Georgetown (Washington, DC) Public Library Burns

I am in DC for National Legislative Day. While having lunch at a hamburger place - Five Guys -in Georgetown. Ambulances, fire engines, and the police raced down Wisconsin Avenue. Later I found out it was the Georgetown Public Library...destroyed. Their collection was historic and invaluable. Go here for the Washington Post's online article - story. ABC Channel 7 in Washington has this story - go here. The library's website is here: DCPL.

Library's as a Place

On Wednesday April 25, I received four similar e-mails in about a 60 minute span. The e-mails were about a recent article by the Project for Public Spaces. The article was distributed via their electronic newsletter and titled - Libraries That Matter: Reaching beyond the buzz of high design, libraries are redefining themselves as community centers for the 21st Century. Go here to read the text: Article.

In a couple of e-mails, folks pointed to jamboread!, the Woodruff reading park, and the Headquarters' bike/skateboard rack as examples of public spaces and destinations.

It is hard to look into the crystal ball and see the future. For those who say they know the future of libraries...well, they really don't. It's true...they just don't. I believe that "access" is the key. But even that creates problems. What does access even mean? Access in its purest sense could mean throwing books on a table in the lobby of the library. Maybe it is "meaningful" access. How do we provide meaningful access to information? Is it through self-checkout and downloadable media? Or is it through interpersonal relationships and human connection? Can technology and human relationships co-exist? Well...yes, of course they can. We are more connected now than ever. Maybe it is the quality of the connection.

It is interesting to read the article. Yes, technology plays a role, but is it technology or is it through human interaction that libraries become a public space? Why were jamboread!, the Woodruff Reading Park, and the bike/skateboard rack mentioned in previous e-mails? I don't know, but I believe they were mentioned because they provide a conduit for people to interact. This discussion is interesting, because it forces us (the residents of libraryland) to evaluate what our true role is in a broader context. What do you think?

Farewell to Judge Littlejohn

The news came late on Saturday. Good ol' Judge Bruce Littlejohn had passed away. A good friend, neighbor, gentleman, scholar, author, public servant, and library patron.

Most folks already know that at 93 years of age that the Judge had a great life. State Representative, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court and practicing attorney.

He would stop by my office every now and then to talk and to catch-up. I remember the time I looked as if I was in a hurry, and he said "Son, sit down, I'm retired and you have nothing to do." How do you respond to that except with a "Yes, sir."

He would talk about his practice and how he started on Morgan Square with a pencil, a pad and a telephone. That's it. He did not care too much for "new ways."

The Judge would visit the Library once a week to read the Sunday edition of the New York Times. "It gives you perspective", he would say.

The Judge had been a widower for about fifty years. His wife died in her early 40's. I asked the Judge why he never remarried. His response? "I don't want to be with a woman who would want to be with a man like me."

The Judge and I were to have lunch two months ago (I would drive and he would pay), because he had some things he wanted to discuss. The lunch never happened as he ended up going to the hospital for heart surgery. He never fully recovered. I am left to wonder what he wanted to discuss. With Judge Littlejohn - you never really knew where the discussion would go. One thing is for sure...you needed to pay attention, and you needed to be engaged in the conversation.

I will miss the Judge and his wit. He was one of a kind.

Obituary

The Great Turtle Race - 2007

Today is Earth Day. To celebrate, I thought folks may enjoy following The Great Turtle Race from Costa Rica to the Galapagos Islands. This is day seven of probably a 14 day race. Each turtle is sponsored and is attached with a satellite tracking device. Notice that you can track daily progress using the bar at the bottom of the page. This is the real deal. Go here: http://www.greatturtlerace.com/ or click on the image.

Woodruff's New Reading Park

The Library in Woodruff has their new reading park. A project that has taken many, many years is now complete. The park connects Georgia and Hayne Streets and features an earthen amphitheatre, benches, sidewalks and lights. The park was paid for with private contributions and a generous gift from the City of Woodruff. A community event "Music on Hayne" is scheduled for June 21. The event is in partnership with the Woodruff Community Center.

WORD 910AM Radio

Do you know who Steve McCoy is? How about "McCoy in the Morning?" How about the old McDonald's radio contest? "Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame bun." If you could say it in less than five seconds you won a Big Mac. WORD 910AM used to be the radio station in Spartanburg for the "Big Hits." What's a big hit? Well, according to Music Outfitters - here you go:

1. Tonight's The Night, Rod Stewart

2. I Just Want To Be Your Everything, Andy Gibb

3. Best Of My Love, Emotions

4. Love Theme From "A Star Is Born", Barbra Streisand

5. Angel In Your Arms, Hot

6. I Like Dreamin', Kenny Nolan

7. Don't Leave Me This Way, Thelma Houston

8. (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher, Rita Coolidge

9. Undercover Angel, Alan O'Day

10. Torn Between Two Lovers, Mary MacGregor

11. I'm Your Boogie Man, K.C. and The Sunshine Band

12. Dancing Queen, Abba

13. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, Leo Sayer

14. Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet

15. Telephone Line, Electric Light Orchestra

16. Whatcha Gonna Do?, Pablo Cruise

17. Do You Wanna Make Love, Peter McCann

18. Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder

19. Hotel California, Eagles

20. Got To Give It Up, Pt. 1, Marvin Gaye

My personal favorite? #14, but I must admit some fond memories of #13, but NEVER #12.

Why is this important? Steve McCoy has made it big in Atlanta. He is now at Star 94 - and one of the longest running morning personalities in the Atlanta market. Today, Steve is just a small part of Spartanburg's history, but that small part is important. Nobody else could have seen Spartanburg through the age of "Disco Duck." Thanks, Steve!

Thanks, Jimbo

Jimmy Wales' visit has come and gone. He spent some time at the Library and then he taught a class at Converse College. The day ended with a speaking engagement for about 400 people. He talked about the development of Wikipedia and his new search engine Wikia.

Folks have asked me what Jimmy Wales is like and what did I learn about him. Well, he is extremely approachable, but shy. He finds all of the attention that he is receiving as "ridiculous." His mother clips out the newspaper articles, and she is the only one who really keeps up with the articles and publicity. To Wales, home is wherever his wife and daughter are. They try to travel together whenever possible. Yes, he edited his own entry in Wikipedia. Did he violate the wiki etiquette? To him, that's questionable. He likes room temperature Dasani bottled water, almonds and cashews. He uses a Macintosh. He finds Richard Branson (Virgin Air and adventurer) just a regular guy. He is about 2-3 weeks behind on returning email. He does text message to keep in contact with folks as needed. Three guys are traveling around the world with him to produce a documentary on Wikipedia and Wales. Apparently, they have been chased by monkeys in some far off country.

In my mind, Wales is sort of a Pied Piper. In the end, what gets Wales charged up about Wikipedia? The development of community. "Bringing people together."

Channel 4 WYFF interviewed Wales for their 11:00 news. Here is the video link: www.wyff4.com/video/11609089/index.html?taf=gs