My local historical society (Oregon Historical Society) has fallen on hard times lately, and recently closed its research library, temporarily permanently laying off most of its librarians (update: 15 were permanently laid off, 4 were later hired back). Oregon isn’t alone in this — as our local NPR station pointed out, historical societies in New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia have been cutting hours and staff, if not closing entirely. The Oregon Historical Society has managed to keep its public museum open, but not the research library. The society’s collection includes “2.5 million photographs as well as maps, newspapers, audio recordings and other historical items,” many of which are now inaccessible due to the library closure.
Our regional issues talk show, Think Out Loud, covered the issue yesterday and framed the issue as library users (researchers, academics, genealogists) versus museum-goers (4th grade classrooms, tourists). In this case, the 4th graders won: the historical society’s museum is open, but the research library is closed. Responding to the cutbacks, a bunch of library supporters staged a protest on the last day at work for the librarians. A few of the librarians were rehired, but the whole thing is far from over. (There’s also a save the library petition with nearly 700 signatures and a Facebook group with nearly 900 members.)
Full disclosure: I work at a company that does work for museums, and I have many friends who have used the OHS library for research (both for work and personal projects). I want that library open, partly because I can use it for work! But this issue had me wondering about what we’re prepared to sacrifice in times of economic crisis. It’s hard to argue for art when people are hungry, but what about history and research? What kinds of scholarship are important enough to continue even in tough times? If asked to prioritize a museum — a public space for direct learning — versus a library — a space for researchers, who might then create museums, books, films, etc. of their own by using the library — how do we choose?
Have you seen cutbacks in the arts, humanities, or sciences in your community? What would you take to the streets for? Share your experiences in the comments. Also, if you’re a fellow Oregonian with a local perspective on this issue, speak up!
(Image from the Library of Congress on Flickr, “Annual flower fete, Portland, Oregon,” circa 1910-1915. Used under Creative Commons license.)
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The libraries can go. The only legitimate function I can think of for a library in this internet age, is internet access for those who cannot afford a connection at home. (That said I’m open to being talked out of it). Museums should stay as they offer visual and tactile sensations that cannot be had elsewhere….yet.
posted by TXCherokee on 3-25-2009 at 5:36 pm
TXCherokee – yeah, but the contents of this library are not available online. A searchable database is online, but you can’t see the actual materials, just a database record describing them. So when the library closes, game over — all 2.5 million photographs become inaccessible. What if I was doing research on Oregon’s history — writing a book about Lewis and Clark? Making an exhibit for my museum about Oregon during the Depression? Tough.
If there were plans to move the collection online, then maybe closing the library would be less of a blow. But when you have a large, unique collection that’s available one day (via the library) and then locked up in a vault the next (no more library), we have lost something as a society.
As for the larger “libraries in the internet age” question, that’s a whole other discussion. :) (Full disclosure: I have a degree in Library Science!)
posted by Chris Higgins on 3-25-2009 at 6:15 pm
A lot of libraries offer similar programs as museums–exhibits and children’s activities are two thing that come to mind. Plus there’s tons of stuff in research libraries that has yet to be made available in a digital format.
People don’t think of how vital libraries are. Where else can you get access to books, movies and music, get on-line, and get free babysitting for a few hours a week thanks to children’s programs all for free?
Our local libraries are constantly struggling for funds which is why even when I’m struggling myself, I can spare a few bucks for them.
posted by Camille on 3-25-2009 at 6:26 pm
maybe library users could pay a membership fee, or a check-out fee to help with the expense? it’s been ages since i’ve been to one (which makes it hard for me to justify them), but i remember everything being free, right? access to the internet costs money, why shouldn’t access to the library?
posted by tiffany on 3-25-2009 at 7:16 pm
As someone who works in an archives, I think its an awful shame that other institutions are closing.
I also think its a shame that other commenters can not see the value of public libraries for more than just computers.
Research libraries hold an important part of history, and are a value to society.
Also, in regards to public libraries being of value, it is shown that during recessions library use goes up. Libraries are a place for people who have lost their jobs to turn for entertainment and education that may help them secure a new job.
posted by Kristine on 3-25-2009 at 8:24 pm
Libraries are more than just an internet cafe that happens to have books lying around. It is true that for many individuals that cannot afford internet access, or computers, the library IS a great place for access. Libraries and librarians still crucial, I guess you would say gatekeepers, to information. How do you think items are digitally scanned or cataloged? Professionals, or paraprofessionals, are the folks that make that information accessible. If libraries close, nothing will be available because the people that provide that service will be gone.
posted by Meghan on 3-25-2009 at 8:41 pm
I love how when things like this happen, people start petitions.
