or, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Fear and Loathing at a Public Library Reference Desk



Library Happenings Out of Context

   September 25th, 2007

Lakewood Library LogoWow - a reader of Cleveland Scene sent in a letter about the Director of the Lakewood (OH) Library, and it is worth reading.

I know of time management software for public computers that have, as a secondary feature, the ability for staff to see what is on any particular computer's screen. This feature is certainly not the main focus of the software, and I never even thought of it as "spy" software before.

It certainly could be used that way, though; just like every car can be used to kill people. So what produces guilt: ability, intent or deed?

I would take this person's letter a lot more seriously if he didn't characterize the police presence in the library as "a Lakewood police officer, carrying a gun, stationed in both libraries, to shoot people. Why else do they carry guns?"

I seriously doubt that a police officer would be allowed to preform his/her duty without the standard-issue sidearm. It's not like the library has a choice in whether or not they carry guns.

Anyway, this was just a humorous article. I can't tell if it is sincere or a parody, but it shows how the simplest things can be twisted into something sinister with very little effort. "Knowledge Illuminates Opportunity" indeed.

Via LibraryStuff

lakewood, lakewood library, lakewood oh, lakewood ohio, lakewood public library, libraries, library, misconception, public libraries, public library, spying




Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,


Comments are closed.