While shelving materials last week, I pondered the challenge of balancing quality and demand. The issue as we know it has been debated for decades, judging from this reference:1
In former times public libraries were known as ‘the people’s university.’ Now, it seems, their highest aspiration is to become, in the words of Charles Robinson, director of the highly influential Baltimore County Public Library System, ‘the McDonald’s of information and materials distribution’.
Robinson and other advocates of the new, ‘merchandised’ libraries [...] argue that they are merely giving the public what it wants and pays for with its taxes.
Bob Usherwood, Emeritus Professor of Librarianship at The University of Sheffield (UK) has it right, I think:2
There is a balance to be struck and public libraries should select the best of the popular in addition to providing a comprehensive range of high quality material. They must also contain a wide variety of material that is not readily available elsewhere.
I’d call on our library staff to do more than balance their acquisitions, however. I’d like to see “less popular” materials showcased in displays, newsletters and on library websites. The latest Danielle Steel novel or Ben Stiller movie need no promotion—they get enough outside the library. It’s the treasures hidden between them that need to be called out.
Highlighting the treasures would be a great volunteer role and might have the added value of promoting the library. Patrons will talk more about library displays, email newsletters and book/movie reviews if they have a hand in creating them.
1Akey, S. Libraries forgetting original goals. Gainsville Sun. 5/27/1990.
2Usherwood, Robert. Equity and Excellence in the Public Library. Aldershot UK: Ashgate. 2007, 24.
I have just discovered your blog and enjoy your thoughtful and well-researched commentary. I am a library school student and learned in a class how some of the wealthy founding fathers of our libraries felt that it was their duty to uplift the masses by bringing to them good literature, but back then the masses were not always interested in quality either! I know personally when I (used to!)have time for pleasure reading my tastes would vary from what could be called good literature to self-help books, to fluff depending on the mood I was in, and how much of a break I needed from reality. I don’t think that popular is necessarily bad, it can fit into the mix of a balanced ensemble. At least a popular figure like Oprah is having some influence over people reading books of some substance. As a teacher, I have always been told to be happy with whatever children are reading, as long as they are reading, so I come from that perspective also. I think the argument will never be satisfied whether we should worry about what people are reading or just if they are reading, as it has gone on for a very long time, though I think as a future librarian, I certainly will attempt to push people in the right direction toward quality since I will have that opportunity to have some influence.
Hi J.T. – This is a tough question, which is probably why it’s been around so long. I believe it’s important to nurture and celebrate diversity and so having all types of materials in our libraries is a good thing. For me, curling up with a good mystery is as vital as reading a scholarly work.
My concern is with homogeneity. Consolidation in publishing & media has resulted in less opportunity for unknown artists or material that falls outside the mainstream. Funding to support non-fiction work is also challenged. Within libraries, outsourcing collection development (as an understandable means of reducing costs) would also seem to impact diversity.
As a librarian and educator, you’ll have the opportunity to help others explore the hidden gems in our libraries. Good luck!
BTW, I submitted a request to Oprah to cover the library funding crisis. Wouldn’t it be something if she did a show on it?