April 19, 2008
A Sense of Elsewhere is an article from the November 2007 issue of American Libraries; it is a must read! Author Vartan Gregorian writes a powerful, heartfelt piece on the value and purpose of libraries in one of the most passionate articles I’ve read on this subject. My favorite part is the simple but grand way he captured libraries with the words “instruments of civilization”. He also refers to them as the “DNA of our civilization”. Take a moment to ponder on that…..
The article summarizes the great contributions of philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, to American libraries and libraries worldwide; Carnegie contributed to the creation of more than 2, 600 libraries. I found this to be astounding! The author’s bittersweet tone radiates feelings of conviction and stirs up tearful, happy memories of childhood and the role libraries have played in providing a welcoming atmosphere of learning and knowledge for people of all ages, ethnicities and religions regardless of economic status. The author points out how significant this is because before our nation had embraced equality, American librarians had already taken it upon themselves to extend services to a diverse society; not just to a privileged minority.
Quoting Vartan Gregorian:
“We also need the sense of elsewhere that libraries give us: In a library, we are in a place where we are safe and yet, at the same time, poised on the brink of discovery.”
For more information about this writer see the link below. He is currently the president of Carnegie Corporation in New York and served for eight years as president for the New York Public Library. http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/newsmakers/nwsmkr.jhtml?id=17000013
For stimulating conversation share with us your “whatzintellect” thoughts about an interesting proposition for libraries from the author: Gregorian suggests that libraries “build coalitions with…natural allies- public television…” etc. In light of previous discussions about the power of media and its influence on information flow what are your thoughts about how libraries would build coalitions or what positive and/or negative implications would arise from such an alliance?
