Comments on: Librarians Getting the Shaft, as Usual

By: NotMarianTheLibrarian

NotMarianTheLibrarian — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:09:07 +0000

And what might those standards be, AngelaB? Only nice tidy people can use the library? We purchase books that reflect the values of the GOP and its members? We hire just the straight and saved? I really want to know!

By: AngelaB

AngelaB — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:44:08 +0000

To the one talking about librarians being liberal: we are not ALL liberal. I am a Republican and am well aware of the problems librarians support by being TOO NICE and enabling patrons. I’m fed up with it. It’s time we stop babying patrons and enforcing some standards in our libraries.

By: z

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:33:27 +0000

I heart that Jenifer Grady over at ALA-APA is solving this problem for us... isn't she?

By: RadicalPatron

RadicalPatron — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:19:37 +0000

The New York Public Library did something like what AL suggested, and it worked: philanthropy.com/news/prospecting/index.php?id=8602

One commenter wrote: “The high profile request from the Library coupled with an easy to use advocacy and fundraising system enabled users to send their thoughts about the Library to the people who would make the most critical decision about the Library’s future. While the Library played an important role in fighting the budget cuts, it was the people who use the Library every day who in the end shouted loud enough to be heard.”

By: Sharon Wilbur

Sharon Wilbur — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:04:33 +0000

One of the best editorials that AL has written. Except for the politics I agree with most of the comments. I work for a public library system and maybe forced into retirement because my Branch may be closed to “save” money.

By: outsider

outsider — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:00:34 +0000

their spending not there spending! how awful – comes of posting pre 10 am.

By: outsider

outsider — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:58:32 +0000

one comment I’ve found that sometimes works for getting people to call City Hall is “you know, ten phone calls is an avalanche!” (taken from a presentation by Ken Haycock)

But that’s at the local level – not sure about the state level.

One embarassing weakness most cities have is there spending on frivolous things like football stadiums, or swimming pools in areas where you have all the outdoor swimming you could ever want. It’s often absolutely staggering when you do the math on per capita cost, cost per hour of opening, etc.

By: Ami Segna

Ami Segna — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:18:11 +0000

I think the first two posters said it all. Yes, I agree, we need to let the public feel it – but will they complain to the right people? When streets are a problem, there is no one standing on the street to complain to, so they call City Hall. When water is a problem, there is no little man in their sink to complain to, so they call City hall. We, on the other hand, have sympathetic faces and ears, and even if they SAY they will contact City Hall, they already got it off their chest ranting at us, so they never follow through.

By: Original Library Cynic

Original Library Cynic — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:49:52 +0000

Anybody heard of homeless librarians yet? They are out there…….

By: Morse

Morse — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:18:21 +0000

TruTexan seems to have hidden under a rock for the past 50 years, or else thinks the rest of us are as ignorant and partisan as s/he is. Ending slavery? Ancient history. Try “Southern Strategy.” Maybe that sort of ill-informed historical argument works down in Texas, but for the rest of us it just sounds stupid.