" Brian wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:50 PM:

" I'm not going to attempt nor do I have the desire to match the underhandedness of Leonard's assault on Jerome. Of course he gets a kick out of picking on a disabled vet. What a f#$khead!"
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Geez, Brian, I doubt that you could even buy some character at this point. "

" I'm not going to attempt nor do I have the desire to match the underhandedness of Leonard's assault on Jerome. Of course he gets a kick out of picking on a disabled vet. What a f#$khead! "

" Leonard wrote:
My friend looked a little alarmed at this. When I asked him why, he told me that Kinderman is almost certainly trying to set himself up to engage in a libel suit against those bloggers who dare to disagree with him on these pages.

-And of course Leonard probably agrees with his lawyer friend.

Disingenuous and comical all wrapped up in one package. That's Leonard. "

" I don't see how any rational person could agree with Leonard that since Jerome feels books may be a thing of the past it is an assault on Free Speech. "

" Leo... you are too funny.

Reading a book is an event. I cannot buy paperbacks. I need the hard copy. I love opening the book and "cracking the spine". It is a feeling.

It is not an "Old Fashion" idea because my kids prefer hard copy books over kindle. My young nieces and nephews LOVE books over a computer to. Books are here to stay... as I hope libraries are.

....All I can say is "click, click, click." "

" Common courtesy has gone by the wayside. We now live in a society that lives by the motto "as long as I get what I want, to heck with everyone else". I see it every day. When I was a youngster librarians kept people from being lound and disturbing other patrons. I remember the park ranger at Lodi Lake making us turn our car radios down because he could hear it as he drove by. Go there now and you are most likely greeted by LOUD music from almost every parked car. Shopping carts all over parking lots? The ones that put them there are done with them, to heck with someone who wants that parking spot. ME, ME, ME, I don't care about you. The new motto of society? "

" When I graduated from law school last year I moved back to Lodi and in with my parents so that I could save on rent and not worry about my dog being locked up all day while I was away studying for the bar exam. I attempted to use the Lodi Public Library as a place to study a couple of times. Even with ear plugs in, it was impossible. There were several people just hanging around, not reading and talking on their cell phones when they would get calls. The librarians did nothing about this. On top of that, the librarians were just as loud as the noisy patrons. I fled to Stockton and found UOP’s library to be exactly what you expect a library to be. "

" Libraryguy,

I think Jerome was trying to make a point that the money it takes to run libraries far outweighs the amount of people who actually use the library. "

" KenH: If the librarians can't "shush" the rude/loud ones in the library or call the police then why do they work there? "

" Okay true, these people (along with everybody) needs to respect the rules of the library. *shrugs* Its possible (just speculation here) that the librarians are afraid of conflict?

You could always bring the issue up at the next city council meeting so that they can address the issue. "

" Oh man... I want a cushy job at the library! It sure sounds like the librarians in Lodi aren't doing what they're paid to do... so give me a chance. I know how to shut people up! "

" Whoa Nellie!: I certainly agree with you that manners are not important to some people in the Lodi Public Library and, in this case, it was the Librarian's responsibility to make sure that manners matter. This is the problem. Too many people, who should be in charge, are allowing people like that to go unchecked. They obviously know that this behavior is allowed in the Lodi Library so they simply continue to be terribly rude and sometimes aggressively rude. The Librarian needs to call for back up, like the police or a security guard etc., so these people can be kicked out. Maybe if enough of us say something, and keep bugging the Librarian, they'll start doing something about it. Yes, it is their job to handle these situations, and if they cannot do anything about then get someone who can handle it. "

" KenH- yes, I know from years and years of visiting the library that the transient community frequents the library, especially during hot & cold times. And I have NO problems with that, it was the behavior of these four that pissed me off. And the attitude of the woman staff member I spoke with.

Personally, this is just another example of how society has failed again. People have no manners, and are not considerate of others. Don't get me started about people yaking on their cell phones- or driving while talking.

