Transcripts

Transcript from Oscar- 17 year old Student
Discussing the subject of closing libraries:

Me: How do you feel about the fact that libraries are closing down?
O: Libraries are and were an instrumental institution for my families. My parents are quick readers , my dad sometimes manages to read four of five books in a day and my grandparents were teachers who saw it as a fundamental resource. I feel sad that with libraries closing down, future generations will not have the same access as us or our parents to such wealths of knowledge.
Me: Do you feel it's an essential or communities to have a library near by?
O: Libraries now more than before allow us to access different cultures, even with the internet age, the content of books is much more trusted and for some it is a necessary place in their community. i find it hard to imagine a community without such direct access to reference materials, be it Shakespeare or a Travel Guide, both of which are necessary to understand a culture and the likes of which are rarely on the internet with such a high level of quality.
Me: Did libraries play a major part in your education and childhood?
O: Over the last 17 years I have been a weekly member of our local library-taking out a book every week. My parents even attempted to use eBooks, but were disgusted by the flimsy screens and limited practicality.Our library remains to have a huge range of books in many languages and it seems hard to imagine swapping to anything else.

A short conversation from my 5 year old sister Nicola, also on the same topic.

Me: Hey Nicki. I'm going to ask you some questions on the topic of libraries. Are you ready?
N: I know libraries.
Me:That's great!
N:They do lots of books.
Me: Where do you get the books you bring home to read from?
N: From School.
Me: Do you go to the library as a school to get those books?
N:Yes
me: All the together?
N:Yes. And we all read in the library
Me: alright. What's your reaction to libraries closing down? (rephrase) How do you feel about libraries closing?
N: Sad.
Me: Why are you sad?
N:Because...because, when they're closing- I think I feel really sad because then I will not read and then I will not have books to read.
Me: Where do you think we will get those books from if we can't get them from a library?
N: A different place.
Me: What place?
N: Mexico
*Olivia's laughing*
Me: Do you prefer to read books or read through the phone?
N: Books.
Me: What are your favourite types of books?
N: Princess books!
...

Conversation with my Mum, Agnieszka, aged 33
Born and raised in the country side in Southern Poland.

Me: Try your best to answer the questions in english please.
A: I'm not answering your questions in english!
Me: But then it'll take me longer to translate. Okay, carrying on.
What are your views on our local library?
A:The one's close to us are terrible. It depends where, in what region you live in. There are definitely higher quality books in better areas; you have a greater selection..
Me: What's your opinion on the shutting down of libraries?
A:I'd be extremely dissatisfied ..because I believe a book is a book! It's nice to go to a library, take your child to view the different books and choose something their selves.
Me: How will different generations cope in a few years time without the access of libraries?
A: I suppose they're already all use to technology and a different kind of world that it won't make much of a difference to them.
Me: Love it. What memories do you have from your childhood with libraries or the internet?
A:*laughing*-
    We had no libraries or internet! ... There were none, i'm telling you the truth. In my time we had none.
Me: So how did you access information?
A: We could borrow books from our school.
Me: Did you go often?
A: Do you want me to tell you the truth? You went often to the library due to the fact if you borrowed a certain amount of books in a month you'd get points in a particular subject.
Me:-So you were a 'nerd'?
A: Yeah, well the teacher then realised students were only taking out books for that reason.
Me:Did you read a lot?
A: No, not much.
Me: Well thank you