QUALITY V. DEMAND, AKA GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT

Following our discussion in class today, I think that thinking about just how far to take the whole "give the people what they want" philosophy, because at some point I do think the line has to be drawn.
Obviously, a lot of what the library can give the people, as far as whether they want it or not, comes down to budgetary issues, which I don't really care to delve in to too much right now. We all know there's no money.
I think that as librarians, or future librarians, it is important for us to put the patron first. I come from a retail background, very customer oriented, making the customer happy and giving them what they want is what we did. And I think that can translate a lot into the library field.
I think there is value and educational opportunities in so many things that perhaps academics might turn their nose up at. Years ago, I made it my business to attempt to locate and read every Barbara Cartland book out there. Sure, they are completely formulaic and predictable, if you've read one you can predict the plot of every other, but I don't think there is any reason to devalue them because of that. For some people reading anything, no matter what, is huge. And also, I learned quit a bit about British history from those books (in very small doses, but I did learn things!).
During the same period of time I also wanted to read all of the Bantam Classics (needles to say I have not completed this yet). Some people may think that this is a more worthwhile use of time since are well respected works of literature. But honestly, I don't know that any of them left me with any more lasting knowledge that then formulic novels that take 2 hours maximum to read. Reading the classics may give a sense of cultural fulfillment lacking from the more mundane things I tend to read, but I digress really.
Back to librarians and the issue of giving the patron what want vs. giving them what we would like to see them read. I dont think that we should force anything on anyone nor should we judge the reading choices people make. A lot of people probably don't have a lot of time and when the read they want it to be an entertaining few hours, a chance to just lose yourself in nothing to serious and I think that is a very important part of books and what they provide people. I think that it is possible to sort of encourage people not to forget the classics and the more literary works out there.
I think Jane Austen is, right now, the prime example of how genres can meet and a modern, light hearted, perhaps not intellectually deep novel can segue into a teenager a picking up a classic novel, reading, loving, and coming back for more. You can't walk 5 feet in a book store these days without bumping into some Jane Austen spin off novel, whether it involves vampires, book clubs, knitting, time travel, etc; you name it there is a book involving Jane Austen (and probably Mr. Darcy) and it. Someone who knows nothing about Jane Auten could inadvertently, or by reccomendation, pick up one of these novels, read it, enjoy it, and then probably have the desire to read the classic that all these books are based upon.
I think the Jane Austen / Pride and Prejudice fervor that seems to be sweeping through book stores right now is an extreme case, but it is an example. The Vampire craze among teens right now presents the perfect opportunity for a mischievous librarian to send a teenager home with a copy of Dracula. Give the patron a few classics with a read-a-like list and they may be tricked into reading, and enjoying them.
I don't think anyone really has the authority to pass judgment on what is or is not quality to someone else. We can judge the quality of the writing, but if it satisfies the patron perhaps they would find quality and value in a poorly written book. We can suggest things, we can listen (and should) listen to what the patron wants, we can provide them with what they want; once they leave the library though I think determining whether or not a book is quality and what its value is, is ultimately up to the discretion of the patron. We can hint and suggest at things that we think are "good" we cannot force others to agree with us.