librarydiva (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} librarydiva) wrote,@ 2006-09-14 10:24:00 |
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You Can Go Now
For the past several months I’ve been working on a yearlong reading program for my library. The program itself was something that I wanted to do as a staff reading program, but my director liked it so much she wanted to make it a community wide reading program. While I was flattered that she really liked the idea, I’ve been stressing about how I’m going to pull it off ever since. So I’ve been doing what I do best – planning.
And so far everything seems to be going really well. I’ve managed to create a program plan that is doable with a small staff, yet doesn’t cost a lot of money. I’ve already created a fair amount of supporting materials, and have been brainstorming other ideas with Penny. I also have two monthly programs in the works that will appeal to readers regardless of whether or not they participate in the program, but should hopefully encourage them to do so. All in all, I’m doing the most I can to make this program a success. It turns out, however, that I shouldn’t even bother.
Yesterday a former co-worker stopped in to say hi and check out books. While she was roaming around she noticed some of the program materials on my desk and asked me about them. I told her a little about the program, and she said something along the lines of “That sounds interesting.” After a brief pause she then launched into a tirade about how people (including herself) don’t have time to read. After leaving our library this co-worker became a stay at home mom. And even though her child is in school full-time now, she just doesn’t have time to read. And if she doesn’t have time to read (someone who loved reading and books so much that she chose librarianship as a career), then how can I really expect others to have time to read?
I tried to explain to her that the program’s overall goal is not to have participants read a set number of books by the end of the program, but to have them make reading part of their weekly lives, even if they only managed to read 20 minutes a week. But she wouldn’t let it go. She kept going on and on about how people don’t have time to read, and reading just a few minutes a week is still a lot to ask of our readers.
I did a really good job of biting my tongue and telling her to get the #$?% away from me, but I’m pretty sure the expression on my face was not pleasant. While I’m not surprised to hear someone say that they don’t have time to read, I was a bit surprise to hear the words come from a former librarian – especially one who was in charge of the library’s reading programs when she was here. I am at loss for words.
Last year Manogirl had a great post about people who say they love to read but just don’t have the time for it, and it pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter. Check it out here.
For the past several months I’ve been working on a yearlong reading program for my library. The program itself was something that I wanted to do as a staff reading program, but my director liked it so much she wanted to make it a community wide reading program. While I was flattered that she really liked the idea, I’ve been stressing about how I’m going to pull it off ever since. So I’ve been doing what I do best – planning.
And so far everything seems to be going really well. I’ve managed to create a program plan that is doable with a small staff, yet doesn’t cost a lot of money. I’ve already created a fair amount of supporting materials, and have been brainstorming other ideas with Penny. I also have two monthly programs in the works that will appeal to readers regardless of whether or not they participate in the program, but should hopefully encourage them to do so. All in all, I’m doing the most I can to make this program a success. It turns out, however, that I shouldn’t even bother.
Yesterday a former co-worker stopped in to say hi and check out books. While she was roaming around she noticed some of the program materials on my desk and asked me about them. I told her a little about the program, and she said something along the lines of “That sounds interesting.” After a brief pause she then launched into a tirade about how people (including herself) don’t have time to read. After leaving our library this co-worker became a stay at home mom. And even though her child is in school full-time now, she just doesn’t have time to read. And if she doesn’t have time to read (someone who loved reading and books so much that she chose librarianship as a career), then how can I really expect others to have time to read?
I tried to explain to her that the program’s overall goal is not to have participants read a set number of books by the end of the program, but to have them make reading part of their weekly lives, even if they only managed to read 20 minutes a week. But she wouldn’t let it go. She kept going on and on about how people don’t have time to read, and reading just a few minutes a week is still a lot to ask of our readers.
I did a really good job of biting my tongue and telling her to get the #$?% away from me, but I’m pretty sure the expression on my face was not pleasant. While I’m not surprised to hear someone say that they don’t have time to read, I was a bit surprise to hear the words come from a former librarian – especially one who was in charge of the library’s reading programs when she was here. I am at loss for words.
Last year Manogirl had a great post about people who say they love to read but just don’t have the time for it, and it pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter. Check it out here.
