Hi all, <div><br></div><div>thank you for having this conversation.</div><div><br></div><div>It has made me think of library funding and my own library use.</div><div><br></div><div>I am a tax payer and thankfully a home owner who pays taxes.</div>
<div><br></div><div>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.</div>
<div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>
So, when it comes to library funding--I have little interest in funding libraries more.</div>
<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br>
</div>
<div>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! </div>
<div><br></div><div>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.</div>
<div><br></div><div>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).</div>
<div><br></div><div>I think public libraries need to have a philosophical discussion about who they serve and who pays for these services.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div>
<div><br></div><div>I'm sorry I don't have much more time to elaborate--I'm swamped, but wanted to say something about this issue.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Max Macias</div><div><br></div><div><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 10:15 AM, Diedre Conkling <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:diedre08@gmail.com" target="_blank">diedre08@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<p>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.<br>
</p>
<div class="gmail_quote"><div><div class="h5">On Jul 10, 2012 9:30 AM, "Kyle Banerjee" <<a href="mailto:banerjek@orbiscascade.org" target="_blank">banerjek@orbiscascade.org</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution">
</div></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div><div class="h5">
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> A library is a much happier place to work in and to visit without the trouble we have over charging and collecting late fees.</blockquote>
<div><br></div><div>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.</div>
<div><br></div><div>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.</div>
<div><br></div><div>kyle</div></div>
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