not getting into great detail because, well, anonymous forum but: we have a long detailed policy about accepting donated copies of local author books. many of the titles could actually be disqualified by a bullet point or two, but the attitude here is currently, that it’s easier to tuck these books onto the little local author shelf and leave them to collect dust, than to actually say no and upset someone. they usually do come back at least once looking to show it to family or friends.

my only problem with this is, the act of accepting the book into our collection is often taken as an endorsement of its quality (though there is a line specifically in the policy saying it isn’t) — they are pretty much all self-published writing/art projects, and the most polite review I could give is “forgettable”.

while the intention is kind, I don’t think this part of the collection does any good for the community. if a book (including local author donations) is judged to be of good quality, it goes into our regular collection. so honestly if a book is shelved under the Local Author category? not a good sign.

Sharing this news story on my public library, which is now in mediation with all 3 of its unions working under expired contracts for 3+ months now. Solidarity with library workers!

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Support your library. Vote yes.

I’ve been interested in pursuing an MLIS, but a lot of advice I have gotten is don’t do it. Many people have commented that it isn’t easily transferable and they didn’t learn many other skills to pivot to other fields. I am genuinely interested in LIS, data management, archives etc but open to other degrees to look into

If you don't know what I am referring to: last year, Sony teamed up with WNED-PBS and Buffalo-Toronto Public Media to revive the iconic PBS Kids classic series Reading Rainbow for a new generation, with beloved librarian Mychal Threets as its new host.

Earlier this year, the show was greenlit for 24 new episodes, due to the first 4 being a big success.

This is the official trailer for the new Reading Rainbow posted by the official Reading Rainbow and Mychal Threets's social media Accounts.

I'm not a librarian (I am a new library assistant though!) I just love the library, librarians, and books, and I loved the original Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton, so I'm glad kids today have their own Reading Rainbow with someone like Mychal

Hi all!!

Does anyone know of a library that does physical pattern loaning? Or have a repository of digital patterns that they make available to patrons? My director and I are considering this but I am worried about issues with rights/usage as well as how to distribute. If you know of anyone who does this please share as that would be helpful when we get to the point of considering this more seriously) Also looking for other concerns or thoughts!

Thank you in advance!

I love this job. I really do. And in many ways it saved me and I’m forever grateful for all it’s taught me. I’ve met great co-workers turned friends through it and there’s so many regulars I adore but sometimes it feels like I’m an IT help desk person who’s here to babysit technically illiterate (mainly) older people who refuse to learn. They just want you to do it for you as if that’s my only job description. And honestly my job description at all. I wasn’t trained on handling technically complex tasks. I wasn’t trained on the intricacies of Microsoft programs and spending almost an hour doing these things when really it should be a book a librarian. And it doesn’t help when some people wanna get out doing work.

Like today… came in at 2 and right after I clocked in and was heading to the break room to put my stuff, up two of my coworkers told me there’s a lady that needed help with making a pamphlet. They said she had told them I had helped her previously. The help in question was her asking me a question about how she could make a pamphlet and I said word would probably be her best bet (rip publisher). She didn’t even get on the computer that day. So I was so confused because what is preventing YOU from helping her? I’ve had patrons tell me how another person was helping them and have never been like “welp you can wait for them to come in”. I help them because I’m just as capable of at least trying. They had this woman sitting there waiting for me as if it was a book-a-librarian and she was telling me how she’s been passing time on some website and I was genuinely so irked. They didn’t even try to assess the situation and try to help her. Just decided to wait on me.

But, the lady was really sweet and was very proactive on doing it herself and simply requesting guidance when needed to the best of my ability because, again, I don’t know all that much about making pamphlets either. I wish more older patrons were like that when it came to using a computer. But nope. They just want you to do it for them. Even if it’s something as simple as clicking the mouse button. And they’ll dismiss their incompetence and not even wanting to meet you halfway with “oh well you’ll do it faster than me”. You’d be faster if you were willing to learn!!! And that includes on their phones and tablets that they act like it’s the first day of them using. Spending hundreds of dollars on something you don’t know and refuse to learn how to use is beyond me but hey. And don’t let it be a process. Don’t let it be something that might take longer than five minutes, now they’re acting like they’re being inconvenienced while I continue todo everything for them. I know this probably sounds harsh but sometimes this job is so so so exhausting. And the real kick is doing all that for shit pay.

