Journal Entry 10

Supplemental Readings

We were introduced to The Enduring Library by Michael Gorman the first weekend of class. Although it was not required reading, I was hooked on the his tone and style of writing. Gorman begins the first chapter quoting A. C. Grayling that "every age thinks it is in crisis. Things have got worse, people say, clicking their tongues, crime is up, the quality of life down, the world is in a mess"(Gorman, 2003). As we look around the globe today the world is a mess with flooding in the Midwest (15, 100, 500-year), cyclones in the Far East, gas prices soaring to record levels and rice shortages - is the end near? But we need to stop and reflect, in the last century the globe weathered two world wars, a flu pandemic and Chernobyl.

Structure and Image

Next Gorman quotes Sasha Cohen. "True, the library isn't sexy or fashionable. It isn't a place to see or be seen. But in times when nothing is certain, it gives me endless comfort and pleasure"(Gorman, 2003). Gorman states that the library is more than just the brick-and-mortar building; "the library is both symbolized and made manifest in the space and structure it occupies"(Gorman, 2003). He goes on to state the library can move beyond the physical walls of its structures with the advent of digital technology.

Collection

There has been some discussion as to what actually composes a library collection. Is the library collection simply the physical holdings owned by the individual library? Does the collection include those subscriptions services (ie databases)? What of Inter Library Loan (ILL) and the freetext Internet documents? Gorman states the "the definition of a library collection has consequently expanded over the last 125 years to comprise at least for levels: locally owned physical documents; physical documents owned by other libraries but available through ILL; electronic documents that have been purchased or subscribed to; and "free" electronic documents" (Gorman, 2003). I would have to disagree with the fourth level the Internet is not part of the library collection. These documents from the Internet are impermanent and a collection is a standing body of works. It would be hard for the library to preserve the human record when the link maybe gone tomorrow. Finally, Gorman states the each level of the collection is less organized then the previous.

The Digital Divide

The topic of the digital divide has come up often in class discussions. The public library is viewed as a way to shrink this divide for the poor, and minorities. Gorman states the digital divide does exist but there are other divides of equal or even greater concern; "access to healthcare, quality education, readily available transportation" are dividers (Gorman, 2003). Money and power are the dividers. Gorman hammers the point by equating the charitable work of the Victorians who gave "warm clothes" for the poor while failing to address the squalor they lived in (Gorman, 20030. Illiteracy, underfunded education go along with the lack of Internet access. The Internet does open onto a world of data and information, but is not a cure all. Gorman quotes a Department of Education report "the Internet does not replace the need for books and often increases the demand for up-to-date library materials" (Gorman, 2003).

Gorman examines literacy. Is literacy being able to fill out an application and read "an article in a tabloid newspaper"? Gorman defines this as "functional literacy" (Gorman, 2003). Gorman states that literacy pertains to the ability to read long text and write with equal depth and understanding. He does not specifically name it, but reading, writing and comprehension or understanding is necessary for true literacy. The ability to make connections and build knowledge - not just memorizing facts. Gorman wonders about the "savage state of experiencing the present and fearing the future because we have no collective memory to guide us?" (Gorman, 2003). This reminded me of The Giver by Lois Lowry where the society as a whole has a one generational memory. The sameness took away the differences among people, there emotional needs and the color of the world. Everything was flat.

I look forward to finishing this text and see what Mr. Gorman has to say next.

Gorman, M. (2003). The Enduring Library: technology, tradition, and the quest for balance. Chicago: American Library Association.