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'He left River City the library building/ But he left all the books to her'

This week's reading in my reference-librarianing class is on the "freedom of intercourse between librarian and readers". I think I should have been taking more LIS classes from the beginning, because we never get such freedoms in HCI...

"Personal intercourse and relations between librarian and readers are useful in all libraries. It seems to me that in popular libraries they are indispensable. [...] During the last five or six years, by the adoption of the means recommended in this paper, a large use of this department has grown up, and it has come to be highly appreciated in the community."

- Green, Samuel S. (1876) "Personal relations between librarians and readers"

Looks like we have another semester of grad student maturity on our hands, folks.

srah - Monday, 13 September 2004 - 10:41 PM
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Comments (14)

gravatar Mr B------ - September 13, 2004 - 11:14 PM -

I'm so happy to have witnessed your dawning realization!

gravatar Jez - September 14, 2004 - 6:10 AM -

I was under the impression that America was quite conservative! Over here, intercourse in libraries is generally frowned upon.

gravatar Jez - September 14, 2004 - 6:22 AM -

New Weebl & Bob!

gravatar katie - September 14, 2004 - 12:56 PM -

How do your textbooks address the issue of maintaining a respectful silence while said intercourse is occuring? It is in a library, after all.

gravatar noor - September 14, 2004 - 10:08 PM -

somehow, these two statements take on a whole new meaning:

"The librarian who uses his position to make proselytes prostitutes his calling."

"In conclusion, I wish to say that there are few pleasures comparable to that of associating continually with curious and vigorous young minds, and of aiding them in realizing their ideals."

gravatar srah - September 14, 2004 - 10:43 PM -

Frank (1999) also talks about "clients' feelings of alienation at being physically removed from librarians."

gravatar L - September 15, 2004 - 7:50 AM -

Lordy.

gravatar noor - September 15, 2004 - 12:58 PM -

Green also points out - "In personal intercourse with readers, there are certain mental tendencies which should be restrained. Idle curiosity is one of them. Many scholars prefer to pursue their studies privately, and are annoyed if they think they are observed."

gravatar Court - September 15, 2004 - 1:19 PM -

They said "intercourse"! Ha ha ha!

gravatar katie - September 15, 2004 - 3:29 PM -

Responding to noor:

"The librarians, on the other hand, actually like to be watched..."

gravatar bobby - September 16, 2004 - 8:16 AM -

It's amazing how quiet I can be while partaking in intercourse. SHH!

gravatar april - September 16, 2004 - 11:48 PM -

oh yeah, that's better than the morass!

gravatar jday - September 17, 2004 - 5:16 PM -

great Music Man quote, btw!

gravatar Frank - September 18, 2004 - 11:47 AM -

Are you taking 647 this term? It's a good class. Hope you like it.

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