The Great Library Protest, January 31, 10 AM - 2 PM

[vonfirmath]

Reading all over -- it appears your library gets fundage from neighboring counties. And they might be afraid if they allow the cards on a "pay per user" basis they would end up with LESS $$ overall because those neighborhing counties would decide to stop giving them big $$ and instead let just the people in their county that want a card to pay the library card fee to use your library.

 

And I can kind of see why they would not want to say this in a letter. "We're afraid of losing the people we do have as funding" is not really something you can say

 

(We lived in the King County Library system for a while, which was AWESOME, but I remember when they started cutting services for Seattle users because Seattle was not paying for them)

[Susan in KY]

Meeting ABC 13 (WVEC) reporter at Scotland Street library for story on the Great Checkout Protest. Wish me luck & keep an eye on the news. (http://www.wvec.com).

 

SWB

 

Saw it here.Good work—we will be pulling for you. Please post a follow-up to your efforts!

[Pata]

Great report! I wish I could be there as I understand how truly wonderful library access can be :). Sending well wishes your way and if I have time before the 31st, I'll send out a letter.

[StephanieZ]

The brilliant author is Kalanamak! :D

 

Susan, I think you need to mail her a t-shirt, signed, of course. ;)

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Hey, Chris, if you come I'll, er, sign your books or your kids or ANYTHING you want!!

 

T-shirts will say on the front:

 

ALL WE ARE SAYING

IS

GIVE FEES A CHANCE

 

and I can't find the thread where someone on this WONDERFUL board first suggested that, so identify yourself and take credit.

 

On the back:

 

WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY

HAS TAKEN OUR CARDS AWAY

WE WANT THEM BACK

 

Can I buy a tshirt with the proceeds to benefit a Friends of the Library group at a library you can still utilize.

I really do need to call my legislator down in Norfolk and ask when the state funding that my state tax dollars are paying for will be reduced to recognize the lower number of state residents that the WRL is serving.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Thank you for the link, kalanamak.

 

My ex-library adopted this same policy several years ago. Although I now resent and hate this library system, I do understand the policy. Non-city residents do not pay taxes that support the library, so they cut us off. They do allow us to buy a library card for $50 a year, which I declined; but I appreciate the offer.

 

So I understand and share Susan's frustration, but I understand why the library felt forced to do this.

 

The difference is that your library system did still offer the opportunity to get a card for $50. If you aren't much of a reader, then that's not worth it. But if you are someone who uses the library a lot, then $50 would pay for itself fairly quickly.

 

But WRL has refused to consider allowing out of city patrons borrowing privileges in return for an annual fee. And their statements make it seem that they are making some big concession by allowing non-residents to still come in and browse the library or use computers. An internet linkage isn't really where I'm hoping the bulk of my local and state library funding goes.

 

(I'm not directly impacted by the change, but my VA taxes do support some of the state funding that WRL gets. They don't seem to be suggesting that the 10-11% reduction in patrons will be matched by a reduction in state funding dollars.)

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I can understand librarians feeling that charging fees for those who are directly within the political/tax boundaries of a particular library system is discrimination.

 

But I don't see how it is a better public good to deny book lending to everyone living outside that zone rather than have it be financially out of reach of some. At least a fee based card for those living outside the city allow some families to prioritize their finances in a way that allows them continued access to book borrowing.

 

Not to bash librarians, who have been some of my best friends and greatest helpers, but they can bend towards idealism as a profession. It's one thing to say that a tax supported library should have free lending of books, or even free access to computers (though I would note that Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 on a coin operated library typewriter one dime at a time, but that's a bunny trail). It does seem to be a different thing (at least in my mind) to insist that there should be no fees associated with borrowing movies or movie passes. At some point, do these services move beyone the mission of a library? Or do they move into something that is better supported through a Friends of the Library group.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I wonder if the reason they don't want to do a fee based card is that they don't want to get into a discussion of how much that card might need to cost.

