Black Dog Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 (edited) The degree that they will be missed or not and by how many will indeed prove something. Obvious to anyone is the lessening need of so many libraries with the availability of the inter-net. It's not obvious at all, actually. In fact, libraries are busier than ever. For example, the New York public library system recorded its highest number of visits in a century last year. Reducing superfluous branches, staff, or minimally used services. Certainly libraries will be needed for some time yet, and, they have expanded their services. Still, even users say there seem to be too many within their walking distance. "Too many" is a completely meaningless term. According to the TPL, 18.5 million people visit the city’s 98 branches to borrow over 32 million items each year, making it the world’s busiest urban library system. With all the daily upkeep of this massive infrastructure the library manages to get best-selling books on the shelves of its many branches, often within one day of release In 2009, the library had 17.5 million visitors. In 2010, it was up to 18 million. That hardly speaks to the decline you claim is taking place now does it? Edited March 22, 2012 by Black Dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 They literally have the cushiest jobs possible. Is that really a criteria for deciding how much money people should make ? What does "cushy" mean ? They sit in chairs ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 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. getting a doctorate or masters in Library studies. Golf course management diplomas think that's hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Dog Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 getting a doctorate or masters in Library studies. Golf course management diplomas think that's hilarious. How many doctorates or Masters do you have exactly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_bambino Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 I stand corrected! So you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 How many doctorates or Masters do you have exactly? None but to compare the skills needed to run a library to that of being a lawyer, teacher and/or doctor is rather humourous to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_bambino Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 I've often wondered why there are not standard designs available for schools, libraries and such other edifices that are available for repeated application dependent on the size required and the location. There are basic components of these buildings that are essentially repeated over and over. However, how they're arranged, how many there are, what they're clad in, etc., depends on context and client need. Plus, nobody wants to live in an absolutely uniform world. Set up every school as library as well if need be. It's actually quite common for a library or a community centre with a library in it to be built next to a school or where a school is slated to be built. We've also done buildings that are school and community centre (with library, pool, gym, etc.) all under one roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 There are basic components of these buildings that are essentially repeated over and over. However, how they're arranged, how many there are, what they're clad in, etc., depends on context and client need. Plus, nobody wants to live in an absolutely uniform world. It's actually quite common for a library or a community centre with a library in it to be built next to a school or where a school is slated to be built. We've also done buildings that are school and community centre (with library, pool, gym, etc.) all under one roof. In other parts of Ontario, to save money, they allow school libraries to be used by the public. I'm sure this union that's striking now would rage against that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Dog Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 None but to compare the skills needed to run a library to that of being a lawyer, teacher and/or doctor is rather humourous to me. Nobody made such a comparison. I would think that you'd want to be sure you are free of any such basic errors in comprehension before deriding the professional abilities of anyone else. Of course, again your view of librarians seems to come from 1950's Archie comics so I shouldn't expect much in the way of honest analysis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 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. 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 getting a doctorate or masters in Library studies. Golf course management diplomas think that's hilarious. Why don't you post what you do for a living so that we can belittle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Nobody made such a comparison. I would think that you'd want to be sure you are free of any such basic errors in comprehension before deriding the professional abilities of anyone else. Of course, again your view of librarians seems to come from 1950's Archie comics so I shouldn't expect much in the way of honest analysis. Ok then provide me with some insight into the complexities of the job description. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Dog Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Ok then provide me with some insight into the complexities of the job description. Hmm... I didn't profess to having any more insight than anyone else. However, in my interactions and observations as a library user it seems obvious that there's more to the job than "shushing rowdy kids". For example, there's program development, information technology components, records management, that sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_bambino Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 (edited) In other parts of Ontario, to save money, they allow school libraries to be used by the public. I believe that's essentially the case in those complexes I mentioned that have school and community centre together in one building; the athletic facilities and library in the community centre are used by the students as an extention of the school. Likewise, the school auditorium is used for community theatre, etc. It's a pretty good model. I'm sure this union that's striking now would rage against that. Likely. Unless some deal could be struck wherein the union members could be guaranteed jobs in these school/community libraries. [ed.: sp] Edited March 22, 2012 by g_bambino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Hmm... I didn't profess to having any more insight than anyone else. However, in my interactions and observations as a library user it seems obvious that there's more to the job than "shushing rowdy kids". For example, there's program development, information technology components, records management, that sort of thing. Sure it's not a job that anyone can do like flipping burgers or running a till. But it's not to the level of the other professional careers listed. Listen Libraries are fine places but they are hardly essential to our society. Evidence of this would be to look at the Toronto Star website and see what value the strike is being given. It's only four days old. I'm guessing if the inside workers strike on Saturday or had the outside workers gone on strike it would be a hot topic among the Toronto media even four days later. I believe the reason Libraries are popular is because they provide a service that would otherwise cost money for free. Internet access, renting movies or buying books. I wonder what the difference is between going to a library and borrowing a book or DVD and going onto piratebay.org and stealing it. Either way the content provider is stiffed out of compensation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalfloss Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Sucks for them. They should find a way to get Atwood as a spokesperson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Dog Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 (edited) Sure it's not a job that anyone can do like flipping burgers or running a till. But it's not to the level of the other professional careers listed. Which is again why no one said they were. Listen Libraries are fine places but they are hardly essential to our society.Evidence of this would be to look at the Toronto Star website and see what value the strike is being given. It's only four days old. I'm guessing if the inside workers strike on Saturday or had the outside workers gone on strike it would be a hot topic among the Toronto media even four days later Non-essential to the functioning of society is not the same thing as being unimportant or irrelevant. I believe the reason Libraries are popular is because they provide a service that would otherwise cost money for free. Internet access, renting movies or buying books. Um. Duh? They provide a service that a lot of people would not avail themselves of were it not free. That's a good thing. I wonder what the difference is between going to a library and borrowing a book or DVD and going onto piratebay.org and stealing it. Either way the content provider is stiffed out of compensation. Nonsense. Libraries must receive the Right to Distribute or else they'd get sued. Edited March 22, 2012 by Black Dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Sucks for them. They should find a way to get Atwood as a spokesperson. It's funny, when the Ford Bros wanted to close a few under performing Libraries or cut their hours a bit Margaret Atwood freaked. Where is she now that 100% of the libraries are closed 100% of the time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 getting a doctorate or masters in Library studies. Golf course management diplomas think that's hilarious. And what is it you do for a living??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boges Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 And what is it you do for a living??? Something that doesn't require a Doctorate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Something that doesn't require a Doctorate. Me neither... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Something that doesn't require a Doctorate. Are you ok with other people characterizing you as a dolt who deserves minimum wage ? When people start talking about value of work, it's amazing how much they seem to value their own merits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Are you ok with other people characterizing you as a dolt who deserves minimum wage ? When people start talking about value of work, it's amazing how much they seem to value their own merits. I've noticed it's almost always the free marketeers doing this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybercoma Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 None but to compare the skills needed to run a library to that of being a lawyer, teacher and/or doctor is rather humourous to me. What does a librarian do? What skills do they need exactly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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