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The OLA Should Oppose Staffless Libraries

130 Comments

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B. La Croix
9 years ago

Simply ridiculous!

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Janet Macchione
9 years ago

There are many areas that have library customers that require a little extra help from staff to find proper resources and to access appropriate online and computer resources. There are many people who have never used a computer and have never been on the internet. In a staffless library, these people would be left behind and most likely just give up. The more we educate, the better off our communities will be. I say no to staffless libraries. More hours of operation with no staff does not equal better service.

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Anonymous
9 years ago

OLA no longer has my respect

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SHADI GOLIC
9 years ago

This is shameful, we need our libraries to be staffed!!!!!!!

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Anonymous
9 years ago

personal interaction & friendly helpful faces - can never be replaced!

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Michael Monist
9 years ago

I'm no longer a student, but I continue to use the library almost every month. Plus, I like connecting with the librarians, some of whom have become good friends over the years, and who without the staff would depreciate the value I receive from book referrals and connecting with other like-minded individuals. Make budget cuts to military where a fraction less to them won't be hardly missed, whereas the less than 1% of the budget that goes into the salaries for staff is well worth the price paid in the end.

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Ying Chiu
9 years ago

Staff are important in the library.

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Laura Davis
9 years ago Featured

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??

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Judy Bailie
9 years ago

With no librarian, I think the library would be chaotic and when I need help, who would help me. It's totally ridiculous!

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AC
9 years ago

Libraries are important! Librarians are important!

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Susan Yee
9 years ago

In a world where isolation and loneliness is on the rise, a real person, at any of our publicly funded services is a must. For those who may be reluctant readers or for anyone who may need help, nothing can replace the intangible positive nature of human interaction. Please do not have staffless libraries! That will make them soulless.

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Dulce Gomes
9 years ago

A library without staff is a building, not a library.

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donna patterson
9 years ago

I am a constant user of the library. When I go there I pick up books and magazines to read. I often go to the many excellent events planned by librarians; book clubs, authors talking about their books, people talking about issues of interest to the public. I also often ask the librarians for advice on specific books and what they would suggest for me. I get personal service at my library. How can a staffless library be " a really excellent service" ? That is impossible, there can be NO service at a library without a librarian.

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csaba nagy
9 years ago

TORONTO IS NOT DENMARK WHERE THE CRIME RATE IS A LOT LESS.

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Kayden
9 years ago

People come to libraries for personalized help and programs, not for strict "check in and check out". Advocate for the profession and the people, rather than supporting budget cut initiatives

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Wendy Strickland
9 years ago

Totally agree

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Anna Carr
9 years ago

I am surprised by the quotations that seem to indicate that the OLA thinks this trend to get rid of staff is OK. If you will not stand up for librarians and library workers, who will?

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Hazel
9 years ago

I am deeply disturbed that, rather than advocating for adequate and progressive funds for libraries and librarian's work, the OLA would commend budget cuts as a driver of innovation.

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Sally Spath
9 years ago

This is unethical and unsafe!!

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Franziska Nonnenmann
9 years ago

it's not okay to have staffless libraries, it really isn't, it's a crazy idea