Above photo shows the Boston Public Library.
I don't often whine here but I got something in the mail today, the alumni newsletter from where I graduated with an M.L.S., which provoked this post. As some of you know I am a retired librarian, a career I enjoyed. A nice career for a book lover, at least in earlier years. Now it is very much involved with computers. What annoyed me in the newsletter was when I read that the university where I got my Masters Degree in Library Science has dropped the word Library from its school name. When I graduated it was School of Library and Information Sciences.
I know, don't push the river, but my alma mater's new school name is Information School. Not a whisper of Library to be found. I guess nowadays we Information Workers (formerly known as Librarians) could be working in a drafty warehouse surrounded by computers and nary a book or library user in sight. I wonder when the term librarian will disappear, replaced by something like IS Worker. Information School worker. To my mind, librarian is a noble calling and a word that evokes the joy and the power of books.
Being a librarian I researched and see that 7 well known American universities have made the school name change to Information School with the nickname of iSchool. There is now an international group of 77 universities that have made this name change to iSchool, dropping the word Library.
Public libraries often still value physical books, and putting those books in the hands of people. But the wave of the future has arrived in many universities. The one where I worked threw out all the books on one floor to turn the floor into study areas. I am glad that happened after I retired, I would have refused to do that, staff had to throw the books into dumpsters.
Enough of a whine on this subject. Thanks for listening, I feel a teeny bit better. To thank you for reading the above, here are some photos I took in my garden today. The first photo of my purple/red clematis shows my hand so you can see the flower size.
Above is my orange Clock Vine (Thunbergia), from India, and my purple clematis. This clematis has two petals on each flower vs. six petals on the red/purple in the other photos. I pulled out my graceful cat bookends as I am decluttering books, and put them on display on my kitchen table. Have a great week and stay well, my friends.
49 comments:
I find it hard to believe that libraries and books could ever be obsolete... but with computers and ebooks, I do worry about their future. Love the pic of the books and the clouds!
And those flowers are gorgeous!
Terra,
I worked in an academic library and by the time I retired in 2015, the "library" extension was changed to "Learning Commons"...Just like when "data processing" changed to "Information technology". Guess, everything is changing these days. Your flowers our lovely; I have clematis vines as well but, I don't think I've seen your variety - so pretty.
My grandsons were delighted the public library reopened. There is one librarian they get suggestions from.I pale in comparison, according to them. The librarian, they swear, has read the entire “junior” section and most of the adult books appropriate in their interest. They got in on the first day. The talking was intense. I don’t know who was more excited...them or their favorite librarian. To us, librarians are in the top ten of professions that should never disappear. Computers will never be able to pick up the importance of a new book to a reader.
I had not heard about universities changing the name of their library schools. My downstairs neighbor is also a retired librarian. I will have to find out what she thinks about the topic the next time I see her.
ischool indeed! I understand your displeasure.
Your Clematis are lovely. Good idea to take the picture of the individual flower beside your hand.
Your clematis is just gorgeous!
I agree with you librarian whine...
The bookend cats are very graceful indeed.
While I love reading novels on my Kindle, any kind of text book, self help, or anything with photos, maps, footnotes, etc I cannot absorb if I can't flip through paper pages. My learning style needs the physical whole in order to contextualize and absorb the information. Good thing I'm not a student today. ;)
As someone who devours a book a day - well at a minimum 5 a week, this breaks my heart.
Librarian is a noble word for a noble profession. I really can understand, that you are sad and angry abour these "modern ways" of making deep rivers flat and vacuous. It is right, that you designate your frustration! Respect and complimentfor your profession!
The Clematis is amazing!
Libraries here are still called libraries - thank goodness - although they did go through a period of wanting to be more "information hub" rather than book lending hub. When The County Council off-loaded Suffolk libraries to a 'Community Interest Group' and most staff became volunteers things reverted to more importance in providing books.
I'd much rather have the real thing in my hand rather than a screen!
I don't blame you for being mad - information now, well really. What next will be totally mucked up.
That just seems crazy that they would remove the word library from the name. I realize that technology has paved the way for newer ways of learning but it bothers me that today they want to cover up, throw away or hide things from the past. Throwing books away is insane.
One of the first things Dennis and I did last week when he got here was go to the local library and get our cards. Although we both use a Kindle when we travel, (you can get a LOT of books in a small space), both of us love the feel of a "real" book in our hands and prefer that when we're at home. Personally I think it's awful what they're doing to the libraries.
Gorgeous flowers, they're huge!
Blessings,
Betsy
I would be angry too, Terra... or at least my heart would sink to the basement & back! I'm so sorry to hear this! All my children have always considered our local library to be their second home. They grew up going to the library every single week and learning how to take care of "borrowed books" so they're returned in the same shape they were in when they took the books home. The librarians all watched our children grow up and then delighted when we brought our grandchildren in, to meet them. Thank you for being a librarian! ~Andrea xoxo
I can sure see why that upsets you. Seems outrageous to me. I LOVE libraries and books!!