They need money, not sympathy and signatures.
posted by David on 3-25-2009 at 9:12 pm
As a person who got hitched in a library (and a damn beautiful one at that) and as a person who loves reading real books and who worked in a library for two years, I must say that libraries are very important. Maybe not for everybody, but I know I could never afford my book habit if it wasn’t for borrowing books and the like. Not to mention, there have been many times as a teacher when materials I wanted for class were unavailable for purchase but by visiting my local library I was able to procure them. I have friends working on doctoral theses who rely on libraries to write documents on scientific research, historical analysis, etc. Libraries are community gathering places. They are a place to develop curiosity in young minds when buying book after book for one time reading is silly. My children will hopefully be able to go to libraries as young children- I know for me living in a neighborhood with a good library will be as important as living in one with a good school.
posted by Wendy on 3-25-2009 at 10:27 pm
Public libraries are always important, particularly so during hard times. An important distinction here is that historical libraries typically contain rare and one of a kind materials that do not circulate, such as the papers of individuals, photographs, maps, documents, etc., with a focus on a specific area of research. Without an active organization to provide stewardship for these materials (in the form of preservation, conservation, providing access and context), we risk the loss of understanding our history and culture. While it is true that these materials can be digitized and put online, there still has to be an organization, funding, staff, technical support, and equipment to undertake the work and maintenance.
posted by Jennifer on 3-25-2009 at 11:39 pm
I hate that these institutions are closing! I am a future teacher, historian, and librarian, so this issue is very close to my heart.
For those of you advocating the digital age, yes, articles and such are useful when they are online. Things like handwritten letters, antique photographs, and diaries give you so much more when you are holding the real thing in your hands! Museums and libraries are essential to the future education and research of scholars.
We don’t want another Dark Age! Knowledge can not be compromised because of economics!
posted by Kieran on 3-26-2009 at 1:27 am
Public libraries are different from research institutions — and both are important. But research is one of those things that you don’t necessarily notice immediately when it’s not happening, and this makes it vulnerable when people need to make cuts — but you may feel the impact years later.
posted by mary on 3-26-2009 at 1:29 am
One of the big reasons that libraries and archives have difficulty putting things online is copyright. This is especially the case with manuscript collections. You don’t always know who owns the copyright, so librarians and archivists can be hesitant to digitize material that they technically may not have the right to do. Copyright is a very complex and tricky thing to not only understand but to work within its rules (which aren’t always clearly defined).
As for the libraries in the digital age stuff, has anyone tried to read an e-book when the internet is slow or the website’s server crashes? I had to for one of my online classes and it was incredibly annoying when my internet was slow and it….took….forever for the pages to load. Also, as a mostly distance learning student (OK, in Library Science!), it sucks when you try to get an article online but your school doesn’t subscribe to that particular journal. Or worse, when it doesn’t subscribe online or the material isn’t digitized, and your interlibrary loan request is denied because the journal is on their shelves.
The internet is a wonderful thing, but it can’t be everything.
posted by Kate on 3-26-2009 at 1:12 pm
Historical research libraries are important as well. In high school I had a huge research project for history class and had to go to the main library to get access to microfilm and the local historical records section of the library. I understand there are budget cuts but maybe if they limited the hours that could help and ensure that the material remained accessable. As someone else commented, material for museums would come from research libraries.
While there is more material online, one has to question the reliability of that source. If you are getting information from a blog or Wikipedia you have to be careful but if you can look at original documents it will be better. I know they are trying to scan a lot of documents to place online but that takes time and sometimes it is easier to search through a book.
Perhaps the historical libraries could charge a small fee to use the library. People might not like it but if it would keep the library open, there will be those willing to pay. I know for genological research sometimes you have to pay a small fee to have a microfilm sent to a local branch but otherwise you might not have had access to that information.
posted by Gina on 3-26-2009 at 1:45 pm
David:
Your blanket statement from March 25 is cute and cheeky but not much else. Rather than settle for the trite, why not pursue the deeper and more meaningful process of learning _why_ the petition was started in the first place?
1) The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) board has a multi-year history of mismanaging funds; 2) The OHS board has a long track record of undermining the education and research aspects of the institution; 3) the members of the Northwest History Network (NHN) developed their resolutions to call for a more sustainable solution, initiated at the state level, to do more than throw more money at a dysfunctional organization; 4) the NHN put their resolutions online to broadcast their point of view more effectively while also garnering support; 5) the show of support for the online resolutions is one element in a broader campaign that includes requesting action of the governor, contacting legislators, sending out press releases, commenting on blogs, attending meetings, asking OHS board members direct questions, research board meeting minutes, researching models of success, etc.
A little bit of curiosity can go a long way.
posted by James on 3-26-2009 at 2:14 pm