 

I did a back of the envelope calculation and based on the news articles, it would seem that they are collection between $60 and $96 per resident from the various entities that provide funding.

 

That doesn't include grants and state funding.

 

Of course they are going to have the same infrastruction costs and probably not have much reduction in employee costs by turning away the surrounding counties' residents.

 

At the same time they are giving up all potential revenues from fee based cards.

 

Sounds like a lovely topic for a Freedom of Information Act request. (Or maybe I'm just looking for something to take my mind off of house hunting around DC.)

 

And it does sort of sound like there has been a bit of a cat fight with York Co over continued funding. Do you have any idea if WRL approached Charles City Co about wanting them to make a similar contribution to the library system?

[Ritsumei]

Well, I'm way too far away to be doing anything useful, but I'll advertise on Facebook - there are a few of my friends in the area, I think!

[lcelmer]

Our library will only allow 2 books out for a given category, ie, Sacajawea, unless they are on hold from another branch.. I use Tapestry of Grace with 2 different levels, so I try to use the hold system alone..... :D

[christine in al]

As the mantra " cut taxes" gets louder and louder... why are people surprised when social services are cut? a public, free library IS a form of socialism. And I'm all for it.

 

this is a specific case. but in general. cut taxes>>>> get less...

 

now back to the regularly scheduled program

 

GO SUSAN!!!

[Sebastian (a lady)]

As the mantra " cut taxes" gets louder and louder... why are people surprised when social services are cut? a public, free library IS a form of socialism. And I'm all for it.

 

this is a specific case. but in general. cut taxes>>>> get less...

 

now back to the regularly scheduled program

 

GO SUSAN!!!

 

I'm not sure that the cut taxes = fewer services quite applies here. The patrons being eliminated weren't paying in tax support through their county (though their state taxes did contribute to the state funding that the regional library receives).

And they aren't protesting the change in access policy as much as the library's unwillingness to let them make up the difference by paying for a library card on an individual/family basis.

 

In other words, the library would rather forgo the funding they are offering, because it isn't coming in as a government funding source. That's what doesn't make sense.

[vonfirmath]

In other words, the library would rather forgo the funding they are offering, because it isn't coming in as a government funding source. That's what doesn't make sense.

 

It makes more sense when you realize there are other municipalties in the area that pay large amounts of $$ for their citizens to have access. If the library decided to allow pay per user, those municipalities may decide a better use of their funds would be to NOT pay the lump sum and instead decide to allow their individuals to pay per user if they wanted to use it

 

So they are looking at potentially losing out on money they are currently getting if they open this up. And I expect they do not think the $$ per user would cover the money they would lose.

[PinkTulip]

Just wishing all of you good luck tomorrow from across the country. I hope you prevail in getting their attention and causing them to reconsider!

[Laurie4b]

It makes more sense when you realize there are other municipalties in the area that pay large amounts of $$ for their citizens to have access. If the library decided to allow pay per user, those municipalities may decide a better use of their funds would be to NOT pay the lump sum and instead decide to allow their individuals to pay per user if they wanted to use it

 

So they are looking at potentially losing out on money they are currently getting if they open this up. And I expect they do not think the $$ per user would cover the money they would lose.

 

Maybe--but most areas in the country have a fee-per-person for out of cachement area users, so the fee system, which is what they are requesting, works just fine.

 

The other thing they have repeatedly requested is to be told *why* fees aren't allowed. The library board is refusing to answer that question, which is in itself, highly inappropriate for gov't officials not protecting state security, and which is deserving of a protest in and of itself.

[TN Mama]

Good luck today! Praying that your voices will be heard!

[vonfirmath]

Maybe--but most areas in the country have a fee-per-person for out of cachement area users, so the fee system, which is what they are requesting, works just fine. .

 

But do these other areas have local communities already paying them big bucks for their people to have access? I know King County allows Seattle users limited access because Seattle pays them some amount of money. I don't know if they have a fee-per-person system

 

San Antonio has a fee-per-person but does not have any other communities paying into the system.

