"As marvelous as the stars is the mind of the person who studies them."
-- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, now there's a man, arguably (and in spite of rumored human fallacy) of infinite vision. Such is both humbling as well as comforting, as I sit here, home sick for the day; essentially rendered useless, and admittedly irritated with the whole scenario. I'll spare you the details, but suffice to say, drugs are not my friend--a certain family of antibiotics that is, lest you get the wrong impression.
Adverse reactions, it seems, are the theme of the day within my humble abode, for I just read an aricle for a class that severly offended my professional sensiblities. Once again, I'll spare you the details, and, out of courtesy, I'll refrain from naming any names. However, I'll give you the gist--it was written by a (librarian!) author who vehemently argued that libraries should model themselves after big box bookstores & cater to the coffee clutching crew, while purging the facility of frivilous finances, namely degree-wielding reference librarians. Who needs 'em, he says, most "patrons wouldn't notice the difference."
Hmm..
I wonder what the people whom I helped last night would make of that? Especially when I can only recall one scenario in which an individual required assistance locating nothing more than a specific title. For, although I can't deny that there are certainly times while at the desk that my research prowess proves unnecessary (or not to be such a "prowess" after all) it's the libraries all-encompassing capacity that renders it so invaluable. Ideally, it is a place of education as well as fun--and one that is open to all. And, while I can't say I've ever received poor service at a big box bookstore (I've found most under-paid staff persons to be be surprisingly pleasant) such entities do seem to be a watering hole for suburban Whites with spare time on their hands.
Call me jaded, tell me I'm wrong. Perhaps I am mistaken. To each their own. Big box bookstores have their place; so, too, do libraries--even when equipped with we apparently overpaid reference geeks. If need be, I can learn to make coffee. Whatever. But, please, let us at least appreciate the distinction.
