[Publib] Providence Public Library

[Kevin Okelly]

"So, millions in funding go towards the notion of managing library
services while branches are closed and actual library employees are laid
off due to lack of funding. And, the answer is to create yet another
another managerial bureaucracy."

But of course. Sigh.

Kevin O'Kelly
Reference and Cataloging Librarian
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617)-623-5000


-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Balliot <rballiot at gmail.com>
To: publib at webjunction.org
Date: Fri, 1 May 2009 11:16:21 -0400
Subject: [Publib] Providence Public Library

> According to the Providence Business News, most of the employees of the
> Providence Public
> Library in Rhode Island (PPL) are getting layoff notices.  The branch
> libraries of the PPL are being
> turned over to the City of Providence from the non-profit the runs the
> PPL.
> And, a new bureaucracy
> has been formed to run the branches. The main branch, which will not be
> turned over  also
> receives major funding to serve as the state-wide reference resource
> center.
> 
> http://www.pbn.com/detail/41951.html
> 
>  The question to Providence is how to continue to keep the branches
> open
> with insufficient
> funding.  The new bureaucracy is not generating any new revenue, but
> says it
> can do a
> better job and run the branches more efficiently - allowing them to
> remain
> open.
> 
> All of the public libraries currently belong to the same network -
> Ocean
> State Libraries
> and share the same catalog, bylaws, and funding sources.  The network
> is
> funded by
> the State and the local towns and municipalities.  Along with that
> layer of
> bureaucracy,
> the State Office of Library and Information Services receives millions
> to
> fund salaries
> to administer library programs.
> 
> So, millions in funding go towards the notion of managing library
> services
> while branches
> are closed and actual library employees are laid off due to lack of
> funding.
> And, the answer
> is to create yet another another managerial bureaucracy.
> 
> R. Balliot
> http://oceanstatelibrarian.com