Comments on: Budget Tips for Hard Times

By: Stephen Denney

Stephen Denney — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:41:08 +0000

Perhaps closer attention to new editions of books already in the library might be helpful for budget cutting; that is to determine if the newer edition is that much different from the older edition to merit its inclusion. I often find I am cataloging such books.

By: Mr. Kat

Mr. Kat — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:45:16 +0000

Lucinda, read “The Octopus” by Frank Norris [1901]. In that novel the farmers decide the best way to solve their problems is to get a couple people like themselves and closely related to themselves elected into office. The result? More lost time, more lost money, more lost ground. We can’t send people to the hill until we know what we’re fighting for – and those people going to the hill won’t represent us unless our cause is truely a cause of the public [and not libraries or librarians].

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:38:06 +0000

How about all the libraries pooling their money and hiring some lobbyists in Washington….It could work!

By: Mr. Kat

Mr. Kat — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:58:13 +0000

I read the article on Fresno State’s library and found this quote to be extremely interesting: “Just the fact that students will have a beautiful building to study in, with plenty of outlets, hardwire and wi-fi, with gallery space and other amenities, will be a huge boost to student success.”

Now correct me if I’m wrong, but in my current place I have been learning about how the modern library is about going “beyond the walls,” so to speak, to reach patrons no matter where the building is. And yet here we see the librarians once again entrenched and embracing the relic that is the building.

But I stop and rethink everything I know, and here is where I stop and think that perhaps it is the people pushing the “Beyond the walls” line who are indeed the idiots. For let us remember that if there is not a building with the word “Library” plastered on it, and it is not a huge open place that can welcome throngs of people, and it is not a place well known or well liked by the main population, that the Library no longer EXISTS in the minds of the people. And if the entity no longer exists, then there wil lno longe rbe any budget money for that entity!

So I do see creedence in support of this “new” old argument: A library does not exist in the minds of the people if it does not have a space in which to exist nor attractive amenities to those who seek it out.

To AL and the rest of the Monday morning quarterstandups, I LOVED the humor. Keep up the excellent work!!

By: Librarian

Librarian — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:35:27 +0000

Librarians: Exemplars of “Hope and Change”

By: Annoyed Observer

Annoyed Observer — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:29:31 +0000

This thread has about played out. I’m not sure if library funding made the cut or not in the stimulus bill. It can be taken as a verdict on whether those in political power feel it merited the money, any money.

By: Proudly Anonymous

Proudly Anonymous — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 08:50:00 +0000

Why do you think there are Ebsco and Proquest reps in this discussion? I discuss database interfaces on a regular basis since I use them daily on the reference desk in my public library (when I am not weeding, shelving, wiping down tables, being yelled at by drunk patrons, and being chastised by my superiors for not doing more outreach in my lunchtime). Some are better than others. If you have little money to spend, then get the ones that will be most used by the patrons.
I would have thought that as a patron (albeit an annoyed one) you would be happy to see libraries trying to get the most bang for your buck, so to speak.

By: AL

AL — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:45:54 +0000

If the ALA can “take action” and save any jobs, I might even say something nice about them.

By: Save Library Jobs

Save Library Jobs — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:42:56 +0000

Go to the “Take Action” section of the ALA web site. The job you save may be your own, or at least of someone you know. If you can come over here you can at least do this.

By: Save Library Jobs

Save Library Jobs — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:39:12 +0000

Include Public Libraries in Recovery Funding!

The House has voted on “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009″ and the Senate is debating this legislation this week. The House and Senate are expected to meet soon and resolve differences on this bill so they can have it on the President’s desk by February 16, 2009.

Library advocates must be determined in our efforts to ensure that the final bill Congress places on President Obama’s desk includes the resources libraries need to continue delivering the exceptional services the public depends upon.

In addition to personally reaching out to our representatives in the House and Senate, we must encourage library users of all ages in our communities to speak up for libraries as well. Every day across the country, libraries are consistently meeting the needs of their communities by providing a broad range of services for people of all ages and backgrounds. The library plays a critical role as Americans face tough economic times, as patrons are visiting their library for more than borrowing free books, movies, CDs and attending free reading programs. Libraries offer their communities access to computers and the Internet, financial literacy skills, assistance with job searches, and resources to help small businesses at no cost to them.