Focus

Librarians as the gatekeepers? OK, I can see that in an environment of scarce resources, as noted in LIS 2000, 2^nd lecture. Admittedly, we’ve all grown up in a time of abundant and ever-expanding resources. Yet, some of today’s libraries seem to cling to the old gatekeeper model. Michael Sullivan, author of “Connecting Boys w/ Books,” noted, when you insist on fines, you’re penalizing your best customers. He found a guilt jar on the circ desk produced more revenue than fines. (August 17, 2006 lecture, Harrisburg, PA), It probably produced good-will as well. Let’s go w/ that! Ah, ...THE RULES!

When our daughter was in high school, I was appalled that I had to argue w/ a library that she needed a rather obscure book that was in disrepair, one that upon its return would need to be taken out of circulation for mending. They would not renew it as it had been renewed once…and no, no one was waiting for the book. If I returned it, they’d take it out of circulation. She needed it! So I kept it and paid late fees. I pay taxes for this kind of stick-to-the-rules, citizen-be-damned nonsense. I didn’t grow up envisioning I’d be a librarian. Due dates, date due cards, fines, and the aforementioned kind of experience didn't lead me to believe it'd be fun job. Then there was that “shush” thing. I didn’t see the thrill. That left me thrown when my high school interest test suggested I should be one.

Technology has changed the library world. It's freed us up from many of the old functions. Furthermore, we have lots of competition in the world of reading, information, DVDs, CDs, downloadables, etc. How many of us have heard the comment “why do we need libraries, we have the internet?” And how many of PA’s citizens know of or even use POWER Library? The acronym stands for PA Online World of Electronic Resources. I was told that 10% of the PA population knows about it. It’s a state treasure! I wonder if libraries don’t spend more time on turf & protection issues than they do on aggressively advertising their information currency. In my experience on the front desk, I noticed our most active library users did not know about Access PA, ILL or POWER Library. In fact some of them didn’t realize they could return books to ANY of our branches, not just the one from which they checked out the book. Libraries see these people regularly; every few weeks! They willingly come through our doors! What business wouldn’t salivate for that kind of traffic, and the opportunity to get out their product and product information?

Today's library world allows us to focus on service, facilitating the success of our customers in pursuit of just the right materials. All those varied questions! All those searches and instruction! Now that's a fun job!

So let's focus on the people who walk through our doors. Let's adapt Staples' "Yes, we've got that." Our customers read, they're articulate, and not incidentally, they're good people to have on our side when it comes to being funded by both our state and our communities.