Beth Neff's Blog - Posts Tagged "library"
Proud to Be a Librarian
I have just returned from a three-day Library of Michigan conference with nearly ninety other librarians from all over the state. I now know that I have made the right decision to take on the position of Young Adult Librarian for the Three Rivers Public Library.
Not only was the conference well-organized, informative, and inspiring, I was reinforced in my belief that libraries occupy a critical role in education, public policy, and the ongoing struggle to define democracy as a viable system for equalizing access to resources and opportunities for everyone.
Equal. Access. Resources. Opportunities. These are, to me, the key components of liveable communities. They are the underpinning of a dynamic education system. They are the core concepts of how we define ourselves as Americans.
We live in a society that is divided by partisanship and alienated from values. Some of the inability to find common ground politically and socially is a result of complicated times, assaults of various kinds from many different directions. Simply, people behave badly when they perceive of themselves as being threatened. Yet, the more protective we become of ‘territory� (whether it be physical, emotional, or intellectual,) the more divided society will become, the more intransigent our problems will feel, and the more entrenched we will be in failing systems, antiquated solutions.
We speak to the potential of educating youth for leadership and creative innovation and then do everything possible to undermine that goal. Our view of the future and the opportunities it represents is clouded by defensiveness and ‘more of the same� strategies. Our choices are limited by a product mentality � these inputs, those outcomes � and gravely threatened by a fear of ‘governing� while ignoring the real dictators: corporate domination of our economy and communities.
Libraries represent a nearly ideal manifestation of ‘government.� Right in the name is the word ‘public� which means “of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation.� Here we are back to those values of service � equality, access to resources, opportunities. I can’t think of anything to which I could feel any more committed.
Not only was the conference well-organized, informative, and inspiring, I was reinforced in my belief that libraries occupy a critical role in education, public policy, and the ongoing struggle to define democracy as a viable system for equalizing access to resources and opportunities for everyone.
Equal. Access. Resources. Opportunities. These are, to me, the key components of liveable communities. They are the underpinning of a dynamic education system. They are the core concepts of how we define ourselves as Americans.
We live in a society that is divided by partisanship and alienated from values. Some of the inability to find common ground politically and socially is a result of complicated times, assaults of various kinds from many different directions. Simply, people behave badly when they perceive of themselves as being threatened. Yet, the more protective we become of ‘territory� (whether it be physical, emotional, or intellectual,) the more divided society will become, the more intransigent our problems will feel, and the more entrenched we will be in failing systems, antiquated solutions.
We speak to the potential of educating youth for leadership and creative innovation and then do everything possible to undermine that goal. Our view of the future and the opportunities it represents is clouded by defensiveness and ‘more of the same� strategies. Our choices are limited by a product mentality � these inputs, those outcomes � and gravely threatened by a fear of ‘governing� while ignoring the real dictators: corporate domination of our economy and communities.
Libraries represent a nearly ideal manifestation of ‘government.� Right in the name is the word ‘public� which means “of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation.� Here we are back to those values of service � equality, access to resources, opportunities. I can’t think of anything to which I could feel any more committed.
