Shalom, Over the past 25 years I was fortunate to meet and talk with many librarians in Jewish libraries. As the number of patrons or visitors is reduced, librarians are trying attract people to the library by offering more programs than ever before. Some say: “If Barnes and Noble offers coffee we can do the same”, others create programs with speakers, movies, children activities etc. It goes without saying that refreshments are served. If there is no near by kitchen they need one. When one librarian is doing the job of two people he/she, like Evan, eat at their desk, sink and refrigerator and even a microwave oven are helpful. This is my answer to my dear friend Andrea, about a need for a sink in the work-room. We always offered programs, but we are forced to increase their number. The other question is what is the message to our supervisors ? Librarians are replaced by non-professionals b/c centers and synagogues leaders see them as program directors not as librarians. Librarians are struggling with their efforts to juggle between the two. In one local library children were given candies for just stopping by while another public library desperate manager offered a program that has nothing to do with literacy or books. Jewish Community Centered offer programs with no Jewish contents so the library steps in and spends the staff time and money on Jewish programs. I suggest to librarians to update your mission statement to reflect their priorities, but I am asking you for your opinion. What is the role of the librarian in a synagogue or center library ? I am all for programs as long as the it does leaves the librarian time for collection development, research and reference services and cataloging. Am I alone ? Hag sameah Amalia
Amalia Warshenbrot Former Executive Director Levine-Sklut Judaic Library & Resource Center Charlotte NC Email: [email protected] Phone: 704-365-3313 From: Linda Silver Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 1:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ha-Safran] Library Design My experience in different types and sizes of libraries has taught me that “amenities” such as sinks, refrigerators, and microwave ovens are unnecessary expenses. Having to walk to a different part of the building to use, for example, the sink is a plus. It gets the librarian out of the library now and then and into areas where she/he can interact with other staff members. In fact, I think that the larger the back room or work room area of a library is, the more temptation there is to store things that should be thrown out and to clutter up the space unnecessarily. Linda R. Silver 3729 Meadowbrook Blvd. University Heights, OH 44118 [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [email protected] To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: [email protected] Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list [email protected] https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [email protected] To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: [email protected] Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list [email protected] https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
