“The purpose of the library is to preserve the integrity of civilization.”

This is old news in blogosphere time, but I think it has a certain timeless quality.

“The Darien Statements on the Library and Librarians” is an inspiring document in its simplicity and scope.  John Blyberg of Darien Library (CT) (and SOPAC creator) explains its modest origins in a brief introduction to this brief but ambitious manifesto.  Though full of gems of plain speaking, I was particularly taken with this one:

Why we do things will not change, but how we do them will.

Then, in a list of things that, “As Librarians, we must” do:

Choose wisely what to stop doing.

I love that.