describe the library
tommyTampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System Mission Statement:
Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System (THPL) promotes lifelong learning, an informed citizenry, individual intellectual freedom, enhanced quality of life and broadened horizons for all residents of Hillsborough County.
THPL maintains a network of neighborhood libraries with open access, a community focus, responsive service hours, welcoming environments, broad and relevant materials in a variety of formats and highly qualified employees.
But is that what a library should be? The Tribune says libraries have suffered from “mission creep,” or in other words, they don’t JUST do books anymore. In fact, there seems to be more emphasis on internet access rather than books. And that’s without considering that CDs, and DVDs fly off the shelf faster than books at libraries. Should libraries have more than books? Do libraries need books at all? Will we need a library in 20 years? Do we need libraries now?
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August 2nd, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Of course, libraries should be repositories of information and knowledge. As such they need to be multimedia because information is distributed in a myriad of forms. Also, there will remain(or at least I hope), some segment of the population that values the tactile experience of holding a book, or periodical. I’m confident that there will also be a significant number of citizens that never embrace technologies such as the Internet or Ipods. Searching digitally for some types of information also still leaves much to be desired(Looking at historical maps or digging through plat books still is easier with the paper copies than using a search engine). I also like the incidental knowledge I often acquire by thumbing through a related reference book that might never pop up on Google. So, my answer to all of your questions is a resounding YES, absolutely, indeed, wholeheartedly.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:11 pm
For a lot of folks the library is the only internet access they have. Some are now adding small cafe’s and lounge areas, much like barnes and noble I guess, to make it more appealing and keep people in the library.
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:58 pm
My observation of our local public libary system is that they double as homeless shelters, and often those homeless pretend to read or surf the internet so they can stay in a safe and cool indoor environment during the day. If they do not appear to read or surf (for instance, if they sleep) then they get thrown out. Visit the main libabry, the John German, during the weekdays to see the above.
There is a huge second group that goes to the library only to gain internet access, largely to either play online computer games, check their email, or find a job. Go to any of our branch libraries to see this.
As devils advocate, are these activities within a libraries Mission? You tell me.
It seems there is little research or reading (in the traditional sense) going on.
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
LOL !!! Before the NEO-NAZIS infiltrated the library system the libraries were just libraries. I have no objection to homeless people educating themselves OR looking at porn. Porn is not illegal. That’s not my fault or anything I’m gonna judge. We have almost all new librarians (hello you live here too and I am sure you have noticed) and some of them are pretty wack. Like so much else of Tampa and Florida the last few years or more.
Libraries are absolutely essential and so are librarians. REAL librarians.
I don’t understand why people walk by homeless and make assumptions. That’s disgusting to me. Some of these people are just trafficking for the man and some of them are genuinely intelligent people who have a lifestyle preference that doesn’t match your own. Still others do not WANT to be homeless but have no choice.
Should they sit and swelter somewhere all day so you can feel better? Or read a book?
Whatever.
I’ve seen some kinda crappy stuff that THIS library system does. Top down they are run by a shithead and he knows it. Very threatening type of man who DARES you to talk about him. Hi joe. Probably a mason. No, he probably IS. In fact, I believe he’s about 15 feet from me right now. Which is probably the reason for this post. How funny.
At any rate — EVERY library in the country offers the same ….
The Tampa Tribune and it’s mission creep:
I’d like to say that the Tampa Tribune suffers from mission creep.
They believe it is their job to publicly spank folks who change their mind and don’t want to get dicked by the city in a lnad deal so they editorialize this in order to prod the folks to go along with what is wanted by choo choo and others. Sorry if that makes him mad. He shouldn’t be anti-human.
When I say something the reason it makes everyone so angry is because it’s true.
BUT, no one had to force me to reveal their nastiness by coming to my home and trying to force me from it by any means necessary instead of paying what it’s worth as the most valuable piece of property in this city at this time.
As for the library …. once we get some new leadership …. things will be fine. But, I’m sure that won’t happen. They have the next yes man lined up.
IF people weren’t checking out books then why the hell does the library need an HOUR to stock the shelves in the morning as stated by pam iorio in her laughable imaginary budget cuts.
Finally — as usual the Tampa Tribune’s writers tell so MANY lies that they forget what they’ve said one day to the next. I can guess who wrote the article without even looking at it.
Don’t blame that on the Trib, blame that on the control freaks who are trying to control this community through the local papers and their BOUGHT public officials.
lalalalalala
You asked.
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
oh and good answer, wp. There is nothing like a BOOK.
I have a thought that they attempt to close the libraries and shove people in to borders.
Why not? They have us paying for water, air, ground.
Why should people read for free?
They forget that we HELLO do PAY for this service.
