Libraries on the Brink: A topic at the Anarchist Book Fair
- By Bruce McKinney
Howard Besser: a clear overview
By Bruce McKinney
This is both a written story and an 11 minute video (hi) or video (lo). Links to the film are also provided at the end of this 1,498 word article.
Dictionary.com provides this definition of anarchist: a person who promotes disorder or excites revolt against any established rule, law, or custom. So what would the Anarchist Book Fair be? To learn we rented a space and took along our filming gear. The plan was to videotape responses to a question about book collecting but we quickly adjusted the focus to: Libraries, how do they evolve to survive and prosper to the next generation? This show, it turns out, is all about content, quite different from book fairs that are primarily about books as objects. To the question where is the new book collector the answer at this show, and we filmed 20 interviews to confirm it, is they are busy browsing book stores for something good to read. They tend to own books rather than to borrow them from libraries and speak of their libraries with personal satisfaction. They tend to view the entire subject of "books as objects" as really? To them an important book is one you feel the need to read several times. To the question "where is the new book collector" they thought the question too obvious to warrant an answer so I instead asked them about the future of libraries and hit an artery.
The fair was held in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco inside a serviceable building that probably was new in the 1930s. The organizers explained that large crowds were expected as this has been their experience. We were not prepared for the kind of crowd or the fact that no one left.
Anyone who says America is reading less or that intelligence is on the decline would have got a wake up call here. Perhaps fifty exhibitors provided a combination of free material and items for sale. Nothing seemed terribly expensive and neither those manning the booths nor those milling seemed in a hurry. It felt more like a reunion of readers, all happy to see the skill is alive and prized by thousands like themselves. We participated only on Saturday but from the busy start at 10:00 am all the way to the official close at 6:00 the place was not only busy. It was alive.
Those we interviewed tended to be under 30 and over 50, the crowd in between somewhere else. They were, in the main, young; the fabled younger audience book dealers speak of but rarely see. It turns out they exist in substantial numbers but read the books they buy rather than display them. For this crowd the importance of a book is in what it says, not what it costs. It also explains their strong interest in libraries, they all outriders of the reading habit, about which they express concern and hope.
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Libraries on the Brink: A topic at the Anarchist Book Fair
- By Bruce McKinney
"There is no next generation."
About the issues facing libraries Howard Besser of NYU provided a clear overview. He described libraries as a physical place and an online space with a need/obligation to provide both appropriate physical settings and online interaction: a place where communities can meet both in a building and online. He describes libraries as providing authoritative sources with different perspectives but maintaining neutrality on the questions. He compares this with Google which he describes as providing masses of undifferentiated material where everything is mashed together; what is neutral, what is partisan interspersed. He sees for libraries a crucial function but also speaks of them facing de-funding as more and more people accept the undifferentiated search engine approach.
Heather voiced a similar view speaking of libraries as community spaces, access to them important. Heidi said that libraries have to be relevant to all communities to survive. Otherwise they won't be supported.
Bruce[no relation], carrying Oscar, [also no relation] mentioned that public meeting rooms in libraries are important. Danny called the survival of libraries a class issue saying libraries recognize what is happening to them and are trying to tailor their approach and services, to adapt, because they realize the value of their services, even if their patrons don't always. He also suggested where there is both the money and public demand libraries respond. To my categorization that he's optimistic he said he wasn't sure.
Brad suggested reduced funding is taking a toll. He described having library access as a youngster and developing a commitment to reading through his frequent visits. But he also said that later his local library cut back hours to save money and his younger brother and sister never developed the same level of interest in reading.
Laura described how the library in her town took all the chairs out to avoid unwanted traffic. "There is no next generation." She home schools her daughter and needs the local library.
Justin feels library problems are people's fault. Everyone is relying on the internet too much. Neither does he like publishing online because it harms the traditional approach. To the question "how do libraries get back into the game he said it's up to people to go back to them."
Richard feels that it is libraries that need to adapt. They should offer internet access, be a resource to people, resist the temptation to reduce hours, perhaps staff differently. They need to buy the right material and also work to get support. "For libraries it isn't just checking out books anymore."
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Libraries on the Brink: A topic at the Anarchist Book Fair
- By Bruce McKinney
"Libraries need to be more enticing"
Jeremy too believes libraries need to change. People only read one book a year so libraries should recognize that people go to libraries for many other purposes. Get away from privileged, elite services. Have longer hours. In two words: get competitive.
An unnamed contributor said "put more emphasis on public university libraries. Public libraries are more for children.
Roxane pointed out that libraries often don't have the newest material so she finds herself going to book stores to get it. She also likes the comfortable atmosphere in big book stores and doesn't find this in libraries. When I offered a summary of her views - "libraries need to be more enticing" she emphatically agreed.
Adam suggested library issues are part of the larger problems cities face. Apparently speaking of San Francisco he offered, "What do you expect when you live in a city that doesn't provide services" for people with problems?" He worked at a library in Santa Rosa and said they face the same unresolved social issues there.
Peter, to the question "how to make libraries more relevant" offered "get more anarchist books." But he also said he doesn't use libraries himself. I own the books I use. Libraries are great for journals and databases. As to whether he's optimistic or pessimistic he expressed concern.
Tom offered we should make sure we do not cheapen the texts. It's not so important to have every book. In the future we may need libraries more than we think we do today.
Danny. Libraries are trying to adapt. They understand the value of their services. He suggests local budgets and customer awareness are important factors in making libraries effective. He suggests there is a healthy dynamic between demanding patrons and libraries with sufficient budgets – together they can find a way to the future. But this also implies that libraries that lack either one or both factors may have trouble. "Libraries have to both take the lead and follow the lead of their patrons."
Kaya. Libraries need to promote themselves. They offer valuable validation but seem reluctant to speak about it.
Moira. Libraries should bring in more underground press, more non-mainstream material, the other viewpoints Howard Besser spoke about.
Matt. How do libraries get to the next generation? It's all about selecting the right material. Choose what people will want." He also offered, "I'm probably the only person here who also attended the ABAA fair."
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Libraries on the Brink: A topic at the Anarchist Book Fair
- By Bruce McKinney
"It isn't just checking out books anymore."
Don was succinct, "more books, more books. There aren't enough books on the shelves. I want more books. I buy books rather than go to libraries. I like to write in them!"
In total 20 people shared their thoughts and helped us better understand the different perspectives that people have about libraries. Libraries matter. This is clear. Are they to bend to the changing market or is the market to bend to them? Is "library" even a single concept or a Milky Way of unique institutions? There isn't even agreement on whether libraries are places or concepts as about half those interviewed described the library as a place while the other half described it more as a process.
Everyone agrees its important libraries survive. As to how they survive, this is an open question that suggests the future of libraries really is uncertain.
A final note about the fair: it's well worth attending. The people and the material make it a "must attend" so mark your calendar for 2008. We'll see you there.
Here again are links to the video (hi) or video (lo). There are two resolutions; high and low. To view the high resolution you need a DSL, cable or other high speed access. Allow the video about 25 seconds to create your viewing buffer. This will ensure the film plays smoothly.
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