Library Juice 3:35

Library Juice 3:35 - September 13, 2000 Contents: 1. Union Bugs 2. Alternative Library Literature, 1998/1999 3. New Book by Toni Samek 4. The WTO and Libraries 5. Inside the covers - excerpts from ALA Editions 6. Libraries - Community Resource for Environmental Information? 7. Dr. Laura show set to attack ALA 8. filteReality 9. Election tipsheet available online 10. Two Major Reports on Digital Preservation 11. New title additions to Ethnic Newswatch Database 12. Trials of a Para-Professional 13. Message from an Ethiopian librarian Quote for the week: "To tell the truth is revolutionary." - Antonio Gramsci Home page of the week: Darcy Sharman http://www.geocities.com/darcy_a_sharman/index.html ___________________________________________________________________________top 1. Union Bugs Draft Proposal for Inclusion of Union Label Description in Bibliographic and Archival Cataloging Guidelines by Lincoln Cushing http://www.sims.berkeley.edu/~lcush/UnionBug.htm This is a very interesting article about the history of union bugs (labels) in printing and guidelines and precendents for including them in catalog records. This is a draft; Lincoln is interested in getting feedback as he prepares the paper for publication. ___________________________________________________________________________top 2. Alternative Library Literature, 1998/1999 A Biennial Anthology Edited by Sanford Berman and James Danky [440]pp. $45 softcover (8 1/2 X 11) Illustrations, index ISBN 0-7864-0917-7 2000 "Libraries tout themselves as bastions of democracy. They're supposed to be accessible, egalitarian, and neutral - not peddling any one ideology or product, not shill for any particular class or party or world view" -- from Sanford Berman's "Talking the Talk and Walking he Walk." This highly acclaimed biennial ("the best of alternative library journalism" - Library Journal) provides a reminder of the roots of librarianship and a prod to a profession that has sometimes forgotten those principles. People/Work, Women, Censorship/Human Rights/Peace, Kids, Alternatives/ Service/Advocacy/Empowerment, Multiculturalism/Third World and Cyberspace/Virtual Libraries are the topics covered, with writings from Ron Chepesiuk, Simone Murray, Scott Walter and others. Famed Minnesota cataloger Sanford Berman and James P. Danky are also the authors of _Alternative Library Literature 1996/1997_ and _Alternative Library Literature 1994/1995_. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Box 611 Jefferson, NC 28640 To order, please call 1-800-253-2187 ___________________________________________________________________________top 3. New Book by Toni Samek Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility in American Librarianship, 1967-1974 Toni Samek Foreword by Sanford Berman [192]pp. $35 softcover Notes, references, appendix, index ISBN 0-7864-0916-9 2000 This work examines the controversies within the American Library Association over social responsibility and intellectual freedom during about seven critical years of ferment. Two recurring analytical themes are the concept of neutraily - which calls for libraries to possess collections representative of many points of view with no regard to the personal or moral opinions of librarians - and the question of intellectual freedom, which is provided for in the Library Bill of Rights and later interpretations. Beginning with an introduction that presents these opposing concepts, this work discusses the discord between the alternative press movement and library activists and chroniclesthe battle of a group of young American LIbrary Association members who changed the establishment. Also outlined is the evolution of the Library Bill of Rights and the debate concerning the ALA's professional jurisdiction and intellectual freedom that peaked in 1973. Toni Samek is assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta where she teaches in the area of information access. A member of the Canadian Library Association Advisory Committee on Intellectual Freedom, she also chairs the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Library Association of Alberta. She lives in Edmonton. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Box 611 Jefferson, NC 28640 To order, please call 1-800-253-2187 ___________________________________________________________________________top 4. The WTO and Libraries Despite the protests in Seattle, most people still don't know what the WTO is or what it is doing. Far from working for free trade, the WTO primarily works for the deregulation and privatization of economic activity on a global scale. Already, US laws have been overriden by WTO rules in hundreds of cases. As you may have heard, these are laws protecting health, the environment, and labor rights. But did you know that cultural services, like eduction and libraries, are also covered by WTO rules? It can be considered a "trade barrier" for a community to provide publically funded library service where an international company tries to offer a competing service on a for-profit basis (for example, electronic "library" services like e-books). There was a program at this summer's ALA conference discussing the implications of the WTO for libraries. American Libraries gave it a brief writeup, with the facetious title, "Are Libraries a barrier to free trade?" <http://www.ala.org/alonline/news/acwrap00.html#freetrade> IFLA came out with a strong