A few weeks ago we talked about something missing from modern libraries. See libraries today -- books or visual experiences? That was my reaction to the new Centennial Library in Midland, Texas. But it also pertains to the remodeled and recently reopened Downtown Library. We can probably thank Library Director John Trischitti III for that:
“We are excited to reopen the new incarnation of the Downtown Library for the Midland community,” Library Director John Trischitti III said. He continued, “I also appreciate the community’s patience as the project took longer than expected, however, we hope that everyone will feel it was worth the wait. Midland is now blessed to have not one but two top-shelf public library facilities to serve its citizens”.
"Top-shelf." That's cute, given that there is much more open space than there are book shelves. While there were plenty of computers available for card holders' use, there was no card catalog - or the high tech equivalent - available for customer use at the new, old library when I was there the other day. If you want a book and don't know where to look, you have to ask a librarian for help.
The phrase, "on the right side of history," was popularized by a former president. And that's probably where Mr. Trischitti tried to position himself with all the new library innovations he has implemented. After all, the intellectuals say things like Populism can be beaten back by libraries. Really and Millennials are the most likely generation of Americans to use public libraries.
Be that as it may, the crusty curmudgeon writing this blog still likes to read books, not screens.
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3:52 PM 5/31/2019
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