Utne Reader article and Brooklyn librarian manifesto on our themes for this week

This summer the Utne Reader web site published a short article entitled Knowledge for Sale by Chris Dodge, which echoes many of Buschman's themes in a briefer more accessible style (ie. perhaps suitable for posting to SLIS-DISCUSS and getting reaction). Here's a slice:

Can libraries muster the political support they need to be funded adequately? Ralph Nader has called for federal library help, noting 'an aircraft carrier currently costs about $4 billion, while libraries currently receive about $110 million yearly.' One obstacle, writes library advocate Ed D'Angelo (www.blackcrow.us), is that policy makers increasingly view public libraries as 'an inessential social service for the unemployed, or even as frivolous entertainment.'

Local citizens, meanwhile, have voted to build new urban showcase libraries, structures that local leaders hope will revitalize downtown areas. The spectacular new Seattle Public Library designed by, among others, the firm of renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, is one example. Despite critical raves, the building seems made to awe and befuddle rather than function smoothly as a house of knowledge. Escalators go to the top floor but don't return from there, stairs are for emergency use only, and just three elevators serve 11 stories and a basement parking garage (costing as much as four dollars an hour). A bright and glassy new library in Salt Lake City has a mall-like foyer lined with shops selling coffee, sandwiches, and gifts. In Minneapolis a new central library with a 'green roof' is scheduled to open next year, following recent layoffs and reduced service at the branches. A number of other cities have new trophy libraries of their own.

One concern is that, in the name of giving people what they want, the new libraries of the future will be closer in spirit to amusement complexes -- centers offering corporate-sponsored 'edutainment' spectacles and tiered services to a paying clientele. In fact, some administrators have already embraced library partnerships with Starbucks, McDonald's, and other companies as 'creative' ways to make up public funding shortfalls. This trend should surprise no one. Libraries are increasingly modeled on big business and directed not by librarians but by executives who are apt to have read more management books than literature.

The reference to Brooklyn Public librarian Ed D'Angelo is from his manifesto where he also echoes Buschman (but does not cite him) in a lengthy piece entitled "Barbarians at the Gates of the Public Library: How Postmodern Consumer Capitalism Threatens Democracy, Civil Education and the Public Good" (find it at http://www.blackcrow.us/index.htm):

Public libraries account for a miniscule portion of government expenditures and are the first to be cut when budgets fall short. Government policymakers view public libraries as a dispensable supplement to the public school system, an inessential social service for the unemployed, or even as frivolous entertainment at public expense. So why should we care if the barbarians crash the gates of the public library? Of what great significance to the state and its public would that be?

The answer is that government policymakers have missed the most important function of a public library, which is to promote and sustain the knowledge and values necessary for a democratic civilization. Conversely, the condition of public libraries may be taken as a litmus test for the state of democratic civilization. Any threat to the core values of a democratic civilization will be reflected in the state of our public libraries; and, any threat to our public libraries will weaken our democracy.

The main body of this work is occupied with an analysis of postmodern consumer capitalism and its effects on democratic civilization. We will find that postmodern consumer capitalism threatens the rational public sphere of discourse which is essential to a functional democracy. Postmodern consumer capitalism transforms discourse into a private consumer product and as such reduces knowledge to mere information or entertainment. But for the reasons given above I have framed my analysis of postmodern consumer capitalism with a discussion about the public library. The public library may be like the proverbial canary in the mine -- the first to go when the air is poisoned. It is uniquely positioned to feel the effects of a declining democratic civilization; and it is the first to go when knowledge gets reduced to information and entertainment.

Might be interesting to try to figure out where in the profession and in the press these sentiments are being expressed -- certainly Buschman is not the only one wrestling with these ideas. Is the common thread "neoliberalism," or consumerism, or shrinking funding for all aspects of local government? How should library professionals and advocates be framing these issues on a practical basis? Do all of these different views agree on the place and purpose of "the library" in modern global society?

