Commercialization of Public Libraries

Re “Computers, Libraries Go Arm-in-Arm,” Ventura County Perspective, Nov. 14.

I read with interest this article by Ventura County Library Director Starrett Kreissman. What particularly caught my attention was her assertion that “libraries in many cities have emerged as true community centers, among the few remaining noncommercial spaces that cater to and attract all segments of the community.”

Noncommercial? Not entirely. Recently I complained to my local library about an In-N-Out Burger promotion for children at the library, offering “burgers for books,” as it were: Read a certain number of books and get a burger.

In answering my complaint, Starrett Kreissman said, “I also dislike commercialism in libraries, but it’s become necessary to weigh each proposal on its merits: Do library customers gain enough value to offset having commercials partners.”

As a library patron (a word that implies use and support, as opposed to Ms. Kreissman’s new designation of “customer,” one who purchases something), I am very troubled to see corporate advertising appearing in my library. If In-N-Out can do it, what assurance is there that Coca-Cola, Nike, Burger King, etc. etc. etc. are far behind?

In my opinion, corporations are more than welcome to support the libraries--and announce that they’ve done so in their own places of business--but they have absolutely no business trolling for young customers in our public libraries. I am very sorry to see the library administration’s complicity in this.

SALLY HOOVER

Ojai