"Though the services would vary from branch to branch ... the centers would likely retain book collections, computers, and perhaps even trained librarians [emphasis mine]." That's nice. Reminds me of the Rev. Mackerel's People's Liberal Church in Peter De Vries's The Mackerel Plaza. The Rev. Mackerel's church prefigures the drive-in church and boasts such amenities as a dance floor, bowling alley, and coffee bar. There is also "a small worship area" toward the rear.
In fairness, though, it's hard to imagine that just about anyone could not manage just about anything better than the City of Philadelphia.
And, speaking of Peter De Vries, it was he who explained that "it is the final proof of God’s omnipotence that he need not exist in order to save us."
Update: A reader sends along a link to a true library disaster: CRPL and the Flood of 2008.
And Dave Lull sends along these two links to Anecdotal Evidence:`Hilarious Frustration' and Happy Birthday.
De Vries also has a character in one of his novels who specializes in inventing useless end products, such as reversible mayonnaise and after-shaving mints.
Post bumped.
And, speaking of Peter De Vries, it was he who explained that "it is the final proof of God’s omnipotence that he need not exist in order to save us."
Update: A reader sends along a link to a true library disaster: CRPL and the Flood of 2008.
And Dave Lull sends along these two links to Anecdotal Evidence:`Hilarious Frustration' and Happy Birthday.
De Vries also has a character in one of his novels who specializes in inventing useless end products, such as reversible mayonnaise and after-shaving mints.
Post bumped.
Speaking of Peter De Vries indeed. We should never stop speaking of Peter De Vries, as far as I'm concerned. I remember one of his novels had a feckless, put-upon cleric who was transferred from the church of St. James the Lesser to that of St. James the Lesser Still.
ReplyDeletePatrick Kurp provides a few Peter De Vries quotations in his postings `Hilarious Frustration' and Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't recall if you were aware of this from the summer of 2008 - possibly the largest library disaster in US history occurred in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The contaminated flood waters rose so fast and were so far above predicted that none of the extensive adult and reference collections could be saved. www.crlibrary.org
ReplyDelete