statement against these WTO rules before the Seattle meeting. [ See their position paper at http://www.ifla.org/III/clm/p1/pos-wto.htm ] The Canadian Library Association also released a strong anti-WTO statement. After the meeting, ALA followed suit, alerted by Social Responsibilities Round Table members. Here is the resolution passed by ALA Council at the last midwinter meeting: Resolution on World Trade Organization Policies Affecting Libraries Whereas IFLA and the Canadian Library Association (CLA) have taken very similar strong positions regarding new World Trade Organization (WTO) proposals affecting libraries; And whereas the national delegates to the November 1999 WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle were unable to proceed due to large-scale protests mobilized by a wide coalition of environmental, labor, religious, professional, and civil society organizations; And whereas ALA sent a delegate to the WTO meeting but had no official position; And whereas the WTO negotiates in secret and excludes popular participation; And whereas the WTO proposals could have dramatic negative effects on publicly supported libraries as explained in the IFLA and CLA position statements; Therefore be it resolved that ALA endorses the IFLA WTO position statement; Be It Further Resolved that ALA will work in coalition with other organizations as identified by the International Relations Committee to protect libraries within the WTO context. Be It Further Resolved that this resolution be communicated to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and to the Canadian Library Association (CLA). Moved by Al Kagan, SRRT Councilor Seconded by Mark Rosenzweig, Councilor at Large ___________________________________________________________________________top 5. Inside the covers - excerpts from ALA Editions Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2000 01:00:35 +1200 From: "Alistair Kwun" <ak698[at]free.net.nz> To: "New Librarians" <newlib-l[at]usc.edu> Subject: [website] Inside the covers - excerpts from ALA editions Here is a link to excerpts from recently published ALA books. Some chapters require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. http://www.ala.org/editions/openstacks/insidethecovers/index.html Regards Alistair Kwun Acquisitions Dept University of Auckland Library Pirvate Bag 92019 Auckland 1000 New Zealand ___________________________________________________________________________top 6. Libraries - Community Resource for Environmental Information? AN INVITATION to participate in Libraries - Community Resource for Environmental Information? Exploring Public Access To Environmental Information A Dialogue Via the Internet [at] http://www.network-democracy.org/epa September 18 - September 29, 2000 You are invited to participate in an online Dialogue that will explore how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can best work with libraries to increase public access to environmental information. Emphasis will be on how to improve the scope and utility of electronic information. Guiding the discussion will be our moderator, Steve Curwood, producer of the National Public Radio program, "Living on Earth." The Dialogue will be structured around an online panel of experts including: Howard Fox, Science & Social Science Department, Seattle Public Library; Fred Stoss, Associate Librarian, Science and Engineering Library, State University of New York at Buffalo; Paul Orem, Working Group on Community Right to Know; Velma Smith, Legal Environmental Assistance Fund; Judy Duncan, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality; Jamie Conrad, American Chemical Council; Patricia Eklund, Mayor of Novato, California, and Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network. Panelists and participants will address the following set of questions: - What environmental information does the community want? - Where is this information available - at the EPA or from state or local sources? Is it currently available on the Web or in print? - What can libraries do to assist citizens seeking environmental information? What information do they currently receive about EPA activities, how do they receive it and can it be better organized for easy public use? - How can public libraries be more effective in helping members of the community get environmental information? - What could EPA do to help libraries provide environmental information to the public through the Internet? How might the EPA web site be a more useful resource? - Other questions that arise throughout the Dialogue discussion. Results: A summary report will be shared across EPA and used as a basis for deciding whether to pursue the concept of developing partnerships with libraries. If Dialogue participants endorse the idea that librarians can serve as a bridge to communities for environmental data and information, then the Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation will seek partners for a diverse set of pilot projects. Active Dialogue participants are likely to play a role in these pilots. How the Dialogue works: The discussion is not conducted in real time. People can participate at their convenience. The typical participant will spend about thirty minutes a day reading messages, reviewing background materials and drafting comments. To participate, simply register at the Dialogue Website: http://www.network-democracy.org/epa For more information: Send