The Bookless Library: A Paradox Unto Itself

This past week the Twittersphere has been bombarded with the 'earth-shattering' news out of Texas that a library in Bexar County will open the first 100% digital public library in the United States. That is to say, there will be absolutely no books available – in physical form. Instead, patrons will be able to access a large collection of e-books and databases from the rows upon rows of Mac computers. Essentially, the library (dubbed “BiblioTech”….how exotic!) will be an Apple Store with a reference desk instead of a Genius Bar. Many academic institutions having been establishing bookless libraries over the past few years but public libraries often have issues with funding and budgets, which prevents plans from going forward. Bexar County, however, is determined to make this idea come to fruition. Interestingly, a judge from Bexar County is at the helm of this revolutionary plan and claims the idea came from Steve Jobs’ biography. From the preliminary design the new library looks like a souped up Internet café or a very expensive computer lab.

Since the introduction of e-books a number of years ago, the question on many library professionals’ minds have been whether the written word will become obsolete. Countless articles have been written and opinions voiced on the subject and it appears as though Bexar County has made a pointed step in that direction. The only question is, will this step stick?

It’s hard to say what my take on this innovative plan is. I’m all for progress – but only where progress has a point. If their point was to go for the glitz and glam innovative factor they certainly have that well in hand. The library's golden rule of improving accessibility has also been met with flying colours. But what about literacy? There is no guarantee that simply improving the technology of your library system will improve the literacy of the community. It could be argued that giving exclusive access to online or electronic material will be, in fact, detrimental. Do the members of this planning committee honestly think that patrons will be using the computers to read books online? Since the majority of students Google their research anyway, my guess is that many of the patrons will be using the computers to update their Facebook status and check on their Farmville crops. I write this not out of spite, but from experience. After all, those who will be doing serious research will likely be accessing materials on their own computer and those looking to sit down with a good e-book will do so with a tablet in the comfort of their own home – not in a crowded computer lab.

BiblioTech is set to open Fall 2013. Let’s see what happens. 

Double-Checking Saves Budgets

I recently had an Adventures in Odyssey DVD returned to the church library with a note attached. The note informed me that although they liked the DVD, the entire middle section of the disc had disappeared off the television – both picture and sound. Knowing it was an older DVD that had gone out many times I didn’t doubt the patron’s message. I took the DVD home and was about to toss it out when I paused, opened the case and looked at the back of the disc. It was dirty. So I sat down and cleaned it. Then I put it in the DVD player. I watched the entire DVD – picture and sound throughout the entirety. 
Lesson learned! Don’t doubt the word of your patrons – but always double-check, just to be safe.

New Year's Resolutions

If you’ve been following my tweets you’ll know that I’ve had a countdown to December 31 highlighting my top five new year's resolutions. Now, a new year's resolution can be a wonderful thing. There is potential for fresh beginnings and developing new (good) habits. Notice that I said potential. Making a resolution is all well and good but sticking to it is something else altogether. Apparently 8% of those who actually make a NYR are able to keep it! Last year I resolved to stop smoking. Fortunately for me, I’ve ever smoked a day in my life. This year I’m taking it up a notch. Actually, five notches. In 2013 I’m hoping to see through a number of changes in the church library. 

#5 Move the new bookcase into the church library
We’re mega short on space. This is more of a required necessity than an ideal objective.

#4 Boost collection development of fiction for guys
I’ve been working towards improving this section of our church library. I have made great strides in this area but I still seem to have an enormous ratio of romance to mystery novels. 

#3 WEEDING 
Admittedly a continuous work in progress.

#2 Update/Improve the nonfiction section
About four years ago I removed over eight full boxes of books from the nonfiction section in the attempt to keep the materials’ year of publication hovering around 1990. Although it’s a lesser used section than the fiction (by a long shot) it would still be nice to have items available that were published during this century. Time for another purge!

#1 New volunteers!  
The wonderful people I have helping me in the church library have been faithfully showing up every third Sunday for as long as I’ve been there. It’s definitely time to get some new faces in the mix! This resolution is one that I’m going to really focus on this year and do the research to ensure success. 

Here’s hoping I’m in that 8% for 100% of my resolutions! 
Have a safe and happy New Year!

Reminder Notice ≠ A Personal Insult

Every so often I have to perform the necessary and tiresome task of manually going through all the catalogue cards in order to see which library materials have been out for an excessively long time. I only do this about twice a year and it’s usually done because I’ve received a complaint that so-and-so has had a popular DVD or novel for quite a while. So I dutifully go through the cards and record all the dates and names. I only send notices for materials have been out for more than four months. Since it’s an honour-based system and we don’t charge late fees, I always figure that this is acceptable. Well folk, turns out that sometimes….it’s not.

I have edited the overdue notice I place in the church mailboxes a number of times. Each time I hope it makes the note a little more friendly and a little less threatening. At the moment it reads:

“Just a reminder….  (blank) took out (blank) by (blank) on (blank). Please return these materials when you can and remember to check out the library’s new books and DVDs!”

I also added a note at the bottom:

“*Note* If you have returned this item please make a note of it on this form and return it to the library mailbox. Thank you!”

I happen to think this a very nice reminder. Most of the responses are quite congenial, ranging from profuse apologies that they hadn’t returned the materials sooner to a simple happy face and “thanks!” written in the corner. There is always, of course, the opposite end of the spectrum. I have received, on numerous occasions, entire letters of both explanation and accusation. In the former, the writer will use a thesaurus of words to explain their moment-by-moment interaction with the missing material, accompanied by an excessive amount of fierce underlining and exclamation marks with the conclusion that they no longer have it in their possession. In the latter, the writer is often annoyed and feels insulted that I have, in a way, accused them of stealing. This is, of course, also supplemented with a healthy measure of underlining, punctuation and capitilized comments such as “I have NEVER returned a book late.” This is fairly annoying as it always makes more work for me. I then feel obligated to sit down and write a letter back in a very friendly-looking note card assuring them of my faith in their honesty, credibility and excellent returning ethics.

Every time this happens I look at my Return Notice. Perhaps there are too many exclamation points? Should I keep to the K.I.S.S. principle and send a slip of paper that says, “Please return (title)” ? Or maybe I should just put a disclaimer at the bottom: “This reminder notice should not be viewed as a personal attack or taken as a personal insult.” That should raise some eyebrows! Overall, I know that I just have to keep things in perspective and, above all, keep repeating Ephesians 4:2 over and over and over again!