Shannon Jacobs wrote:

> Thought some of y'all might be amused by this feedback I sent to my local
> library, and I'd be interested in comparing notes on good and bad public
> libraries. I'm actually planning to add a few library-related comments to my
> Ja-picks and Ja-pans Web page... This was for the Kawasaki public libraries.

An English summary of part of a submission (in Japanese) that I was
asked for in 2001.

"Our city library opens at 9am (too late for most working people),
closes at 5pm (too early for most working people), and when you add up
all the holidays it is not open at all for about 75-80 days each year.
The library seems to be geared primarily for school children and the
retired. There is of course nothing wrong with providing for the needs
of school children and the retired (especially since there are
increasingly so many of the later), but it would be fairer if those who
substantially underwrite the infrastructure with their taxes could
actually visit and use the library other than on weekends. For example
it would be a nice start if the facilities could stay open until 9 or 10
in the evening for at least two or three nights or so per week."

I received a nice reply explaining budget limitations etc.

> Minor bad point: The English newspaper is effectively not available on
> weekends, and I suggest you subscribe to at least a second one. There is
> clearly reader demand, but most of your patrons read English rather slowly.

Since you have web access, and presumably a Japan address, would it not
make more sense to either read online or obtain your own subscription?
That way the library wouldn't need to shell out, and people without web
access or an address wouldn't have to wait for you to finish browsing
the paper.

> In addition, I personally think the Daily Yomiuri is better than the Japan
> Times, and it would be good if you offered both.

What is the difference between these two? I think Yamasa still has a
subscription to the latter which we keep (or used to ) in the library here.



-- 
"Oh don't give me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ No, don't you give
me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ For my head will fly, my tongue
will lie, my eyes will fry and I may die/ Won't you pour me one more of
that sinful Old Janx Spirit"