Comments on: LWV’s Elgin Township, ECC, U-46, and Gail Borden Public Library trustee forum http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:56:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: RS http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47724 RS Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:15:08 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47724 <blockquote> How you and GBPL came up with the idea that GBPL should be a center for any and all meetings, should be a teen center hang-out, a free video rental center, a free computer and Internet service for all, at the expense of providing traditional library services. </blockquote> Do you feel that those additional services are really provided at the expense of traditional services? Aside from the magazine rack being moved around, what are your other complaints? I have to say that I am very satisfied with the services of the library, and haven't noticed any deterioration in quality of services because they built a teen center or offer DVDs and CDs. I also think that it's very important to have a movie and music collection because books are not the only repository of culture or information. There are classic movies that everybody should see and there is classical--and yes, even rock music!--that everyone should at least have the experience of listening to once. I think it is just as important, for example, for the library to have a copy of Citizen Kane as it is for them to have a copy of Moby Dick. I think it's just as important to have recordings of Beethoven's symphonies as it is to have collection of works by Poe or whomever, and of course a million times more important to have Beethoven recordings than to have a collection of Harry Potter books! Internet likewise is about access to information, which is the core function of the public library--to provide information to those who otherwise cannot access it. My complaint about the Internet at the library is that--if the kiosks are any indication--it is not fast enough! And the computers are also due for an upgrade. So yes, I think they need to invest <strong>more</strong> here, not less. New computers and more bandwidth please...

How you and GBPL came up with the idea that GBPL should be a center for any and all meetings, should be a teen center hang-out, a free video rental center, a free computer and Internet service for all, at the expense of providing traditional library services.

Do you feel that those additional services are really provided at the expense of traditional services? Aside from the magazine rack being moved around, what are your other complaints?

I have to say that I am very satisfied with the services of the library, and haven’t noticed any deterioration in quality of services because they built a teen center or offer DVDs and CDs.

I also think that it’s very important to have a movie and music collection because books are not the only repository of culture or information. There are classic movies that everybody should see and there is classical–and yes, even rock music!–that everyone should at least have the experience of listening to once.

I think it is just as important, for example, for the library to have a copy of Citizen Kane as it is for them to have a copy of Moby Dick. I think it’s just as important to have recordings of Beethoven’s symphonies as it is to have collection of works by Poe or whomever, and of course a million times more important to have Beethoven recordings than to have a collection of Harry Potter books!

Internet likewise is about access to information, which is the core function of the public library–to provide information to those who otherwise cannot access it. My complaint about the Internet at the library is that–if the kiosks are any indication–it is not fast enough! And the computers are also due for an upgrade. So yes, I think they need to invest more here, not less. New computers and more bandwidth please…

]]> By: Tom http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47715 Tom Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:49:52 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47715 Paul, did you ever request those magazines? I'd like to read them too, but we wont' know if they are censoring magazines unless somebody makes a request and gets rejected. Paul, did you ever request those magazines? I’d like to read them too, but we wont’ know if they are censoring magazines unless somebody makes a request and gets rejected.

]]> By: Paul http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47714 Paul Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:27:44 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47714 ND, if you want your opinion to be considered with any validity, stop with the absurdities. "overlooking the wastewater treatment plant" You mean that plant at least 1/2 mile up river, largely hidden by vegetation (and distance), and if you didn't already know what it was you'd have absolutely no idea what it is? And you actually claim the view of traffic on Kimball and Grove is a better view than an unobstructed view of the Fox River looking north with the ONLY traffic being bicycles, pedestrians, ducks, geese, egrets, herons, hawks, numerous other bird species, an occasional boat in the summertime, and an occasional airplane? As to your other opinion that the library will be more than it was, it this library user's opinion that the library will be considerably less than it was pre million dollar remodel of new library for those looking for library type functions. How you and GBPL came up with the idea that GBPL should be a center for any and all meetings, should be a teen center hang-out, a free video rental center, a free computer and Internet service for all, at the expense of providing traditional library services. Speaking of which for example - why doesn't GBPL carry the premier national conservative magazine National Review? Or the conservative Weekly Standard magazine? Of the hundreds of magazines GBPL does carry are any conservative magazines? Is GBPL engaged in neo-liberal fascist censorship! ND, if you want your opinion to be considered with any validity, stop with the absurdities.
“overlooking the wastewater treatment plant”
You mean that plant at least 1/2 mile up river, largely hidden by vegetation (and distance), and if you didn’t already know what it was you’d have absolutely no idea what it is?
And you actually claim the view of traffic on Kimball and Grove is a better view than an unobstructed view of the Fox River looking north with the ONLY traffic being bicycles, pedestrians, ducks, geese, egrets, herons, hawks, numerous other bird species, an occasional boat in the summertime, and an occasional airplane?
As to your other opinion that the library will be more than it was, it this library user’s opinion that the library will be considerably less than it was pre million dollar remodel of new library for those looking for library type functions. How you and GBPL came up with the idea that GBPL should be a center for any and all meetings, should be a teen center hang-out, a free video rental center, a free computer and Internet service for all, at the expense of providing traditional library services. Speaking of which for example - why doesn’t GBPL carry the premier national conservative magazine National Review? Or the conservative Weekly Standard magazine? Of the hundreds of magazines GBPL does carry are any conservative magazines? Is GBPL engaged in neo-liberal fascist censorship!

