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Re: WA STATE LIBRARY



Once again, the usual specious arguments are made for ending the life of a
necessary institution: "nobody uses it anyway"; "they can look it all up on
the internet"; "why don't they just digitize it all"

One clear problem is the association of a state research facility with "the
public library down the street".  Granted the PL gets 1100 users a day, but
most of them are probably looking for the latest John Grisham novel, not
unique state materials that can't be found elsewhere (as the reporter makes
clear).  The governor should be asked where his staff gets help when they're
trying to track down information for policy proposals, data, etc. - chances
are they call the state library, not the other place.

What's needed here is public outcry, from the archival community as well as
the general public.  50 users a day equals about 13,000 reference requests
annually; even with repeat users, there have to be a few thousand people
that use the place every year.  They need to speak up, as do the local and
national archival organizations.  The state unions could also speak up,
since I assume (incorrectly, possibly) state workers are unionized.

I agree with Joe's point that they need to do some PR, but the government
appears to misunderstand both the purpose and the value of the library, and
they should be educated, quickly.

My 2 cents, as always.

DS

______________________________________
Daniel Sokolow, Archives Coordinator
David Taylor Archives
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System
155 Community Drive
Great Neck, NY 11021
mailto:dsokolow@nshs.edu

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