What to expect from libraries in the 21st century: Pam Sandlian Smith at TEDxMileHigh
A library speaker argues that libraries are vital community centers that support creativity and democratic ideals by adapting their services—from hosting puppet shows to managing community gardens—to meet immediate community needs, mirroring the resilience shown during crises like Hurricane Sandy. The speaker illustrates this by recounting a young boy's initial request for space to create, and the subsequent deep impact of the community goat visit and the Holocaust survivor Walter Pulaski's powerful message. The core message is that libraries are crucial cornerstones of democracy, inviting the question, *"Who else is gonna do this?"*
## Speakers & Context
- Unnamed library speaker (denise), speaking at an event where libraries' relevance is questioned.
- Context involves adapting library services to respond to community needs, contrasting initial perceptions of library value against real-world utility.
## Theses & Positions
- Libraries are essential, adaptable community hubs that support creativity, community building, innovation, and entrepreneurialism.
- The purpose of a library, according to John Cotton Dana, is the pursuit of happiness first, and education second.
- Libraries function as vital emergency responders, reopening immediately after natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy.
- The power of a physical space (like a "treehouse" or a library room) is that it provides a feeling of control and the ability to "dream or become anything you want."
- Libraries uphold democracy by ensuring "Everyone has a seat at the table," regardless of economic status.
## Concepts & Definitions
- **Idea Stores:** A concept in London where libraries are rebranded to be places where people can gather for coffee, classes, or to "shop for an idea."
- **Early Responders:** Libraries acting as primary service agencies immediately following natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy.
- **Treehouse model:** A concept used for inspiration, evoking the feeling of being in a space where one "is in charge" and has the power to dream.
- **Learning styles:** Recognizing that people learn in diverse ways, leading libraries to incorporate activities beyond books.
## Mechanisms & Processes
- **Puppet Program:** A boy initially requested permission to use a storyhour room and stage to put together a puppet show for local families.
- **Community Gardening:** Working with Denver Urban Gardens to build community by having gardeners learn together how to plant and grow vegetables, fostering neighborhood connection.
- **Crisis Response:** Reopening libraries to distribute food, important supplies, and water immediately after major events like Hurricane Sandy.
- **Experiential Learning:** Using unexpected events, like 300 goats mowing the lawn, to generate large-scale, engaging community learning experiences.
- **Historical Conversation:** Hosting exhibits, such as the one from the Holocaust Museum, that prompt public discussion through interactive voting ("would you risk jail time to defend your favorite book?").
## Timeline & Sequence
- **Unspecified Time (Initial Incident):** Young boy (8 or 9 years old) asks to check out a storyhour room and puppet stage for a puppet program.
- **Past (Holocaust Context):** Walter Pulaski recounting survival stories in ghettos in Poland, spending time in Auschwitz and Dachau.
- **Recent Past (Disasters):** New York public libraries reopening day after Hurricane Sandy; libraries functioning during recent fires and floods in Colorado.
- **Ongoing:** Current state of libraries hosting varied community activities (gardening, 3D printing, etc.).
## Named Entities
- **London** — City where libraries have rebranded as "idea stores."
- **New York** — Location where public libraries were among the first to reopen after Hurricane Sandy.
- **Colorado** — State where libraries are providing support during recent fires and floods.
- **Adams County** — Library system that voted to increase funding in 2006.
- **Denver Urban Gardens** — Organization whose mission is building community, one garden at a time.
- **Walter Pulaski** — One of ten surviving Holocaust survivors in Colorado, who shared his stories.
## Numbers & Data
- Age of the boy who initiated the project: **eight or nine years old**.
- Number of people gathered for the puppet show: **about 30**.
- Year of funding increase in Adams County: **2006**.
- Number of brilliant libraries in Adams County: **seven**.
- Number of goats that visited the library: **300**.
- Historical significance: **Over 100 years ago**, John Cotton Dana stated the purpose of the public library.
- Number of survivors Walter Pulaski is among: **ten**.
## Tools, Tech & Products
- **Puppets and stage:** Equipment used by the boy for his initial program.
- **3D printer:** Tool available for community use.
- **Studio:** Dedicated space for video making and digital photography.
- **Community gardens:** Physical space utilized for learning and growing.
- **Exhibit from the Holocaust Museum:** Specific educational tool used for public interaction.
## References Cited
- **John Cotton Dana:** First city librarian who stated the purpose of the public library is the pursuit of happiness first, and education second.
- **Denver Urban Gardens:** Organization running community gardening initiatives.
- **Holocaust Museum:** Source of the exhibit, *["Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings"]*.
## Examples & Cases
- **The Young Boy's Initiative:** Boy requests and successfully implements a puppet show, proving the need for space to "create, to think, [and] fulfill some dreams."
- **Hurricane Sandy Recovery:** Queen's library branch reopening the day after Sandy to distribute food, water, and supplies.
- **Goat Visit:** 300 goats visiting the library for a week, transforming a routine maintenance task into a major, unexpected "biggest learning experience."
- **Holocaust Exhibit Discussion:** Public engagement prompted by the question, *"would you risk jail time to defend your favorite book?"* leading to family discussions about defending books like *Harry Potter*.
## Counterarguments & Caveats
- Questioning of library relevance today is a recurring challenge that the speaker addresses throughout the talk.
- The initial success of the boy's puppet show was unexpected, implying that the community's need for creative space wasn't initially quantified.
## Conclusions & Recommendations
- Libraries should embrace their role as places for creation, collaboration, and experiential learning.
- The speaker repeatedly challenges listeners to consider the value of libraries by asking, *"Who else is gonna do this?"*
## Implications & Consequences
- Loss of community space or cultural relevance leads to a diminished civic life; conversely, having a functional library strengthens community bonds and democratic participation.
- The ability to host large, diverse, and impactful events (like goat visits or Holocaust discussions) proves the physical value of the space beyond mere book storage.
## Verbatim Moments
- *"I'd like to check out a room today. I'd like to check out a room for the week as a matter of fact."*
- *"What do you think?"* (The boy's question to the librarian).
- *"He needed someone to have the instinct to say yes, and I am so grateful that I did."*
- *"Libraries are becoming early responders."*
- *"We used the model of the treehouse as one of our points of inspiration."*
- *"The first city librarian, John Cotton Dana, said the purpose of the public library is the pursuit of happiness first. and education second."*
- *"We think all of our staff are part wizard, part genius, part explorer."*
- *"This is his mission."* (Walter Pulaski regarding his advocacy).
- *"Who else is gonna do this?"*