Laura, thanks for weighing in.
I don't think library fines are just about poor people. Really bad
library employees in positions of power can make life miserable for
librarians and public alike and do so on a day to day basis through a
rigid insistence on fine collection (neither includes nor excludes MPL
employees). The ALA has signed in as against fines, their collected
evidence is sufficient for me.
The cost of buying, cataloging, and processing every new book runs to
something above $14.00 each and replacement isn't always possible. It's
impossible to replace out of print books, particularly small market
books like local and regional authors without a national following,
books on esoteric subjects most folks never concern themselves with,
books about MN, its towns, farms and villages, odd histories, journals
and diaries. GLBT books walk out the door with great frequency, often
times specifically to deprive others of reading books about, by, and for
GLBT people.
I want the books back. I also do not want to make occasions for parents
with 'anger management issues,' to have another excuse to terrorize a
kid in the library, on the way out of the library, at the car or bus
stop. (Interesting that we've gotten so refined that we say people have
anger management issues rather than just saying they're behaving like
vicious jackasses.)
Best numbers on Tuesday. Rah-rah and all that jazz. W
Oh, did I mention I want the books back?
WizardMarks, Central
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn
E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org
Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
REMINDERS:
1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If
you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL
PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html
For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn
E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org
Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