e-mail to Patricia Bonner, U.S. EPA: bonner.patricia[at]epa.gov, or to Information Renaissance:laurie[at]info-ren.org, or call 1-888-638-5323. Host: Information Renaissance B Manager: The Environmental Law Institute Sponsor: The United States Environmental Protection Agency ___________________________________________________________________________top 7. Dr. Laura show set to attack ALA Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2000 11:14:04 -0400 (EDT) From: Frederick W Stoss <fstoss[at]acsu.buffalo.edu> To: SRRTAC-l[at]ala.org, TFOE[at]listhost.CIESIN.org, STS-L[at]LISTSERV.UTK.EDU, member-forum[at]ala.org Subject: [MEMBER-FORUM:1840] Dr. Laura (fwd) ALA Members, Friends, Colleagues, You might want to route this around to other lists. Dr. Laura is going to use her war against ALA to market her new TV show. ALA is going to generate BIG bucks. We better get used to the facts: ALA is going to be her punching bag until her listners and now viewers tell her to stop or until the money she is reaping dwindles. The other day my mother-in-law and sister-in-law pointed out to me that the Good Dr. Laura was criticizing ALA ("I hope YOU are not a member of that group... ") for it position on supporting laws that prevent parents from seeing the library circulation records of their children. Read on... Fred ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2000 10:27:53 -0400 From: Francis Kayiwa <kayiwa[at]ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU> Reply-To: SILS Students discussion list <UBMLS-L[at]LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU> To: UBMLS-L[at]LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU Subject: Dr. Laura >From ALAOIF: >From the Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO) this morning: ing: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/0906libs2.shtml ___________________________________________________________________________top 8. filteReality http://www.crosswinds.net/~filtereality/ A Note From the Author (Brian Smith, of "The Laughing Librarian" fame) For librarians in the United States, the big question about Internet filtering is (or at least ought to be) this: What uses of filtering software are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution? filteReality is intended to be used as a tool by librarians, library board members, and others who seek reliable information about the constitutional implications of using Internet filtering software in public libraries. The main message of this site may be boiled down to the following argument: -The U.S. Constitution requires governmental bodies to use sensitive procedural tools when placing regulations on expression based on its subject matter. -Commercially-produced Internet filtering software does not qualify as a sufficiently sensitive tool. -Therefore, a public library cannot legally require users of its Internet computers to go through commercial filtering software which blocks access to one or more categories of subject matter. I arrived at this conclusion through honest investigation; I did not just seek out data to support a position I already held. When I began working in a public library in July 1998, I was fairly neutral on the issue of libraries using filtering software to block pornographic websites; I'm sure I wouldn't have been opposed to requiring filtered access for children. As I read up on the matter, however, I noticed that a lot of the "facts" from pro-filter activists were false or misleading. Newspaper articles and research findings were misrepresented. Statements from anti-filter activists and librarians were taken out of context or misquoted. Important holdings of courts were ignored. Irrelevant issues (e.g., the Columbine High School killings) were brought into the discussion for their emotional impact. While I examined much of the pro- and anti-filter literature, did some testing of a popular filtering product, and read a stack of Supreme Court opinions on free expression, I came to realize that filtering advocates need to rely on bad information because there is so little good information -- factual, accurate, and authoritative -- which supports the position that libraries should use filtering software to prevent users from viewing pornographic websites. While anti-filter voices do occasionally misinform, the core case against the required use of pornography filters by libraries is pretty solid. Why should you believe what I say about any of this? You shouldn't. Read the filteReality site: the position statement, the excerpts from Supreme Court opinions, the refutation of inaccurate statements about libraries and filters. Read the resources that filteReality cites. Discuss the issues with other people. Use your brain. If filteReality is wrong about something, tell me about it. I intend to correct any factual error or substantive omission brought to my attention. If given a good reason -- for example, if the Supreme Court indicates that using a commercially produced, secret blacklist is an acceptable method for denying access to a designated public forum -- I'll even change my and filteReality's position. ___________________________________________________________________________top 9. Election tipsheet available online Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2000 10:09:43 -0500 From: "Beatrice Calvin" <bcalvin[at]ala.org> To: <AMind[at]ala.org>, <CSKTFMEM[at]ala.org>, <ECAUCUS[at]ala.org>, <interGEN[at]ala.org>, <library-lit[at]ala.org>, <OLOSADV[at]ala.org>, <OLOSCHRS[at]ala.org>, <OLOSPOOR[at]ala.org>, <OUTREACH[at]ala.org> Subject: [OLOSPOOR:334] Election tipsheet available online Election tipsheet available online A new tipsheet focusing on the role that libraries play in fostering an informed electorate. is now available online at http://www.ala.org/kranich/librariesandelections. Called "Smart voting starts @ your library," the tipsheet was developed as part of ALA President Nancy Kranich's presidential initiative, Libraries: The Cornerstone of Democracy. The tipsheet suggests how libraries can showcase their role in educating people about voting and civic participation. The booklet includes examples of what libraries around the country are doing to promote civic involvement, ideas for programs and publicity, how library issues can be promoted during this election season and beyond, and an extensive resource list for both children and adults, including Web sites, books, videos and CD-Roms. Librarians are encouraged to use the publication to help develop displays, programs, services or events leading up to the national election in November. "Libraries are the cornerstone of democracy. They are part of the American dream," says Kranich. "They are a place for education and self-help and are centers for civic discourse. They enhance citizen participation in our democratic processes. Libraries offer people young and old the opportunity to become better informed about the issues of the day, about candidates running for office and the electoral and political system. This tipsheet is designed to help libraries spread that important message." The tipsheet is available while supplies last from the ALA Public Information Office. Libraries only will be charged for bulk shipping. The tipsheet also was an insert in the August issue of American Libraries magazine. For more information, please call 800-545-2433, ext. 5041/5044 or send an e-mail to pio[at]ala.org. Beatrice Calvin, Communications Officer ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services 50 E. Huron St. Chicago, IL 60611 Toll-Free: 800/545-2433 ext. 4280 Direct: 312/280-4280 E-Mail: bcalvin[at]ala.org http://www.ala.org/hrdr http://www.ala.org/olos ___________________________________________________________________________top 10. Two Major Reports on Digital Preservation -----Original Message----- From: owner-acqnet-l[at]listproc.appstate.edu [mailto:owner-acqnet-l[at]listproc.appstate.edu] On Behalf Of ELEANOR COOK Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2000 06:56 To: acqnet-l[at]listproc.appstate.edu Subject: ACQNET: Two Major Reports on Digital Preservation [Ed. Note: This posting was received by ACQNET on 8-30-00] Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 13:54:22 -0400 From: Gerry Mckiernan (Iowa State U.) <GMCKIERN[at]gwgate.lib.iastate.edu> Subject: Two Major Reports on Digital Preservation _Two Major Reports on Digital Preservation_ I recently learned about two major reports relating to the issues surrounding digital preservation and believe that they will be of interest to my web colleagues. The first of these was prepared by Gail Hodge of Information International Associates on behalf of the International Council for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI) [http://www.icsti.org/ ]. The publication, _Digital Electronic Archiving: The State of the Art and the State of the Practice_ was published in April 1999. It is accessible at the following addresses: http://www.icsti.org/icsti/whats_new.html http://www.icsti.org/icsti/99ga/digarch99_TOCP.pdf [Table of Contents] http://www.icsti.org/icsti/99ga/digarch99_ExecP.pdf [Executive Summary] http://www.icsti.org/icsti/99ga/digarch99_MainP.pdf [Main Report] The second is a report prepared by a committee for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and provides recommendations on the digital preparedness and the Library of Congress in collecting and preserving digital resources. A general summary of the report recently appeared in the New York Times on July 27 2000 "Saving The Nation's Digital Legacy" / by Katie Hafner ( http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/07/circuits/articles/27libr.html ) http://www.nap.edu/books/0309071445/html/ Regards Alistair Kwun Acquisitions Dept University of Auckland Library Pirvate Bag 92019 Auckland 1000 New Zealand ___________________________________________________________________________top 11. New title additions to Ethnic Newswatch Database ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2000 12:02:57 -0400 From: Portia Diaz-Martin <pdiaz[at]ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU> Reply-To: UB Libraries Distribution List <UBLIB-L[at]LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU> Dear Colleagues, The following list are SoftLine Information new title additions to the Ethnic NewsWatch Database (http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/ugl/e-resources/ethnic.html/) African American Magazine: A bi-monthly publication that focuses on the areas of educational and economic empowerment. Afro-Americans in New York Life and History: A bi-annual journal that publishes analytical, historical, and descriptive articles dealing with African Americans in New York State. Alberta Sweetgrass: The Aboriginal Newspaper of Alberta: Showcases the Aboriginal people, places and events across Alberta. Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine: Black Atlanta's leading source for relevant, thought provoking news and information on business, careers, technology, wealth-building, politics and education. Black Issues Book Review: The only large circulation forum solely devoted to critical discussion of fiction by black authors and non-fiction on topics related to the culture and politics of the African Diaspora. Black Parenting Today: Informative features on topics of interest to parents and caretakers of African American children. Buffalo Spirit: Created to inform, educate and create discussion regarding native culture and a spiritual way of life. Chicago Defender: One of the only African American daily newspapers in the country and one of the most historically influential. ColorLines Magazine: A national, multi-racial news magazine on race, culture and action, devoted to covering the politics and creations of communities of color. Country Road Chronicles: A monthly news magazine, Cherokee-Creek owned and operated, celebrating a natural alternative of living, honoring Mother Earth and Native American life. El Andar: A national magazine that publishes the best writing and visual journalism for and about Latinos in North America. Indian Report: Published quarterly by The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), focuses entirely on American Indian, native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian issues. Oklahoma Indian Times: The only inter-tribal Indian newspaper of its kind Oklahoma. Race, Gender and Class: an inter-disciplinary and multicultural journal on race, gender and class published by the Southern University at New Orleans. Raven's Eye: The Aboriginal Newspaper of British Columbia and Yukon: Provides news and information for the Aboriginal people of British Columbia and the Yukon and serves as a unify force for all people in British Columbia that have been a connection with Aboriginal people and Aboriginal culture. Saskatchewan Sage: The Aboriginal Newspaper of Saskatchewan: Features the Aboriginal news, information and entertainment of Saskatchewan. Take Pride! Community: A weekly news publication, provides interesting and enlightening stories about health, entertainment, education, the arts, spirituality, technology, news events, and profiles positive role models and people who found success in all walks of life. Windspeaker: Canada's National Aboriginal News Source: A source for Aboriginal news, information and entertainment. Enjoy! *************************************************************************** Portia Diaz-Martin Instruction/Reference Librarian Undergraduate Library 109 Capen Hall 645-2943 ext. 236 pdiaz[at]acsu.buffalo.edu ___________________________________________________________________________top 12. Trials of a Para-Professional by Judy Hadley [Editor's note - I recently picked up a copy of _Revolting Librarians_, Celeste West and Elizabeth Katz, eds., Booklegger Press, 1972, and was happy to see an anti-copyright notice on the inside. The articles are mostly extremely dated, though, and not really usable in Library Juice. The article below is an exception. It discusses the situation of paraprofessionals in an academic library, and most of the observations seem true today.] It looks like a fortress, but the sign on the Roman brick wall reads "Library." Students flood through the turnstiles to each of the university departmental libraries which are staffed by a hierarchy of professionals, p*a*r*a*-professionals and student assistnats. All together, but not so together.... All equally responsible for public service; all unequal in most other respects. What is it like to enter into this blobocracy as paraprofessionals? (A blobocracy is a system wherein foreign bodies are caustically digested and diffused long before they have a chance to become effective or to make waves. See "The Blobocracy Blight," Albert Shapero, _Innovation_, May, 1971) We are expected to become invisible and to do our jobs without complaint, question, or creativity. It will go better for us if we do, since very few of the "professionals" are interested in new ideas, and suggestions are often passed off with a comment that that's not what we are here for. Or they may say that the proposal is simply idealistic. Somehow the term "idealistic" has taken on the connotation of wild, irresponsible abandon and even sounds like a dirty word. The best thing for one's sanity then is to remain silent, take whatever money is left after taxes and retirement - and run. Nonetheles, certain emotional responses are evoked among us, such as: anger, outrage, resentment, hostility, frustration, anxiety and hopelessness. The disease of pessimism is rampant. Library assisstants, as paraprofssionals were called beforet he Greek prefix became fashionable, begin to take on schizoid tendencies, being caught between the strict definitions of professional duties and sympathy for the students we are to commandeer. Library assistants are asked to make decisions of a professional nature and receive neither a salary commensurate with the amount of time spent in public service nor - most important - a voice in the policies which govern the areas of their responsibilities. All this with few words of encouragement. Oh yes, occassionally someone will remark: "What would we ever do without the paraprofessionals?" (speaking as if there were no one in the room.) What would