Sunday, October 15, 2017

Libraries

I thought some of you might get a kick out of this clip from New Tricks.



Then he and his wife go to The London Library. They walk in and he says, "This is heaven." Later he tells his colleagues: "No racks of CDs or DVDs. No misery memoirs. It smells of books."


 A little addendum. At the end of the show, in which Brian was almost killed in the library, he says "I've had it with libraries. They're full of weirdos. This is the way forward (he holds up an e-reader). Linked to the internet, it allows me to access the world's literary culture from my own armchair. I've just downloaded The Complete Poems of Philip Larkin."

21 comments:

  1. You know what, Nan? I know *exactly* how he feels. Just call me a grumpy old woman. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOVE IT - and enjoy watching New Tricks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I may be a 'grumpy old woman' too, Cath. And yes, Meike, I do, too. The following was in a local newspaper article about the library. They have a new director and a new children's librarian, who is described: "She expressed a forward-looking enthusiasm for what a modern-day library could be, and observed that especially for kids, libraries are so much more than books. " Really. So much more than books. What was wrong with just books. Now they have family nights and game nights and knitting circles. I love it that there are children's programs but the one time we brought Hazel it was pure chaos. We didn't go back.
    The article also said: "Incidentally, for those who still prefer the old dead-tree books, the library will host a Bingo for Books at the senior center Sept. 13 at 12:30 p.m. Besides being a chance for some fun, they will also make a gift of reading material for our lively, valued elders." I was offended at the writer's choice of phrase - 'dead tree books.' Yuck. There is so much noise and distraction in the world, and I hate to see the library become part of it. The whole change to fit the public thing sort of reminds me of church. My childhood church (Episcopal) changed the language and the services and the last time I went they weren't even using hymn books. All in an effort to bring in young people. Well, it didn't work very well. And I think the church lost some of its long time parishioners who didn't like the changes and don't go anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh I'm offended both by 'dead tree books' AND 'lively, valued elders'.... the former so so sad, the latter so so condescending. (Can't believe I'm commenting on your comment instead of on the whole post and the clip which I LOVED. Know exactly how he (and you) felt. I'd go back and comment where I'm supposed to, only I am just not lively enough right now.

      Delete
    2. I think you commented in just the right place you 'valued' person you! I have been so upset by that article for weeks now, and I'm so happy I have my blogging friends to talk to about it. It doesn't feel like 'my' library anymore; not the library I spent my childhood in, not the one where I volunteered when my kids went to school. It isn't actually in the town where I live now, and I have to pay $45 a year to use it so I'll just let it go.

      Delete
    3. Nan, what happens is that you go along to the library on certain mornings and it's exactly like that vid. The place is chaotic, heaving with young mums and young children. I was one once so I try very hard not to be grumpy but you can't get to the bookshelves because there are so many pushchairs blocking them. Then there's the noise. I go for a quiet browse... some hope! Exactly, what was wrong with 'just books'. And to be honest, I'm not convinced that all these mums and children convert into to more readers. Mostly all I see in there are people of my generation and older. Anyone younger is using the library computers, while yelling down their mobile phones of course. *Sigh*

      Delete
    4. I can't believe phones are allowed! Some of my happiest bookish moments in life have been having a 'quiet browse.' I expect there are still times to do that, but I fear that if I go in, I'll find they got rid of all the Miss Reads so they'd have room for the newest new books. Actually for the past few years, I rarely have gone into the library. I have my own home library! And it is full of books the library would never have, and probably couldn't ILL.

      Delete
  4. That is sadly funny: "the old dead-tree books". I am elderly (although the word seems like it holds a negative connotation) so maybe my outlook is skewed in favor of paper books, but it seems like an institution like a library should respect both perspectives.

    ReplyDelete
  5. There are different library branches where I live, and they can have a different atmosphere (they also try to put kids on a separate floor than adults at least, though sometimes you can hear the laughing and shrieking through the ventilation or down the stairs). The clip was funny - I think the only time I've seen security almost needed at a library was one time when two older men were arguing loudly about who was the owner of a hat. One of them was lying, but who?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Too funny. I'm all into E-Readers myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I use my kindle at night only because it is easier to read in bed. My day reading is only print.

      Delete
  7. Came back to read all the thoughtful and interesting comments on this post ... Thanks for your answer to mine. I was a little afraid I'd overstepped .... that librarian's comments just hit me wrong on so many levels ...glad I (and your other followers) were here to listen. Also wanted to tell you that your prayer-flag header shot is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not ever could you 'overstep!' I've been so upset by the article, and so soothed by the comments. Thanks about the prayer flags. I do love them.

      Delete

I'll answer your comments as soon as I possibly can. Please do come back if you've asked a question.
Also, you may comment on any post, no matter how old, and I will see it.