There is a place that people go to, and people who are too loud in this place are considered to be disturbances. The only place one can assume that this occurs in is a library. Few love these places due to the many stories held within which transport their minds to many different places, while many others prefer to only read posts and tweets that they find on social media. The future role of public libraries should be a resource for communities because they inform people, they serve as a place for events, and they are a place for the less fortunate to go to. First off, public libraries inform people. For example, Kranich exclaims, “The New York Public Library...led a nationwide program of discussions about the meaning of the American democratic …show more content…
For instance, Shank argues, “People less likely to use e-books include Hispanics, those without a high school diploma, the unemployed, rural Americans, and those with household incomes of less than $30,000” (par. 1). Obviously, the previously mentioned people are less fortunate and they are less likely to use e-books, therefore having to go to libraries to use print books to get information. Another example is when Shank claims that “the library was their only source for access to computers and the Internet” (par. 2). The less fortunate would not have personal computers to use, and libraries have this resource that is open to the public to use, so these people can use the libraries to do what they need to get done. Furthermore, Shank explains, “Bookmobiles have been supplemented by mobile computer labs--visiting minority communities in St. Paul to teach digital literacy classes in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali” (par. 5). Besides going to actual libraries, libraries are bringing bookmobiles to the less fortunate to help them even more. To sum it up, public libraries are very useful to the less fortunate as a resource to …show more content…
Siegler points out that “The Internet was replacing the need to go to a library...the main reason to go to a library...is simply because it’s a quiet place to study” (par. 1). Also, Siegler insists, “And the connected world has far better access to basically infinitely more information than can be found in even the largest library-or all of them combined (par. 7). Basically, the Internet is a better alternative to libraries, reducing the need for them in the future. On the one hand, the Internet is more useful to people compared to libraries. On the other hand, Siegler reasons that “...the end of libraries as talking about the end of learning-and, by extension, the end of civilization” (par. 7). Eliminating libraries is almost like taking a part of our history or what makes up our society, which is disagreeable. Therefore, libraries need to be kept as a resource to the
In addition, textbooks are heavy to carry around and it takes longer to find a page. Likewise with digital textbooks they are compatible with tablets, smartphones, and laptops; it’s much easier to carry around and affordable price. However, some people may argue that digital textbooks can be a distraction for people because they would not bother read anymore. The author and poet Dana Gioia argues that electronics alternatives may be a bad influence that will lead society to not read anymore. Gioia complicates matters further when she writes, “While no single activity is responsible for the decline in reading, the cumulative presence and availability of electronic alternatives increasingly have drawn Americans away from reading” (161). I think Gioia is mistaken because she overlooks on electronics being a bad influence; but doesn’t see the benefits of electronics. To demonstrate, most of my textbooks are digital, which I can easily carry my tablet around where ever I go. Also, I save more money on digital textbooks and are simple to annotated the text. Journalist Ellen Lee interview a student from Liberty University, and he states that he prefers digital textbooks because he can tap his iPad, opens the digital copy and quickly open the page. Nevertheless, he also like digital textbooks because it has a feature that allows to highlight and mark the
The article “The North West London Blues” argues that public libraries still remain an important part of the society and should be preserved. There is no doubt that she is, in fact, a part of the minority who has the same opinion due to the reason that most people tend to prefer electronics over physical copy of books, especially the younger ones. Therefore, it is important for the author to use persuasive methods to gain more support. The author, Zadie Smith, uses evidence, reasonings, and stylistic elements in order to gain support.
Like Gladwell, Nicholas Carr believes the internet has negative effects. In his article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid”, Carr attempts to show as the internet becomes our primary source of information, it diminishes the ability to read books and extensive research. Carr goes on to give a very well researched account of how text on the internet is designed make browsing fast and profitable. He describes how the design for skimming affects our thinking skills and attention spans. He wraps up his argument by describing what we are losing in the shift toward using the internet as our main information source. Carr suggests the learning process that occurs in extensive research and through reading is lost. While the learning process can be beneficial to scholars and intellectuals, not everyone has the capability to follow through with it. The internet offers an education that anyone can have access to and understand. Also if Carr believes the learning process is better, this option is always available for people who want to learn according to this scholarly principal. However, for the rest of the population the quick and easy access has allowed the average population to become more educated, and to expose themselves to aspects of academia that previously is reserved for
This library system is utilizing all the technologies and materials available to them to serve the community in the best way. Despite certain social indicators and demographic statistics indicating that the library should not be overly utilized, it is thriving and is heavily in use. There are areas that the library can look to improve based on statistical evidence, such as reaching out to the low income population and the over 55 years age group. This library seems to be meeting numerous needs for a wide range of patrons, and doing it well.
Who can resist a book with a chapter titled, "Labia Lumps, Chunky Discharge, and Other Things They Never Taught Me in Library School"? Released this past summer, Revolting Librarians Redux: Radical Librarians Speak Out takes no prisoners as its contributors ponder everything from the backtracking of '60s values by ALA's baby boomers to librarian imagery in erotica. This edited volume is a sequel to a 1972 self-published book titled Revolting Librarians. The original is worth checking out for its historical value alone. The editors of the 2003 volume, Katia Roberto and Jessamyn West gathered essays from ten of the original writers from the 1972 book for this version and it is interesting to see what thirty years has done to these radical librarians.
Every day there is some new technological advancement making its way into the world in an attempt to make life easier for people. In the article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, author Nicholas Carr explains his thoughts on how he believes the internet is running the risk of making people full of artificial knowledge. Carr begins by explaining how he feels that the web is causing his focus issues, how he can no longer be completely immersed in a book, and the reason why he gets fidgety while reading. He then goes on to talk about how his life is surrounded by the internet and how that is the blame for the issues he has towards not being able to stay connected to a text; but at the same time says how and why the web has been a ‘godsend’ because he is a writer. In an attempt to draw the reader in, Carr uses a great deal of rhetorical appeals. He compares the differences of the past and the present and how he feels how it has changed not only himself, but others as well and how they are able to comprehend and focus due to the growing nature of the web. While comparing this, he accumulated research from several credited writers who feel the same way he does about the effects of the web.