they do indeed, for the truth is that these personnel are absolutely indispensible. There will never be any budget allotment large enough to replace them with professional librarians. And as no librarian worthy of that title would ever touch a typewriter with any frequency, the ever-inundating mounds of paperwork must make their circular course through the hands of the minions. Paperwork and public service without much remuneration, voice, or recognition is the trip. We are expected to find solace in the *self*-recognition of a job well done. Now, one may know whether or not he is doing his job up to the expectation of his job description, but unless he is given an occassional word of encouragement, morale may plummet, thus casuing the onset of Parkinson's Law. Certainly, the idea of a self-regulating, self-evaluating kind of employee is desireable, but this becomes increasingly difficult when the only comments made about the quality of work produced occur when an error has been made. That a definite pecking order exists is witnessed by the manner in which student assistants are handled. These employees are *really* invisible, from the very beginning of their employment. Their status has always been sketchily defined, owing it is said, to their transient nature. One might well look into the reasons for this transiency other than for those of graduation and transfers. One would think that the purpose of a university and all its facilities is to serve the students and that to withhold from them what is rightfully theirs, namely visibility, is in error. Until recently, students were salaried far below the federal minimum wage scale. When budget cuts are necessary, the first economizing measure is usually that of shortening student hours. Student employees are caught between the forces of federal work/study regulations, the library budget pay restrictions, and the demands of the civil service paraprofessionals and professional staff. Some say the students have an easy job of it. But who could put up with a job for very long that ocnsists of tedious shelving, the reading of the collection, filing, typing and taking charge of the reference desks four to five hours daily? There is no question of their absolute necessity, but they are treated as though they were being granted a great favor. The students are also conveniently blamed for everyone else's mistakes. This is easy to do because they are often inadequately trained in the work assigned to them, and can provide handy scapegoats for others' frustrations and inadequacies. The library in general suffers from "The Communication Thing." This is a subject that has been talked to death without anything ever being done about it. It is ironical that the library should do its best to withhold information from its employees, apparently expecting any developments to be picked up at coffee breaks or on the underground wireless. (One's coffee breaks would be presumed to be one's own in any case.) This is partly due to the lack of an organized meeting for all strata of employees. Of course the professional staff have their departmentalized meetings from whence all bits of information may or may not flow. But there is no provision for others to share information except catch-as-catch can. Occasional meetings on all staff levels would be valuable if only on a comparative basis. As it now stands, none of the dpartmental libraries have any idea as to how the floor above them or below them is operated. Thus, constant idle speculations are made as to how much or how little a particular floor is producing. After this rather negative critique, it might be asked: why stay in such a frustrating atmosphere? Many people stay (although the paraprofessional turnover rate is not all that *low*) because they simply need the money and because the matter of job security is usually settled after a probation period. Others stay because they sincerely believe that conditions can be better and that the more than one-third of their lives spent in paid employement can be more rewarding. Besides, library work in itslef is vital and dealing with the public can be a crazy, funny, detective-story trip. Leaving the library is like leaving this country simply because you disagree with some things that are wrong with it, instead of staying and trying to make changes. The question also has to be put that if one wants a real voice in library affairs, why not get a library degree and then become a really acceptable part of academia? But should a paraprofessional have to change status in order to relieve frustration? One should be able to be what he is at the time to achieve satisfaction; when the time comes to do otherwise, a change can be made. And can there really be any guarantee that things will be different with a different title - as some problems touch all staff members? Wouldn't it be running away from one set of problems to another? People I know who have left this scene in order to found a more ideologically and emotionally meaningful library at the core of community life (an almost-free, grass-roots library employing all the available media) are having an equally difficult time funding the project and integrating a number of divergent philosophies. There aren't any guarenteed remedies, but some suggestions might be made in order to make working as a paraprofessional more satisfactory. One proposal is for one set of rules that are recognized by every