Comments on: Reconsidering the Public Library Closures Narrative

By: New How many US public libraries have actually closed?” – Stephen's Lighthouse

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:32:49 +0000

[...] commentary on his blog is interesting too: Reconsidering the Public Library Closures Narrative http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/reconsidering-the-public-library-closures-narrative/ [...]

By: Oleg K.

Oleg K. — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:35:04 +0000

Totally agree with you on this one, Andy. I felt the same way when I saw the article in Library Journal saying that 88% of library referenda were approved by voters last year (http://bit.ly/HHBecM). It’s not an overly optimistic article, but it tells me that most people in most places support their libraries — An important fact to remember in light of the barrage of three-alarm news stories.

By: aspenwalkerlib

aspenwalkerlib — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:15:52 +0000

I’ve been thinking about the same thing a lot lately. My recent lobby/advocacy efforts have focused more on showcasing how libraries make life better/are vital & relevant, rather than dire calls for saving libraries. In most cases, it seems, we need to focus on making sure libraries thrive, rather than merely survive.

By: Bibliotheks Polizei

Bibliotheks Polizei — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:53:31 +0000

This is a tough call.

It is intellectually dishonest to promote an idea when it is not factually true.

From the cited article: “What’s consistently true: The news of threatened or actual closure travels far faster and more broadly than the news of reopening or salvation.”

The library closings narrative seems more of a distortion and conflation of facts than an intentional deception. Perhaps is more along the lines of being intellectual lazy than dishonest, but this is also seems to be fueled by the media outside of library world.

It is hard to know if the constant beating of the drum is keeping things from getting bad, or if like you say, leading to fatigue…or both for that matter.

I think we could all agree, having clear and accurate data available would make commenting and reporting on the matter less distorted.

By: Owen Stephens

Owen Stephens — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:05:12 +0000

I’d reiterate Ian’s point – in the UK ‘closure’ figures are being offset by volunteer or ‘community’ efforts with varying amounts of support from public money and local government. In my view when a library moves to being only available on a volunteer basis the ‘public library’ has closed. However, those defending the ‘closures’ will argue that the library has not closed but is now a community initiative.

If we go along with the narrative that these are not closures I think we do a disservice to the community that is being served – they have had to step in where the public library system has failed them.

By: ostephens

ostephens — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:04:31 +0000

By: Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:41:59 +0000

It’s also a case of how the issues are filtered through the media – reporters find it far easier to distill it down to ‘closures’ as the word with the most immediate drama and impact when actually the issues are far more complex and insidious – reduced opening hours, redundancies, misuse of volunteers etc. There’s the theory that all these issues will inevitably lead to closure when the services are run into the ground, but that’s long-term, and I think more should be done (by the media) to represent the issues effectively.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:25:47 +0000

I can’t speak for the situation in the US, but in the UK it is fairly similar in that not many libraries have actually closed yet. BUT. The issue here is far greater than just closures. Libraries here are being passed onto volunteers to run (it would probably be fairer to say they are being forced to run them as it is either they run them or they are closed) or they are being mooted for privatisation. Sure, neither of these equals a closure, but the former is only marginally better and the latter raises a whole host of other issues.

I think it is right to be cautious about being alarmist, but also think there is a need to be aware that the issue is much bigger than just x number of libraries closing. That is only the tip of the iceberg.

By: bringyournoise

bringyournoise — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:44:06 +0000

Hmmmm…very interesting. I know I have been guilty of using this narrative myself. I am going to try to be more mindful of what I say from now on. Not only is the closures narrative apparently inaccurate, overarching, and intellectually dishonest, but can you say, “self-fulfilling prophecy?” Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

By: ksol

ksol — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:23:32 +0000

I work with library stats a lot, and I find it maddening when the drumbeat is always that libraries are in dire peril when the numbers don’t necessarily bear that out. As you point out, it’s intellectually dishonest. Not just that, but it makes us sound pathetic. Libraries have some serious challenges, and I have days that I doubt my chosen career path. But I don’t think it’s helpful to overblow the situation or draw conclusions that the data and research don’t support.