Hi all,

My library system has been ordering from Amazon for the past 18 months and have been unable to get on either with Brodart and Ingram. There have been two books within the past few months that have had large sections of pages missing. By the time it was brought to my attention the 30-120 day window to return items has passed. While Amazon has refunded the amount of the two books, it's been grudging and I'm not counting on the fact that they'll honor it again.

They've suggested that we look through all future purchases to ensure that we notify the defective items within that time frame. However, our cataloging department processes roughly 600 items per week and our team is three people that also helps out with occasional housekeeping (one of our housekeeping staff retired while the other is dealing with a family emergency; it's one full-time staff with two part-time) and the business manager. I don't know if this is feasible. Do you all have any suggestions on what could be done?

I have some books I no longer want, and I’m curious if most branches would be able to accept my donations? Obviously condition will come into play, but these books I’m thinking of getting rid of are more or less in pristine condition so I’m just curious would most library branches take my donations?

I found this at my local library today! It's perfect!

I applied a few days after the job was posted. My application is “in progress” and I’m wondering if they have already begun interviewing.

So I lost my library card and want to get a new one. Here is my problem:
I'm in the same county as I was before, but I moved locations and can't easily go to the library I got my card at. I've never had that issue before, so I'm not sure how that works when I'm looking to get a new card.

When I was in grad school, my family made me a "Library Passport" to collect stamps from various libraries I have visited. Since then, I have collected stamps (and other paraphernalia) from over 40 different libraries both in the United States and abroad. In doing this, I've also created a list of my "Top Libraries to visit"

To start I have:
Library of Congress, Washington DC

New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Brooklyn Public Library - Central Branch

Parkway Central Library - Philadelphia

Wilmington Public Library - Wilmington DE

Boston Athenaeum - Boston

Iowa State Law Library - Des Moines, IA

Geisel Library - La Jolla CA

What libraries would you put on this list?

I have about five years of library experience, quit to be a SAHM when my first baby was born, and now am very slowly chipping away at my MLIS online. What this will look like for me is being out of the workforce for anywhere from 10-20 years (depending on if I would start working when my youngest child starts school or when all my kids are a bit older) and finishing my degree at at slow pace (6-10 years).

I would likely never relocate for a job. Since my husband makes a lot more than I ever could as a librarian, where we live will be a lot more dependent on his job. I know this limits me a lot. I know this may require part-time work to build up more recent experience.

With how this field is, is it worth continuing with this plan? Or do I need to just accept that I will never be competitive with a work history like this and accept paraprofessional jobs forever? It’s discouraging to have a college degree and feel I could never earn more than 40K working full-time. I wanted this MLIS to expand my opportunities, but has anyone ever successfully transitioned into this field after many years of staying home to raise children? Thank you!

Hello, all!

Last year, I asked this group for library cards from libraries all over the United States to help us with our town's annual holiday event -- we used them as ornaments to decorate a Christmas tree, and it was really well received by patrons and townspeople. We are doing it again!! We hope to get cards from more libraries, if you'd like to help us out. We also set up a lovely display for Library Card Sign-up Month. The town event is December 13, so we'd love to have them by Friday, December 4 at the latest.

If you'd like to participate, our address is:

Library Card Project

c/o Hamlin Public Library

1680 Lake Rd

Hamlin, NY 14464

Please let us know if you'd like a library card in return -- make sure to include a name and address so we'll know where to send it!

If you're not sure whether we have a card from your library/system, I'm including the list below the body of this message.

Thank you so much! We had such fun with this last year.

Olivia Durant

Director, Hamlin Public Library

Hello :)

I'm looking to apply to the iSchool at UofT and have been drafting my statement of intent. I have asked friends and family to read over it, but I'm hoping to get more critical feedback. If anyone is interested in helping me, I would love the opportunity to share my writing through a private pm! Thank youuuuu!

I just got this in my email from The Onion that they are trying to locate physical copies of a bunch of back issues of the paper. I am sure someone here might have some leads on where to get these. It says they are willing to purchase the issues from anyone that has them. Here's the link for more information and contact: https://theonion.com/archivehunt/

Heard a patron ask this today.