This past week on the michlib-l listserv, it seems fitting – and a little ironic – that the posts were about either Richard Douglass or AV lending.  In the 1980’s, Richard Douglass was the driving force behind Michigan libraries buying videos to lend to their patrons.

Hard to believe today but when videos first became available, libraries did not rush out to buy videos to add to their lending collections.  With the exception of Richard Douglass at the Ingham County Library, most public libraries were opposed to starting library video collections for a variety of reasons – too expensive, patrons will damage them, don’t want to compete with video stores, our patrons don’t want videos and will never buy home VCRs – the list goes on.  Undaunted, Richard Douglass traveled around the state to encourage Michigan public libraries to start video collections.  And, once he had convinced libraries that the world would not end if they bought videos, he started his second crusade – to get libraries to move beyond instructional and G-rated videos. I believe many Michigan library staff would agree that the best, most enjoyable, and informative programs at any Michigan library conference were the lively and hilarious movies-and-books selection sessions put on by Richard Douglass and Melissa Barnard.

Richard felt strongly about Michigan residents’ access to a wide variety of movies from their local libraries. One of his favorite stories was of the family who checked out “Wild Strawberries” and “Police Academy” for a home movie night and who returned them the next day saying that they loved them both and wanted more of the same.  I don’t know what Richard recommended for a follow-up “more of the same,” but I’m sure he came up with something.

On a personal note, I was lucky enough to get to co-present with Richard at Beginning Workshops and other programs around the state when I was just starting out at the Library of Michigan in the early 80s. My first public speaking experiences were road shows with Richard, and I owe my speaking style to him. He was a wonderful mentor to me and taught me to respect the work that public library staff do every day for their communities. Richard was a terrific asset to Michigan public libraries, and his untimely death last week at age 65 is a loss to us all. I will miss him greatly.