Just one row? And judging by how few people can remember more than a few phone numbers these days, I’m guessing that that part of the library would have to be considerably bigger than it was 40 years back.
It took me ’bout 20 years to figure out that I was missing out on some really good books because some idiot hid them in the “Literature” section of the library / bookstore.
I hated school and didn’t even apply for University. I joined the army right after grade 13 at 18, and, you guessed it, went right back to school. The diff, EVERYTHING you learned had an application to some aspect of your career. But the stuff that somehow stayed in my brain after high school seemed to be helpful while I watched Jeopardy! Go figure
I’m a female homeowner who tries to do stuff myself rather than hire a handyman. Clearly at a disadvantage from not being allowed to attend shop class back in high school. 50 years later and I’m still peaved.
I must recommend “Lies My Teacher Told Me”, a book by a college history Professor discussing how badly history is taught in all primary and secondary schools and some colleges. It explained to me why I happily read so much history now although I detested it in school. The names and dates nonsense is only the beginning.
One of the biggest challenges that public schools/teachers have is that people are always complaining that school is boring, a waste of time, and kids aren’t learning things; but, when schools/teachers try to do things differently, they are lambasted by complaints that they are being leftest, politically-motivated, spewing propaganda, etc. followed by “we didn’t do things that way when I was in school.” They can’t win. If you think your school was boring and a waste of time, then why complain if things are changed?
The only thing I “blew off” in high school because I wouldn’t need it in real life is something I’ve STILL never needed at the age of 57: Algebra. Pointless and stupid for a lot of kids, when they could/should be teaching things like balancing a checkbook and other life-essentials.
The libraries in San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay have eliminated sub-classes of fiction on their shelves. The lame excuse I heard was that it was too confusing for the few titles that fit more than one category. Book stores and other libraries have dealt with that “confusion” for years. To me, it just seems lazy and counter-productive, if your service is to encourage reading.
No one was keeping you from browing general Fiction. It is simply counterproductive to make people, especially older people, spend more time and effort browsing through hundreds, if not thousands, of unrelated books to find their favorite genre.
David_the_CAD almost 2 years ago
I can see this one being collected by a lot of High School Teachers.
Ratkin Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Wood shop, Home Ec …
The Old Wolf almost 2 years ago
“Critical Thinking”… Oh wait they never taught that one, at least not when I was in High School in the ’60s.
Bilan almost 2 years ago
Investing for retirement, 20 recipes with bran, Understanding people under 20, vision correction, etc.. etc..
diazch408 almost 2 years ago
There’s a lot of classic books on those shelves. And a lot of Shakespeare.
HidariMak almost 2 years ago
Just one row? And judging by how few people can remember more than a few phone numbers these days, I’m guessing that that part of the library would have to be considerably bigger than it was 40 years back.
PraiseofFolly almost 2 years ago
These days, it’s American History and Civics that should be re-read — unless those topics are being snatched from library shelves as too “woke.”
[Traveler] Premium Member almost 2 years ago
The most useful thing I learned in high school was typing. I have also used geometry a bit too.
SusieB almost 2 years ago
Teachers were proved wrong, about not being able to have a calculator with you every place you go
Wizard of Ahz-no relation almost 2 years ago
my in laws were both professional librarians, out of college my first job weas as a clerk in a library, you have no idea how true this image is.
gmu328 almost 2 years ago
a whole lot of math in that section, too
bill.knight49 almost 2 years ago
True! (Also, thanks GC, for coming back online)
Redd Panda almost 2 years ago
Off topic, but, very glad to see GOCOMICS is back up and running. I missed all the gang.
First thing after breakfast, ‘’What going on in the funny papers, today?’’
DiminishedFirst almost 2 years ago
Also, how, when, and why you would buy insurance. Car loans and mortgages. Many other topics.
oish almost 2 years ago
Can I google Cliff’s Notes?
