Letter to the Editor in paper

I saw this in today's paper. I have edited out the locations and author's name.

Kudos to her, though!


Library is not parents' depository for kids

I have spent some time in the Main and the xxxxx branches (South xxxxx Street) of the public library lately, because of the free Wi-Fi service that is available. I am concerned and appalled at the behavior of people in (our) public libraries today.

I have counted, in one sitting, up to 20 unsupervised young children ''dropped off'' at the xxxxx branch. I observed a 6-year-old girl sleeping in a library chair, completely unaware and unattended for more than two hours. Even with a sheriff's deputy present, that child could have been abducted in an instant.

What are people thinking? I don't care how few resources you have, the library is not your baby sitter.

It's not just the kids being loud at the computer, either — cell phones ring and people actually answer them and talk on and on as if they're in their own home!

Is anyone else distressed at this kind of disrespect for fellow citizens?

(signed)

Re-reading books? Of course!

An interesting quote on re-reading books:

"The sure mark of an unliterary man is that he considers ‘I’ve read it already’ to be a conclusive argument against reading a work.

We have all known [people] who remembered a novel so dimly that they had to stand for half an hour in the library skimming through it before they were certain they had once read it.

But the moment they became certain, they rejected it immediately. It was for them dead, like a burnt-out match, an old railway ticket, or yesterday’s newspaper; they had already used it.

Those who read great works, on the other hand, will read the same work ten, twenty or thirty times during the course of their life."
--C.S.Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism

Copier problems! Arrrgh!

Alright, who's idea was it to put a public copier in every library? and why is it when you call for service it takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R for the service rep to actually come out TO the library.

Yesterday we finally got the blue (Cyan -- corrected!) toner we'd requested last week, and then today the BLACK toner gives out!

Our patrons are ready to riot!

It's almost as frustrating as the budget cuts.

Almost.

"The Director"











It makes you want to do the "Office Space" copier dance!

edit: we got the black toner in today -- they sent TWO! Horray!

Workshop information requested

We received a booklet in the mail for a workshop titled:

Managing emotions under pressure

and run by a company called CareerTrack. The workshop sounds like something we can get a lot out of, but I've never heard of the company.

does anyone know anything about it, or how good the workshops are?

Thanks in advance!

"The Director"

Welcome to my blog

Hi, all!

I've been a director for just over two months now, and have been waiting all my Librarian life to fulfill this dream.

Here I will discuss whether or not the reality lives up to the dream, as well as general information on workshops, news articles, librarianship in general, and information-related issues, as well as just my opinions on various stuff -- you know, a BLOG!

Well, hold on, here we go!

"The Director"

edit:

1st thing: ordered to cut the budget 18%!
Next thing: deal with staff rebellion!
3rd: someone spreading rumors about my 'bad temper' (I suspect it's because I've asked some parents to take their crying -- no, screaming -- children out of the library. No matter how politely you ask, it's going to be taken personally against you!)

So far:

Best job I ever had.