An odd question for you today...

[OneGrassRoot]

And I will probably have them frequently.

Since libraries offer much-needed resources to those who are homeless and living in poverty, and since they themselves are closing down, losing funding, etc., can you think of a creative way to get our public library system on board for a national campaign to both prevent and address the issues of poverty and homelessness -- and in some way benefit their mission in the process?

Perhaps focusing on the youth at first?

They're cornerstones of the community...or can be...so I'm trying to think outside the box for ways to connect and help one another in the local communities, outside of the "system," since the existing system fails too many, too often.

Thanks. :hi:

[NoNothing]

1. I don't think it's a good idea

There are already agencies charged with preventing and addressing poverty and homelessness. Let those agencies do what they do and let libraries be libraries. What is the library's mission? Isn't it to serve the community in general, not just the disadvantaged? It is my own opinion that many libraries have undermined their own base of community support by turning themselves into defacto social welfare agencies instead of trying harder to maintain their relevance to the middle class.

Instead of taking on social issues like poverty and homelessness, how about doing things to increase the access of literature to the middle class? Granted, this would include some radical changes; for example, what I'd like to see:

- Phase out books. Focus book reserves on out-of-print, rare, or otherwise unavailable books. All new materials should be acquired AND LENT digitally.
- Embrace the cloud. Let people borrow materials over the internet, onto their phone, tablet, or computer.
- Don't just rent. If someone digitally borrows a text, and they want to buy it, sell it to them for a reasonable profit. Become (collectively) the largest bookseller in the country.
- Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate. Once reserves are primarily electronic, a consolidated system can much more efficiently purchase in bulk, and much more efficiently allocate purchased materials to borrowers.
- Make physical spaces attractive for interacting with other community members. Nowadays, people tend to do their solitary activities at home. When they go out, they want to socialize. Borrow ideas from successful bookstores: consider selling coffee, providing places to chit-chat, and attractive environments.

Libraries that have decided to focus their attention squarely at the disadvantaged should be disappointed, but not surprised, when middle-class support for their existence continues to erode.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. Interesting...

I like your "to-do" list for libraries. :thumbsup:

Yet I don't think libraries catering to the community at large has to be divided in any way, shape or form between income and resource levels. Can't it do both?

Many so-called middle-class persons are NEEDING the libraries' resources now, whereas it was mainly those who simply love libraries making use of them before. If people wanted to buy a book, many could; now, it requires a second thought for more people and libraries are an option many are discovering, sometimes for the first time, which blows me away.

I'm not asking for ideas that will drain library systems in any way -- I'm trying to think of something that has mutual benefit for all members of a community, including the libraries themselves.

There may not be anything; I'm just brainstorming, and now that I've discovered this forum, I'm doing it here. ;)

Thanks for chiming in. :hi:

[billlll]

3. 24/7 web terminals at outside of bldg

Somehow add personal security

Unsure how

2. Issue a call for experts of every sort to be available to lib. terminals
as the poor ask for expert advice on odd problems that only affect the VERY
poor. Eg lessening bedding mold.

[billlll]

6. experts ONLINE not at the terminals

My post was not clear

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Gotcha...

I understood. :)

I stumbled upon a terminal such as you mentioned in the last few days...don't remember where it was or if it was even viable, but I'm trying to find now. So hard to save all the things nowadays in an organized way. :(

[OneGrassRoot]

8. I just read a portion, but this looks interesting...

http://repository.cmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=lib_science

(page 14 and 15 is what got my attention)

[Riftaxe]

4. Wouldn't the savings from digital books, if you

could somehow work around the licensing issues, be eaten up by having to provide digital readers?

Also, implementing a for profit business model defeat the purpose of libraries in the first place, or are you suggesting that privatization of public library systems in the best interests of the public?

How do you come to the assumption that libraries are only for the middle class, especially on a thread in this particular forum?

[billlll]

5. I agree with Rift

Profit model BAD idea

[NoNothing]

9. No, digital readers

Are positively cheap compared to other costs, especially because many if not most people have or will soon have their own digital readers.

Where did I ever suggest that libraries become "for-profit?" Because they would allow people to buy books? To clarify, the "profits" from book sales would not be "profits" in the corporate sense, just revenues to offset their expenses. Libraries should, of course, remain nonprofit institutions. Many nonprofit organizations raise money by selling things at a profit. Many government agencies do this.

Also, where did I ever say that libraries are "only for the middle class?" My argument is that libraries should be for *everyone,* to counter the idea that libraries should be "only for the poor."