Hi all
A long term lurker I thought I would finally post and hopefully be able to answer any questions on public libraries have been one for over 30 years. I’m also highly skilled in the digital world that public libraries inhabit. Currently recovering from a bad car accident but have enjoyed OzBargain and got some good deals so thank you.
How many of you use your local public library ?
Ask away.
What's ur salary?
How does not enough sound 😊
What are your thoughts on Scihub and Libgen as free and open scientific knowledge hubs? Is it still right for libraries to pay hundreds of thousands in annual licensing fees to have access to gated content from IE Elselvier when the research was originally tax payer funded anyway?
As someone in their late 20s who hasn't been to a library since primary school days, what new services do you believe would be the draw for me to visit the library that I wouldn't be already paying for and enjoying in the privacy of my own home?
Not OP but the trick is the 'paying for'… you might be paying for similar services but if you use digital library services, you can get a lot of those same things for free in the privacy of your own home. Eg. ebooks, audiobooks, etc.
108gtechnerd 9 min ago
Hi Mrcherry
I will make some assumptions here so forgive me if I get it wrong
If you are an avid reader I will assume you buy books either in ebook form or from a bookshop. Public libraries do this for free if you are a member.
Many libraries offer classes to help you learn and discover for example 3D printing and virtual reality.
If a library does not have what you want they will use what we call the inter library loan service and get it for you from another library in Australia.
Check out your local council website which will direct you to your library website you will be surprised. Spending 5 mins to check it out will allow you to see if it’s for you
How much do you get paid?
Used to go to the library a lot, then I moved to a house that wasn't near one, now as of this year I'm back in walking distance to a library and I'm back borrowing heaps of comics.
I'm constantly putting things on hold, which costs 80c per hold. If my amount owing creeps up over $10 (meaning I can't borrow), I pay it off, but if it's still sitting under $10 in December, I get it waived by donating a can in the can amnesty.
This might be a regional thing - Brisbane libraries encourage you to return overdue books and simultaneously have your outstanding fees waived during the can amnesty. Return your overdue books+a can of food and your fees go away.
Would you say I'm misusing the can amnesty? I'm knowingly incurring hold fees, and the can amnesty seemingly has the primary goal of reclaiming lost books. I never keep books till they're overdue - I'm just making the librarians do labour for me in getting my books then avoiding the fees by donating a can. Are the librarians waiving my fees just being polite or deep down are they thinking 'this jerk should pay for the services we're performing!'
It depends on each library most librarians I know don’t like fines but we have to do what our parent bodies tell us eg if council says impose fines the library has to mount a business case to get this changed.
I won’t comment on the can amnesty question as the crux of it is books come back tinned food goes to charity a win win in my view
What sort of comics does your library have?
A lot! They have an adult graphic novel section as well as a younger readers section. Lately I've been reading Preacher and Dorohedoro. Previously I used the library to read 20th Century Boys and Sandman. It's great for really long series that I wouldn't want to buy/store on my shelf. Next on my list is Akira.
Also recently I was That Guy and actually put in a request for the library to purchase Mob Psycho 100 and they added it to the catalogue! Magic!
There's also a digital eBooks thing called RBdigital that has a lot of old Marvel comics, but I haven't really gotten into that as much.
Nice! I'll have to check my locals, haven't read comics for years since Sandman.
Hi Mrcherry
I will make some assumptions here so forgive me if I get it wrong
If you are an avid reader I will assume you buy books either in ebook form or from a bookshop. Public libraries do this for free if you are a member.
Many libraries offer classes to help you learn and discover for example 3D printing and virtual reality.
If a library does not have what you want they will use what we call the inter library loan service and get it for you from another library in Australia.
Check out your local council website which will direct you to your library website you will be surprised. Spending 5 mins to check it out will allow you to see if it’s for you
You need to hit 'reply' on the comment you are replying to, or the person won't be notified that you've answered their question. And the thread becomes super hard to read.
Why are the opening times for libraries so rubbish?
