Here, here (to Jim's whole post).
I've often thought that libraries - places where ideas flourish and live
- should host "Friday night fights" - i.e. debates (civil and according
to strict rules) between professors from the university... surrounded by
books...
Would people fight for ringside seats? Food and drinks would be allowed
of course.
My silly ideas. You can tell I'm not a library director.
Regards,
Nathan Rinne
Media Cataloging Technician
Educational Service Center
11200 93rd Avenue North
Maple Grove MN. 55369
Email: rinnen_at_district279.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
[mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Weinheimer Jim
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 9:30 AM
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] The Library of the Future
Jimmy Ghaphery wrote:
<snip>
I am not pining for the old days of the library as a place for silent
and rigorous contemplation, but do think there is a connection beyond
those crazy kids dancing in the library these days and the direction of
the catalog.
</snip>
I am pining for those old days. In so many ways, I remember the library
as a place where I could find peace, and where there great minds who
were never demanding but were there when I wanted and needed them. In
many ways, I have always felt it was in a library where I really became
a human being. (thoughts on a a reflective Friday)
I remember that in my research in the history of the Princeton Library,
I ran across a story in the student newspaper of the 1880s or so, that
mentioned that the librarian (who looked like a whaling captain, by the
way!), ended up literally *throwing* two students out of the library
because they were arguing too loudly about predestination!
I guess those days are gone.
James L. Weinheimer j.weinheimer_at_aur.edu
Director of Library and Information Services
The American University of Rome
Rome, Italy
Received on Fri Dec 11 2009 - 10:41:56 EST