Thoughts on Dismantling
I also found some difficulty at times distinguishing between when Buschman uses sources and when he uses his own voice which caused a lot of page-turning and some re-reading --talk about exercises for the brain! But seriously, I found Buschman to be verbose, but challenging, in thinking about libraries and their future. Especially interesting was a remark he made during a talk given in 2004, On Libraries and the Public Sphere. He said, "Aping business rhetoric and models doesn’t save libraries, it transforms them into something else. We’re a profession and an institution in crisis because we have a structural contradiction between our purposes and practices as they’ve historically evolved and our adaptation to the current environment."

My thoughts

Is it because reading in English is always difficult to me (even Harry Potter, well, sometimes) that I didn’t find the book particularly more difficult than the others? Actually, the book is kind of illuminating – it answers some questions that are always on my mind. The power of market and economy, the change of the many fields toward economy-driven, market-oriented ones, the missing of the traditional values and many others issues are just what are happening in my own country and what have been confusing me so much when I tried to think of some problems. My issue is not about the author’s sharp arguments which seem very convincing to me, but the future standpoint of our field which the author claims very idealistically. If people (in general, not the philosophers) are greatly influenced and adapting this new public philosophy, do we have the power to stand up against it? BTW, this is the only book that I finished well ahead of class so far :P

Let The Complaining Begin!

First, to comment on Bridget's observation of Buschman's use of citations:

Stylistically, I don't think that he is doing a good job of integrating his source material with his own ideas. This is probably Katy as Compositionist coming out here, but it isn't always clear in Buschman's writing to whom certain ideas are attributed. This can lead to the illusion that some ideas/approaches are actually coming from him rather than those sources. It also means that when he is discussing multiple theorists, it becomes difficult to discern which author he is actually referencing. As a reader, I shouldn't have to keep flipping back to the endnotes to determine this. Also, I think that too often he lets others (those he references) speak for him. And he also isn't very critical of the sources he favors - more about that in my next point.

Second:

I want to preface this complaint by stating that it is NOT a defense of some of the extremes of post-modernism, but....

Why is it that when Buschman discusses the 'evils' of post-modernsim that he uses some of the most extreme examples of this type of thought? And, when he discusses Habermas, he says that we can't do what he is doing to post-modernists - he tells us that we need to consider x and y, despite z. Isn't this a bit contradictory and, to be honest, unfair? I sense a faulty use of logic in this method of argumentation. And I don't think that he reads Habermas as critically as he should - even someone embracing Habermas the way Buschman does needs to be a bit more reflective about the theoretical approach and its implications.

Third:

One of the biggest "ack!" moments of my rereading of this book occured on page 39 where Buschman conflates Critical Theory and the Frankfurt School. The Frankfurt School is one approach (or group of similar approaches) to the notion of critical theory. That, coupled with Buschman's statement that Critical Theory involves "pessimism of total domination of people and societies by capitalism" demonstrates his ignorance of varied approaches that might be termed Critical Theories.

I'm done for now, but I'm sure I'll find more to pick at later ;-)

More about UW and Community

Did anyone go to the Plan 2008 event last month? My students were asked to go to it for the lead course in our FIG, but I never heard much about it. For their other course, they are preparing an exhibit (of their own design!) about community at UW. It will be displayed in Memorial Union in early December. When I know more about the actual exhibit and display period, I can fill in those who are interested. Then we can all see how a group of first year students defined and represented community on campus.

Americanization

Dain mentions about the three viewpoints about Americanization and points out the librarians at the New York Public Library leaned toward the “cultural pluralism” concept of Americanization. Fain seems to suggest that libraries were vehicles for “melting pot” (the second concept that Dain mentions) approach. They might be different approaches and they might reflect different ideas and values, but I’m thinking, the results were probably the same – a unique American culture was created (and still being created). Are there still the three different conceptions toward Americanization today? Or are there other viewpoints? The readings for this course really remind me that there is so much that I do not know about American culture.
I like the idea that Fain conveys at the end of her article that libraries were crucial for certain individuals not “because of its special programs for immigrants or because of the social reform views of its employees, but because it was the major source of influential books which transmitted powerful ideas and changed lives.” The standards, values and ideals of the library profession might be changing over time because of the influence of various external social forces and also because of its own perception and knowledge about the society and its own power and limit, but the most important value remains over time, that is to serve knowledge to its patrons, which makes the library so valuable and powerful.

