March 28, 2008


The Social Function of Libraries and Archives

Back when I went to “Library School”, we all had to take a course titled “The Library and Society”. One day in class I said out loud, “One under-appreciated social value of libraries is that they provide employment to the otherwise unemployable.”

See comment by Cindy Scroggins ff.

Of course, this observation does not apply to Cindy or to Aaron Winslow or to me or any of the other librarians or archivists who contribute to or otherwise participate in the clusterflock experience.

posted by Sheila Ryan in archives, libraries, observations, society 

comments

3 Responses to “The Social Function of Libraries and Archives”

  1. Cindy Scroggins on March 28th, 2008 at 9:36 am

    It’s true! Libraries and bookstores are the only places for the many very smart, very neurotic (and/or psychotic) people who seem unable to do any other type of work.

    I love working with crazy people.

  2. Andrew Simone on March 28th, 2008 at 10:04 am

    It’s a wonder I haven’t worked in one yet.

  3. Erin on March 28th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    It’s NO wonder that I have. “Smart, Neurotic, Psychotic”: check, checkity, check.

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