Sulzer shock
To the Editor:
Being a frequent Sulzer patron, I wish to thank the Inside newspaper for informing the public with the story about Sulzer Library’s intent to destroy its huge and valuable video collection (May 4-10, 2005 issue). I was shocked to read this and wish to make some comments.
First, I would like to say that Sulzer deserves to be commended for having acquired and made available to the public this rich and vast VCR collection of treasures not to be found anywhere else.
These priceless volumes cover just about every historical event since civilization began. They depict in detail the most scenic geographic locations in the world, the unforgettable glimpses inside the Vatican, the Kremlin, beginnings of the Monarchies, Peter the Great’s dream of St. Petersburg, and its beginnings, periods prior to and during the Roman Empire, a look into the world’s greatest cities — it’s endless.
For the Library Board to consider destroying these priceless sources of information, of enjoyment, found only on these videos is incomprehensible. It would be tantamount to suddenly deciding that the most precious jewels collected and owned should be destroyed — done away with.
Need it be said the Libraries are meant to be a learning and educational center for those of all ages, and not as another pop-culture video outlet.
Did not taxpayers' hard-earned money pay for the Library’s purchase of its now valuable video collection? Should not a taxpaying public have voices in what is made available to them from their library? I believe so, and they should also have voices when they see wasteful and unwise use of their dollars.
It has been circulated that the Library’s plan is to stock the shelves with the latest Blockbuster-style "top 10" DVD movie hits, and to make the Library more like a business. Let’s not forget that not everyone owns DVD equipment. We do not need our Library to be turned into that venue. It cannot happen. It must not happen. Our Libraries are the only source left where we can learn and tap into our historical past.
Jean McDavid
Chicago
Sulzer video purge
To the editor:
As a librarian, I was alarmed to read your issue May 4 of what I regard as a disaster in throwing books into garbage. They should have been sent to public schools as freebies.
I have donated books and music to the public library in the past, but under the circumstances I will be reluctant to do so in the future.
Jerome Kavka, M.D.
Director of Library Services
Institute for Psychoanalysis
Dempsey and Daley
To the Editor:
Thank you for your great article regarding our libraries. This situation is intolerable, and I don't understand how one woman, Mary Dempsey, has all this power. Does she have carte blanche to do whatever she wishes? Who does she answer to? If it's Mayor Daley, and he condones her actions, then it's time to get him out of office. His administration is suspect, anyhow, with all the chicanery going on at City Hall, that he 'has no knowledge of'. Don't Alderman Schulter and his constituents have any power to stop this stupidity at CPL? Please respond if there is anything that we taxpayers can do..
Helen Issep
Roscoe Village |