I don't go for all this changing of names anyway!!!
I'm impressed with your clematises, Terra! :)
I had to google to check, but found to my relief that our Library School still has the the word library (Swedish: 'bibliotek') both in its official name ('Bibliotekshögskolan') and in most of the courses listed - even if the word 'information' is included in many of the courses as well. We only have one Library school in Sweden, and it happens to be situated in Borås where I now live. Back in my teens (in the mid 1970s, and then I was living elsewhere) I was actually thinking of becoming a librarian, but was advised against it by the career consultant at my senior high school, as just then there were too many unemployed librarians already. So I ended up going to secretary school instead.
Im going to be the lone aged voice in the wilderness, lol. I would not be happy with books in dumpsters. But I need to yell from the rafters that kindle books are real.bioks and make real books and reading more accessible to a wide variety of populations. And I would lucky at those study rooms as a way to.wrlcome even more people into the library. Many of those young people who may not have a place to study on their own.
What's happening to libraries, especially those in universities and schools, is sad. Even a few years ago, I remember seeing articles about high schools that were replacing their old libraries with "bookless libraries" - as if there is any such thing. I'm blessed to have a wonderful county library system that even partners with the two adjacent counties and the community college to make books available to me. And I'm seldom disappointed when searching for something through the system.
I hope that libraries don't become so "woke" that they forget their mission.
Change can be a good thing but sometimes it is not so great. I get your disappointment and anger that they changed the name. Kris
Can’t names expand in scope with the times? It seems such a waste of a wonderful word! Library and all associated with it?
When I read they threw books in dumpsters--I was shocked and cringed and could have cried! Libraries could disappear? Children will not know what a librairian is? They say kids will not know how to write in the future, either! Does not bode well. Breaks my heart, too! :(
Two of our four daughters worked at the large county library for more than several years, it was a nice place for them to work...What though am I hearing? They are taking off the name, Library? That is so sad! And they're throwing the books away? That is a beautiful library!
Your kitty bookends are so pretty and your Clematis is gorgeous, love the colors, they are huge! Isn't gardening so fun and relaxing? I'm beginning to just love it. I think I'm turning into my dad, he loved gardening when he was alive. I think of him often when I'm out there, and it is true what I've heard, we feel the presence of God. Have you gardened long?
I enjoyed my visit and am so glad to have found your blog! Blessings!
A librarian!!!
I always thought that would be a wonderful vocation!
Had I not became a teacher, I had thought about that!
I am a book lover.
I share your love of the written word, my friend.
I don't see the need for changing names like we've seen so much of this year! SHISH! Love your big beautiful blooms! Hugs!
Beautiful blog
I'd feel bad, too, Terra. I do think Librarian is a noble profession, and there was a time when I was young and wanted to be a librarian when I "grew up". My sister had a summer job at our local library and I was so envious.
There is much to be said for the proper name where you study and get your degree. My daughter graduated from The International Academy of Design and Technology. Later, many were surprised that she actually received her bachelor's degree there. I guess the name of the school is misleading.
I love your clematis. I had two die last year at the lake for lack of rain (and me there to water!). Try, try again!
Have a wonderful remainder of spring!🌸
Jane x
Dear Terra, I'm so glad that you chose to "whine" in this posting. Why? Because I'm with you on this. Librarian comes, if my high school Latin hasn't deserted me, from the root word "libra." All those centuries ago, "books" were papyrus rolls or stones incised with words. Then came the manuscripts, then printing and binding that served us for centuries and will, I hope, continue to do so. Books have the virtue of not being ephemeral! I sort of feel that we're living in a pipe dream. Peace.
So sad about the books. I love the word library. I have books piled all around me - I guess it's my own library.
Lovely clematis! Bookends are a must! Have a great day, Terra!
Removing the word Library from any library is pure stupidity as well as insult.
The words themselves...Library...Librarian...are beautiful. Taking them away erases the grandeur that learning is all about. Changing with the times is a dumb excuse. I hope the alumni donors protest.
Dear Terra,
I approve of both of your fury at the dropping of the word Library and of your beautiful cat bookends- your Clematis is amazing too!
Hi Terra - those clematii (correct or not?!) are quite delightful and I do love seeing them ... I know of white and mauve nearby. Amazing they've removed the title 'Library' - I'm seeing a librarian next week - I must ask her about it ... I guess the times change ... but one does wonder. I'd have loved to have been a librarian ... rather late in the day, did I realise that?!?! Interesting post to think about - and your cat book ends are a delight - cheers Hilary
I totally agree. How very sad. Nothing can take the place of holding a book in your hands. Your clematis are beautiful! I have one that is about to open full with blooms.
Our middle school library is called the "Media Center" and the head librarian is called a Media Specialist. I hate it and refuse to use those words!
Beautiful clematis!
