[Publib] Getting the word out

[Sue Kamm]

It's time to stop being nice and provide adequate service with less-than-adequate staff numbers and materials budgets.

If the library is closed once a week (excluding Sunday), people will notice.  If the library must reduce  or eliminate value-added services (such as Internet access), people will notice.  If there are fewer staff available to work public desks, and services such as telephone reference are eliminated, people will notice.  If children's programs, such as class visits in the library or storyhours because the children's librarian must spend all his/her time on the desk, people will notice.  If new materials are not cataloged, processed, and placed on shelves quickly, people will notice.  If materials returned from circulation are not re-shelved promptly, people will notice.  If custodial service is reduced,  trash cans are not emptied, and restrooms cleaned every day, people will notice.  

I don't know whether there are statistics on the number of library workers who leave their jobs because they are being asked to perform two other people's jobs plus their own.  The stress caused by this work situation can lead to other illness, particularly heart disease and ulcers.  If a jurisdiction's workers' compensation costs go up, administrators should notice.


Your friendly CyberGoddess and Councilor-at-large,
Sue Kamm
Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
Truest of the Blue, Los Angeles Dodgers Think Blue Week 2000
email:  suekamm [at] mindspring.com
When you absolutely, positively HAVE to know, ASK A LIBRARIAN!