I’ve come to believe the library industry is profoundly fragmented and suffers from a lack of vision. Helene Blowers’ comments strengthened this impression and emphatic calls this month from Carl Grant, president of Ex Libris North America have validated it, sadly.

In Libraries; A Silence That Is Deafening, Grant writes

I think we librarians are lacking a national vision and agenda and are placing our profession and institutions at risk as a result. [...]Let’s carve a pathway, build a platform and align behind a clearly articulated vision of librarianship that will be understood and supported both nationally and internationally.

Carl has wisely chosen to recruit other voices, and publishes commentary from Derek Whitehead President, Australian Library and Information Association and Leslie Burger, former president of the ALA.  It’s good to hear from boisterous librarians!

Patron voices are also needed. Join the dialogue — or start one — here, at Carl’s blog, at your local library. What will you and your children need from public libraries 10 or 20 years from now?

*Image by GARY BRAASCH Environmental Photography