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Seattle Public Library Closes for a Week

Tue, 09/01/2009 - 7:09pm — Sarah

All Seattle Public Library locations will be closed Monday, Aug. 31 through Sunday, Sept. 6 due to citywide budget cuts.

This includes no online library catalog, no available book drops (no materials are due and no fines accrue during this week).

Library Closure News .pdf

Wow. This is mind boggling to me, which shows how into libraries I am. I want there to be more libraries - not less. I also want state libraries and archives to be well funded - not struggling.

Get your geek on. Support the library.

Timberland Library takes steps to balance budget .pdf

Comments

Wed, 09/02/2009 - 10:01pm — CIAGuy

I don't understand

why they had to shut off the web site. This seems like a huge middle finger to the public, even those who support the library. The third-party databases still work and I can understand suspending online book requests but browsing could still be allowed.

I have to say I am not thrilled with Timberland's return to fines either. Will this really raise revenue or just piss people off and shrink your customer (bad word in a library, I know) base? So the next time you need public support even fewer people are on your side? Perhaps someone can explain this to me, but I think it's old, tired thinking that looks back to the way things used to be done instead of trying to figure out how to do new things in an age of Google and Netflix.

But take heart. Timberland will soon be looking for a new director. I hope there is opportunity for community input. We need someone who can lead this library district into the 21st century. 

Another TRL tidbit I got from my Facebook. The staff voted to join AFSCME. I don't know who comprises the bargaining unit but I did hear of those eligible, 89% voted, 71% in favor. That's a strong statement.

 

Thu, 09/03/2009 - 7:11am — ahniwa

SPL web site

I do understand SPL shutting off their website. After all, they didn't choose to have a budget shortfall, the city decided that they would have a budget shortfall. Responding by having a week-long closure where ALL their resources are shut down could do a lot to raise awareness among people that a library is more than a building with books in it. The library is the website, is the services, is the blog and the newsletter and all those other things library users can take for granted. Also, I believe they had the thought that if the website was up, people would be trying to get support for the site, and if the site went down they would need support there too, so to truly close down for a week they needed to take the site down as well. I completely agree about the TRL fines; it's a total shame.
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 3:07pm — ahniwa

SPL Back-up

A little off-topic, but it's worth mentioning that people with SPL cards can get KCLS cards (http://kcls.org) and use their resources.
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 7:45pm — agathafrye

and...

Timberland has reciprocal agreements with KCLS and Seattle Public, too! If you have a Timberland card, you can get cards with both systems and use their databases, downloadable audio services, etc; even if you never need to go into one of their physical libraries.

As far as the TRL fines go, all I can say is that Timberland was one of the last remaining public library systems in Washington that didn't have fines. During the town hall meetings, web surveys, and paper surveys that TRL provided for the public to weigh in on how to cut costs, a significant amount of patrons said that they thought we should be charging fines. The decision was made partially in response to a public who felt it was irresponsible to continue to ignore that source of potential revenue.

Fines will also be capped at $5 per item, unless the item is never returned. I think you'll see a big increase in materials being checked in on the shelf when you want it, and a big drop in the amount of time you'll have to wait for items that you've put on hold. So, yes, it sucks, particularly because I know I'll be shelling out for myself and my family, but ultimately I can see the logic behind the action.