Janet and I went to a talk on campus on Friday called “The Status of Writing.” I was interested in this topic because writing implies reading and reading implies libraries (in my mind). The speaker, Professor Deborah Brandt did link writing and reading historically. Simply put, writing many times is driven by economics (e.g. writing contracts) and reading by moral improvement (e.g. reading the bible). So, writing has more material value than reading. She noted that you can get a job as a writer much easier than a job as a reader. In your profession, you’re probably expected to write much more than you are to read (this is true for me, even as a librarian).
I started thinking about this blog. Having the popular reading collection is great for student’s recreational needs, but having students post to the blog gives them a chance to benefit economically (the contest we’re currently running). We presented our idea for the blog this fall when we went to student government for funding – we said it would be a way to measure the value of this collection to students. So, as we evaluate the future of this program I wonder—do blog posts written by students determine whether or not the popular reading collection is succeeding? (I had initially thought so) Are there many people reading the blog and the popular reading books without posting?
I can’t help but think about the Writer’s Conference panel where I heard Junot Diaz (who’s just won a Pulitzer prize) say that colleges are educating writers but wondered if we’re educating readers. Is writing leading you to reading—whether it be books, blogs or diaries? I sincerely hope so.
Kristen
1 comment:
I also agreed with Junot Diaz's interpretation of a nation of writer's who need to be more invested in reading. I think that ultimately if one is taught to become an active reader that this automatically translates to other communication avenues such as writing. However, this is assumed that the opportunity is available for the individual to have the outlets to become an active reader--meaning that they engage themselves in the text. Overall, it is my opinion that the blog is promoting a dialogue about books, and, in turn, making an attempt to improve the ways in which students interpret and communicate on campus. At times, one can easily become absorbed within the sterility of academia and it is important to remember that in order to be able to write you need to be able to communicate and create a space of dialogue to occur for the reader. In a world where we associate many things with a monetary value it is quite possible that reading cannot be one of these things. However, it is more vital in my eyes that individuals recognize that reading is the precursor to writing. Reading is most definitely vital to the individual's access to knowledge and ultimately a route to self-education. As with most things that are important and necessary, often times they are not rightfully recognized as legit to a given majority. Ultimately, the success of a venue can never be measured solely by one factor. With time, I think that this blog is and will be a vital asset to this university and the students who do read and write and find it necessary to have a minute dialogue about that which is important to them.
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