You know, it's not necessarily the dumping of the knitting group that gets me; I understand the bit about *libraries* needing to have programs based on *books*... having said that, however, I can list 50-60 books on knitting, about knitting, or that have knitting in them, and I can't name a single book involving a video game that isn't a cheat guide. And I also say this loving me some video games (EverQuest, I miss you so!). So I guess that I'm saying on a financial level I understand the library making that choice. But on a gut level I am bewildered by choosing video games over knitting. At least offer both, fer cryin' out loud! Except for Skip's offer of World of Woolcraft. I would totally play that. All. Day. Long.

Not to beat a dead horse (kick! kick!) but The Yarn Harlot is talking about this also. Mostly here. The next day, she adds:

PS. There are several really good comments yesterday on the library issue, as well as more information here, and here. Keep in mind, as you debate - that we were not presented with all of the facts (and as suggested by the director - see the comment from Maureen August 19 at 8:25am- perhaps the ones we got were not even wholly accurate.

In addition, remember that this is a very, very, very tiny library - open only part- time hours in a very small community. Unlike a city library, or even a town library, there aren't whole days to fit in programs, nor are there multiple activity rooms - or even multiple librarians. Think singular. There aren't as many choices as there would be in a larger space, and that matters. Finally, the library has said that the video games (which would be an occasional evening, not a bi-weekly programme, like the knitting) would be part of a larger themed literacy evening with other components, not just a whack of teenagers sitting around wailing on guitar hero. This article was written by a member of the knitting group (which it turns out, is not just a group of little girls) and has - as you might expect, contains a bias towards their situation designed to make you sympathetic to the cause. ) Nowhere, in any of the articles has it said that knitting or arts and crafts is being replaced by weekly video games. Nowhere.

Finally, please, please, please, remember than nobody has 'BANNED" knitting. It sounds like you are welcome to knit in this library, and the group is even welcome to continue the group in the library if - like the other programmes there... they make it obviously about literacy, which to me (someone who has managed to combine books and knitting somehow) makes it sound even more lovely.

Wherein the manager of the library has - among other things - this to say in an email:

The Library does not have a problem with artistic expression and creativity. The history of programming in the SDG County Library has been, however, to offer programmes with only the making of a craft as its focus, e.g. build a bird house, make cards, decorate eggs, etc. This has drawn patrons in for the craft, who have left without “experiencing” the Library. What we are striving to do is to enhance that library experience by focusing on literature-based programmes. Preparing for these programmes is based on a widely accepted model that involves selecting a theme, and choosing literature and activities based on the theme, with crafts being the occasional addition to the programme.

There was no specific targeting of the “Chix with Sticks” group. Indeed, we had placed a call for programmes in the branches and had not received any indication that there was a continued desire for this programme. Even if we had been notified, we would have asked the group to tweak their programme to fall in line with the new programming guidelines. What we are proposing is a programme called “Chix in Stitches” which is a female book club focusing on humourous “chick lit” that encourages knitting, crocheting, etc. during the discussions and a pot of tea to boot. The newspaper article that has sparked this controversy was written by a member of the “Chix for Stix” group (they don’t appear to be all children), who did not declare her conflict of interest in the article, nor did she report accurately on the information provided to her. Indeed, our Fall Programme Calendar has not even been finalized yet, so it seems a little premature to be criticizing something that is not even on offer yet.

Teenagers tend to drift away from the library and do not return as adult users. Consequently, the need to entice them into coming to the Library. Video gaming is not provided as an end in itself. It is a draw and is part of a literacy based programme, for instance, having teens complete a “treasure hunt” amongst the library’s electronic resources before moving onto a gaming session. Additionally, there are educational video games.

I just felt like since I'd presented one side of the story, I should give voice to the other. Somewhere between both of them, there should be the truth.