So Toronto Librarians are on Strike

[cybercoma]

You jumped in and started using "chushy" after I asked for a definition, so I guess you know what it means ?

I have a sense that other people's jobs are cushy but never ours...

Sorry, I didn't notice you asked for a definition. I take cushy to mean a job that pays well, but requires little work or effort.

[Boges]

What does a librarian do? What skills do they need exactly?

I asked Black Dog that earlier. I guess it'd help if they knew how to read.

[cybercoma]

I asked Black Dog that earlier. I guess it'd help if they knew how to read.

You know what else would help? Actually knowing what a job entails before you criticize it and the people that do it.

[Michael Hardner]

Sorry, I didn't notice you asked for a definition. I take cushy to mean a job that pays well, but requires little work or effort.

Work or effort as in hours spent on the job ? Hours spent training ? So being a supermodel is a cushy job then ? Are they not worth the money they make ?

What I'm getting at is that it's pointless for people to go down the rabbit hole of "what is this job worth", in terms of merit. The market supports a certain price for labour, and will undercut it if it can. Economics trumps morality every time as somebody here said...

But wait a second, if that were true - why aren't we all prostitutes ?

[Boges]

I'm not sure that being a librarian is as cushy as it seems. There is actually post-graduate studies required to be a librarian, just as there is for teachers, doctors, and lawyers.

I guess I just took exception to this post where you equate being a librarian to doctors and lawyers.

There are post-graduate studies to being a PR flack or managing a Golf Course, Humber College has a comedy course even.

There are very few jobs that are super-easy. I'm not even saying being a Librarian is cushy. I'm sure dyslexics like myself would find keep track of all that inventory very difficult.

My issue is more to question if Toronto really needs 98 libraries. And are the concessions the city is asking for reasonable. Like any public service they want to ensure their staff can't be laid off. Something unheard of anywhere in the private sector.

[TheNewTeddy]

I had no idea they went on strike.

The last time I went to a Library was in 2003 to see if they happened to have ANY kind of documentation of past federal budgets.

Of course this is Rural New Brunswick... so they only had 3 previous random years (I was sort of shocked they had any) and they were all in French, which I don't speak. Fortunately, I know what all the federal departments are in French thanks to CPAC and Question Period. Unfortunately, this small story interests me (even though it already happened to me) more than any Library Strike does.

[cybercoma]

There's a lot of competing ideas in economics about employment and wages. I wouldn't hold it as gospel.

[Black Dog]

I guess I just took exception to this post where you equate being a librarian to doctors and lawyers.

He didn't. You need to go to library perhaps, bone up on your reading comprehension. What he said was that librarians are an accredited professional class like those others.

There are post-graduate studies to being a PR flack or managing a Golf Course, Humber College has a comedy course even.

Masters? Doctorates? I doubt that very much.

There are very few jobs that are super-easy. I'm not even saying being a Librarian is cushy. I'm sure dyslexics like myself would find keep track of all that inventory very difficult.

My issue is more to question if Toronto really needs 98 libraries. And are the concessions the city is asking for reasonable. Like any public service they want to ensure their staff can't be laid off. Something unheard of anywhere in the private sector.

No, you're not actually questioning it. That would involve doing a little digging. You're starting from the point that Toronto doesn't need 98 libraries and working back from there.

Edited March 23, 2012 by Black Dog

[cybercoma]

There are both Master's and Doctorate level degrees in Library, Archival and Information Studies at some of the best universities in the country. I'm thinking 10 years of post-secondary education is on par with being a doctor or a lawyer.

[TheNewTeddy]

I'd be curious to find out how many Libraries Toronto can put to good use. I care not weather it's 50, 98, or 198, but we should at least seriously try to answer the question.

[Boges]

I'd be curious to find out how many Libraries Toronto can put to good use. I care not weather it's 50, 98, or 198, but we should at least seriously try to answer the question.

Well Rob Ford tried to see if some under-performing libraries could be closed or at least have their hours cut, no one would hear anything about.

Now 100% of them are closed.

