Libraries changes for the worse

[magenta]

Hidden on a back page in the Strib was some VERY annoying news. The Hennepin County Library Board passed a major change to their circulation policy. As of January 1st, they will restrict check-outs to 30 items, down from 100. Reserves will be limited to 15, down from 50; CDs will be due in 7 days instead of 21. I can't find any more information on the website, so I don't know how they will handle the transition. In fact, I can't find the notes of the Library Board meeting where this was decided, either; the most recent meeting notes are back in September. I am upset that this article was obviously from a HCL press release but there is NO information on the website. Didn't they think anyone would notice and want to know more about this?

I am extremely angry. The article says this is because of a major budget cut, and otherwise they would have to cut hours. I think this is BS, since as I recall, the collections budget and the personnel budget are funded differently. I am going to write letters to both the Library Board and the Hennepin County Board today, and I would encourage anyone else who dislikes this new policy to do the same. Don't complain to library staff, they can't do a damned thing, and they are busy enough as it is.

I don't think this would have happened if we still had an elected Library Board. It is now appointed by the Hennepin County Board, which is mostly suburban Republicans. If you live outside the Twin Cities, and your local library policies are even worse, you have my sympathy, but I'm upset about how much our library has gone downhill in the last 7 years.

Comments

Correction

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

Reserves will be limited to 30, not 15. I was reading the paper about 10 minutes after I got out of bed, and posted right away. It's still offensive.

[quility.livejournal.com]

I don't understand how this could save them money.

Nor do I understand how one could get a book on CD finished in 7 days - especially if it is as long as the one I am currently in the middle of: A Dance with Dragons has 38 CDs. Not possible in 7 days.

I would appreciate it if you would share any links/addresses you find about where to write a letter.

[polyranger.livejournal.com]

I understand the frustration over the shorter time on CDs and reserves, but really, does anyone need 100 things checked out at any one time?

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I would think that CDs on books would fall under the heading Audio Books, not CDs. You might want to call and check on that before you complain.

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

No, but we often have more than 30 books checked out. We've been keeping them all on my card so I could keep track online. But when I am doing research, I can easily have more than 30 books I need at a time.

[polyranger.livejournal.com]

So you are the one who has all the books I want checked out. ;)