Sender: Rare Books and Special Collections Forum <EXLIBRIS@RUTVM1.BITNET>
Linda,
Every now and again, we meet congenital idiots. This evening, upon my
arrival home when I downloaded today's regurgitation from Internet, there
were many messages which accomplished nothing, and most of those were in
response to your legimitaquest for help. What you have to understand,
is that there are people in the world whose vision is limited by the next
step on their personal ladder to oblivion.
People such as the offended Moffett and the condescending Graham, are
only exemplars of the worst sort of librarian; "These books are mine!"
I am fortunate, in that I do not have to depend on such as these for my
performance evaluations. I own my own business. I see this sort of
librarian with some regularity, and am impressed with the extent to which
they are impressed with their own personna, as distinct from knowledge
of their craft (though they would never lower themselves to think of
themselves as mere craftsmen). I point of fact, the majority of librarians
are a sorry lot, and poor guardians of the volumes entrusted into their
care. They may be adept politicians; they may find ways to step on their
peers on the ladder up; they may even come into positions that require real
thought and a semblance of responsibility (a semblance only; what is the
current state of, for instance, mass deacidification [see my article in
Restaurator: "Thoughts on the Cunha Report" a couple of years ago; CAN di
did not mention it, nor did Abbey Newsletter; I questioned the Library of
Congress, and one does not question LC]).
Do not be overly concerned by the (God! I hate to say this, being a
Democrat and all; besides, who remembers whatsis name, Nixon's first V.P)
nattering nabobs of librarianship.
Remember also, Billy and Peter, this net is not your net! My taxes pay for
your privilege, and your taxes do not negate my taxes. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
I hope so, because I do not like to repeat myself.
Jack C. Thompson
Thompson Conservation Laboratory
1417 NW Everett
Portland, Oregon 97209
<76520.3531@compuserve.com>