If you’re the person I think you are, you may remember me from your time in Potsdam. If so, hello! I’ve been hearing good things about Crandall lately, and it makes me smile to know that you’re involved.

Your idea about the Hot Topics section is a great one, and I applaud your understanding that circulation numbers are not the only measure of success. I wish our library had had a section like that when I was a kid!

To respond to Peter, given that many of the same “old people” complain vigorously about the demise of reading ability among “those kids”, shouldn’t the geezers be glad of anything that convinces younger people to voluntarily interact with printed text? Or, given their longer experience with participatory democracy, should we not expect them to interact and ask that their needs be met, rather than picking up their metaphorical balls and going home?

As both a computer scientist and an analog nut, I believe in the value of physical books and am committed to supporting libraries to house them. Having access to a boundless trove of Kindle files is not the same. That said, the world is changing, and if the lieberry can’t adapt to the new order, we’re going to have Trouble right here in River City.

Besides, I doubt that the kids are very loud when they’re sneaking off with books about puberty. Loudness and sneaking aren’t traditional bedfellows.

Whoops–I forgot to put his part in. The Teen Center was designed to give privacy both to the teens and to the older patrons who want to browse in peace and quiet. The Teen Center is an enclosed, __soundproof__ room a full floor away from the adult fiction center. So don’t worry; the long-time patrons can and do read, play chess, and browse.

And the teens still get to be loud!

Frieda

Be proud to be loud!