Rules are rules and must be enforced for the betterment of society. "

" Mr. Kinderman, come by and talk to the moms that use the library to read to their preschoolers and tell them their library is outdated. And as far as a computer being a household appliance, you must think they are as common as a toaster. They are certainly more expensive. Don't come by the library if you don't want to use it. Try telling the thousands that do use it that they shouldn't. "

" libraryguy - While the renovations may have been paid for by private funds, who is it that pays for the everyday operations of the hundreds of libraries that have become flop-houses for the homeless? Do those funds come from the myriad "change purses" you refer to in your response? If so, wouldn't you think such a waste of taxpayer money should be spent on more worthwhile endeavors than trying in vain to keep an obsolete institution open simply for sentimental purposes?

I find it interesting that you didn't approach the issue of home computers and how these machines (along with other technological wonders) have caused the massive exodus from one of Ben Franklin's dreams. It's simply time that we accept the fact that public libraries are no longer needed. I further wonder how completely empty these buildings would be if they had the audacity to start charging a fee for the privilege of taking one of their books home.

As for the "...overworked, always-busy staff" – you've got to be kidding! It is the job of every librarian to maintain order and decorum in their libraries. "

" The librarians need to call the police if there are people in the library that cannot be controlled, as described in this letter. Since when should we cower to aggressive people in the library. Call the police and let them handle it. "

" The homeless have always used the library for resting grounds. Some use the high tech lab to keep up on the local news, I have even seen them reading actual books in the library.

Just because four of them were talking doesn't mean that they don't utilize the services at the library. "

" Oh, and don't blame the overworked, always-busy staff for the transients and the noise. Blame a society that shut its mental hospitals and blame individuals for not having common courtesy and respect for others. "

" As I understand it, the funds for the library renovation came from private funds, including donated trust funds. Rsst assured, Mr. Kinderman, you can keep your change purse closed. "

" I wonder how much it costs to keep these libraries open (was the recent renovation of Lodi's facility really justified?). If, as is indicated, they attract little more than transients hiding from the weather or others who simply don't avail themselves to the books and other reading materials for which these buildings were designed to house, what's the point in dumping more taxpayer money into them?

With the continued advancement in personal computers which are now common appliances in most American homes due to their low cost and easy access to virtually unlimited information resources, the need for hard-copy reference materials is fast becoming obsolete. Sadly, I suspect that far more people visit their local bookstores to read whilst sipping their lattes or mochas before stepping into the malls to finish their shopping rounds.

Like it or not, the fact is Free Public Libraries no longer have a secure place in our society. Perhaps it's time to let them go and find something else to waste our money on. "

" I returned to my table, which I was sharing with another adult, and had to continue to listen to these four talk about their time in jail, the half way house, their current living arrangements, and who at the hotel was "selling."

I had enough and could not concentrate on my excel worksheet so I left. I stopped again to complain to which one staff member said, "What do you want us to do, call the police?" I said, "YES, if thats what it will take for them to be quiet." She replied, "They're regulars here, why dont you just move."

Needless to say I was furious with this answer and her attitude. I stared her down and said, "This would NEVER, EVER happen under Mr. Lachendro's watch (spelling?).

The staff is obviously affraid of these transiet types. I doubt I will be going back soon now that winter is here. "

" Thank you Debbie for your letter. I too am an infrequent library visitor to use the wifi and for a change of scenery from my home office, which was overtaken by my high school students on break.

My last visit was on Friday, October 16th. The library was crowded with high school students on break, many working on their senior projects. They were not the noise problem.

The weather was yucky that day so the various homeless and less fortunate people were also in the library. One group of four was sitting near me in the single chairs. They proceeded to have a full, normal voice conversation even after I sat down about 12' from them. After 15 minutes I asked them to please "use you library voice." The woman of the group laughed and said they're talking, so I reminded them it is a library.

Another 15 minutes I went up the front desk and complained to one of the staff members, specifically asking them to come tell them to quiet down or leave.

continued.... "