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Water damage: books and oceans
I get an email every day called “Library Link of the Day.” It drops an important, bizarre or otherwise interesting story about libraries from the media to my email box. I admit that, because I get so much email every day, I often glance at the topic and hit delete. Other times I open the story and then hit delete. Occasionally, though, I read the whole thing and sometimes pass it along to others.
A few days ago, a story was featured concerning Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger, the pilot of that airliner that landed in the Hudson River. The Daily News reported that he is quite upset that he was unable to return a library book on time because it is still in the cargo hold of the plane – and probably water damaged beyond salvaging.
The lost book is being replaced in his honour and the fines have been waived. Isn’t that a lovely story? I love the fact that library patrons tend to be highly conscientious – just like Captain Sullenberger. I also love the fact that most library workers are highly ethical – for example, the article did not have the title of the overdue book, because the library staff refused to disclose it, because that would have been a violation of Sullenberger’s privacy.
On a completely unrelated topic, the third lecture in the Whistler Public Library’s collaboration with Quest University will take place this Friday, February 20 at 7pm. Our guest lecturer this time is Mai Yasue, Faculty tutor in Social Science at Quest and Research Associate with Project Seahorse Fisheries Centre at UBC. Project Seahorse is an interdisciplinary and international organization committed to conservation and sustainable use of the world’s coastal marine ecosystems. Yasue’s topic for the evening will be Global Fisheries: Problems & Potential Solutions.
Our proximity to the ocean makes it nearly impossible to be unaware of the crisis in our fisheries. Fishing has been a part of life and a basic component of the economy since the first humans lived here. While much of the news is dire, I like the fact that Yasue will be talking about potential solutions, bringing a positive side to the discussion.
Good news is always welcome – it’s so nice to hear in the midst of all the turmoil with which we are surrounded.
Lauren Stara, Library Director