LISNews: Librarian News

Prague Post has an interesting Story written by a library scofflaw.

Just a fun look at how people feel about returning books late. I\'d also like to admit that I am a library scofflaw too. I always whip out my ALA card to avoid the fines (\"It\'s OK, I\'m a librarian\" I say), but it never seems to help. I\'m also a video rental scofflaw.

\"But, licking their chops, the clerks at the Municipal Library of Prague are not interested in discussing the fine points of overdue-book morality. Rules are rules. I am in need of reform, and the clerks at the return desk are ready to do the job.\"

Lee Hadden writes:\" According to an article in the March/April official newsletter of the
Library of Virginia, there will be projected service cuts there this year.
Under Republican Governor Gilmore\'s budget, the Library of Virginia\'s
funding will be cut 17.75%, starting as early as July 1st for fiscal year
2002.
A 54 year backlog of archival material will be curtailed due to a lack
of staff and funds to purchase archival supplies, delaying further the
release of these historic records. Saturday hours may be eliminated. Money
to preserve and conserve historic collections will be curtailed
significantly. Funding will be eliminated for the construction and
improvement of public library facilities across the commonwealth.
Nolan T. Yelich, Librarian of Virginia, said, \"These reductions are
compounded by the fact that the Library has never fully recovered from a 27
per cent reduction in its operating budget during the revenue shortfalls of
the early 1990\'s...\"
Further information about the Library of Virginia can be found at
their website of: http://www.lva.lib.va.us\"

BJ Hampton writes \"Who wants to stand up for the “civil rights” of the anonymous toe-sucker who recently made an appearance at the Antelope Valley Community College Library? The current debates about internet filtering are apropos here. Do professional librarians truly want to abandon their role as trusted sources of information for their communities to become dumping grounds for any view, irrespective of its accuracy, honesty, appropriateness, and values? Regrettably, many have confused the first amendment’s prohibition against government regulation of speech and expression with a guarantee of an audience or a tax-payer funded forum. If such is the case, then the toe-sucker deserves praise and support as a “bold presenter of a minority view”, rather than prosecution.
Libraries must not allow the glitter of new technology to blind them to the need for safety, security, and judgment exercised for the benefit of their community. This story obviously highlights problems of standard crime prevention, but should also raise issues regarding the role of the librarian’s judgment in setting standards for the allocation of library resources.\"

Full Story

Alert reader Charles Davis sent along This Story from
ananova.com on a
man that filed a $1.5 million claim against a
California city, after a cat who lives in the public library
allegedly attacked
his dog.
The cat was apparently uninjured.
The cat is featured on the
library\'s
website, and even has it\'s own FAQ. They say it\'s usually lounging on
bookshelves or cabinets
and is popular with the library\'s readers.
The man says his assistance dog was attacked by
LC moments after they entered the library in
Escondido.MGTC passed along Two more Stories on the same thing.
I don\'t quite know what to say on this one, some
animals just get along like, well, cats and dogs.