Immigrants in Libraries

I got a kick out of Axel Josephson's response to the remarks given by the Library Journal editor in Fain's article (p. 261). The suspicious part of me wonders if the objection of foreign language materials had to do solely with wanting to "[promote] good citizenship" or if it was something more than that.

One paragraph in the Dain article felt to me as condescending towards the new immigrants (p. 256 starting with "For the 'new' immigrants, were, for many reasons, not natural library users..."). Later, the recollections of a retired New York City school teacher and school principal stated, "Those who could read were too busy with the laundry, cooking, shopping, and baby after baby." Yet, I have to remember that this was written in the time when immigrants were viewed as uncultured. Oh, wait, is that current times, too?

In beginning my research into graphic novels in public libraries, I've been reading a little more on the controversy in Denver regarding Spanish fotonovelas. From the Denver Post, Aug. 12: Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., said, "he was not dealing with the novella issue but favors the library's removal of questionable items - including those in English and other languages."
'With the few dollars that they have to spend, they would choose to spend it on that garbage, rather than spending it on something uplifting and, by the way, in English,' Tancredo said. 'They choose to use materials of such little redeeming social value, like a trashy comic book.'

Are we back to how libraries must uplift the masses by instilling social values again? Talk about full circle...

More About Disabilities

To piggyback on Jacob's comments, I just want to add that it seemed like McCook was defining disabilities as physical or visible disabilities. I kept looking for more about working with people who have invisible disabilities such as one or more of the myriad of learning disabilities, AD(H)D, MS, chronic pain, etc. Conflating all types of disabilities into one giant "disabilities" umbrella term is short-sighted and careless, at best, and recklessly indifferent, at worst.

Re: Common Sense

To me (and I see to some others as well) this book presented common sense applications. Libraries are vital to communities and they play a major role - yep, got it. I agree with Bridget that it appears the book is written for another audience - not necessarily for librarians only. Given the book is 5 years old, has there been an increase about the place of libraries in communities in others' writings? What has librarians' responses been to McCook's call for participation in the community?

Where oh where to put the new Fitchburg library?

From the Capital Times today, a report on how a nearby community is debating the role of, and site for, a proposed new public library.

Site pick for Fitchburg library to follow hearing

By Cliff Miller
Correspondent for The Capital Times
October 12, 2005

A special committee will write the next installment in the saga of Fitchburg's quest for its first library next week, but the panel first will take one more reading of residents' opinions.
The Library Committee will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the Senior Center at City Hall, followed immediately by a committee meeting to choose between two proposed library sites, chairperson Jayne Kuehn said.

The sites are a portion of McKee Farms Park near McKee and Fish Hatchery roads and a section of Fitchburg Center Park near the City Hall/Community Center at Fish Hatchery and Lacy roads.

Kuehn said the two sites share one advantage: Both are already owned by the city. Privately owned sites were explored in hopes a developer might provide land for a library as an attraction in a new subdivision, but the search came up empty, she said.

The effort by residents to persuade the city to build a library goes back about three years. City officials created the 13-member committee to formalize the process, but City Council members and Mayor Tom Clauder also said they want the issue put to a referendum before they decide whether to back it.

It will be some time before a referendum is held, even if next week's hearing and committee meeting result in a site choice. "That's just the first hurdle," Kuehn said.

The committee has chosen, in a competitive process, the Milwaukee office of HG&A architects, a national firm with libraries as one of its specialties. The architects and other consultants will determine costs after construction and design details are worked out as dictated by the chosen site.

"Once we get through the basics we have a big sales job ahead of us," she said.

Choosing between the two sites means wading through a thicket of pros and cons on each.

There is currently no bus service to the City Hall site; there is service to the McKee area. Residential population surrounding City Hall is thin; McKee Park is within walking distance of densely populated residential areas including Ridgewood Country Club Apartments a mile or so north.

