In which she faces harsh realities

Dear Libraries,
I've had the pleasure of working for a software distribution company this summer and on as a sort of library liaison-consultant person, and this position has allowed me to learn so much about libraries and working with them rather than in them. It's been (and continues to be) a great experience, and I'm lucky to have bosses that care about libraries too and understand how badly I want to get into a public library. By far and away the best part about this job though is the Techlift.

As soon as my bosses pitched the idea of a large library giveaway focused on providing technology for a children's center in a needy library, I was in love. The project quickly became my baby, so much so that my company agreed to keep me on past the end of my summer internship to see it through. I researched, drafted guidelines, pored over legal documents to make sure I understood how giveaways and contests worked. I emailed every Ohio librarian whose contact info I could find to let them know about the giveaway. I gratefully absorbed our entries and organized them lovingly. If I couldn't work in a library just yet, I still felt blessed to be able to do something good that has the potential to change a library so much for the better. The giveaway has just closed for entries, and if I have learned anything from the process so far, it's that wow, libraries, you have so many ideas and so little funding to make them happen.

The first entry we received was so exciting. It felt like such a validation of my hard work, that someone agreed to share their story with us and put the time in to take a chance on the possibility of winning new technology for their kids. It was heartwarming and inspiring. And then the entries kept on coming. I read more and more stories of struggling libraries with huge visions and big plans that would greatly improve the lives and access of their youngest patrons and I was so moved. More than that though, I've become extremely troubled by the fact that we're supposed to pick just one library as the most deserving, the most able to make an impact in its community with the giveaway. I want everyone to have their dream fulfilled. I'm still not sure how we're going to decide.

Most importantly, this experience has had a profound impact on my own vision for the future of libraries. Up until this point, cloistered in my own experience separate from the real decision-makers and those who truly see the Big Picture of public libraries, I've been able to focus on the infinitum of possibilities: every new development, every cool and engaging program has been mine to cherish and adore. But not every thing is possible for every library. I do not pretend to understand the intricacies of funding, but I do understand that it is shrinking. More library projects must be supported by individual fundraising efforts; federal funding is a joke, state funding is scarce and local funding has more pressing issues to deal with (the ALA has some excellent studies on public library funding and use, if you're not aware). And yet patron demand keeps on rising. I've scoured countless reports, and the consensus is always that even as the recession hits the hardest and library funding suffers the most, library usage rises continually. Libraries are where people go when they can no longer afford to keep up with the rising costs associated with the ability to access information for themselves. And the access to information is the key to self-improvement; without free access, those with the drive but without the means fall behind and become unable to find a job, to further their education, to communicate with peers and reap the benefits that social media has to offer.

I want to thank each and every library who took the time to enter in the giveaway, on a personal level. While every additional entry broke my heart all the more with the knowledge that we can only allot the prize to one winner, every entry also solidified my personal drive to go out and seek the answers necessary to shape the future of free and equal access. Public libraries are doing the best they can, but quite frankly, the model that exists now has many difficulties keeping up with technology that constantly changes and grows. A radical change is probably necessary in order to fully realize the potential a public library has to offer its community. But ask anyone who knows me well--solving puzzles is my favorite task, and I often confront great problems as issues to be untangled in an often creative way. And I am more than committed to applying myself to the Great Puzzle that is the library conundrum. Stay tuned, Libraries. Great things to come.

Faithfully,
Maggie

Pop Culture Series #1: In which the library saves Hogwarts

Such treasures as the library holds

"A warning: If you rip, tear, shred, bend, fold, deface, disfigure, smear, smudge, throw, drop, or in any other manner damage, mistreat, or show lack of respect towards this book, the consequences will be as awful as it is within my power to make them."
-Madam Pince

Dear Libraries,
It is a true testament to your awesome glory that you appear almost casually in every corner of pop culture. You're considered such a standard, a constant, that oftentimes your appearance is incidental and ostensibly not even noteworthy. You never fail to do great things, however, and inevitably you aid our protagonist on his or her search for knowledge (and consequently, power. it is commonly known that knowledge = power. this is what makes Dumbledore "the man"). As a tribute to the good you do in the ongoing battle against the forces of evil, I am proud to introduce my Libraries in Pop Culture series. First stop: Hogwarts.

