Collection development in any public library branch reflects the patrons who use it. This is an old professional axiom. I once went to a library in a blue collar neighborhood and found a complete set of Chilton's auto repair manuals in the reference section. Therefore if a neighborhood is heavily Orthodox, the holdings may reflect that but will not make the collection exclusively reflect that. A friend from Long Island told me that he requested the branch to purchase Meam Loez and they did. I echo the thought that the Orthodox patron has as much say as the Cambodian, Vietnamese, or any other ethnic group.
I agree with Avi Shoub that defining Orthodox is not clear. Orthodox Judaism is only monolithic in terms of adherence to halacha. The problem in definition develops in the level and knowledge of halacha and its stringencies. I would also like to point out that there is a segment of the Haredi community in the United States that does not allow their children to go to the Public Library. They perceive "dangers" of the both the print materials as well as the INTERNET. It should also be pointed out that once again even among the Haredim the approach is not monolithic. In sum, making a relationship between the public library and the Orthodox reader will not be useful. I might suggest that you address the topic of information literacy of Rabbinic primary sources. There has been literally and explosion of rabbinic primary and secondary sources translated into English. Many people do not know how to locate materials because they are unfamiliar with the organization, relationship and hierarchical structure of these materials. Things such as citation, cross referencing, etc. limit the fullest use of these translated materials. I gave a CEU at the 2002 AJL convention on the use of rabbinic materials. Many librarians in Day Schools found it very useful in helping the students find materials and citations they needed for their work. Your research can be redirected to information literacy of rabbinics and related secondary source material. I would bet that there are many Orthodox people who in spite of their observances are unfamiliar with the sources and how they work. I once had an experience where a patron had a Talmudic quote and wanted to find the original in translation. It turned out the person who allegedly quoted the text restructured to quote to fit the point they were making. Reference work and the Orthodox Jew is virtually an untapped area. If you want further discussion please feel free to contact me. Just my 2 cents on the subject. Eliezer M. Wise Library Director Tuttleman Library of Gratz College 7605 Old York Road Melrose Park, Pa. 19027 215-635-7300 extension 159 Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
