[Publib] Getting the word out

[Judy Anderson]

At one library where I worked, they eliminated the  book budget. Ironically, this was while they had received state funds  to build a new library (apparently without new books). 
  
  They were talking about how to fill the shelves and I suggested they  leave them empty, especially the new materials shelf. Perhaps add a  sign saying why the shelves were empty. 
  
  I know a lot of librarians who have no or small book budgets don't want  to weed so that the shelves look full, but how will the community know  there is a problem if we don't show them?
  
  I left the one library before the fiscal year of no books. I was in the  TS department and two others from that department also left. Not much  work for catalogers if there are no books.
  
  Judy Anderson
  Director, Lane Library District

Sue Kamm <suekamm at mindspring.com> wrote:  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!
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