Full disclosure!
I have a Master of Library Science, I write book reviews and love to read. All of these would make me a strong proponent of libraries.
Provided I knew what the definition of a library is now-a- days.
Which would mean I would know whether to support recent budget cuts to libraries in Saskatchewan!
A bit of the cynic in me wants to proclaim this latest round of budget cuts is merely a matter of politicking. If you think this uproar is just about money, think again.
There is the conservative side that desires to see clear cut mandates for public libraries – that mandate being the warehousing and distribution of books, or more rightly, information. There is the progressive side that desires to see libraries as the sanctuary of liberty and freedom – proclaiming that libraries lift up the values of equality, diversity and accessibility.
To maintain funding, it seems the best attack on conservatives is to highlight the inaccessibility of inter- library loans with current budget cuts. On the other hand, it seems the best attack on progressives is to remind them that social services are provided through another department of government.
That’s my cynical side!
Now, for a suggestion – divide current library services into three constituent parts. All three of these services can be housed in one building, or on many sites.
First, provide information through a broad spectrum of delivery systems. Provide a brick and mortar delivery station. This could contain a state of the art computer system linked to other systems with wide ranging information access. Tangible items (books, DVDs, electronic files, etc.) could be fulfilled by a courier system. A small, highly focused permanent collection could be maintained. Funding could flow through a spectrum of government departments including education and business.
Second, local archives need to be housed. While we often think of information as only books and videos, the information from a community’s life together is stored in their archives. Shared partnerships to preserve this treasure need to be explored.
Third, maintain a social services venture that oversees the orphan programs that libraries have adopted. Libraries have seen the deficiency of a selfish society, and have admirably turned to providing social services, often for those most vulnerable. Funding for these ventures could flow through the social services department of the government.
Perhaps this budget crisis for libraries will bring to light avenues of greater funding while restructuring and redefining what we now call “libraries”.
