Thursday, October 22, 2009

Why call it The Library Tree

Where did “The Library Tree Blog" get its roots? I decided to start a blog as part of the Sacramento Public Library’s “27 Things”. When thinking about a symbol for my blog a tree was the first thing that came to mind and the more I thought about it the more I realized that it had many similarities to a library. Besides I’ve always enjoyed people, libraries, reading, nature, outdoor activities and sports. Also, Sacramento is known as the “City of Trees” and since I live and work here it the library tree name is a good fit. A tree is to a forest what a library is to a consortium. Below I have listed many of the comparisons.

Tree picture courtesy of Dutton Tree Care .

TreesLibraries
  • A tree is a growing organism.
  • ..."The library is a growing organism."
    ~ Ranganathan
  • A tree is to a forest what a ...
  • ... library is to a consortium.
  • Trees come in a wide variety of types, sizes & shapes.
  • Libraries come in a wide variety; public, academic, school, special & private in various shapes and sizes.
  • Roots are a network that anchor the tree and spread and give the tree strength.
  • Roots represent the community and taxpayers that support the library. The library serves the community. Win-Win.
  • Trunk supports the framework of the branches & is attached to the roots.
  • Trunk represents librarians, staff, Friends of the Library, volunteers & the Foundation.
  • Bark protects the tree from weather, insects and disease.
  • Bark represents the librarians that look after the collections.
  • Branches transfer nutrients to the leaves.
  • Branches represent branch libraries and/or consortiums. Receive and disseminate transferred materials.
  • Rings are a layer of wood produced each year showing growth.
  • Rings represent the archives.

  • Leaves make the food for the plant.
  • Leaves represent a multitude of books and materials in multiple formats offered to the community.
  • Gifts from types of trees: flowers, fruit, cones or seed pods.
  • Gifts from various types of libraries: free borrowing, classes, downloads, and programs.
  • Leaves falling off the tree
  • Weeding the library
  • Trees prevent erosion.
  • Libraries offer free resources, especially in tough economic times.
  • Offers shelter in poor weather.
  • Offers shelter for the preservation of knowledge.
  • Vital to the community and the environment.
  • Vital to the community and the environment.

2 comments:

  1. Glad to see you made it to the web! looking forward to your impressions of IL2009.

    ReplyDelete