When trying to envision the world of today without computers, I imagine that our lifestyles would be extremely different. "As exciting as technological developments may be…it is important to remember that people who lack the skills or the machines to tap into this information are in the same position as those a century ago who could not read or had no access to books" (240). "These new technologies have undoubtedly altered our sense of what it means to be literate" (239). Years ago, being educated simply meant that you could read and write. Today one must go through years of formal schooling to be considered scholarly. This is because, "Our sources of information have become much more diverse than they were even a generation ago," (239).
The purpose of Carr’s essay is to inform the reader about one skill that he believes is being undermined, which is reading. He believes the internet is rewiring the way the human mind operates. The internet has captured our attention and has shaped our process of thought. He recognizes how the change we are going through is the loss of book habits. The Web is now our default starting point for the majority of our work. He even has felt this skill eroded within himself, stating, “I’m not thinking the way I used to think. I can feel it most strongly when I’m reading” (Carr 408). He’s not alone, Bruce Friedman, a blogger has described how the internet has altered his mind, “I now have almost totally lost the ability to read and absorb a longish article on the web or print” (410). I am sure Carr and Friedman are not the only ones who have felt a change in their ability to read a book or a lengthy article and not get distracted. As a society, we have all been impacted by this, and we are Carr’s audience for his essay.
This is true, on the Internet people can find their information within a matter of seconds. Rather than spending hours to find the right book and evidence that they need. In the cartoon, illustrated by Roz Chast, he shows a man in a library facing away from the books using a computer (Source 8). While many can argue that this shows the negative side on how people do not use resources such as library's anymore; they just use technology. This is not negative, people today can find information on any topic while using a computer. Sure they can use books from the library but most books are not as updated as websites; so information could be inaccurate. Using technology rather than a library does not make our generation the dumbest. This shows how technology has helped us become one of the most advanced generations.
The granite central arch of the Boston Public Library bears an inscription: FREE.TO.ALL. These words capture the spirit of the library, the first large municipally funded library in the United States. The Boylston Street building was built to meet the growing demand for a public library, with the previously existing library on Mason Street having outgrown its purpose. Built in 1895, the building is an outstanding example of Renaissance Beaux Art style, and was intended as a “palace for the people,” a philosophy which was reflected in both its design and its cost. As Peter Arms Wick writes, it is “One of Boston’s proudest monuments, perhaps the most admired, discussed and influential public buildings in American architectural
Carr supports his claims by including personal experiences with the Internet of others. Scott Karp who was literature major in college, admitted to Carr that he has stopped reading books altogether (732). Karp now prefers to read everything online. Karp also questions whether the Internet has changed his course of thinking (Carr, 732). Bruce Friedman explained how he barely has the tolerance for reading long pieces, and skimming is now how he reads (Carr, 732). By Carr discussing changes brought by other technologies, he strengthens the support of his claims. He proves that technology does have a way of affecting us cognitively whether the effect is negative or positive. Carr also proves that as technology advances our mind is modified to according to those advances. “As we use what the sociologist Daniel Bell has called our “intellectual technologies”—the tools that extend our mental rather than our physical capacities—we inevitably begin to take on the qualities of those technologies” (Carr, 737).
In his essay “What Johnny Can’t Read, and the Censorship in American Libraries,” Suzanne Fisher Staples argues books being banned in libraries and schools all over the world. The reason most of these books are being taken off the shelves is because of what they say in them, mostly swear words, sex, gender change and more. It can be good to read what you want because if can teach you what type of person you are, and what you like and don’t like.
If only my local library could hold the vast quantity of information that my hand held smart phone does. Carr insinuates that Google (and the internet) is making us stupid. I say they are making us lazy. In “Is Google Making Us Stupid” by Nicholas Carr informatively states that with the advancement of technology, Google search engine, and the internet we are become more distracted—with all the different forms of flash media, the amount of hyper-links after hyper-link after hyper-links, and clickable adds-- in turn we are doing less critical reading by way of the internet as opposed to a printed book. Being able to glance over several articles in hour’s verses days looking through books; being able to jump from link to link in order to get the information you need, never looking at the same page twice has decrease out deep thinking and reading skills. Now days, all forms of reading, e.g. newspaper, magazine, etc. are small amount of reading to get the main idea of what’s going on and if you would like more information you will have to go to another page to do so. In the end, C...
Censorship in School Libraries The most debatable and controversial form of censorship today is the banning of books in school libraries. Banning books that educate students is wrong and selfish. Censorship of books in school libraries is neither uncommon nor an issue of the past. Books with artistic and cultural worth are still challenged constantly by those who want to control what others read. The roots of bigotry and illiteracy that fuel efforts to censor books and free expression are unacceptable and unconditional.
The Center for the Digital Future’s 2005 report found that 'among users 17 and older, 56.3 percent consider the Internet to be a very important or extremely important source of information for them' (p. 4). Online resource capabilities save an individual time as well as provide ease of access and availability to a broad scope of materials. Print books and journals, though they provide in–depth information on a particular subject, are not easily accessible and available at any particular moment. In order to access many books, an individual must either visit the local library or contain the book in his or her own private collection, which could be costly. Online resources can be accessed anytime at anyplace. “Overall, there is expanded access to information in a variety of formats from worldwide institutions, businesses, and universities" (Darrow & MacDonald, 2004, p. 22). Access to “worldwide” information puts a broad range of information in the h...