I see so many posts that are like “wouldn’t it be cool if we had a space for —“ or “someone should really set up—“ and then proceed to describe the role of a public library. Reach out to your library with these suggestions. - ThreadSky

annethegnome.bsky.social • 8 days ago

I see so many posts that are like “wouldn’t it be cool if we had a space for —“ or “someone should really set up—“ and then proceed to describe the role of a public library.

Reach out to your library with these suggestions.

Comments

haleylyn.bsky.social•8 days ago

I once saw a journalist post on Twitter saying that we needed ‘places where people could go to learn information and media literacy skills from experts’ …

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

🫠

scottyb.bsky.social•8 days ago

I'm sorry people are complaining as if you said what you didn't say. I saw the last line saying 'role of a public library', so I know you weren't calling for 5,000 other things.

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

ppl might think I’m responding to certain common posts (libraries should be open 24/7, libraries should run cafes, etc) but I’m not. I see why ppl might think that though.

scottyb.bsky.social•8 days ago

Yeah, I also think we've been asked to do far too much in libraryland, but that wasn't what you were talking about.

comicslibrarian.bsky.social•8 days ago

Yes, please, because scope creep is REAL, give us a chance to say no 😓

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

If I hear another perso suggest 24 hour libraries or publicly-funded cafes 🥲

comicslibrarian.bsky.social•8 days ago

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

I think it’s part of the same problem. Ppl don’t understand what libraries do or their mandates, only their role in information-sharing & as third spaces. So they try to push those to extremes without understanding how those functions actually serve à broader agenda, instead of goals in themselves.

comicslibrarian.bsky.social•8 days ago

Yes! And they don’t recognize the importance of funding other orgs, or even funding a new org, to fill those needs. You think kids should be fed after school? Then give more funding to orgs better suited for that rather than expect the library to do it

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

Same with asking us to provide social services or act as homeless shelters. Fund those groups instead! We’re information nerds, it’s a whole different thing 😅

chocoholicmama.bsky.social•8 days ago

Our main library in Wellington had a cafe, because the space was made available during the design stage. Not many libraries would have the ability to make the space available.
Secondly, the cafe was a private business, not funded by the library or anything, and merely existing in the space

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

Yeah, that’s fine. It’s asking libraries to break into the coffee business that bugs me

paladinboy.bsky.social•8 days ago

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

So many ppl still see libraries as book depots. Maybe they know about children’s programming. But PLEASE check out your local library’s website and I bet you’ll find a suite of cultural events, educational programs, multimedia collections, social events and more.

Just go! Explore!

orionkidder.bsky.social•8 days ago

I contacted my local library system to create a writer's group, and now they are a vital lifeline for my ability to cope with an increasingly terrifying world.

So yeah, they can do LOTS of things.

christianchiakulas.bsky.social•8 days ago

any time someone suggests libraries for this you get a bunch of librarians shooting it down because they're already overworked and underpaid. So you have to frame it as an expansion of what libraries are/do, which must come with more funding, which will never happen in America

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

1. I’m not American, and this message wasn’t specifically addressing Americans.
2. Public libraries have funding models, and citizens can support them through those funding models.
3. If your democracy is crumbling, libraries are an important site of resistance, and need more support than ever.

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

4. It’s quite possible you’re making suggestions that don’t align with their mandate. Check their website to see what their current goals are, and try to support those goals. Often, the suggestions ppl make are already being done, or could be done relatively easily.

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

5. American libraries are still doing SO MUCH! Just go check your local library’s website. While many have funding shortages, they are still doing important work.
6. If you’re specifically suggesting we stay open 24/7, then I’m one of the librarians saying no, that’s not reasonable.

chocoholicmama.bsky.social•8 days ago

We have around 10 libraries in the Wellington public library system, and they have to share staff as it is.

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

Sharing staff is normal for most library systems, even when well funded

werewolf-dr.bsky.social•8 days ago

Yep. Our branches (an extensive, very well funded system) have regular personnel & floating personnel. Even the regulars spend a certain amount time in other branches every year.

gimpy.bsky.social•8 days ago

...okay, so the idea of the public library as the "third space" had never occurred to me, but you just made it shockingly clear to me how good that could be for a lot of people.

annethegnome.bsky.social•8 days ago

For many communities, they are the only indoor space where you can stay for hours at a time without having to spend money.

gimpy.bsky.social•8 days ago

Yeah, and that's huge. I've never been in the position where that was my life, and had never thought about it that way. Just makes me want to further support them, though.

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