My local library only opens 12-3pm on the weekend, and it's packed! They have to kick all the kids and elderly people out at closing time.
The new Green Square Library in Sydney isn't even open on Sundays! WTF?
May I suggest you write to the council that manages your library pointing out your concerns if the voices are loud enough you may well see change.
It comes down to budgetary issues simply put libraries get an allocation to cover staffing costs for the year and that is what they have to work with.
When a new library opens the usage will be reviewed normally to see after a few months if change is needed. If council does an annual survey of its residents make sure your concerns are on the survey that’s one mechanism to request change.
Is the opening scene in Ghostbusters a libraians worst nightmare? Is it spoken about and used as a running joke to break the ice amongst colleagues?
Why aren't council libraries quiet ? What is the need to encourage activities for kids ? Its a library FFS. I want some peace to do reading.
Hi
This question comes up many times. Libraries cater to all ages from 0 to 99 but in saying that we try to be respectful of the needs of all users. In one library I worked in there was a quiet reading area at the opposite end of the kids areas and this worked well. There is an issue with literacy with young children and the state government in QLD Has injected significant funding into a programme called first 5 forever which is designed to develop a love of reading and thereby helping to improve literacy with the 0 to 5 years so when they start at pre school they can read, this assists them with their schooling. By nature kids can be noisy
The days of libraries being silent and librarians going shhh are long gone and rightfully so. This will surprise people but going to the library is as popular as going to the movies.
We want lifelong library users and it’s starts with kids. O and for the record I’m 61 so I do empathise with where you are coming from with your question.
Libraries are dynamic vibrant community spaces for all age groups where you can borrow resources, learn a new skill, discover something different and have fun
I use my local library very regularly. If I ever want a book or dvd they get it in for me. I love no late fees and ordering online. They just have my books etc all sitting there waiting for me.
One of my friends is a librarian and worked in suburban Sydney. She said a lot of people would use the library as a free after school care situation but she would never let her kids wander around the library by themselves as some very strange people hang out there. Flashers etc. Do you have these issues at work?
Do you judge people by their book choices? I have eclectic taste and usually go to the big library in my city centre but I remember a comment by a libriarian in the small village where I live who said you wouldn't believe some of the weird bloodthirsty murder books all the local old people borrow.
Hi
Great to see you are a regular user. As to your Sydney friend many libraries will have policies about unaccompanied children under a certain age and yes we are not a child care facility but often it’s the only place that is safe for the kids whilst mom dashes off to do something.
Regrettably as society is changing there is the need in some libraries for security staff to be permanently in the library and they roam around keeping an eye on things.
I don’t judge people on their choices that’s their business my job is to help you find what You need but sometimes it’s challenging to keep a straight face lol
Have you ever caught anyone doing anything naughty in a library? Have you ever done anything naughty in a library?
Cheeky question lol
I haven’t but I am aware of librarians catching teenagers in the act.
I should add in a library it was doing the naughty act lol
I once stuck chewing gum under the table and I didn't get caught
Maybe on the same vein, any staff members over the years who go for the "sexy librarian" look? If that really is a thing at all?
Even if they don't actually do anything per se, but just follow that stereotype.
Most of us wear smart uniforms with colourful shirts promoting the library. Lol I’m not sure what the stereotype is now we’ve worked so hard to get away from the old middle aged horned rim glasses hair in a bun.
I once dated a librarian, she lived upto the stereotype
Do you think libraries as we know it will still exist in 10, 20 years time?
wiki says that visitations are on the rise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trends_in_library_usage
will it become a government funded free electricity/internet service?
Hi happirt
Libraries are free for residents of their area. It’s legislated that core library services must be free. Most libraries provide free access to the internet for example.
Libraries will still be around in 50 years or more. In what form that’s the exciting bit no one knows.
Can you eat in library?
It depends on each library many new ones have cafes integrated into the library which is great
What is the best way to find junior fiction that is age or reading level appropriate? My son, now 8, has always loved reading, but it takes hours to find a handful of books that seem appropriate for his age/level.
