[Lou Card]

I feel that the library system is one of the best things going in the country and volunteers in anything are like saints in my opinion, but when it comes to Mark Twain, and that I am a 22 year military retiree, I got a problem. He was always so critical of the integrity and ability of the military man, I just can't find it in my heart to support his legacy.

[redwitch]

The military of his era is not the military of today. The military of the 1800s and early 1900s was not only underpaid, but notorious for atrocities against whomever they were fighting; looting and corruption were commonplace; incompetence was expected. Being critical of something doesn't mean you don't love it or what it represents. Personally, I have no idea of how Mr. Clemens felt about the military, this nation or life in general. I'm not even a big fan of his books -- just not my style. To most, he is a great American writer.

To me, the MT epitomizes TV. It shows the generosity of the people that live here in their donations. It shows the giving spirit in its volunteers. It shows the caring we have for each other. To dismiss the Mark Twain Library because of its name is a shame.

[Lou Card]

Originally Posted by redwitch

The military of his era is not the military of today. The military of the 1800s and early 1900s was not only underpaid, but notorious for atrocities against whomever they were fighting; looting and corruption were commonplace; incompetence was expected. Being critical of something doesn't mean you don't love it or what it represents. Personally, I have no idea of how Mr. Clemens felt about the military, this nation or life in general. I'm not even a big fan of his books -- just not my style. To most, he is a great American writer.

To me, the MT epitomizes TV. It shows the generosity of the people that live here in their donations. It shows the giving spirit in its volunteers. It shows the caring we have for each other. To dismiss the Mark Twain Library because of its name is a shame.

In view of this reply, I can only believe that even Mark Twain would respect the military of today. Thank you for that take on him Redwitch. I still don't like what he said, but you are right that it may have been well deserved in those times.

[jannd228]

MT was critical of the faults of his generation, in many arenas. His classic novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is not just a follow up to Tom Sawyer, it is his memoir written in fiction form.

Most who read him now with that understanding, enjoy him. I did, I taught Huck Finn for many years, and I always found something new each time I taught it.

Originally Posted by redwitch

Tal -- MT is a very basic type library. No reference section. We shelve books, greet patrons, go nuts with the cards being misfiled. There are a few who have been with MT for several years who do other things. One maintains the romance section; another the westerns; one takes care of general problems (torn books, missing cards, etc.); and so on. The work is in 2-hour shifts.

Books are not shelved via Dewey decimal system but more like a book store -- by categories. Sometimes books are miscatergorized because our chief knows this author writes a certain genre and doesn't have time to check that the author is branching out to another genre. Drives me nuts but I've learned to live with it.

The best part is just the people there -- both the volunteers and the patrons.

Redwitch, I will have to check it out at some time.

I would propose a name change to fit more in with the Villages though from the Mark Twain Library. Maybe, Tom Clancy; Louis L'Amour; Ernest Hemingway; Jack London; Harper Lee; or some other???

[starflyte1]

Did someone mention the hours MT Library is open? I may have missed it. Anyway, when is the library open? Thanks! Pat

[beartrack]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac

Redwitch, I will have to check it out at some time.

I would propose a name change to fit more in with the Villages though from the Mark Twain Library. Maybe, Tom Clancy; Louis L'Amour; Ernest Hemingway; Jack London; Harper Lee; or some other???

I vote for Louis L'Amour

[redwitch]

Hours: M-F 9-5; S 9-12; closed Sunday.

I doubt there is any way the name is going to change. Heck, they even close for Mr. Clemens' birthday. My vote would go to either Jack London or Edgar Allan Poe.

[Walt.]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac

I would propose a name change to fit more in with the Villages though from the Mark Twain Library. Maybe, Tom Clancy; Louis L'Amour; Ernest Hemingway; Jack London; Harper Lee; or some other???

A few year ago there was a big student protest with demands that their school name be changed. The school was named "Custer High School."
All of a sudden the Indian students and all their oh-so-caring buddies were just practically passing out at the prospect of attending a school named after the worst person in the history of the universe. Oh the humanity!!!
After a few days of marches, speeches, and demands someone kind of mentioned that the school originally (about 75 years earlier) had a different name but had been renamed after the first, much loved principal... a Mr. Custer.
If a place is named "The Adolph Hitler Library" I could see a problem... but Mark Twain? Geeezz
Ernest Hemingway? Didn't he blow his brains out?

[starflyte1]

Thank you redwitch.

[Dougout]

We are regular visitors to the Mark Twain. The folks who work there are the best!

We are fortunate to have such a nice facility in The Villages.

[Walt.]

Does the Mark Twain Library take cookbooks?

[Walt.]

Originally Posted by Walt.

Does the Mark Twain Library take cookbooks?

Yes they do.