[Publib] The annual IRS whine

[Brent, Gerry]

Every year at this time the same thing happens on Publib, people start
whining and complaining about offerng IRS forms to their patrons.  Why
not take a moment to look at the bigger picture instead of just focusing
on what annoys you?  How many different programs does your library offer
to the public?  Do you really think those programs are just offered to
educate and inform?  Did it ever occur to you that there is another
reason for offering programs to the public - to attract the non-library
user and make that person a library user?  Perhaps looking for a tax
form will show someone the path to the library for the first time.  How
about the fact that the library is a community resource and offering
these forms is another way to meet the needs of your community?  Take a
look at all of the libraries we've read about that have closed or
reduced hours in the past couple of years.  Maybe part of the reason was
because the public did not view those libraries as an essential part of
their community.  When we put up a banner across the boulevard, people
inevitably ask me if I can measure how many people come into the library
because of that banner.  My response is an important function of that
banner is how many people see that banner and in the recesses of their
minds register that the library is active in their community.  There is
so much grousing on Publib about being asked tax questions.  Is it so
difficult to explain that you can not give tax advice?  Is it so
terrible that your patrons look up to you as a source of information?
Isn't that what you strive for?  Isn't helping people obtain information
to enrich their lives part of your job?  Maybe instead of criticizing
the IRS, you should be thanking them for giving you another way to offer
a service to your community.

 

Gerry Brent

Marion County Public Library

Ocala, FL

 

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