Ask the school librarian for guidance - they can be very helpful.
Depending on his reading level he'd probably like series' such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Treehouse series, Roald Dahl and David Walliams.
Hi
First thing ask the children’s library staff at your library they will get a buzz out of helping you and your child. That is one of their roles they know the collection, they can see what your child has borrowed and make selections for you and your cild.
Second this one is for adults fantasticfiction.com is a brilliant site for helping adults find series to read lots of libraries use it
Cheers, will ask for help next time we're at the library.
Ssssshhhhhh!!!!!!
Sorry. I just had to.
Have you seen ppl getting it on at the back? Do you tell them to keep it down?
Lol I haven’t but I have colleagues who have
Is it true what they say about librarians?
And dare I ask what do they say about librarians 😊
Thanks for the AMA! Use my local library regularly and very happy to be able to just walk to it to pick up a book. Few questions from me:
Hi JetBombat I will do my best to answer for you
Libraries are opening up or being refreshed to adapt to the changing role of libraries each one is different colourful and vibrant. This will continue to happen and it’s exciting as each one comes on line.
The highlight of my career has been establishing a creative space in a rural library I managed. We were able to get significant funding for 3D printing and scanning, robotics, we had a 27inch iMac for digital work. The philosophy behind it was just because you are in a rural environment you should not be stopped from have the latest innovative technology to explore and play. It was a multifunctional space that became widely used by the community. I said to my self I want the users not to ask what’s in here rather stand at the door and ask “can I”.
the honest answer is I know very little about the new Marrickville library other than what I’ve seen online and it looks bloody amazing.
4 if you are being charged 16 bucks the books have more than likely come from a university library, this is a standard charge. under normal scenarios public libraries lend to each other as long as the borrowing library pays return postage and no charges are normally levied. May I suggest you search trove.nla.gov.au and your book may appear as this is a national database of the holdings of contributing libraries across Australia.
Hope my comments have been of use
Is the bible (any of them) nowadays classified as fiction or nonfiction?
25 years ago I asked in Joondanna Library and we were both surprised to see the answer was both.
Also, just a comment, I go to the library (in Perth suburb) about every 2 to 5 years and almost everytime for 30 years my card has to be reissued. Is this still the case, as it puts me off going to be honest.
Hi here’s a Quora answer
https://www.quora.com/Do-libraries-put-the-Bible-in-fiction-…
To respond to your comment it’s normal it allows us to verify correct details. You would be surprised at how many people forget to tell us their details have changed in particular the email address. IEach library will have its own policies about when library cards should be replaced
How often do library stock new books?
Libraries always have new books throughout a budget year. There will be a budget amount spent by each library designated specifically for the purchase of new books. Look for what’s new type displays when you visit your library
I thought Librarians were wiped out with Google. How have you managed to survive so long?
Don't forget to click the 'reply' button within my comment.
If I and my colleagues had a dollar for every time we hear this none of us would be working 😊
Let’s look at some of the roles that make librarians jobs fascinating and make librarians better than google
Children’s /youth services these are specialist roles requires specialised skill sets some of which are a solid knowledge of literature for those age groups, being able to develop programs that attract this demographic, tact and diplomacy strong people skills.
Database specialists these people as part of their role manage the library catalogue. The software is complex ensuring hopefully when you look for something on the catalogue you will always get an answer. These roles often look after on line services as well looking for new resources managing existing resources to name some of what they do.
I mention these two roles as examples of what we do that have evolved over the years. Children’s and young adult librarians were around before google.
Everyone assumes google will give you accurate answers bearing in mind they are in the business of generating revenue from adds. Adds always appear at the top of your search results list library catalogues don’t have adds in them
For me personally each public library anywhere has trained highly qualified staff whose job is to help you find out what you want
https://www.britannica.com/topic/library/The-history-of-libr…
Libraries have been around for centuries and will still be here in some form long after I’m pushing up daisies.
Hope that helps
I'd like to take this brief moment to apologise for my question given i was perfectly aware that Librarians are much more super duper than Google.
