Libraries Must Change

South Oakland Eccentric

1 January 2012, p. A12.

Libraries are traditional American institutions. Every U.S. president has a library, which is more than a book collection. It is a chapter in the life of the president, a museum of relevant information related to the person who was our president. But libraries are going through major changes. One can download almost anything on a non-sophisticated computer, and when it comes to an iPad2 or Kindle one carries a world library everywhere. I can see in a few years parents will have to show their children what a book looks like.

To older citizens who benefited from a public library this institution is still important. To the younger generation, the download generation, this institution will be less important. The next generation will not need a public library and certainly would not like to pay for it. Bloomfield Township Library has a $22.8 million bond with a millage of 1.88. There are many changes that are anticipated: there will be decrease of library use. It will change from a book lending business to a media center. Librarians will not recommend books, but with recommend applications. The vast space that our library has will not be necessary. The personnel drastically diminished. The library will turn to a book storage space. The annual cost of our library operation is $1.6 million.

Bloomfield Township has no "downtown," and it begets, that the library should become a civic center with a restaurant and maybe a movie theater. There is no justification to keep a senior center. This center costs the tax payer $1.3 million annually, has low use, seniors only allowed, but they have to pay for services. The senior center has to be sold and the senior services consolidated in the Civic (library) BT center. Seniors like me like company and not isolation in an old peoples house.

Lastly, the decreased value of public libraries is concomitant with loss of school libraries as an educational tool. The change described above from conventional books to downloads already happened in colleges and libraries. Budgets to school libraries must consider the ongoing E revolution.

Isaac Barr, MD

Bloomfield Township

original rebuttal letter as sent to South Oakland Eccentric

(never published)

Hometown Life Editors:

I was dismayed to read the recent letter "Libraries Must Change." (South Oakland Eccentric, 1 January 2012, p.A12)  Dr. Barr does not seem to understand - or appreciate - his own public library.  While it is true that public libraries are changing, this does not mean they are any less necessary.  In a world of information overload, public libraries house only the best resources, carefully selected by specialists, i.e., trained librarians.  Public libraries offer programs and enrichment activities.  Public libraries serve as gathering places for the exchange of ideas.  Public libraries promote the love of reading - from story times for the pre-literate to best-sellers for retirees.  Most of all, public libraries do what they do for free.  The tax dollars that support libraries are a great buy for the amount of resources and services that they provide.  Perhaps everyone in Dr. Barr's social circle can afford to purchase an iPad and high-speed Internet access, but that is not the case in most Michigan communities - even Bloomfield Township.  Furthermore, current books on the Internet are not free unless the Dr. Barr recommends piracy of copyrighted materials. A family of avid readers might easily read 10-20 books per week. Libraries provide significant economies by purchasing once for many uses.  Dr. Barr states that "the next generation will not need a public library and ... would not like to pay for it."  I, for one, gladly pay for the services of my public library.  

Finally, I am puzzled by Dr. Barr's apparent lack of respect for librarians.  He states that, in the future, "librarians will not recommend books, but with recommend applications."  I believe he is implying that they will use online sources to find reviews.  This is akin to saying that, in future, doctors will no longer diagnose symptoms but simply have their patients consult WebMD.  Public librarians read widely in order to know their library collections and they work to match the right book with the right reader.

I urge readers to discover for themselves the many wonderful things that public libraries have to offer.   In the same issue as Dr. Barr's letter, the Community Calendar listed a "Resume Writing Workshop" and a "Bagpipes / Scottish music program" at the Royal Oak Public Library.  'Nuff said!

Sincerely,

Martha J. Spear