staff member. When a regulation is set down and then flagrantly ignored by one's superiors, the undermining of thta organization's authority has begun. No one has the right to lay down laws and then break them. Either the law must be lifted, or the legislator must respect his own rules. Library administrators must accept the responsibilities of management. Just being a librarian in a library is not enough to give one an automatic set of credentials with which to deal with management problems. Complications in an organization must be met squarely in terms of one's role as manager and not only as librarian. Civil service paraprofessionals have begun to realize their sizable group pressure strength and should begin to exert that prssure in a responsible manner without being afraid of it. Here, we have recently learned that among formidable opponents are the state legislature and the university administration. It is the responsibility of each civil servant to make sure that he is adequately represented at the state level and to demand a voice in university affairs. University civil servants are trapped in a nether world between faculty and students and are, at present, merely 8-to-5 onlookers. It's time for the entire library to take a look at where it's going as well as where it's been. Will the library be more, or less accomodating to undergraduate students? Is there any chance that the library could become the vital cultural center of the campus, or will it remain an isolated study area? Surely, the questions of goals might be decided as a joint effort on the part of the entire staff. This effort might even produce a more important side-effect: unity. As it now stands, disunity is one of the most pressing problems in this organization. Librarians are convinced that no other stratum could possily share the same interests. Civil service personnel are highly suspicious of the professional staff, accuse them of elitism. Student assistants are sure that everyone thinks they are cretins. Here, an attempt at a staff association has been started, but without much success. The publication of a staff newsletter has been received with mixed reviews. It would seem that until each group is willing to drop some of its defenses and stereotypes and really decide it's time to work for changes in the interests of all, not much will be accomplished in this area. Probably none of this might have been so apparent or important if one could keep sharpened the very most important piece of equipment for a paraprofessional position - a keen sense of the absurd. Alas, there's not a spare moment to hone. ___________________________________________________________________________top 13. Message from an Ethiopian librarian Subject: Message from Higemedhin Hadera(Mekelle University To: ProgLib[at]listbot.com From: raimund.dehmlow[at]aekn.de Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 09:02:28 +0200 Progressive Librarians Around the World - http://www.germany.net/teilnehmer/100/115158/adresse.htm FYI ----- Weitergeleitet von Raimund Dehmlow/AEK Niedersachsen am 11.09.00 09:02 ----- "ISWICII" <muc.iswIcii[at]telecom.net.et> An: <raimund.dehmlow[at]aekn.de> Kopie: Thema: Message from Higemedhin Hadera(Mekelle University 10.09.00 06:13 Dear Raymond Dehmelow, Greetings from Mekelle University. I found your address in the Link Newsletter. I am chief Librarian of Mekelle University. It is a young university established in the drought stricken and poorest part of Ethiopia.Ever since its establishment it has been initiating and involving various academic , research and development activities that can change the livelihoods of the rural poor and fight poverty. The Library and Documentation Center, like its parent institution; has been streamlining its services towards this end. The library profession has to lend a hand to all academic and development endeavors of the university in particular and the country at large. I am devising a project proposal for a visibility study and subsequent startup of community based mini rural libraries (Resources Centers) built and furnished with low cost local material and a collection of local publications, donated books and refurbished old computers. I think you have better information and connection on such and related issues. Therefore , I kindly ask your esteemed institution to provide me with addresses of donors and any thing written on such topics, ongoing projects any other issues concerning libraries and Librarians. My Postal address Higemedhin Hadera Head, Library and Documenation Center Mekelle University P.O. Box 231 Mekelle, Ethiopia Mekelle.University[at]telecom.net.et Looking forward to hear from you soon. Respectfully, Higemedhin Hadera Head, Library and Documentation Center ___________________________________________________________________________top L I B R A R Y J U I C E | http://libr.org/Juice/ | | Library Juice is supported by a voluntary subscription | fee of $10 per year, variable based on ability and | desire to pay. You may send a check payable in US funds | to Rory Litwin, at PO Box 720511, San Jose, CA 95172 | | Original material and added value in Library Juice | is copyright-free; beyond that the publisher makes | no guarantees. Library Juice is a free weekly | publication edited and published by Rory Litwin. | Original senders are credited wherever possible; | opinions are theirs. 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