March 23, 2017
Shelagh Paterson
Executive Director
Ontario Library Association
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Ms. Paterson:
We, the undersigned, are public librarians in the province of Ontario and members of the Ontario Library Association (OLA). We are concerned and disturbed by the OLA’s apparent support for current trends in library staffing that are grossly detrimental to our profession and to the public we serve.
The Toronto Public Library has announced plans to open staffless libraries. This is antithetical to the core values of our profession and to our shared vision of what libraries are and should be.
In a Toronto Star article about this development, you are quoted as saying, “we’re very lucky here in Ontario that we have a library culture that is willing to try new things . . . and I would say that sometimes what drives that is budget cuts.”
We are deeply disturbed that, rather than advocating for adequate library funding, the OLA would re-define budget cuts as a driver of innovation.
The Star article also quotes you as saying, “I think you may not actually see the librarian in your visit to the library, but there is a librarian behind the scenes putting it all together and delivering a really excellent service.”
A staffless library can never be “a really excellent service.” Librarians and library staff “behind the scenes” of a building devoid of people are not enough. A truly excellent library service is one in which educated, trained professionals offer a wide range of services that support literacy, lifelong learning, and social engagement, and enable communities to thrive.
The OLA’s mission statement states that the organization enables members to “deliver exemplary library and information services throughout Ontario.” A library without librarians – indeed, a library without library staff of any kind – is not an exemplary library, and is indeed not a service of any kind.
Further, the OLA’s vision of an Ontario where everyone is “free to imagine, learn and discover, and recognize and celebrate library and information services as an essential resource for realizing individual aspirations and developing communities” is exactly the opposite of the current trend towards minimal – and now, nonexistent – staffing. A staffless library privileges members of our community who are affluent, information-rich, and technologically literate, and increases social inequality.
We believe the OLA should unequivocally oppose the staffless library.
We believe the OLA should actively advocate for well funded, fully staffed libraries, and should actively promote the value to the community of librarians and other educated, trained library staff.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Ontario Librarians
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 4, 2017
March 31, 2017
The administration is currently ignoring our request for a formal meeting regarding the staffing pilot project. We are drafting a direct response to the Ontario Library Association to challenge their framing of budget cuts as innovation. Email your local representatives today to demand they prioritize human staffing in our library budgets.
Reached 100 supporters
March 30, 2017
March 30, 2017
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to maintain this momentum to catch the attention of the OLA leadership. Post the link on Facebook right now and text three colleagues to get them to join us.
130 Comments
Those who do not like or are intimidated by technology, would feel left out yet again by a staffless library!! Libraries are supposed to promote inclusiveness and learning not elitism.
Please oppose staffless libraries. There is next to no accountability for customers and very few consequences for poor behavior. With no supervision, I think about personal safety in areas cameras don't cover as well as disrespectful use of the spaces and items.
How ethical would be a library without staff? In my rural community, our library staff are part of the neighbourhood and often family. We really rely on them not just for the books within the library, but for the recommendations, information, etc.
My local library helped me get through a difficult year of being out of work. My daily visits to the library helped keep my spirits high and staff aided me in sending resumes and navigating websites. We need a staffed library!
The powers above seem to have disregarded the fact that people visit our libraries for human interaction as well! Sometimes this interaction is more important to them then the materials they came to get! What will our libraries become without the caring and compassion of the staff who operate them??
Non-staffed libraries are nonsense. Even self-serve gas stations have an attendant on duty! Librarians are at the heart of each community library providing a welcoming, safe place for all to read, learn and socialize. Staff have a real function and are essential if we want to keep our world-class library system.
I'm in Cork Ireland where we are facing the same crazy idea of staffless libraries .People need to talk to eachother it's good for our mental health.
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March 23, 2017
Shelagh Paterson
Executive Director
Ontario Library Association
Toronto, Ontario
Dear Ms. Paterson:
We, the undersigned, are public librarians in the province of Ontario and members of the Ontario Library Association (OLA). We are concerned and disturbed by the OLA’s apparent support for current trends in library staffing that are grossly detrimental to our profession and to the public we serve.