]]> By: ND Miss http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47713 ND Miss Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:15:48 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47713 I think it is funny that Paul refers to Carole as Queen Medal, because she is so much more pro-resident and has opened up the library so much more than Dan Zach, who ran that place with an iron fist. He made sweeping decisions, including changing designs when the library was under construction, but whatever. The library is doing the renovation because it needs a/ more public meeting space 2/ a better teen center and 3/ more study rooms. If you use the library on a regular basis, you know the meeting rooms are constantly booked, that the "teen area" got short stick when the library was built (a Dan Zach issue) and that the study rooms are always full. The renovation gets more of all three. And, I don't think overlooking the wastewater treatment plant is a better view for anyone at the library. I think it is funny that Paul refers to Carole as Queen Medal, because she is so much more pro-resident and has opened up the library so much more than Dan Zach, who ran that place with an iron fist. He made sweeping decisions, including changing designs when the library was under construction, but whatever.

The library is doing the renovation because it needs a/ more public meeting space 2/ a better teen center and 3/ more study rooms. If you use the library on a regular basis, you know the meeting rooms are constantly booked, that the “teen area” got short stick when the library was built (a Dan Zach issue) and that the study rooms are always full. The renovation gets more of all three. And, I don’t think overlooking the wastewater treatment plant is a better view for anyone at the library.

]]> By: Paul http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47635 Paul Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:51:14 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47635 R.S., I did not say nor imply that GBPL changed the name of the Quiet reading room because it is "not supposed to be a quiet room". I am not quoting the library director word for word but Medal told me in single sentence and in this order: design flaw funneling noise into quiet reading thus rendering room not as quiet as expected and changed name from Quiet reading room to River room. Nor do you have any idea how much time I spend there. But I have been spending more time in the River room of late because my options for "quiet" reading has been greatly reduced as the result a million dollar renovation of the new library that is greatly reducing "quiet" reading area. But you might still be right. In this new age of clearly dumbed down society we may have less area need for comprehensive reading than we did say in that long ago era when the library was built - 5 years ago! Make that area a teen hang-out center with the obvious built-in expectation teens won't/don't need quiet reading. Then too, sometimes spending a million dollars to build in low expectations might result in the realization of the expectation! R.S., I did not say nor imply that GBPL changed the name of the Quiet reading room because it is “not supposed to be a quiet room”. I am not quoting the library director word for word but Medal told me in single sentence and in this order: design flaw funneling noise into quiet reading thus rendering room not as quiet as expected and changed name from Quiet reading room to River room.
Nor do you have any idea how much time I spend there. But I have been spending more time in the River room of late because my options for “quiet” reading has been greatly reduced as the result a million dollar renovation of the new library that is greatly reducing “quiet” reading area.
But you might still be right. In this new age of clearly dumbed down society we may have less area need for comprehensive reading than we did say in that long ago era when the library was built - 5 years ago! Make that area a teen hang-out center with the obvious built-in expectation teens won’t/don’t need quiet reading. Then too, sometimes spending a million dollars to build in low expectations might result in the realization of the expectation!

