I hate to be the one to carry this further into a second week.  I realize
that Cate Cooney wrote in a moment of exasperation.  But this was not the
only communication to prospective museum employees that I have felt were out
of place.

The general downslide may not be that at all.  Rather, it is a different
approach than what most of us were accustomed to.

There are school teachers who rant about how children are being raised
"these days."  They don't respond to discipline as they once did.  Those
teachers should leave the field, or adapt to "these days."

As potential museum professionals arise, can we discern how best we can help
our profession's future through them?  I hope there will be fewer objections
to those who, in their own ways, will help museums and libraries keep up
with changing public expectations.

Ross Weeks Jr.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cate Cooney" <[log in to unmask]>


> sigh.
>
> A simple "no, this doesn't bother the rest of us" would have sufficed.
> I really didn't see my comment as a personal attack at all, and I am
> surprised that it was perceived as such.
>
> Here's my position: I have worked as both a teacher and a librarian, and
> I have seen a general downslide in students' willingness to do
> research.  I think it is wonderful that there are resources such as the
> web and listservs to aid in research, but I have seen far too many
> students reach for that first, and then let it be the only tool they
> use!  It simply is not enough, and you all know that.

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