[elegantlion]

Thinking of you today and wishing you well. My solidarity to "check out my library" has been thwarted by an ice storm and a pulled muscle in my neck. In lieu of that we are reading our library books today and will visit later in the week. May your voice be heard.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Maybe--but most areas in the country have a fee-per-person for out of cachement area users, so the fee system, which is what they are requesting, works just fine.

 

The other thing they have repeatedly requested is to be told *why* fees aren't allowed. The library board is refusing to answer that question, which is in itself, highly inappropriate for gov't officials not protecting state security, and which is deserving of a protest in and of itself.

 

:iagree: Yes, this is one of the parts I don't understand. The objection to fee for services as if that is some strange idea that is wholly unprecidented.

 

It is, for example, very common for someone who uses emergency services for a medical run to have their insurance company billed. It is even more common if there are memos of understanding where the EMS of one city provides care outside the city limits.

 

I haven't been in the Colonial/Tidewater area for about ten years, but I still own a house down there. So my state tax dollars have gone to support the WRL, probably based on funding applications that state how many patrons they serve.

 

On my to do list is to write my legislator and ask him to encourage the powers that be on the state level to move an appropriate amount of funding to the surrounding counties to support the creation of a library for their use. There is nothing I can do to force WRL to retain the patrons from surrounding counties. But they shouldn't be allowed to reduce the scope of whom they serve and still keep the same level of funding from statewide sources. If anything, I would argue that the rural residents of Charles City Co are far more in need, since they don't have much now in library options.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Just wishing all of you good luck tomorrow from across the country. I hope you prevail in getting their attention and causing them to reconsider!

 

When you all get back from the protest, don't forget to tell us how it went.

[ELaurie]

When you all get back from the protest, don't forget to tell us how it went.

 

Inquiring minds want to know . . . :001_smile:

[Susan Wise Bauer]

Well, we went, we protested, we handed out T-shirts and explained the issue to lots of people who hadn't heard about it, we checked out all of our favorite books for the last time. Mollie (from the PHP office) took pictures and I'll post some this week.

 

So how did it go? Well, the library director walked past us and didn't even acknowledge us; a reporter from the Gazette asked him questions and he would answer in front of us (he took the reporter back to his office); he wouldn't even look at me when he passed me in the hall. The library board was absent. Nothing changed.

 

My 14yo did say afterwards, "I think we did something really important." And I do to; sometimes you just have to point out an injustice over and over again even when you know it will do no good. We're going to try to keep the issue in the public eye until the Williamsburg board of supervisors appoints a new board.

 

If anyone wants a T-shirt, email the webmaster (webmaster@welltrainedmind.com). We have extras, and they're very cool. Send your address and size (s, m, l, xl). Just wear it to the library--any library.

 

 

SWB

Edited February 1, 2011 by Susan Wise Bauer

[dani3boys]

I will proudly wear the t-shirt to my public library!

[dangermom]

I'm so sorry you weren't acknowledged as you should have been. I have to say, that was a pretty cowardly move on their part. Yes, keep bringing it up--they're hoping you'll just go away!

[elegantlion]

All fires start with a spark. We read about Martin Luther King Jr. today and I reminded of this quote. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." This matters and someone was paying attention, even if it wasn't the ones you had hoped.

[TN Mama]

All fires start with a spark. We read about Martin Luther King Jr. today and I reminded of this quote. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." This matters and someone was paying attention, even if it wasn't the ones you had hoped.

 

:hurray:

[coffeefreak]

I'm excited to get a T-shirt! I was there in spirit. It's absolutely ridiculous to prevent a neighboring town/county from checking out library books. When our libraries split from Albuquerque's, I was VERY concerned ABQ would cut us off. Thankfully, they haven't and I just make special trips (a half hour away) once a week. We would be in a huge bind if they ever took our cards away. We feel for you!

 

Blessings!

