The state college I attended long ago fired its librarians, disposed of the bulk of their books, and digitalized some of the collection. Now my rural town's small elementary school is under a dual threat, with cuts aimed at both the state's school system and libraries pending.
Imagine how the world would look if we put federal dollars spent on killing and torturing people into schools and libraries instead.
I know you have read this substack a long time. People have been burning and looting libraries even when they were clay tablets or scrolls. Assuming that digitization is the answer is a sucker's bet. Librarians worked to develop funding for rural areas that is administered by IMLS. Keep an eye on the FAQs to see how you can support. Thank you for reading and thinking about these things with a complex point of view.
I recall Carl Sagan's words from long ago, describing the destruction of the library of Alexandria, "History is littered with men like this, and we must be vigilant against the threat."
As someone who spent a decade digitalizing a personal collection of audio and video tapes, many previously transcribed from earlier formats, some dating back to 8 mm film and reel-to-reel tapes, I can attest that it is an endless journey. Formats are mercurial, and keeping the original hard copies (books, film, etc) is essential even if these are in a state of slow degradation.
Our local library has been part of a hostile takeover. Part of it stems from a lack of empathy since members of our city council seems to feel the librarian is getting paid too much. The independent board was replaced with one chosen by city council and reduced to a five member board. This is a library that has been in existence for over 100 years and always had an independant board.
I am afraid they will shut the whole thing down without giving the citizens a chance to keep it going.
Public libraries are about 85% locally tax funded with local governance. So yes, any community can alter the structure. Being on library board isn't something many people think of as public service (it usually is almost all volunteer) but the structure can change depending on if your trustees are appointed or elected.
The federal money pays for things local communities do not--like areas not in the city limits or digital services. Maybe you community could look into resources here: "United for Libraries" is the association of trustees and boards: https://www.ala.org/united
The state college I attended long ago fired its librarians, disposed of the bulk of their books, and digitalized some of the collection. Now my rural town's small elementary school is under a dual threat, with cuts aimed at both the state's school system and libraries pending.
Imagine how the world would look if we put federal dollars spent on killing and torturing people into schools and libraries instead.
I know you have read this substack a long time. People have been burning and looting libraries even when they were clay tablets or scrolls. Assuming that digitization is the answer is a sucker's bet. Librarians worked to develop funding for rural areas that is administered by IMLS. Keep an eye on the FAQs to see how you can support. Thank you for reading and thinking about these things with a complex point of view.
I recall Carl Sagan's words from long ago, describing the destruction of the library of Alexandria, "History is littered with men like this, and we must be vigilant against the threat."
As someone who spent a decade digitalizing a personal collection of audio and video tapes, many previously transcribed from earlier formats, some dating back to 8 mm film and reel-to-reel tapes, I can attest that it is an endless journey. Formats are mercurial, and keeping the original hard copies (books, film, etc) is essential even if these are in a state of slow degradation.
Our local library has been part of a hostile takeover. Part of it stems from a lack of empathy since members of our city council seems to feel the librarian is getting paid too much. The independent board was replaced with one chosen by city council and reduced to a five member board. This is a library that has been in existence for over 100 years and always had an independant board.
I am afraid they will shut the whole thing down without giving the citizens a chance to keep it going.
Public libraries are about 85% locally tax funded with local governance. So yes, any community can alter the structure. Being on library board isn't something many people think of as public service (it usually is almost all volunteer) but the structure can change depending on if your trustees are appointed or elected.
The federal money pays for things local communities do not--like areas not in the city limits or digital services. Maybe you community could look into resources here: "United for Libraries" is the association of trustees and boards: https://www.ala.org/united
Thanks!