[Libs-Or] Library cards for homeless/those without permanent address

[Max Macias]

Hi all,

thank you for having this conversation.

It has made me think of library funding and my own library use.

I am a tax payer and thankfully a home owner who pays taxes.

However, I don't really care much for the library--I prefer to buy my own
books, and use the library primarily for story-times for my children--when
it fits my schedule--which is hardly ever.

I'm sure there are MANY MANY people like me, who used to use the library
for videos and music, but I now have Pandora, netflix and a who bunch of
AFFORDABLE alternatives.

So, when it comes to library funding--I have little interest in funding
libraries more.


When I was poor, broke and literally starving--I used the library heavily
and loved it so much I would have given more money to the  library has I
been able to afford it.

Now that I don't need the library, and don't really have much care for
those who are homeless and their reading needs (I'm being totally sarcastic
here), I don't really feel the need to increase library services.  In fact,
since I hardly use the library--I think paying less taxes toward library
funding would be a fantastic idea!

It is ironic the libraries depend on people who can't really afford to buy
their books, films and music, yet--this conversation has got me thinking
about how the people who really NEED libraries can't afford them, while the
people who CAN afford them don't need them.

I am speaking from my own experience and would be interested what you all
think about library funding in a time of economic crisis and ubiquitous
entertainment/education (for those who can afford it).

I think public libraries need to have a philosophical discussion about who
 they serve and who pays for these services.

If libraries are only for those who have money, then libraries are not
meant to stay--and I don't want libraries like this anyway.

I'm sorry I don't have much more time to elaborate--I'm swamped, but wanted
to say something about this issue.


Max Macias


On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 10:15 AM, Diedre Conkling <diedre08 at gmail.com>wrote:

> Actually what happens without fines is that items get returned at the same
> rate as in libraries with fines.   The down side might be that the returns
> come in a bit later, it is not that the items aren't returned.  The major
> up side is the reduction of stress on staff.  Yes, there has been research
> done on this. I am, however, unable to point anyone to the research today
> but probably could later in the week.  Oh, the research is on return rates
> and not staff stress levels. That is just a comment from my personal
> experience.
>  On Jul 10, 2012 9:30 AM, "Kyle Banerjee" <banerjek at orbiscascade.org>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>  A library is a much happier place to work in and to visit without the
>>> trouble we have over charging and collecting late fees.
>>
>>
>> Perhaps. But unless there is something to limit behavior, friendly
>> policies can have unintended side effects. The benefit of the fines is not
>> the money they bring in, but rather that they encourage people to return
>> things.
>>
>> When I was in college, neither faculty nor graduate students had to pay
>> fines. A practical side effect of that policy was that many of them had
>> checked out literally hundreds of items which they kept for years on end.
>> This costs a fortune, does no good, and only lends credence to those who
>> insist that libraries are irrelevant and that we should turn to the
>> internet for all our information needs.
>>
>> kyle
>>
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>
>


-- 
Max Macias
TSS Training Team
971-722-8151

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