Apology accepted it’s a common enough comment tho don’t stress
Take care
that scene from j wick 3, just wondering if thats possible.
Which bit? The fighting bit? Or the bit where there are stuff hidden inside books? Or the bit where John Wick died (woops…spoiler!)
Hi, thanks for the AMA. I have some questions:
Hi
1 each library is different and each state is as well but generally councils fund staffing costs, and other operating costs. In Queensland for example the state library allocates to each independent library service based on a complex formula a grant amount to be used to purchase resources in the current financial year, and councils can choose to add to that amount as well. Fine revenue most librarians would say is minimal and many services are moving to and have scrapped fines.
In general terms the average life of a popular fiction author in paperback form in a big library might be 12 months, smaller libraries where the turnover is not high often will be longer. Hardcover books will have a much longer lifespan depending on their popularly.
To be honest not sure why.
To borrow audio/ebooks on line from your library you would normally require the app for that service. The download sits inside the app and is automatically deleted from the app when the loan expires. The downloads are normally encrypted in some form or another and check to see if you have the right app on your system. I won’t say it can’t be done but to Pirate one you would need a skill set that’s above most people. Anyway why would one keep an ebook after you have read it?
5 I think society is changing and kids by their very nature can be noisy. If we instill in kids the library is a fun place they will see it as a cool place to want to come to and use. In my growing up years libraries where for the geeks and the quieter kids. Was not a cool place to be at during lunch break lol
Why does losing a book cost so much more to replace than buying it at a bookshop?
Buy a book at a book shop, say it's RRP of $50
Take a book from a library, they need to:
- chase you for it
- give up
- purchase a new book
- dispose of the old book in the system
- register a new book in the system
- add a bar code
Now, if a librarian is earning 60k / year and that process has taken them 4 hours … it'd be:
$60,000 / 225 working day/s year /2 (4 out of 8 hour shift) $135 on top of the cost of the book
Are you getting charged $185 for a lost book?
There is always a fee charged and it differs from library to library to offset the additional costs involved.
And the other answer to your q is reasonably close to the mark
I've loved how some libraries have the really high quality laminate like plastic that perfectly encloses hard cover dust jackets and meld them onto the actual book, no matter how you hold or use the book the dust cover stays on, and the plastic doesn't bow and bend out of shape. Similarly with paperbacks the plastic coverings is so nicely done. Do you have any tips or resources on how to mimick these and also perhaps what sort of brand or material one can buy off ebay or amazon or local aus stores in order to protect one's own precious books?
Also - how dirty are library books? It occurred to me that after buying 2nd hand charity books and wet wiping them down, that we go our whole childhood life borrowing library books - surely these must be dirty as heck? Just thinking now of reading a book in bed and not washing your hands and lights out makes me cringe, although when younger we were none the wiser….
Hi
Apologies for the late reply
Many libraries don’t cover paperback fiction in plastic given the short shelf life. Normally he spine is reinforced tho. Covering is expensive and adds cost to each book. Let’s say the book costs 10 dollars if we include staff time to cover that potentially mad add anywhere between 3 to 5 dollars to the cost of the book which if it has a shelf life of 12 months as an estimate it’s a waste of money. We would normally reinforce the spine with special tape whack a spine label on it and off she goes.
All books when returned are normally checked and where necessary given a wipe over iron very rare occasions the hazardous materials police kicks in ie send to the bin..
I can’t offer any real suggestion re covering as I’m not a fan of it personally.
Hi
We regularly use library services for last 4-5 years. We return the books within given time period. Recently we didn’t get a chance to go back to library to return books which we borrowed a month ago n got fine for $23.00. We didn’t get any reminders via email or SMS’s. Do they waive it by any chance as once off?
Thanks
Hi
May I suggest you speak to the librarian and ask why you didn’t get any reminders. They will be able to tell you if they did send a sms or email and it’s quite possible they may have discretion to wave as a once off. You won’t know if you don’t ask 😊
Equally letting them know may have identified a problem with their system as often it’s a completely automated process
+1 for this one. I've been let off fines sometimes without even asking.
