Category Archives: Public-Libraries

bq.I think the days of libraries saying, ‘We must have that, because it’s good for people,’ are beyond us. There is a sense in many public libraries that popular materials are what most of our communities desire. Everybody’s got a favorite book they’re trying to promote. – Leslie Burger My library expanded back when I first went to work here in 1999. And we are on track for a new multi-million dollar larger building sometime in the next few years. The problem, in the meantime, is we have already filled all the space we left open for expansion originally. We have weeded along the way (Florida guidelines call for 5% per year as a routine matter) but we may very well be forced to do soon something similar to what Fairfax is doing. I am sure this is a topic I will be writing more about.

I got an e-mail about the doctoral program at Florida State University. Clicking through the links led me to these studies on Public Libraries & the Internet. When I get time, I intend to go back and read them through them a lot more thoroughly.

Sue Martin, who was recently suspended from her job at the Valparaiso Community Library, has been reinstated.
bq.I am extremely pleased to share that the Valparaiso City Commission voted 4-1 last night to dismiss all charges against library director Sue Martin and have reinstated her as library director effective immediately. The commissioner who brought the charges against Sue will no longer be responsible for the library or serve on my governing board. A new city commissioner who has long been a strong library supporter will be responsible for the library. Computers will be placed back in the library this week. In Valparaiso, the commissioners are responsible for overseeing city departments. This means that the library director’s supervisor is an elected official. About 150 people attended the meeting last night with others being turned away. The elected official who brought the charges again Sue refused to be sworn in or to testify. The meeting was a quasi judicial hearing. – Robert Gorin, Director of the Okaloosa County Library Cooperative. It would have been better had this incident not happened at all, but at least it seems to have had a happy ending.

Our Director was so excited over the Express/Self-Service Checkout demonstrations she saw at ALA this year that she has been wanting to do the same thing around here. So… As you can see, we are just beginning to get started today. Reaction from the staff and our patrons has been quite positive. What this isn’t about is making do with less staff (we are actually going to be increasing one position when the new fiscal year begins in October). What this is about is improving the experience for anyone who wants to use library services. I can’t wait to see what things are like when we really get going.

bq.Public libraries spend less than 10 per cent of their budget on books and are losing borrowers at such a rate that they will all have closed in 15 years, according to a former managing director of Waterstone’s bookshops. Tim Coates, a consultant who produced a report 14 months ago on the “cumbersome” management of libraries, said he was exasperated by the lack of progress since. – Catriona Davies Uh huh. Sure.

bq.There are no easy answers in providing Internet access in public libraries. It is further complicated by the fact that library users want and demand more computers and access to technology. – Solano County Library

bq.Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms is once again riling people up by questioning whether the county’s public libraries should be spending $559,000 on DVDs, including popular movies and television programs. Opponents act as if she is advocating book-burning, but she makes solid points. She doesn’t think it necessary to provide library patrons with free movies and TV shows, and she wants the 12- member library board to think about how they’re spending tax dollars. She’d rather see more money going to reading programs and books than DVDs. – Tampa Tribune Editoral Board
bq.I’m glad it is the next county spends their tax dollars micromanaging the library through a county commission that has not a single librarian, nor which consulted a librarian in making their apparently non-binding resolution. – mdoneil
bq.What might we call this latest busybody exercise by Ronda Storms, the Mother Superior of Hillsborough County? The Patronizing Act? – Daniel Ruth

For more reaction about the Ronda Storms Resolution, you can read these letters from in opposition from Ben Ostrosky of TBLC, David McCant, and Arthur Brown. Her supporters include Mike Nielsen and Francis Geiger, the latter of whom scarily enough resides right here in my own dear county.

Ronda Storms is a member of the Hillsborough County Commission. And apparently is so bored with her position that she constantly finds things to raise an uproar about. This week it is about the selection policy for DVD materials in the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library.
bq.Led by Storms, commissioners on Wednesday recommended the library spend a larger portion of its DVD budget on educational videos and less on pure entertainment. The proposal still needs to be considered by the library board, library director and County Administrator Pat Bean and return to commissioners for final approval. They also need to define what is educational. The proposal passed 6-1. – Ellen Gedalius Education is certainly an important role for public libraries. But it not our only role. Library Director Joe Stines explained that there are three: education, information and recreation. It is a delicate balance, but one we should all strive to maintain. Because all three are equally important.

I just found out that the Latt Maxcy Memorial Library (which is about 10-15 minutes away) has the Latt Maxcy Memorial Library Blog. It is apparently something of a well-kept secret.