]]> By: RS http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47632 RS Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:19:28 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47632 You probably spend more time there than I do, Paul. I go two or three times a month. I have used the River Room. Despite the flaws you mention, I think it is reasonably quiet. And I'm not sure the renaming of the room is meant to signify that the room is not supposed to be a quiet room. GBL site describes it as, "a quiet sanctuary for reading, contemplation and study." http://www.gailborden.info/m/content/view/235/580/ You probably spend more time there than I do, Paul. I go two or three times a month. I have used the River Room. Despite the flaws you mention, I think it is reasonably quiet. And I’m not sure the renaming of the room is meant to signify that the room is not supposed to be a quiet room. GBL site describes it as, “a quiet sanctuary for reading, contemplation and study.”

http://www.gailborden.info/m/content/view/235/580/

]]> By: Paul http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47618 Paul Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:01:38 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47618 RS, from your commentary I feel pretty safe in saying you don't spend much time at GBPL, do you? You must not have spent much time reading this thread either. GBPL doesn't have a quiet reading room (for those few who still engage in such a quaint notion of reading!). GBPL had a room they used to call the Quiet reading room but due to an architectural design flaw which caused the room to be not quiet at all they changed the name to the River room. Why didn't they fix that flaw with the million $ they HAD to spend? "Having to whisper"? The people on their cell phones sure as hell aren't whispering. You haven't been there in while, have you? "community crossroads and meeting place. " I have no idea what that means. But whatever, you might be right - all things to all people. Free DVD check out, free computer on-line access, teen center hangout, repository of taxpayers money. RS, from your commentary I feel pretty safe in saying you don’t spend much time at GBPL, do you? You must not have spent much time reading this thread either. GBPL doesn’t have a quiet reading room (for those few who still engage in such a quaint notion of reading!). GBPL had a room they used to call the Quiet reading room but due to an architectural design flaw which caused the room to be not quiet at all they changed the name to the River room. Why didn’t they fix that flaw with the million $ they HAD to spend?
“Having to whisper”? The people on their cell phones sure as hell aren’t whispering. You haven’t been there in while, have you?
“community crossroads and meeting place. ” I have no idea what that means. But whatever, you might be right - all things to all people. Free DVD check out, free computer on-line access, teen center hangout, repository of taxpayers money.

]]> By: RS http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47611 RS Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:38:37 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47611 Most libraries have a quiet reading room for those who need real quiet places. I prefer it this way rather than having to whisper throughout the library. A library is not just a repository of information but a community crossroads and meeting place. Not sure what English has to do with anything, but keep in mind that the library staff has Spanish speakers who can speak to unruly kids in their native language if that is required. Most libraries have a quiet reading room for those who need real quiet places. I prefer it this way rather than having to whisper throughout the library. A library is not just a repository of information but a community crossroads and meeting place.

Not sure what English has to do with anything, but keep in mind that the library staff has Spanish speakers who can speak to unruly kids in their native language if that is required.

]]> By: RS http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47604 RS Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:46:33 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47604 Jessica pointed me to the Courier stories which go into much greater depth: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1650212,Former-Gail-Borden-director_el070309.article http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1648698,Gail-Borden-bans-trustee-banned_el070109.article What's surprising is that none of this came out during the election. Jessica pointed me to the Courier stories which go into much greater depth:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1650212,Former-Gail-Borden-director_el070309.article

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1648698,Gail-Borden-bans-trustee-banned_el070109.article

What’s surprising is that none of this came out during the election.

]]> By: Boxcar http://elginite.org/blog/2009/04/03/lwvs-elgin-township-ecc-u-46-and-gail-borden-public-library-trustee-forum/#comment-47601 Boxcar Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:43:22 +0000 http://elginite.org/?p=1708#comment-47601 The library should focus FIRST on what keeps many citizens away-unruly and unmonitored children, many who do not even speak English. Remember when libraries were quiet places? Now it's one pinata shy of Great America and no parents nearby, if even INSIDE the library. Maybe they're just waiting for another carnival across the street. Why the library does nothing, I don't know. The library should focus FIRST on what keeps many citizens away-unruly and unmonitored children, many who do not even speak English. Remember when libraries were quiet places? Now it’s one pinata shy of Great America and no parents nearby, if even INSIDE the library.

Maybe they’re just waiting for another carnival across the street.

Why the library does nothing, I don’t know.

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