Reactions by a Public Library Administrator

摘要

I must confess that I came to this institute expecting dry dissertationson the ivory-tower level that would have a sedative effect on me inshort, an opportunity to rest my weary director bones and catch up ona little napping. What a rude awakening! The speakers, participants andagenda have kept me interested and alert perhaps because they werereinforcing my beliefs.Peggy Sullivan began by asking if children's librarians are sure thatthey have goals for public library service for children. A good questionand after three days, there has been no answer. Or, if the goals exist, yousurely don't know how to state them. Bernard Spodek made the pointthat libraries are not schools, but are arenas for mental action. Keep thisin mind: libraries are not a replacement for formal education. GeorgeCanney reinforced this premise by emphasizing that librarians do notteach reading.