Linguist almost 2 years ago
Chemistry!
guy42 almost 2 years ago
It took me ’bout 20 years to figure out that I was missing out on some really good books because some idiot hid them in the “Literature” section of the library / bookstore.
jimchronister2016 almost 2 years ago
Morning Wiley, great thought!Happy Thanksgiving!
1953Baby almost 2 years ago
Whoever thought that TYPING would be the one class that EVERYBODY would need/use??? Even my doctors know how to type—sort of. . .
1953Baby almost 2 years ago
Is it just coincidence that “fiction” and “romance” are in the same area?
Jimmyk939 almost 2 years ago
I hated school and didn’t even apply for University. I joined the army right after grade 13 at 18, and, you guessed it, went right back to school. The diff, EVERYTHING you learned had an application to some aspect of your career. But the stuff that somehow stayed in my brain after high school seemed to be helpful while I watched Jeopardy! Go figure
stairsteppublishing almost 2 years ago
For me the classes that have been most useful are Latin and Mythology classes. There so many new words for the explosion of new things.
Squoop almost 2 years ago
I’m a female homeowner who tries to do stuff myself rather than hire a handyman. Clearly at a disadvantage from not being allowed to attend shop class back in high school. 50 years later and I’m still peaved.
Stargazer1950 almost 2 years ago
They should have combined Home Ec and Shop into one class called “Independent Living” or something like that and made both boys & girls take it.
198.23.5.11 almost 2 years ago
I’m old enough so that if a boy took Home Ec,he was ostracized.
But who can eat a workbench?
jack666 Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I must recommend “Lies My Teacher Told Me”, a book by a college history Professor discussing how badly history is taught in all primary and secondary schools and some colleges. It explained to me why I happily read so much history now although I detested it in school. The names and dates nonsense is only the beginning.
Bookworm almost 2 years ago
Hahahahahaha. Like anybody under 65 would even know what a library is these days. Hahahahahaha.
GreenT267 almost 2 years ago
One of the biggest challenges that public schools/teachers have is that people are always complaining that school is boring, a waste of time, and kids aren’t learning things; but, when schools/teachers try to do things differently, they are lambasted by complaints that they are being leftest, politically-motivated, spewing propaganda, etc. followed by “we didn’t do things that way when I was in school.” They can’t win. If you think your school was boring and a waste of time, then why complain if things are changed?
Underdog almost 2 years ago
Latin…. I use it daily and don’t even know I’m doing it. Same with Algebra and Calculus.
willie_mctell almost 2 years ago
The stuff you blew off section is the largest one in most libraries.
Corpse Horn Light Premium Member almost 2 years ago
The only thing I “blew off” in high school because I wouldn’t need it in real life is something I’ve STILL never needed at the age of 57: Algebra. Pointless and stupid for a lot of kids, when they could/should be teaching things like balancing a checkbook and other life-essentials.
keenanthelibrarian almost 2 years ago
Latin declensions? Calculus? Marvellous how often I call on all those things that seemed boring at the time but I find a sort of use for nowadays.
zodismoon almost 2 years ago
Still don’t need to use algebra.
andrew.scharnhorst almost 2 years ago
Brilliant! Bravo.
mistercatworks almost 2 years ago
The libraries in San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay have eliminated sub-classes of fiction on their shelves. The lame excuse I heard was that it was too confusing for the few titles that fit more than one category. Book stores and other libraries have dealt with that “confusion” for years. To me, it just seems lazy and counter-productive, if your service is to encourage reading.
No one was keeping you from browing general Fiction. It is simply counterproductive to make people, especially older people, spend more time and effort browsing through hundreds, if not thousands, of unrelated books to find their favorite genre.
MT Wallet almost 2 years ago
https://www.gocomics.com/ziggy/2022/11/23
Bill Löhr Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Unfortunately there are plenty of people who should be using this section who aren’t.
MFRXIM Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Formerly labeled the Science and History section.