[OPLINLIST] social events in the library

[Anne Lowery]

Since Mr Matthew Dyer decided to email and attack me for my previous 
comments about
using the library as a venue for a wedding/funeral/etc and demand that I 
apologize to
the greater library world for what he choose to interpret as an insult 
to humanity...
Let me express my more serious thoughts on this matter.

Our policy doesn't specifically address social functions; but we do not 
have a building that
has a kitchen facility or very much room for anything "social." We were 
asked about a baby shower
a couple of years ago and we explained that we did not have facilities 
conducive to serving food, etc.

Having said that, let me clarify this for the benefit of Mr. Dyer and 
anybody else who chose to jump to
negative conclusions rather than open their minds a bit and think. I've 
known people who have devoted
their lives to libraries for longer than my obnoxious old butt has 
graced this earth. I've also known elderly
people, including my own mother - 30+ year volunteer with her Friends 
group AFTER she was retired,
who speak often about their love of their library. All of the memories 
they hold of special time in a safe
environment, surrounded by books and learning and possibilities.
If any one of those people came to me and asked if they could lie in 
state in this building upon their death,
I'd find a way to make it happen. If my children's librarian or any 
staff member wanted to lie in state surrounded
by the books that they've loved and the patrons they've served, you bet 
I'd find a way to make it happen. If a young
staffer or patron wanted to tie the knot in the Romance section, we'd 
make that happen too. Sometimes we get
caught up in the policies and rules and "way it's always been" and 
forget about the people who make us matter.
Sometimes the right thing to do is just that. Now I realize for the 
larger urban systems, you can't hire an event
coordinator to book your social events. But if somebody loved their 
library THAT much, I would find a way
to accommodate them. Even if it was allowing a photograph session or a 
ceremony on the front steps after
hours or SOMETHING to make their wish work.

So before you attack me, maybe you need to think a little bit about why 
we do what we do and who we do it for
and save your righteous indignation for somebody who gives a damn what 
you think.

-- 
Anne Lowery, MLIS
Director
New London Public Library
67 S. Main St.
New London, OH  44851
(419) 929-3981
(419) 929-0007 (fax)
www.newlondonpubliclibrary.org