Bibliotheekvernieuwing anno 1905

Hilarisch! Walking Paper wijst op een document uit 1905, dat een toespraak bevat die geschreven werd voor de opening van de Minnesota Library Association in dat jaar. De tekst heeft als titel ‘The Library as Social Centre’ en bevat passages die behoorlijk op mijn lachspieren werken.

Neem nu dit:

“The whole building at all times should be managed in the broadest spirit of hospitality; the atmosphere should be as gracious, kindly and sympathetic as one’s own home. Then do away with all unnecessary restrictions, take down all the bars, and try to put face to face our friends the books and our friends the people. Introduce them cordially, then stand aside and let them make each other’s blessed acquaintance.

Some have tried smoking rooms, had boy’s club rooms and games, and many have tried simply to make the rooms homelike and cheery, and all of their experience is valuable to us. It may be that no one of the plans used by other libraries may fit your case, for it is not necessarily good for you becasue some one else has used it successfully. But with any plan do not expect immediate results, for almost everything that succeeds permanently has a slow, gradual development; that which flashes up quickly usually dies down suddenly. Be willing to work out a good plan if you have one, and be willing to study your people and all of their interests before you shape your plans.”

Erg grappig. Denk je een stikhip idee te hebben; een zwaar multimediale gamingzone met het betere huiskamergevoel….blijkt dat dus gedachtengoed van een eeuw geleden te zijn 🙂

Ik heb opeens zin in de Propellerheads/Shirley Bassey.