What is the male/female ratio in terms of being a librarian?
I've been to some seminars which had librarians involved and one of my friends is one…. From my observation it was or perhaps still is 80-90% female!? Please confirm.
Hi
It is very much a female dominated profession we males are in the minority in saying that I get a buzz out of working with talented and very creative people and all my female colleagues are most definitely that
I'd assumed you were a chick. That does not reflect well on The Phantom, who will now seek self-improvement through self-flagellation. Ouch.
You know the bad joke about assuming. It makes an ass out of you and me 😊
I 100% agree with this statement. I work in an academic (university) library, it is very much a female dominated profession. My previous role was in a mainly male dominated profession (IT). I'm also fortunate to work with some very talented and dedicated people.
A question for the OP, have you worked on the other side of the fence (i.e. academic libraries) and if so I'm interested to hear your observations on both. I hear from some of my colleagues that have worked in both that their experiences are vastly different along with the types and expectations of clients, or should I say patrons :)
Whilst I have not worked in academia I have worked for library software vendors in training and support roles. It’s extremely funny when you sit in vendor presentations and they try and demonstrate a new feature to get a sale my bullshit meter goes off because vendors can dummy up what a feature you may want looks like even before it’s in the software to get the sale.
Have you seen any use of public library computers on OzBargain? Should be a global bookmark..
Honestly no
Superced computers can often end up in programs run by the library where we teach you how to build your own computer load Linux on it and more. You get to take the computer home. Awesome way to recycle in my view
Do you get annoyed when parents/children try and put books back?
What's the most interesting thing that has been found in the after hours return?
I often use random pieces of paper as a bookmark if I cbf'd looking for one. On occasion I've left them in the book when returned. Have you found anything interesting?
Do you get in trouble for being on your phone when you are on duty?
When on duty in front of a computer can you browse ozbargain? Do they keep records of your browsing?
Just wanted to say, I love the library. Thank you
Thank you
Do libraries employ "library cops" to deal with library delinquents and chase up people who don't return books?
Just like lieutenant Joe Bookman from Seinfeld (one of my favourite episodes).
My wife is interested in becoming a librarian. She studied English literature but did not complete it (immigrated to Australia) . Do you recommend those librarian study courses or is there another way?
108gtechnerd may want to respond but in most libraries to become a librarian you have to be eligible to join ALIA, meaning you had to do some eligible library information degree - though I noticed this criteria being lifted where I work - usually as long as you have any degree we will consider hiring you as a librarian (but librarian degree is preferred) ..I would consider doing a diploma of Library and Information Services at TAFE first — though we don't tend to hire library assistants anymore as our work is becoming more complex..This maybe different in Public libraries — back in the day it was quite common to do a diploma (though it was free back then if on dole )then do a librarian degree once working in a library. I would go to TAFE and ask about their employment rates of people finishing the diploma—Really depends what sort of library your wife wants to work in
At my local library I asked a librarian what was needed to work there he said most had a degree but all that was required was the tafe diploma. He said he'd wished he knew that before he spent that money and time on a degree.
It really depends where you work and what department… If your an information service librarian the librarian degree and degree in the field your specialise it (i.e art, Science) will give you a good competitive edge. At most universities a Diploma will not get you in the door anymore - well, maybe as a shelver, on circulation or temp work for basic metadata clean-up projects. I suspect if you want to go into special or University libraries do the librarian degree with a minor in computer programming
Degrees are critical to-get a librarian role and the more specific the role the more specific the degree should be.
sardines is spot on for a librarian role in the public library sector the alia eligibility to join is often a selection criteria. Would recommend your wife explore this;
http://alia.org.au/lis-careers
Do you know if a library around Australia have a secret private tour that we can do?
