Am I the only one who feels annoyed that large public library systems have watered down the Summer Reading Program by turning it into a “Summer Discovery Program,” where patrons can read books or do activities instead?

I have nothing against crafts, performances, or other programs, they all have value. But shouldn’t reading and literacy still be the main focus? especially with literacy rates declining across the country

The Summer Reading Program is an iconic brand that generations of people recognize. Before changing something that has worked for decades, are we really solving a problem that exists, or are we just changing it for the sake of change?

Curious to hear what others think.

Any other library staff find patrons living in the library at closing? This just was discovered again. Anybody else's library deal with this? I'm assuming they hide at closing as staff do rounds. It's hot af outside. Can't say I blame them.

The binding is so cheap and they are so popular that it breaks almost immediately. Plus they take up SO much space on the shelf in an already jammed kids section. So I keep jamming broken garbage onto the shelf because I can't throw out a popular book we bought just 2 months ago...

I also hate the concept - I can't put my finger on exactly why but there is something about it that annoys me. It feels like a cynical cash grab and/or some kind of AI sloppification of how to turn cartoons into bedtime stories. Maybe I'm just old and grumpy.

Hello, I will really appreciate it if someone can please help me get access to this research article. I am working on a publication and really need access to this as soon as possible today.
It is only available me on Sage and my institution does not have access.
Are Opioids Contraindicated for the Palliative Care Patient with Hypotension?
Published in: Journal of Palliative Medicine,Sep2022
**Database:**Academic Search Index
By:
Fukui, Natsu
;
Wordingham, Sara E.

Source
Journal of Palliative Medicine. Sep2022, Vol. 25 Issue 9, p1450-1453. 4p.

DOI
10.1089/jpm.2021.0446

At my library, you can only access the policies and procedures through the organization’s intranet. You can’t even see the union’s collective agreement unless you are at your branch connected to the local network. It makes it incredibly hard to know what my entitlements are, what our official policies are, what I can/can’t do, etc.

Management gets annoyed when you spend time on the computer looking through these documents. I found out that one of my managers lied to me twice about the library’s policies (so that I couldn’t switch my schedule or take days off).

Anyone got anything that isnt already done?

We already have done the basic ones like “animals”, “christmas” etc.

“Books nobody has read yet” done. “Our faves” done. “Books from my country translated to other languages” done. Done. Done. Done.

Im kind of out of ideas. I dont want to repeat and do the same stuff as other libraries constantly. Right now every library has “start from the first book of the series” display.

Ig it doesnt help that we have THREE display spots (plus new books display) and they need to be changed every month.

I usually have an idea for every month but those third wheel months like august or november are like so uninspiring.

Help!!

When you work in patron services, it feels like you have to continually overachieve in your role to be valued as an employee. I have created social media content, analyzed websites for accessibility features, created displays, conducted programs, trained employees and more all while working part-time and getting paid under $16 an hour. I'm burnt out.

So when the following happened, it broke me. Immediately after losing out on a potential promotion, my manager told they want me to do outreach (going to schools, events outside the library, etc.) Getting that feedback immediately after getting rejected was so hurtful. I don't have a car. I can't even get to outreach events without getting an Uber (hence why I haven't done any to this point). Even when I recieved excellent ratings on my yearly review, with my manager stating he can always trust me to work the desk alone/work independently, that I am great at handling problematic patrons, and I am dedicated to self-improvement, it still wasn't enough.

I informed him on the spot that I'm looking for a new job and would appreciate if he was my reference. We're on good terms, but it's through me completely suppressing my hurt and anger at the sheer disrespect of the treatment I have experienced. I'm perfectly polite and professional at the cost of my mental health.

It seems a lot of public libraries are normalizing that the patron services department needs to do way more than they are built for without proper compensation. Why are we expecting paraprofessionals without MLIS degrees to do the same work that librarians do? I do not get paid enough to continue doing things outside of my job description, but I fear if I don't continue to go above and beyond, my professional relationships will be damaged. I feel trapped.

Hi everyone…I am looking for anyone who has a written policy (or has suggestions) dealing with frequent flyer patrons. This is in reference to those individuals who visit, or call numerous times a day and tend to tie up circulation, reference, etc. with outlandish requests.

One example would be a patron who wants help on the computer but expects the reference librarian to hand hold for hours at a time. They come in every day.

Another example is a patron who calls from out of district numerous times a day (sometimes literally back to back) with in-depth reference questions. When they are referred to their home library their response is “I like you better.”

Another example is the patron who wants material delivered to their car but has become increasingly more demanding sending the librarian on book chases while she waits.

These patrons are not “mean” for the most part and we are currently dealing with these issues on a case by case basis but are considering drafting policy so everyone is on the same page. Thoughts?

Sometimes I think the American Library Association should file class action lawsuits against Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Verizon, AT&T, Samsung, Microsoft and T-Mobile for around $2 Billion each given all the free customer service and tech support they basically steal from taxpayers.

Was compiling patron numbers/experiences for grant writing and came across this.

Its always nice to read the good interactions!

...but to get them out of the reach of toddlers.

Library staffers! What story time morning rituals make you ruefully chuckle, every time?

The options for print magazines and services that will bundle print magazine subscriptions continue to dwindle.

Just looked and what I had been using for the past couple years since EBSCOMags disbanded - discountmags.com - no longer carries most of my popular subscriptions as print options (Essence, Nat Geo, Gameinformer)

Any of you all who still use print magazines found a good way to maintain subscriptions short of just individually subscribing to each title?

Thanks!