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Author
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Topic: Public libraries under attack
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obscurantist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 8238
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posted 27 September 2005 02:23 AM
Originally posted this in another thread, but then I rediscovered this thread, where it seems more appropriate. Victoria library board considers seasonal / weekly closures, other cutbacks (Monday Magazine) quote:
All public libraries in Victoria could be closed one day a week if a proposed cost-cutting scenario comes to pass. The proposal, drawn up by library staff and currently under consideration by the board that governs the city's libraries, is a response to pressure from municipal governments to minimize budget increases for the library.
The library board is looking at options that include raising fines to 50 cents a day (which would make them the highest in Canada), spending $100,000 a year less on materials, cutting $50,000 from the furniture and equipment budget, or closing for a week either in the summer or at Christmas. They are also looking at closing one day a week, either on Sundays or Mondays.Cutting days would be unpopular. "The public outcry in response to eliminating Sunday hours would be huge," warns a report on the topic signed by library chief executive officer Sandra Anderson. "Sundays are second only to Saturdays in the volume of transactions/hour. We also experience the heaviest in-house use on Sundays, reflecting that Sunday hours closely parallel the school year." ... There are few options for raising money. Provincial law prevents the library from charging any fees besides fines. Reducing the loans period from four weeks to three, a move introduced earlier this year, means the library can get by with stocking fewer materials. Fines are up, though Anderson says it isn't clear yet if that's because of the shorter loan period. ... As the discussion becomes public, however, it is a fight few politicians would likely take on, especially with a municipal election ahead in November. One mayor, speaking anonymously, says library supporters are usually articulate and well-educated. They'll throw statistics at you and "apple pie" statements about the importance of libraries in communities. "It's not a wise one for a politician to get involved in," the mayor says. "Call me in January and I'll tell you what I think."
From: an unweeded garden | Registered: Feb 2005
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obscurantist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 8238
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posted 22 February 2006 04:39 PM
Victoria librarians step up public campaign for better funding quote:
... Librarians are handing out forms that encourage people to write to their council members to urge them to support an adequate library budget. The form reads: "Many things are in jeopardy if the proposed municipal budget cuts go ahead: Monday and/or Saturday openings throughout the system; the purchase of new books and other materials; continued holds on DVDs; public Internet terminals and training and access to programs that support family literacy." The preliminary budget being considered by councils across Greater Victoria has a 4.7 per cent increase and does not anticipate the cuts to service listed in the union form. However, Ed Seedhouse, president of the CUPE Local 410, has two concerns about the budget. One is that the preliminary budget increase has barely enough money to cover the increased inflation on books. Seedhouse is also concerned councils will not approve the provisional budget and will instead call for a smaller budget, which will mean cuts to service, according to the union. After hearing input from councils, the Greater Victoria Library Board will create a final budget on Feb. 28, which will then go back to councils for final approval. The 4.7 per cent increase "sounds fairly reasonable," said Seedhouse. "But the problem is that we've been having increased demand over the last decade. In the last 10 years, our circulation has increased by 60 per cent and our staff has only grown by 13 per cent." Staff are feeling the stress, Seedhouse added. "Morale is sinking and staff is burning out." Worse, the budget calls for saving $50,000 by not replacing staff who are retiring. ...
[ 22 February 2006: Message edited by: Yossarian ]
From: an unweeded garden | Registered: Feb 2005
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jester
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11798
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posted 23 February 2006 12:36 AM
Not merely books,current periodicals and newspapers,libraries also provide space for local artists to present their work. Galleries housed in the local library have amazing artworks.
From: Against stupidity, the Gods themselves contend in vain | Registered: Jan 2006
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nuclearfreezone
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 9059
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posted 23 February 2006 03:44 PM
Wow, this is really scary! I remember the first time I went to a library and picked out my very first book to read ... grade 2 or 3 ... a story about an Inuit boy growing up in the north. It was the beginning of a lifetime love affair with books. Taking libraries away from "the people" sounds a very large, noisy alarm inside of me. They have already been dumbing us down for over 20 years now and now the libraries. Will they be burning books next, or what? Or put a price tag on membership so only the so-called "elite" will have access? We need to be very afraid. 
From: B.C. | Registered: Apr 2005
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skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478
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posted 23 February 2006 05:07 PM
quote:
Originally posted by lagatta:
But I believe the public library is more an anglophone, Protestant tradition, than a francophone, Catholic one. I think the oldest public library in Montréal, the Atwater library, was originally a Mechanics' Institute.
There's some truth to that observation. In North America, anyway, the system of public libraries built up a century ago was heavily endowed and encouraged by big capitalists like Andrew Carnegie, who believed in both civilizing and placating the masses (of whom they were moderately and reasonably afraid as well). Some of the classic old stone libraries in southern Ontario are Carnegie libraries - the man was vastly wealthy, and his money went many places. He was, of course, a Scot (from Dunfermline - you should see what he endowed there), and the tradition of universal public education had long been very strong everywhere in Scotland except, maybe, in the inner wards of the big industrial cities - much stronger tradition of making almost everyone literate than, say, in England. So the political inspiration for establishing our public library system was mixed - something of a parallel to Mackenzie King's strategies for defusing the political unrest of the working classes - but it gave rise to a great tradition. It's odd to recognize suddenly that it could all be swept away, become an artifact of history. But that is possible, I guess. 
From: gone | Registered: May 2001
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Email this thread to someone!
Have any non-Montréal Québec babblers attempted to access their collection? I do wonder how they would respond to Boom Boom!
Harris hated anything that didn't make profits and he hated the idea of people with low incomes enjoying books or music instead of toiling in the competitive marketplace.
