What's a Library For?

I've been collecting these links and meaning to write some deep thought or other about them, but don't think I'm going to get around to it anytime soon. So instead of my conclusions you can read those of others. I'm not quite sure where I finally come down, anyway. As I've said before, I feel like the library has a role as a community gathering place. At the same time, though, it's not a gym and should still be for inside voices and polite behavior. And while there are libraries specifically designed to be archival and most of them aren't us, we need to try to maintain some kind of balance and can't completely be just about the latest popular fluff. There should be a place for both.

1) A New York Times Article about a library that is so fed up with rowdy kids wrecking the place after school that they're simply closing during those hours.

2) A Washington Post Article about weeding dusty classics to make way for newer popular books in light of limited shelf space.

3) The best take I've seen which sees a link between the two at Pop Goes the Library.

4) A funny take on the whole matter by the Annoyed Librarian that I think some of you especially will enjoy.