Dorinda

[mazakaal]

I'm sorry that the director didn't even acknowledge you, but I'm sure lots of other people noticed. Hopefully you'll get a good write up in the Gazette. And I'm sure that your son learned a very valuable lesson from the whole experience about standing up for what you believe in. Wish I still lived there and could have been a part of it.

[Aunty Social]

I'm sorry the Director is being so unprofessional. For a leader of a public entity to refuse to answer or even acknowledge legitimate questions from the very public that he works for is ridiculous. Keep the issue in the public eye and maybe you'll at least get answers.

 

I'd love to wear a t-shirt around here and spread word of what is going on! Off to email.

[kalphs]

Well, we went, we protested, we handed out T-shirts and explained the issue to lots of people who hadn't heard about it, we checked out all of our favorite books for the last time. Mollie (from the PHP office) took pictures and I'll post some this week.

 

So how did it go? Well, the library director walked past us and didn't even acknowledge us; a reporter from the Gazette asked him questions and he would answer in front of us (he took the reporter back to his office); he wouldn't even look at me when he passed me in the hall. The library board was absent. Nothing changed.

 

My 14yo did say afterwards, "I think we did something really important." And I do to; sometimes you just have to point out an injustice over and over again even when you know it will do no good. We're going to try to keep the issue in the public eye until the Williamsburg board of supervisors appoints a new board.

 

If anyone wants a T-shirt, email the webmaster (webmaster@welltrainedmind.com). We have extras, and they're very cool. Send your address and size (s, m, l, xl). Just wear it to the library--any library.

 

 

SWB

:hurray:

Good job Susan and kids!

[Harriet Vane]

Well, we went, we protested, we handed out T-shirts and explained the issue to lots of people who hadn't heard about it, we checked out all of our favorite books for the last time. Mollie (from the PHP office) took pictures and I'll post some this week.

 

So how did it go? Well, the library director walked past us and didn't even acknowledge us; a reporter from the Gazette asked him questions and he would answer in front of us (he took the reporter back to his office); he wouldn't even look at me when he passed me in the hall. The library board was absent. Nothing changed.

 

My 14yo did say afterwards, "I think we did something really important." And I do to; sometimes you just have to point out an injustice over and over again even when you know it will do no good. We're going to try to keep the issue in the public eye until the Williamsburg board of supervisors appoints a new board.

 

If anyone wants a T-shirt, email the webmaster (webmaster@welltrainedmind.com). We have extras, and they're very cool. Send your address and size (s, m, l, xl). Just wear it to the library--any library.

 

 

SWB

 

Good for you. The unprofessional response really doesn't matter. Keep this issue in the public eye and let them squirm.

[Storm Bay]

We were thinking of you, and I told some of our librarians about it. Thanks so much for the t shirt offer; I just emailed you in case you have any left, since I'm a day late. I think you have a good plan and hope it succeeds.

[Halftime Hope]

I'm so sorry! Some people's children....

 

How nice if the director had stepped up, given you a handshake, and said, "We don't see eye to eye on this, but thank you for caring about this issue. Your passion for the libraries is heartwarming!"

 

I guess I'll retreat to teaching mine to be that kind of person.

 

Valerie

 

 

 

Well, we went, we protested, we handed out T-shirts and explained the issue to lots of people who hadn't heard about it, we checked out all of our favorite books for the last time. Mollie (from the PHP office) took pictures and I'll post some this week.

 

So how did it go? Well, the library director walked past us and didn't even acknowledge us; a reporter from the Gazette asked him questions and he would answer in front of us (he took the reporter back to his office); he wouldn't even look at me when he passed me in the hall. The library board was absent. Nothing changed.

 

My 14yo did say afterwards, "I think we did something really important." And I do to; sometimes you just have to point out an injustice over and over again even when you know it will do no good. We're going to try to keep the issue in the public eye until the Williamsburg board of supervisors appoints a new board.

 

If anyone wants a T-shirt, email the webmaster (webmaster@welltrainedmind.com). We have extras, and they're very cool. Send your address and size (s, m, l, xl). Just wear it to the library--any library.

 

 

SWB

[FO4UR]

This really stinks!