If you have connections a state library has an extensive porn collection that goes way back… some of it I would consider semi-illegal.. to access you need connections or an official letter stating your doing research on porn and cannot take photos or record certain 8 mm recording. There are also a coin collection worth millions and hand diaries of Australian explorers— there boxes and boxes stuff that cannot be accessed for 50 years of letters, photos, affair details etc of prominent Australians that just died donated by families … digitisation of rare stuff is slowly becoming available but funding for these sort of projects is minimal. If a state library or national library ever have public tours well worth doing
If you have connections a state library has an extensive porn collection that goes way back… some of it I would consider semi-illegal.. to access you need connections or an official letter stating your doing research on porn and cannot take photos or record certain 8 mm recording. There are also a coin collection worth millions and hand diaries of Australian explorers— there boxes and boxes stuff that cannot be accessed for 50 years of letters, photos, affair details etc of prominent Australians that just died donated by families … digitisation of rare stuff is slowly becoming available but funding for these sort of projects is minimal. If a state library or national library ever have public tours well worth doing
Thank you for taking questions. I collect old and rare books (pre 1600/1700's). I've often wondered if old books could carry germs or diseases considering the ages they've been through. Apart from the fact that they could almost fall apart, would it be okay to handle them just like any other book?
Well worth doing a preservation course to learn how to treat and care for old books- anything that is rare in our library is kept in special humanity area, out of light and in acid free covering- anyone who borrows them to view must wear gloves and must view on special holder so as not to break spine and glue …I never heard of anyone catching an exotic disease from an old book… where a mate works they had a book where it’s cover was made from human skin that a few people touched without gloves and they were fine
These books really do require a lot of care. Thank you for the suggestion!
Is that a hobby or something you consider an investment? I'm curious as I love the look of old books and just the rarity and (sometimes) wisdom in those tomes. I'm not a collector, just like old things.
Where, if you don't mind sharing, do you source these books from? (A vague answer will suffice)
Just a hobby really. Hard to depend on these as an investment since there is no certainty of any returns at all (although I do hope it pays off someday!). Just the thought of holding something that is 400 years old is both exciting and humbling. I generally buy from local antique shops whenever I travel. Online auctions are a good source too. Have a look at abebooks.com and sydneyrarebookauctions.com.au
If you throw the library book over the top of those door sensors, rather than walk through it, does it still beep? (Never tried, that's why:))
Lol back in the last century lol a certain system had a bug in it that allowed that, trust me you can’t do that any more.
Kids in school libraries if they found the security tag would remove it and attach it to an unsuspecting kid and watch as they left the library
I hope you are recovering and resting well after your accident .
Have you ever gone on strike in your 30 years as a librarian ?
Do you think librarians get fair pay ?
Hi
Thank you for your kind words
I have never gone on strike as I have been in management roles and it’s a given which I embrace we are there to serve our community.
.
Fair pay is a matter of perception I guess, I’m lucky I have a job that pays well but can I stress most library staff love what they do with low staff turnover and many would say I’m not here for the money.
Of course we would all like more money but at the end of the day it’s about how our roles are perceived relative to other occupations.
Just my personal thoughts foR what it’s worth
Do you have any stats on the best library customer in your area? (i.e. number of books read a week, highest loan count, most frequent customer, any amazing stats).
What is the best library in the world/Australia that you know about?
I posted this trying to answer elsewhere in the thread incorrectly I think this is the best spot for this
Some interesting stats
The most recent public statistics for Australian public libraries are for 2016/17
“The Australian Public Libraries Statistical Report for 2016-17 has been released. The report, compiled for NSLA by the State Library of Queensland, identifies and measures the usage and activities of the 1,666 public library service points and outlets across Australia.
In 2016-17 total expenditure on public libraries increased to over $1.23 billion, representing a 19.5 per cent increase since 2012-13. Expressed on a per capita basis, expenditure on public libraries has increased by 12.3 per cent over the same period to $49.92.
In 2016-17 Australia’s public libraries:
made over 161.4 million loans to 9.3 million public library members
were visited by over 114 million customers – more than 9.5 million per month
made available over 36.3 million items from their collections
spent more than $126 million ensuring that these collections remained up to date and relevant
hosted programs attended by more than 6.5 million people.”
Thanks