I had not heard of this awful trend and it both angers and saddens me. As a child, my favorite place in the whole wide world to be, was a library. Everything about it -- the hush, the sound of pages turning, the wealth of information, and most of all the millions of lovely BOOKS -- was like oxygen to me. I have not been to my library in nearly 18 months, thanks to covid. I miss it. BTW I bought the A.M. Homes book you recently recommended ... found it on Thriftbooks for just a few dollars. I'm almost done with it. Parts of it I do not like but overall it's pretty good. xoxo
As someone who works in a high school library I can attest that computers are certainly taking over, especially in this past year of distance learning. When new textbooks are approved they usually come with a digital version (which, of course, was a blessing this past year). The library itself was almost dormant this past year. The joy has much disappeared from this work.
First off, the flowers are absolutely gorgeous. And the kitty bookends are lovely. As for a library throwing out books. shame on them. No institution that is supposed to impart knowledge, encourage reading, uphold access to books for free should be throwing books in a dumpster. Why did they not have a free book drive where they allowed people to come and take a certain number of books. Anything other than throwing them in a dumpster? This world has become too accustomed to taking rather than giving, everything seems to be disposable and nothing has any real value. I for one do not like this new push towards everything being digital. I'm old school in that regard and will dig my heels in for as long as I can.
The clematis is beautiful - and I love the green lamps in the library
I totally agree, this world has gone bonkers in so many things... and going completely digital, ugh. I love to hold a real book in my hand, feel the pages, read the worlds on real pages. Our library is doing the same thing, but they haven't yet begun tossing hardcopies of books, and I hope they don't! Just started reading your blog a few weeks ago and have you on my blog list. LOVE those clematis! I'm a lifetime gardener... I practically live outdoors lol. Blessings to you!
Ouch! I must be out of touch and reading about the disappearance of libraries and trashing of books makes me cringe and want to cry. That said, since a stroke, I mostly read books on my iPad because real books present a physically frustrating challenge. lovely flowers were a delightful closing for your post.
Hi Mate,
I realise that the world must progress, but NOT change the name of known establishments..
I thank God that my Alma Mater still has the same name.. I went to three actually but I cling to my principle first one.
Libraries and book... my passion. As a young girl attending a small country school we had no library. I went crazy in High School and spent a lot of time in the library there and after school in our municipal one.
Love your flowers, they are Gods special creation in such a variety of colors. We are spoiled and often don't appreciate it enough. Love and blessing to you.
I'm with you on the feeling about losing the word "library." It means more than information, it's about gathering, holding, maintaining, curating and making available.
I whine with you.
Your flowers are so pretty.
Dear Untypical Me, do you have a blog? Please tell me its name and blog address and I will follow your blog. I appreciate your comment and you adding me to your blog roll, and I see we both love books and gardening.
I love books. I have ALWAYS loved books. I haunted the library from 3rd grade forward to this day. Then it was the children's library, and I checked out all of the horse story books I could find, fairy tales which were entire books then in the ancient days! My imagination was enriched so much. I still draw on memories these books still evoke. I have about a thousand books here in my house. Mostly hard cover. Some are decently bound soft cover. I cannot throw a book away. I can't do it. Just as I can't throw away a plant. I tried one time to do that, and I went out within a minute and gathered it up and re-planted it. How could the Librarians even force themselves to toss all of those books into the dumpster? Had the townspeople known, no doubt many would have come to the Book's rescue.
I had no idea in the world that this was happening. Even that the term Librarian was disappearing. Why are "they" doing that???
There is nothing like the feel of a book in your hands. The pleasure anticipated in a good read complete with turning pages, the smell of the paper, even the sound of the pages turning. I respect the role of the Librarian and I am saddened that the thing you speak of here has happened. I can hardly credit it but, I know you are telling it as it is.
I will add that I dislike reading books on the computer, iPad whatever you will. I do under circumstances that demand it but I do not choose to do so on my own volition.
Hi Terra... It's me, UntypicalMe aka Diana C. I'd forgotten to update my profile 🤦🏼♀️ my blog is unthpicallife.com. I was recently banned from blogspot for being an outspoken Christian and certain opinions (yes, it's happening to folks), so got my own domain and am starting over. A bit of a jerky start because so many things are going on in the family, but I'm there at least! I would love to have you visit, just keep in mind some people do not agree on some opinions I hold lol. Blessings to you!
I love the flowers. They are beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Oh good grief! Dropping the Librarian. -sigh- What is this world coming to?????
🌿🌼🌿💛🌿🌼🌿
All of your flowers are gorgeous. Reading about the demise of books and librarians made me think of the movie based on the book Fahrenheit 451.
Library is a special word, I'm sorry to hear they dropped the name at the university where you went to. Now, I have to ask Nel if they dropped the name at the university where she teaches. Being a Librarian is a wonderful profession, Terra. I remember when I tried to sell my old books at the college I attended, and they didn't buy any. They only took certain types of books, and mine weren't in that category. Your clematis beautiful. The color is striking.
~Sheri
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