 

I'd be tempted to keep a few of those t-shirts for yourself and your dc as "school uniforms." Pack up your school things and sit in a VERY prominent spot in the library to do your schoolwork daily. That's not practical, I know...but...if I lived close enough I'd do this at least once a week.

[Tammyla]

I think you did the right thing for the right reasons, and that is always worth while.

 

Well, we went, we protested, we handed out T-shirts and explained the issue to lots of people who hadn't heard about it, we checked out all of our favorite books for the last time. Mollie (from the PHP office) took pictures and I'll post some this week.

 

So how did it go? Well, the library director walked past us and didn't even acknowledge us; a reporter from the Gazette asked him questions and he would answer in front of us (he took the reporter back to his office); he wouldn't even look at me when he passed me in the hall. The library board was absent. Nothing changed.

 

My 14yo did say afterwards, "I think we did something really important." And I do to; sometimes you just have to point out an injustice over and over again even when you know it will do no good. We're going to try to keep the issue in the public eye until the Williamsburg board of supervisors appoints a new board.

 

If anyone wants a T-shirt, email the webmaster (webmaster@welltrainedmind.com). We have extras, and they're very cool. Send your address and size (s, m, l, xl). Just wear it to the library--any library.

 

 

SWB

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Well, we went, we protested, we handed out T-shirts and explained the issue to lots of people who hadn't heard about it, we checked out all of our favorite books for the last time. Mollie (from the PHP office) took pictures and I'll post some this week.

 

So how did it go? Well, the library director walked past us and didn't even acknowledge us; a reporter from the Gazette asked him questions and he would answer in front of us (he took the reporter back to his office); he wouldn't even look at me when he passed me in the hall. The library board was absent. Nothing changed.

 

My 14yo did say afterwards, "I think we did something really important." And I do to; sometimes you just have to point out an injustice over and over again even when you know it will do no good. We're going to try to keep the issue in the public eye until the Williamsburg board of supervisors appoints a new board.

 

If anyone wants a T-shirt, email the webmaster (webmaster@welltrainedmind.com). We have extras, and they're very cool. Send your address and size (s, m, l, xl). Just wear it to the library--any library.

 

 

SWB

 

What is the next step? It sounds like they are determined to meet the goal of cutting the flow of information through books even to potential patrons who would be willing to pay for access to those lending materials.

 

It would have been a great opportunity for them to say that maybe if the counties sat down, some exchange of gov't money for access could be worked out. But that doesn't even seem to be their goal.

 

Hmm. Time for a big bake sale for that prospective Charles City Co Library?

[Sebastian (a lady)]

All fires start with a spark. We read about Martin Luther King Jr. today and I reminded of this quote. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." This matters and someone was paying attention, even if it wasn't the ones you had hoped.

 

I had a similar thought. We watched an outstanding presentation on the Woolworth lunch counter at the Museum of American History last weekend. It had me thinking about the number of changes set in motion by a handful of people who were willing to politely and persistently say that something was wrong.

 

I hope that the book reading residents of the counties surrounding Williamsburg will be able to eventually get across the idea that the level of restriction on book borrowing that they have set in place is too restrictive.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

This really stinks!

 

I'd be tempted to keep a few of those t-shirts for yourself and your dc as "school uniforms." Pack up your school things and sit in a VERY prominent spot in the library to do your schoolwork daily. That's not practical, I know...but...if I lived close enough I'd do this at least once a week.

 

Or gathering up a stack of the hot new best sellers and sitting in a corner with them to read them. (Am I revealing my inner bag lady tendencies?)

 

But I'm sure the library is counting on the fact that the folks who want a fee for service card are in fact busy people. The same reason that telling them they can read the books in the library isn't a solution makes it difficult to keep pressure on the library to change.

 

Are they also planning to restrict the summer reading program to residents only as well? That would be the sort of thing that would get our family's hackles up too, since it flies in the face of the pro-literacy and pro-reading stances that libraries ought to be in favor of.