Library Happenings - April 2021

Hello!

 

A recent Wall Street Journal article is enough to keep librarians awake at night, as if a pandemic isn’t already doing that! The story headline is “Want to borrow that ebook from the library? Sorry, Amazon won’t let you.” The author names many familiar writers (Dean Koontz, Mindy Kaling, Trevor Noah, just to name a few) who are now being published—not just sold—by the mammoth tech giant. Amazon is very open about their policy not to negotiate with services like OverDrive by which libraries get the ebooks and e-audio you check out from us. Amazon argues that libraries owning a book “hurts the author” financially, which has long been disproven. (If you find an author you like at the library, you are MORE, not less, likely to purchase another book by that writer.) And, while Amazon is the one facing the most backlash, other publishers are likewise restricting sales to libraries.

 

The American Library Association testified to Congress that digital sales bans are “the worst obstacle for libraries moving into the next century.” Why should that matter? Because the reason public libraries were created was to level the playing field. Few of our citizens can afford to purchase all of their reading (and now, listening and viewing) materials. That model has worked for centuries, but technology (so great in every other way) now allows one company to be the gatekeeper to access. If that doesn’t concern you more than a little, consider this quote from a librarian in Maryland: “You shouldn’t have to have a credit card to become an informed citizen.” Rest assured that lobbying efforts are ongoing at the national level.

 

We segue from a story about libraries being purposefully kept from fulfilling a mission to a story where libraries are being pulled into a new service seemingly unrelated to our mission. If you haven’t heard, the Ohio Department of Health has partnered with the Ohio Library Council to quickly make public libraries the place to distribute millions of free COVID-19 test kits. Is that the library’s job? On the surface, no more than being the site for tax forms, with no funding from the IRS. But, both of those examples perfectly align with connecting our community to resources, a vital part of our strategic plan. In a year so frustratingly difficult to achieve that goal, what a blessing to be viewed by the State of Ohio as “accessible, trusted, and with proven ability to control inventory.” When you put it that way, yes! That IS a library.

 

So, if you’re required to show a negative COVID-19 test result for employment or travel, give any of our branches a call to set up contactless pickup of a test. And, we’ll keep exerting pressure on publishers to give you the books you want!

 

Speaking of books, I’m off on a different direction this month: Thrillers! My book club just discussed The One Man by Andrew Gross, riveting historical fiction about the U.S. sending a Polish Jew into Auschwitz to liberate a physicist who might help us win the war. I can’t believe this isn’t a movie yet. And then I’m starting one that will remind you a bit of Emma Donoghue’s Room. The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne features a woman who was raised by an abducted teenager in a remote cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a part of the country I know a bit from snowmobiling. Helena has never told anyone about her story, but now her father/captor has escaped prison and she is the only person with the survival skills to capture him…because he trained her. Sometimes it’s good to read outside your comfort zone!

 

Sherie Brown, Director

 

 

 

Download the entire April newsletter.

Download the Big Read brochure or visit the Big Read pages on

our website for information about our 2021 program lineup!