[googley]

I don't understand who at the library thought it was a good idea to give all the librarians in one department the summer off and then let the staff in that department have no set open hours. I understand that they want to cut costs and that there are less students on campus, but some of us are still here taking classes and doing research. Ugh.

[Perna]

That does sound too bad. Any way another library/librarian can help you? Can you access/ask questions online have them email answers? My university was part of a larger consortium so I generally could get answers, somewhere. Can you email the professor of the class some questions, ask him for ideas of how to research/find stuff for your needs?

[googley]

I was able to get help eventually from one of the higher up librarians. The thing was that I needed the microfilm that I had previously used and had put back to be shelved but they had collected by not shelved for a couple of days. The librarian was able to get in and eventually find it for me. I'm all supportive of flex time and a relaxed summer schedule, as long as they are going to be there when they are scheduled to.

[Salmacis]

My B/F could tell you all about the library... he's worked there for 8 years. Unfortunately, most government jobs involve a certain degree of seniority that secures the positions of those who are lazy, ineffective, and useless. All sorts of waste takes place in the name of "giving people jobs" even if they do nothing but take up space and air. Productive? no. Sad? Yes. Would be great if the library had people employed who actually cared about the main purpose of the library -- "free" access to information for the general public who pay taxes for the service.

[googley]

Originally Posted by Salmacis

My B/F could tell you all about the library... he's worked there for 8 years. Unfortunately, most government jobs involve a certain degree of seniority that secures the positions of those who are lazy, ineffective, and useless. All sorts of waste takes place in the name of "giving people jobs" even if they do nothing but take up space and air. Productive? no. Sad? Yes. Would be great if the library had people employed who actually cared about the main purpose of the library -- "free" access to information for the general public who pay taxes for the service.

Too bad I'm talking about the university library. I'm paying more than just taxes to support it, I'm paying tuition.

[Perna]

Glad you were able to get the reel you needed back.

I was a Friend of my public library and went to lots of Government meetings (this was Washington, D.C.'s libraries so it was the actual, whole City government that dealt with the libraries, not a branch of that government) that were a bit similar to a university. It was so frustrating but understandable listening to discussion of whether to cut soccer for the kids ("parks and recreation" was grouped with libraries) or library hours, etc. It is very hard to decide what can/cannot go when you must make cuts. Most funding for state universities come from the State, they're working to keep tuition low, and the states are hurting now so. . . Oh to be going to someplace like Harvard where the olde money pockets are deep.

I've been trying to buy something from the Minnesota Historical Society http://www.mnhs.org/index.htm for a couple weeks now and I'm a member of that and pay dues, etc. but can't get there from here because the majority of the funds that operate it come from the State and it's closed.

[googley]

Perna-
I don't mind that they have less hours as I understand the need to cut costs. It would just be nice if they were there when they said they were going to be there. That is all I'm asking. I was told they would be in between 4:30 and 5pm. I was there at 4:45 and there was no one there. If you are only going to be scheduled to be in for a half hour per day, please be there so I can talk to you.

[Perna]

Yes, that's bad, not being there when they say they will. I traveled from Maryland to Minnesota last summer to go to a little town's history center and that day, the guy decided not to show up. It was just Saturday's, half day and I wasn't going to be able to come back.

[protector1973]

maybe he was sick, pulled a fake sickie to get off work, as for libriary closed we all need holidays.

[sunrise]

I have built some relationships with people who work at the library. Because I am respectful and nice to them, they remember me and will sometimes go the extra mile for me. I am also there a lot whereas some students hardly even go to the library because they are able to access whatever they need online. So they know me there! It definitely helps. For my research project, I sometimes need to go to the Law Library. They are so snobby there and don't want anyone who isn't a lawyer or law student even setting foot in the building. I feel like hey, I pay tuition too, so I can go to any library on campus. But they see it differently. One time, they even told me they could give me a special day pass for only $20! As if I am going to be grateful for that. I told them I was a student and didn't need a day pass and they sat there staring at me like a dead fish. I am not paying extra money to use the library when I pay thousands in tuition every quarter. If I can manage to sneak in there, I have found one librarian who also thinks the law library should be available to all and is happy to help me. He's a gem! So I try to leverage his open and helpful attitude and only go when he is there.

Anyway, I hear ya on the library woes, googley. Having good library services should be a priority at an academic institution. Maybe let the grass grow a little longer in the summer, the hedges be trimmed every 3 weeks instead of 2, or the windows washed less frequently. But provide sufficient funds for the libraries.

[googley]

Wow Sunrise. I would complain about being told I couldn't use a library associated with my university. That sounds totally unrealistic. Have you talked to the professor you are needing to use the library for? This just sounds ridiculous that they don't want to let you use it.

[Christina86]

Originally Posted by googley

I don't understand who at the library thought it was a good idea to give all the librarians in one department the summer off and then let the staff in that department have no set open hours. I understand that they want to cut costs and that there are less students on campus, but some of us are still here taking classes and doing research. Ugh.

Ack! Complain complain complain!

They won't change their policies unless they're totally aware of how ticked off students (and possibly other staff) are about the inability to access library resources!

Wow... I have a much deeper appreciation for my former university now.