The Toronto Public Library has announced plans to open staffless libraries. This is antithetical to the core values of our profession and to our shared vision of what libraries are and should be.
In a Toronto Star article about this development, you are quoted as saying, “we’re very lucky here in Ontario that we have a library culture that is willing to try new things . . . and I would say that sometimes what drives that is budget cuts.”
We are deeply disturbed that, rather than advocating for adequate library funding, the OLA would re-define budget cuts as a driver of innovation.
The Star article also quotes you as saying, “I think you may not actually see the librarian in your visit to the library, but there is a librarian behind the scenes putting it all together and delivering a really excellent service.”
A staffless library can never be “a really excellent service.” Librarians and library staff “behind the scenes” of a building devoid of people are not enough. A truly excellent library service is one in which educated, trained professionals offer a wide range of services that support literacy, lifelong learning, and social engagement, and enable communities to thrive.
The OLA’s mission statement states that the organization enables members to “deliver exemplary library and information services throughout Ontario.” A library without librarians – indeed, a library without library staff of any kind – is not an exemplary library, and is indeed not a service of any kind.
Further, the OLA’s vision of an Ontario where everyone is “free to imagine, learn and discover, and recognize and celebrate library and information services as an essential resource for realizing individual aspirations and developing communities” is exactly the opposite of the current trend towards minimal – and now, nonexistent – staffing. A staffless library privileges members of our community who are affluent, information-rich, and technologically literate, and increases social inequality.
We believe the OLA should unequivocally oppose the staffless library.
We believe the OLA should actively advocate for well funded, fully staffed libraries, and should actively promote the value to the community of librarians and other educated, trained library staff.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned Ontario Librarians
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 4, 2017
March 31, 2017
The administration is currently ignoring our request for a formal meeting regarding the staffing pilot project. We are drafting a direct response to the Ontario Library Association to challenge their framing of budget cuts as innovation. Email your local representatives today to demand they prioritize human staffing in our library budgets.
Reached 100 supporters
March 30, 2017
March 30, 2017
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to maintain this momentum to catch the attention of the OLA leadership. Post the link on Facebook right now and text three colleagues to get them to join us.
130 Comments
I am a FORMER public librarian and member of OLA. This is not only misguided in terms of library functions, but also dangerous for patrons. A 'librarian will be available by video' is a ludicrous answer.
Those who do not like or are intimidated by technology, would feel left out yet again by a staffless library!! Libraries are supposed to promote inclusiveness and learning not elitism.
Please oppose staffless libraries. There is next to no accountability for customers and very few consequences for poor behavior. With no supervision, I think about personal safety in areas cameras don't cover as well as disrespectful use of the spaces and items.
How ethical would be a library without staff? In my rural community, our library staff are part of the neighbourhood and often family. We really rely on them not just for the books within the library, but for the recommendations, information, etc.
My local library helped me get through a difficult year of being out of work. My daily visits to the library helped keep my spirits high and staff aided me in sending resumes and navigating websites. We need a staffed library!
The powers above seem to have disregarded the fact that people visit our libraries for human interaction as well! Sometimes this interaction is more important to them then the materials they came to get! What will our libraries become without the caring and compassion of the staff who operate them??
Non-staffed libraries are nonsense. Even self-serve gas stations have an attendant on duty! Librarians are at the heart of each community library providing a welcoming, safe place for all to read, learn and socialize. Staff have a real function and are essential if we want to keep our world-class library system.
I'm in Cork Ireland where we are facing the same crazy idea of staffless libraries .People need to talk to eachother it's good for our mental health.
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I am a FORMER public librarian and member of OLA. This is not only misguided in terms of library functions, but also dangerous for patrons. A 'librarian will be available by video' is a ludicrous answer.