Now, the Hogwarts library plays an interesting role in the Harry Potter series as it comes across as an almost forbidding place; however, the series does a remarkable job of illustrating several important principles of librarianship, including professionalism, access, and censorship. First off, it seems that the only person who enjoys spending any amount of time there would be Hermione--not even Madam Pince seems happy to be there, though she hardly seems happy to be anywhere, save close to Filch. This is another thing that ruffles me a little, that the only librarian represented in the series is austere, forbidding, and obsessively protective of any and all books. She seems to miss the memo that libraries should be an accepting place, for on many occasions she can be seen chasing students out of the library for food policy violations, and even once sent Harry out just for loitering near the restricted section. Her knowledge of books and reference ability is vast, but her aggressive attitude towards the students deters them from seeking her advice all too often. Hardly your model school librarian. (Note: Rowling did actually apologize for Pince's demeanor at a press conference once: "I would like to apologize for you and any other librarians present here today and my get-out clause is always if they'd had a pleasant, helpful librarian, half my plots would be gone. 'Cause the answer invariably is in a book but Hermione has to go and find it. If they'd had a good librarian, that would have been that problem solved. So ... sorry.")

Bookshelf porn at its finest

Hermione, on the other hand, touts the library's advantages at nearly every turn as the driving force behind the kids' research team, and she is arguably the most librarian-like in the series. As Ron quips in Chamber of Secrets when she rushes off to the library, "Because that's what Hermione does...when in doubt, go to the library." (Ch 14) At times her message gets a little lost under the insufferable know-it-all attitude, but no one can deny that if you need answers, Hermione is the one to have them, or better yet, to know which books to look in to find them. The exception is in the first book, as the gang undergoes their first research project; having gotten the tipoff from Hagrid, resident blabbermouth, that the dark events surrounding the castle have some relation to a mysterious dude named Nicholas Flamel, the kids spend hours in the library trying to discover who he is. The library, however, bears no mention of him, and the only clue Harry, Hermione and Ron get comes in fact on a chocolate frog card. (I've often wondered what the cataloging system at the Hogwarts library is like. It seems unbelievable that if a man were famous enough to get his own chocolate frog card, there wouldn't be at least a book or two on him or his work. Or at the very least a periodical somewhere. Perhaps further proof that Hogwarts should reconsider its library staff.)

Ah, youthful delinquincy

The Restricted Section poses some interesting questions for librarianship in the wizarding world as well. This special area of the library perhaps provides a thoughtful solution to book challenges (pertinent in light of the recent Banned Books Week) in that it houses books that are quite literally dangerous--many contain information about the dark arts, and one even seems to have a carnivorous appetite. Rather than simply choosing not to shelve the books of questionable content, however, the Hogwarts library decided to create a Restricted Section which more advanced students may access with the permission of a professor. The "danger" of certain books is transformed into an extremely literal manifestation in the series, evidenced by Tom Riddle's voracious consumption of the dark books and subsequent rise as Lord Voldemort. And yet the library does not remove the questionable content, nor is there even any discussion of the matter that we can see. Having been questioned and censored herself, there is no doubt that Rowling is aware of the power of concerned parents (and concerned parents do play a role in Hogwarts politics now and again). But regardless, the dangerous books continue to inhabit the Hogwarts library, and I believe this paints the wizarding school as a space where intellectual freedom and access are embraced, with certain caveats. I don't think I would lend a book on horcruxes to an eleven-year-old, either.

There's also a curious element of censorship present in the books as relating to Voldemort. This particular species appears as something resembling self-censorship in that only two people will even speak the name of the brutal snake-man, even after he's presumed deceased. Voldemort's greatest achievement is the culture of fear he succeeds in building around himself, and this lends him considerable power. As Dumbledore notes at the end of the first book, "Fear of the name increases fear of the thing itself" (SS Ch 17). The wizarding world's refusal to speak the name of the vanquished unholy terror allows him to linger as a terrifying presence for over ten years. The self-imposed censorship also allows him to institute the Taboo when he seizes power that essentially targets Harry as the only wizard unafraid to speak his name, endangering the wizarding world's only hope for deliverance. Indeed, censorship is a dangerous thing--even more so when a community chooses it for itself.

All in all, the wizarding world, as in most cases, provides a very interesting take on the world of libraries and the issues that librarians must face daily. Important to note is the fact that technology is simply impossible in the world of magic, so students at Hogwarts will never have access to an online catalog, and poor Madam Pince will never be able to keep up with current librarianship blogs. Maybe we should cut her some slack. Still and all, the library at Hogwarts proves an excellent resource for those clever enough to use it (Hermione does manage to discover the  secret of the basilisk, even if her timing is poor). As Dumbledore in all his ancient wisdom says, "Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it" (COS Ch 14). Just, maybe you should consider asking Hermione rather than Madam Pince.