But Kuehn said the city's growth is moving southeast toward the City Hall complex, and she is confident that bus service will follow. The site contains about 10 acres, meaning ample space for parking in addition to a single story library of about 36,000 square feet. A library would enhance the City Hall site as a community center, she added.

At McKee, potential parking space is limited and the library may have to be built on more than one level.

In either case the library would be designed for expansion but would meet state requirements to serve the city's expected population for 20 years.

The committee has held several listening sessions to learn what residents want in a library and whether they want one at all. For now the Dane County Bookmobile visits the city twice per month.

Any insights from our class so far which can be applied to this debate?

Common Sense?

I'm feeling a little cranky because of this book. Of course, it might just be that I'm tired.

It seems as if a lot of what is in here is common sense. Her message seems to be: if you want to get involved in the community, you have to learn about it (hello! isn't this written for librarians, people who know how to aquire information) and then to actually do something. once we do this, the library can take a more prominent place (and, as McCook might say, its rightful place) in the development of the community.

I guess that what I am trying to say/get at, is that a lot of her suggestions seem to introduce ideas already part of library education (well, at least here at slis). I don't feel as if she is telling me something new, and I expect everything I read to tell me something new (even if it is just a little bit of newness or new perspective).

blah!

Libraries as Government

I'm still reading, but I came across the section in which McCook reminds readers that libraries are government entities and that they should work from this angle, using that connection to get that 'place at the table'. I'm wondering what the implications and ramifications of this might be. It seems that, although libraries are publicly funded entities - and thus part of the govt. project - that libraries hide this affiliation (at least, somewhat) to make themselves inviting places for all people. What happens when the library, as government entity, takes a more forceful and vocal role?

That Novel - 2nd Attempts

Blogger hates me.

I really don't have an issue with the use of the novel to show a reflection of how life might have been. I've seen it done before - especially in the context of the Middle Passage. The reason, though, that I don't have a problem with it is that it is framed in terms of this "might" tell us something about the cultural values of this group. Also, I didn't get the feeling that Beck was trying to say that this was true for all Russian jewish immigrants. I think that he was trying to explain a larger trend within a group.

Mark your calendars: Room change Oct 21

Just got this in the mail from Jay:

There is a conflict with your 544-950 class in the Conference Room on
Friday, October 21. The L&S Board of Visitors has reserved the
Conference Room that morning for possible use by their members if needed
(they are using the Commons too).

I checked with Awa Zhu and the Computer Lab in the SLIS Library is
available at that time. With this email I'm asking that she go ahead
and reserve the Computer Lab for your class on Friday, October 21 from
9:00-11:30 a.m.

So mark the date and alternate location in your calendars ...

Patrons

Beck's article does show the "tunnel vision" of Harris in his account of library patrons. However, it also brings me some confusion. Beginning with a critique on how Harris and Ditzion examine the origins of public libraries, Beck's account actually has nothing to do with the origins of public libraries. It's a good point to criticizing Harris that "himself expresses elitism by generalizing about the lower classes and by stating that workers and immigrants had little or no desire for education," but why is it necessary to examine the social and cultural conditions of the library patrons in order to understand why public libraries came into being? If the patrons did play an important role in the origins of the public libraries, I would really like to hear Beck's illustration on this point. This would make his argument more powerful and this article more interesting to thought.

Well, my question somewhat deviates the main topic of this week, but I keep wondering the role that patrons could play in the development of public libraries and what we can learn from it.

Elites and Immigrants

I think that the point Irene brings up from the texts is important to a number of our readings - particularly, I think, the earlier (date-wise) texts. Basically, that point is that it is always more complicated than an either/or situation. The binaries just don't work.

I'm really sad that I am missing class this week - I really wanted to be there for this set of readings. It is rainy and cold up here in Houghton, MI (location of the Feminism(s) and Rhetoric( s) Conference). Happily, wireless access is VERY available. I will 'talk' to y'all about the readings after I present my paper tomorrow!