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Libraries and the "R" Word

A new public library is about to open not too far from where I live, and the local ~~advertising flyer~~ newspaper has devoted a full page and a half to the story. "This is great!" I thought, until the new head librarian used the dreaded "R" word:

"Libraries need to be relevant to their community. The whole idea is to give people the service they want — not what we think they should want," said Parker.

"We really wanted to keep this collection fresh and new, with nothing more than two years old with some exceptions for classics," Parker said.

The literacy collection — classics simplified and shortened for those who are trying to read or improve their reading skills — has 482 titles.

To be fair, this library is meant for social work. It is located in a depressed neighbourhood that has the lowest library use rate in the region. Many of their contituents are just learning English, and they are also trying to give teens a safe, positive place to hang out after school.