[Guest Peeves]

http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/distance-education/library-information-technician.html#Admission

I think they have to be able to say SHHHHHHHHHHH! in an authoritative manner whilst shaking index finger to and fro......

But the link indicates otherwise. I like Librarians...'specially after Shirley Jones as Marian Paroo

Oh that was The Music Man.......

[TheNewTeddy]

Well Rob Ford tried to see if some under-performing libraries could be closed or at least have their hours cut, no one would hear anything about.

Now 100% of them are closed.

I actually took a Library map, and could only find 5 locations that I thought were really un-needed. However, having lived in Rural NB and seen the hours that Library was open, I do think all the branches could possibly cut their hours.

[cybercoma]

http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/distance-education/library-information-technician.html#Admission

I think they have to be able to say SHHHHHHHHHHH! in an authoritative manner whilst shaking index finger to and fro......

But the link indicates otherwise. I like Librarians...'specially after Shirley Jones as Marian Paroo

Oh that was The Music Man.......

So you look up "Library Information Technician" at the college level to explain what a librarian does? Would you also look up college level paralegal to explain the role of a lawyer?

[Guest Peeves]

So you look up "Library Information Technician" at the college level to explain what a librarian does? Would you also look up college level paralegal to explain the role of a lawyer?

Personally I thought it would be helpful. Not to you of course.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This part-time, distance education program has been designed to meet the needs of individuals already working in libraries or other information services who want to upgrade their qualifications.

Other applicants who can demonstrate the potential to successfully complete the program and secure employment as library and information technicians are also welcome.

A career in libraries or the information service industry demands a wide range of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Successful library and information technicians are service-oriented and able to:

demonstrate good spoken and written communications skills

work with minimal supervision

pay close attention to detail and demonstrate accuracy in their work

demonstrate good analytical skills

demonstrate good interpersonal skills

enjoy working with technology

work effectively as a member of a team

Look up whatever you want, just not at a library.

Edited March 23, 2012 by Peeves

[TheNewTeddy]

Look up whatever you want, just not at a library.

That's the problem, this is not the impediment it used to be.

[CPCFTW]

I can't last without my 98 libraries for much longer... These librarians really have us by the balls!

[mentalfloss]

I can't last without my 98 libraries for much longer... These librarians really have us by the balls!

You've been to a library?

[Boges]

You've been to a library?

The understanding of sarcasm is weak with this one.

[Black Dog]

The understanding of sarcasm is weak with this one.

Maybe you can explain the sarcasm behind someone who doesn't use libraries not missing libraries.

[Boges]

Maybe you can explain the sarcasm behind someone who doesn't use libraries not missing libraries.

I guessing he's channeling the sentiment that we have heard little more than a peep since the Strike started so it can be assumed that they weren't greatly missed.

Moot point however considering the Union made a deal.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1153454--toronto-library-strike-union-and-board-reach-tentative-deal-to-end-strike

The inside workers also ratified a new deal. For being such right-wing hardliners the Ford admin is doing well in getting contracts signed without extensive labour strife.

[Black Dog]

I guessing he's channeling the sentiment that we have heard little more than a peep since the Strike started so it can be assumed that they weren't greatly missed.

I think it's a safe bet that people who actually use and give a shit about the libraries miss them.

Moot point however considering the Union made a deal.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1153454--toronto-library-strike-union-and-board-reach-tentative-deal-to-end-strike

The inside workers also ratified a new deal. For being such right-wing hardliners the Ford admin is doing well in getting contracts signed without extensive labour strife.

It's weird, taming the unions was a big part of the Ford platform, but he's been conspicuously silent on the whole thing. That leads me to believe BroDoFo is not that involved in the process. If they were, we'd be seeing much more of a shitshow.

[Boges]

I think it's a safe bet that people who actually use and give a shit about the libraries miss them.

If so they've been rather quiet in the past week.

It's weird, taming the unions was a big part of the Ford platform, but he's been conspicuously silent on the whole thing. That leads me to believe BroDoFo is not that involved in the process. If they were, we'd be seeing much more of a shitshow.

I've heard a lot from Dough Holiday on the radio regarding all these contract, He's the Ford Bros point man on this I suppose.