[WEB4LIB] Re: A library not yet on the web

[cruby]

If you look at the funding sources for that little library it's amazing they
can provide even one computer with internet access!  What worries me more
is, what happens when that 93 year old "librarian" dies.  Who is that little
town going to be able to hire for $50 per month to run the library?  Or will
the library just be shut down?  I suspect a town with a population of 630
considers itself very fortunate to have what it has.  Even if it is just a
reading library and not a research library it serves a purpose as it allows
people to continue to read, even if they can't afford to purchase books.  I
bet there are lots of similar libraries all over the country.  Although I'm
not sure how many of them have people in their 90's running them...

Just 2 cents worth from someone who grew up in rural Montana so understands
the wonder of Silverhill having what it does for a library.

Carolyn

Carolyn Ruby-Weilage
Micron Technology
MS 552
P.O. Box 6
8000 S. Federal Way
Boise, ID 83707
cruby at micron.com (e-mail)
208-368-4257 (voice)
208-368-3393 (fax)




-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew I. Mutch [mailto:amutch at waterford.lib.mi.us]
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 7:23 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: A library not yet on the web


Dan,

According to the article, the library actually has Internet access:

"The Oscar Johnson Memorial Library, located in a former church building,
has a lone computer, which Chandler admits is popular with youngsters as
the Internet has reached this farming village near the Alabama Gulf coast.
"
In my personal opinion, every library should have Internet access. This is
especially true in those states where statewide resources are available
to all public libraries, as they are in Michigan. I've heard enough
success stories about how Internet access and access to computer
technology, like Gates computers, has made a positive impact on the
patrons who use the library. That being said, I think every library should
strive to meet the needs of their patrons. If, for whatever reason,
Internet access is not a need for the patrons, there's no reason to push
it onto a library that may not be equipped to handle supporting its use or
supporting computers.

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI



On Thu, 12 Dec 2002, Dan Lester wrote:

> And it may not be for a long time, if ever.
> 
>
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-pri-oldest-librar
ian1211dec11,0,5467037.story
> 
> I hope I'm not still working in this library, or any other at 93.
> 
> Do we consider this a problem? Should we be actively encouraging such
> little libraries to become more modern?  Or if they're happy, should
> we let them be?
> 
> dan
> 
> -- 
> Dan Lester, Data Wrangler  dan at RiverOfData.com 208-283-7711
> 3577 East Pecan, Boise, Idaho  83716-7115  USA
> www.riverofdata.com  www.gailndan.com  Stop Global Whining!
> Be competitive, intense, and accountable.
> 
>