanbag chairs to bring in archival school photos and green lampshades. I left.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Jeri,

How nice to see your comment! I hope your new stateside job is going well.

Yes, a third space library had broader meaning than perhaps I implied. I appreciate the clarification. Even when planning a new library here in MN in 1990, we envisioned portions of our new facility to be used for social interaction, not just individual or quiet study. We just didn't know what the term was at the time.

All the best,

Doug

[Terry]

Libraries have many generations to support. In time the physical space and physical books may shrink until they ……..