Some People Prefer Paper, And That’s Okay
She came to the library, clutching a small newspaper clipping attached to a piece of lined notebook paper that was covered with neat, cursive writing. “How do I submit this to the OC Register?” she asked. I led her to the internet access stations, sat her down, and explained that she’d have to type her essay and then submit it via email. “I’m not very computer-literate,” she admitted.
This turned out to be an understatement. She did not have an email account. She did not know how to type or how to use a mouse. After five minutes of struggling to enter her name into the first fields for Yahoo Email, she announced, “I can’t do this.” She left, deciding, instead, to drive to the physical OC Register building to deliver her hand-written work.
As a fellow-writer, I wanted her to have a shot at publication. As a librarian, I was frustrated that the wall between this woman and getting her essay submitted was insurmountable in a single afternoon.
Yes, it would have taken me maybe 10 minutes to transcribe her handwritten essay and to submit it on her behalf via one of my email accounts. But, I am a librarian. I can lead people to information in all of its glorious formats. I can teach them how to use the digital tools and resources. I can’t do the work for them. (I wish more parents would adopt this attitude when it comes to homework.) My job was done. I tried to get this one lady “caught up” with technology. She chose not to learn.
However, as a librarian, I also know that there is no possible way to keep up with modern technology. It changes too fast. And yet, the new secret expectation is that everyone SHOULD keep up. Everyone SHOULD do tasks electronically.
In today’s fast-paced, bottom-line-crunching culture, I hope we are compassionate enough to recognize that some people will CHOOSE to not own a computer or know how to use one. They will write checks. Mail letters. Call on landlines. Read physical books.
If we pride ourselves on freedom, preferring paper is not a crime. Until it is legislated that every American is plugged in and paperless, we have to remember that people matter more than machines. It’s okay to choose paper over a PC.
I hope that someone at the Register took the time to read this lady’s hand-written essay, and to, perhaps, publish it.
(This essay appeared in the OC Register 6/13/13. Due to Register’s paywall, I am not able to provide a link. My original title was: Paper Preference Is Not a Crime)
