Speaking Volumes

1.  My last weeks post about libraries, library usage and those that like to say the library and all that is in is going away.
 
2. I’m reading / listening to a wonderful book, Girls Like Us by Shelia Weller.  The story of Carol King,  Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and their generation.
 
3.  One of our regular patrons shared with me the news that 35 mm film would not be made after this year (or sooner) in light of digital photography.

 
At this point, you may be wondering what these three things have in common, but at least to me, they all speak of change and continuity.  In all things, in every generation there is change.  My mother lamented the clothing I wore when I left the house, the music I listened to, and my completely unintelligible speech and slang.  Now I see today’s youth and wonder how they can wear such articles, listen to that noise, and worry that they will not be able to write a full sentence.  Reading Girls, in its own way these sentiments were expressed just as strongly in the past.  Likewise, when 110 film and then the instamatic became obsolete, I was pretty sure this would be the end of photo memories… it wasn’t.  And today, across the country Library usage is higher then ever.
 
There have been many for thousands of years who have noted that the only constant is change.  I’m not saying I particularly like change, nor some of the specific changes that I see in the world around me.  But there is a sort of comfort in knowing that the angst I feel is not new. 
 
I am fairly certain that my embarrassing my mother by wearing jeans to school was little different than the distaste I feel now seeing students wearing what I consider pajama bottoms.  And yet… we’re still here.
 
I’ve no doubt things in the future will seem different.  I’ve no doubt from my own perspective when today’s youth are lamenting what they see in their children, I will be completely at a loss. However, there is also something reassuring in this.  Libraries will not become obsolete, keeping images as memory and to share moments will not disappear and youth will continue to reinvent their world.
 
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
 

Don't forget to check out Girls Like Us at the Library!