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Historically, books and other printed material were often the realm of the wealthy and elite, as only they could afford the labor to reproduce them. Also controlling knowledge and ideas helped promote contentment among the lower classes. As they say, ignorance is bliss. Libraries helped to change that by providing access for all citizens not just those that could afford it. Society is bettered by the unfettered flow of ideas, even those with which we disagree.
GKR-Given that the Internet is not a freely available resource yet, and broadcast television is become ever less informative and non-interactive, I absolutely agree that providing access to the Information Superhighway for those who might not have it otherwise is fully within the mission of the Library System. A truly informed citizenry is impossible without free access to media that is otherwise sold or controlled for profit. Additionally, if the homeless taking refuge within the library walls, by their presence deter others from using the resources because of a safety issue or hygiene, than certainly they should be removed. Otherwise, if the library can provide a resource to assist anyone including a homeless person to become a functioning citizen, enhance their quality of life or broaden their horizons, then they should be as welcomed as anyone, else how can we truly consider ourselves civilized?
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:03 pm
WP — you’re just awesome !
(voxpop)
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
As I have said before the library is my home away from home. I love booksand the atmosphere of a library,where can you find books on every subject and not have to pay a cent to read informative literature from way back until now. My favorite books are autobiographies,biographies,and reference books. My daughter did all her studies for her MEd at the library. She did not have a computer at home,still does not have one,everybody can not afford one. My son received his BS by all ways studing at the library where there is peace and quite,no interruptions. I personally do not like book sores with cafe’s in them,because many books,magazines,and articles can get ruined by people,who do not care if they do not own them-theirs they do. I remember the time when the library was a sanctunary-no talking no eating shhhhhh. One more comment on the homeless who cares if they do or do not read as long as they are not disruptive. I pray that they do read or use the computer to better educate and feel better about themselves. The homeless person may have fought in the Viet Nam war,Desert Storm,or the Middle East war,to protect you and me. Most papers are written for the sixth grade level is it not possible for our children and their children’s children to get a better education through the use of libraries-we can not leave it up to schools and the teachers. The only thing Ireally do not understand is all the movies and DVD’s checked out-they must have thousands of them lost. Let us take a poll of all the missing CD’s,DVD’s,books,and magazines from libraries and book stores with cafes.
August 4th, 2007 at 10:23 am
My previous comments had no bias attached to them, I’m ambivalent about my observations. Regarding my own use of the library, the microfiche machines are always available and the books are always “checked in”.
Our libraries are less traditional “repositories for printed and other research and historic material”, more “refuges”, or perhaps “hang outs”. Libraries today are multi-use in that they are “homeless shelters”/coffeehouses and internet cafés/fortress/meeting place/news stand/even church, oh, and they also store books (and voxy advocates porn access, which is yet another use).
To me, this points to the fact that our society doesn’t appreciate the value of creating and building quality community gathering places (or even quality social interaction) so the library gets to do it all, in varying degrees of success.
If the library had something to do with the Bucs, it would be more of a hit.
Ps Even if internet access was free, one would still need the technology to view it, and we’re a long way from that technology, or even electricity, being free. In fact, the library isn’t even free, it just seems that way.
August 4th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Hey GKR, there’s a long distance between not objecting to something and advocating it (as in your statement that I advocate porn) Personally I find porn rather repugnant but I have a nude female body I can look at anytime I want to. And a male one also, for that matter. While I don’t understand porn or the sometime addiction to same, it’s not against the law and often destinations try to use it as an excuse for filtering content. My statement: porn is not against the law was refuting the asinine reasoning behind blocking content. As an adult, don’t you feel that you should be able to view what you like as long as it is legal??
Second: Please visit my website and sign on to this petition.
A rather large group of us are TRYING VERY HARD to get the airwaves free for all of us for internet access and etc. Most folks haven’t realized yet that when out goes analogue the govt is already trying to sell those ‘waves’ to the big butt telecommunication giants. They belong to US, the people. We should be able to use them to give everyone free access from anywhere they are at.
The library has been known to provide bookmarks with bucs schedules ….
just sayin…
August 5th, 2007 at 9:34 am
GKR-Re your PS, let’s not squabble over minutiae. The reference was regarding the Internet becoming as ubiquitous as broadcast television or newsprint which are not exactly “free”, but there are very few that don’t have ready access to them. Effectively, to the end user the library may as well be free. I’d submit that the library serving up a DJ and serving alcohol would be a better example as a way to increase interest if social gathering and interaction is what you seek ;-).
August 5th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I’ll tell you why the libraries are featuring so many cd’s and dvd’s these days. Like it or not, we have functional illiterates in our midst who read poorly and consequently are more comfortable with audio-visual media. They can understand pictures and sound, but not words on paper. Our libraries are just responding to the reality of their market. So sad.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:13 am
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