Don’t mess with librarians.
New York Observer columnist Andre Walker learned that lesson this week when he called for the closure of public libraries, and posted tweets critical of librarians.
Nobody goes to libraries anymore. Close the public ones and put the books in schools. https://t.co/Cimy1V81n5
— Andre Walker (@andrejpwalker) October 22, 2017
Thousands responded to Walker’s initial tweet, noting the valuable role libraries play in communities. Among the educators and advocates tweeting their responses was Alex “The Angriest Librarian” Halpern:
Hang tight folks, because I am about to drop some necessary knowledge on you. First off, library usage is on the RISE motherfuckers. https://t.co/reWrJj3XCo
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
As conservatives have taken over state and local governments, and the NO MORE TAXES crowd has gotten their way, public space has decreased.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
That means is that there are a lot fewer free, public gathering places in America anymore. What's one? The motherfucking public library.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
If you, like this jackalope, think libraries are just warehouses for books, you are sorely and embarrassingly mistaken. Sorely.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
In addition to meeting a community's need for educational and recreational materials, PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG FAMILIES...
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
public libraries are evolving to meet the demands of the 21st Century, unlike the neanderthal who sparked this thread.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
Books? Books make up a RAPIDLY decreasing percentage of a library's budget. You want to check out technology? get a library card.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
You need internet access because you are one of the WAY TOO MANY underserved and marginalized persons in America? Go to the library.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
You need a safe place to learn about yourself, LGBT teen? Come to the library. You need to learn English to get a job? Come to the library.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
You need to close libraries because you have no idea what the fuck they do? Stay the fuck home and shut your mouth.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
Just kidding, everyone is welcome at the library, even the backwards thinking simpletons who want to cut our budgets.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
I could go on and on about what libraries do in the 21st century, but I'm too fucking steamed, so if you want to know, ask.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
More than 100 people responded to Halpern’s tweets, praising his comments and sharing their support for libraries. So, the Angriest Librarian was happy again.
I am heartened by the number of people who love their library. I am now less mad online.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
A friendly message to all my new followers: go get yourself a fucking library card.
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 23, 2017
But then, Walker doubled down on his initial claim.
I know this makes Librarians angry but shutting libraries and putting the books into schools would be an absolute good. https://t.co/AEy4X0iAAx
— Andre Walker (@andrejpwalker) October 24, 2017
This fucking guy is still going https://t.co/jDXVnrqX3w
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 24, 2017
Librarians are like French teachers. These jobs exist in order to pay the wages of sad people who can't get proper work.
— Andre Walker (@andrejpwalker) October 24, 2017
Imagine being this guy https://t.co/sxbShhkARL
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 24, 2017
After receiving a flood of responses, Walker walked back his original comments.
Dear #Library users, I surrender! pic.twitter.com/1F0cog6xo0
— Andre Walker (@andrejpwalker) October 24, 2017
As for Halpern, he now has thousands of new library-loving followers:
Library twitter is lit af this week get on board
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 24, 2017
The 6000 of you who followed me in the last day are going to be very disappointed when I return to tweeting about star wars and baseball
— TheAngriestLibrarian (@HalpernAlex) October 24, 2017
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