Comments on: Historical Libraries Closing Nationwide

By: James

James — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:14:00 +0000

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.

By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:45:00 +0000

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.

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:12:00 +0000

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.

By: mary

mary — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:29:00 +0000

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.

By: Kieran

Kieran — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:27:00 +0000

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!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:39:00 +0000

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.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:27:00 +0000

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.

By: David

David — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:12:00 +0000

I love how when things like this happen, people start petitions.

They need money, not sympathy and signatures.

By: Meghan

Meghan — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:41:00 +0000

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.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:24:00 +0000

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.