What I wouldn't give to get my hands on some of those books in Hogwarts, Libraries. Until the next.

Love,
Maggie

P.S. Since I write a lot on my phone during my lunch break at work, my writing often falls prey to the whimsy of autocorrect. There's only so many times I can see the words "poop culture" without giggling helplessly and needing to share. I'm sorry, Libraries, I had to...I'm only human.
P.P.S. I was, however, delighted to learn that "Hogwarts" causes autocorrect no problems. Suggestions for "Voldemort," however, include: "chokeberry," "virginity," "filthier," "homebuyer," "humanity," and "bookseller." Ponder those, if you will.
P.P.P.S. big thanks to Red for being my own angel of reference re: HP. makes my job easier!

Sources:
http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/pince.html
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Irma_Pince
http://www.hp-lexicon.org/images/covers/qa-cover.jpg
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20091108174610/harrypotter/images/b/b3/Library2.JPG
http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/57/main/1/198541.jpg

In which I no longer fear rejection

Dear Libraries,
This is where it all truly begins. This is where I lay it all out on the table and tell you WHY we are meant for each other. I no longer fear rejection; there's no room for that in a courtship. And I plan to be the best suitor you've ever had. Trust me, Libraries, we're going to do great things together.

 I've loved you for a long time, nearly as long as I can remember. It all started in my elementary school library--the first time I realized I could take whatever book I wanted and bring it home with me, for free!, I could almost feel the magic pulsing in the air. You introduced me to authors who changed my life, from Robin McKinley to Judy Blume to Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Every Newberry seemed to bring me a little closer to understanding the world and, more importantly, myself. I knew you were the one for me and nothing has been the same since.

Nashville Public Library: the girl who started it all

Then I met your darker, almost hauntingly beautiful side: the public library. If the school library is the gateway to the magical world of books and free knowledge, then the older sister is the wellspring from which such knowledge flows. EVERYONE is welcome in a public library, and everything is free. This was when I started to learn the importance of equal access and to consider the implications of such a beast. Public libraries represent my very favorite elements of good education: intellectual freedom, universal tolerance, and learning not only how to ask the right questions, but more importantly, how to find the answers for yourself.

Oh, Libraries. You are such a perfectly complex creature that I'm convinced I will never know everything about you, and really--isn't that the fun? The secret joke is that while you offer access to boundless information, your own abilities are boundless as well. Every library is a reflection of its community and their particular needs, and so no library is ever just the same. Your potential is limitless but your funds are not, and the greatest puzzle is to determine how best to distribute your resources. Few industries allow so much inherent creative freedom, and this, my friend, is the reason I believe you will never die. As long as there is a community with needs, libraries will be there to reflect and enhance.

Even though I'm years from being a true "librarian," I can't help but get all itchy from anticipation of the wonderful things I know are coming. I still have so much to learn and can't wait to learn it. I do know for sure that I want to do big things; technology is changing faster than ever before, and as it does, even greater potential for libraries is unlocked. And I can't wait to be there and make things happen. Buckle up, Libraries, we're going all the way to Level 60.

Faithfully yours,
Maggie

In which I have too many feelings

Dear Libraries,
If people can say anything about my passion for libraries and information, it's that I have too many feelings about them. I love the field so freaking much I'm writing a freaking blog of love letters to you, for god's sake. This summer has been tough, especially in the face of the harsh reality that even in the libropolis that is the Greater Cleveland area, there are simply no jobs. None. Not a one. Certainly not a one for a young poser like myself who thought it was a good idea to get some work experience after college instead of going straight to grad school, and now even all the parapro jobs I should be almost qualified for are being taken by those who are decidedly overqualified but basically in the same position as me where the professional jobs are concerned. So it goes. Don't worry, though, I still love you. A lot. In a borderline-obsessive-stalker-fangirl kind of way. And just like that fangirl, I won't be going away anytime soon. Barring a restraining order.

Anyway, the point is, I'm starting this blog as a way to keep myself motivated and true to you in the face of constant (and understandable) rejection. The sting of casual corporate oppression is softened by the knowledge that one day, my perfect library will sweep me off my feet and carry me off to its castle of public servitude. Until then, I'm resigned to drawing your name in hearts and writing you love letters that I'll never send. Come soon, sweet library...the dragon is lurking.

Forever yours,
Maggie