Two Library Books
January 11, 2011
ALAN writes:
Regarding lowered standards in public libraries, which were discussed here , here, here and here:
James Hilton’s 1941 novel Random Harvest stands today on library shelves next to a book called 10 Crack Commandments.
Why is that? It is because rubbish like 10 Crack Commandments is an example of the “diversity” Americans are now commanded to celebrate. It is because people who now run public libraries are appeasers and acquiescers. Literature and garbage are equivalent – that is what they are taught in Marxist-dominated colleges and universities and what they swallow whole. By design or default, they now agree to accept trash fiction that would not have been purchased by any American library in 1959.
Random Harvest is a story of love found, lost, and recovered. It was written by and for civilized human beings. It was made into a motion picture in 1942 starring Greer Garson and Ronald Colman. Good manners, courtesy, self-restraint, responsibility, the disciplined use of words – these and other virtues of civilized human beings are portrayed expertly in that motion picture. It is a masterpiece of talented writing, acting, and direction. I recommend it to anyone who wishes to see what high standards the American motion picture industry once represented.
By contrast, trash fiction like 10 Crack Commandments celebrates things like profanity, lawlessness, contempt for manners, Ebonics, and gutter standards. Was it such books that Andrew Carnegie had in mind when he said: “A taste for reading drives out lower tastes”? Random Harvest represents the highest values of human beings — and books like 10 Crack Commandments the lowest.
I am old enough to remember when American libraries upheld standards. Now they surrender them, thus permitting American culture to be dragged ever deeper into the abyss.
What do conservative black writers like Elizabeth Wright, Walter Williams, and Thomas Sowell think about such trash and the absurd claim that it improves American libraries?
Laura writes:
I don’t think the three conservative writers you mention would defend Ten Crack Commandments, but conservatives in general have made almost no issue of the decline of public libraries. Librarians must not discriminate though their profession is by nature one of discrimination. Librarians are no longer custodians of culture and the library is yet another institution that has given in to mass marketing.
— Comments —
Hurricane Betsy writes:
You stated, “I don’t think the three conservative writers you mention would defend Ten Crack Commandments, but conservatives in general have made almost no issue of the decline of public libraries.” That is correct, but self-described traditionalists sure would. I say, let the word “conservative” fall by the wayside, as it has in today’s world become meaningless. Or maybe I should say self-described “conservatives” have themselves become useless. I see you and your Thinking Housewife site as defenders of tradition.
It’s not only the library books and librarians’ philosophy that’ve gone bad. The buildings themselves have, also. You should see the new monstrosity near where I live. Completely open-concept three levels, all glass and industrial design, cold, non-welcoming and noisy everywhere, except for a tiny “quiet room”. Also, this nasty structure appears to be a refugee welcoming centre more than anything, at first glance.
The previous library, whilst not perfect, did have several secluded reading nooks where you could chow down on the books of embarrassing topics you might not want to bring home! I spent hours there. Not anymore – I am certain that the designers of this abomination were instructed to make sure that every square inch and every patron of this “library” could be easily surveilled, not to mention the actual books they might be reading. Takes a genius to design something like this, but, truly, you would have more privacy in jail.
Laura writes:
A library without silence and privacy is like a church without God. Even a poor library can be a refuge if it has silence, and good books. A person doesn’t even have to read the books; just to be in their company is enough. The illiterate can even benefit from the exalted company of good books, which emanate wisdom.
Mrs. P. writes:
I have always liked libraries and books. I am pleased with our public library. It serves our community of about 30,000 very well. The brick building is about 15 years old. Architecturally it is solid and stately. It conveys permanence and purpose. The staff is always eager to assist. The interior never smells of food or other unwelcome odors. I see no indication that vagrants camp out there. It is not noisy inside. The adult section is on the second floor and away from the children’s section which is on the first floor. This helps to insure that adults can read in a quiet environment. On the main floor just as you walk in is a small conference room that is used for some of our adult programs.
The book Random Harvest is on our library shelves, but not Ten Crack Commandments. I checked this out online. I am sure our library has books on its shelves that would not meet with your approval or mine though.
What I like most about our library is its adult programs. We usually have one evening program each month. We have had several speakers present material of a historical nature at these evening events. Some of the speakers have portrayed historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin. One coming up next month is a portrayal of Abigail Adams. I was told that the actress doing the portrayal really knows her stuff. I am looking forward to that.
Every other month the library hosts a “brown bag lunch” event. While we nibble away on sandwiches we have brought from home, we listen to a talk on a particular book or an important figure or time in history. The library supplies us with coffee and tea and a light dessert at no charge. This event is especially nice for our seniors who reside in nursing homes in our community as it provides them with an outing during the day. Interested seniors are bussed from the nursing homes to the library. Some show up in wheel chairs or with walkers. Others bring their oxygen supply in with them. All seem eager to learn and enjoy some mental stimulation.
A few years ago at one of these brown bag lunches I met a charming lady of about 90 years old who was a nursing home resident. She had just begun tackling Dante’s Inferno. I will always remember what she said to me that day. She said, “You are never too old to learn.”
Yes, I am pleased with our library. I just wanted you to know that not all libraries and librarians are complete disappointments.
Thank you for never failing to give me food for thought with your website.
Laura writes:
Thank you for writing.
Alan is writing from a large city. You are right that the situation varies dramatically. As I’ve mentioned before, I am fairly pleased with my local libraries. I live close to three public libraries and use them all frequently. I cannot get 10 Crack Commandments locally, but Random Harvest is available. There are many good books on loan, as well as a fair number of trashy books. At the same time, there is much that is not available. I can use the excellent statewide interlibrary loan system, but that has serious limitations when it comes to conservative books or old books. I am disappointed by the relative loss of silence in these libraries. In one library, loud music is played in the children’s section, which is now filled with computers.
