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Re: Ethical library practices. An empowering Internet. How to participate more effectively in improving our cities' public libraries.
- Subject: Re: Ethical library practices. An empowering Internet. How to participate more effectively in improving our cities' public libraries.
- From: Don Saklad <dsaklad@GNU.ORG>
- Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 13:05:32 -0400
- Reply-to: Don Saklad <dsaklad@GNU.ORG>
- Sender: Archives & Archivists <ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU>
From: Eoin OCeallaigh <takhisis@oceanfree.net>
http://www.topica.com/lists/libraryunderground/
The local authority that I work for (under whose remit
their public library service falls) has instigated a
formal system whereby any staff member can lodge a
query through a communications team (for want of a
better phrase) on any aspect of policy or service and
the authority is OBLIGED to provide a proper response
within a set time limit.
At first I was very sceptical thinking that it would be
more useful to improve communication structures rather
than impose such a draconian mechanism, but from what I
have seen it has worked very well and people by and
large are very happy with it.
Obviously it makes things better if any employee,
regardless of grade, can call this information out into
the open and where everyone, communally, can examine
the structures and policies that they must work with.
I wouldn't say everything is now perfect but it is
certianly an interesting and commendable initiative.
As regards patrons having access to similar information
let me say two things, firstly as information
providers, library services should be seen to lead the
way with policies that are progressive as regards
providing information on themselves, and secondly,
surely it is an undeniable principle that if taxpayers
monies are being used to provide a service (any
service, not just libraries) that they are entitled to
clear, accessible explanations as to how that money is
spent.
Eoin.
http://www.topica.com/lists/libraryunderground/
On Wed, 13 June 2001, Don Saklad wrote:
You can send requests via email for your city's public
libraries' long range planning reports and related
curatorial reports to be sent to you via email or have
them posted on library web links.
Asking for legitimately public reports of your cities'
public libraries is a good thing.
Asking can empower and allow greater citizen
participation in our libraries long range planning
instead of having people kept at too long an arms reach
from what should be a public process.
Massachusetts State Secretary Bill Galvin's Public
Records Division put our public library on notice to
disclose legitimately public information.
But Massachusetts citizens have had direct denials or
denials by lack of response by our Regional and
Massachusetts Library of Last Recourse City of Boston
Public Library Departments President Bernie Margolis.
Attempts to deflect people who would read the public
information have been made by applying extorting
punishing additional fees by the BPL President's
delegated FOI freedom of information officer BPL
Operations Director R. Kowal.
Attempting to charge for access is ironical when the
materials are our own public library materials compiled
by our own public library.
It's the tactics for deterring public interest or
denying concerns of public libraries users, public
libraries personnel and public libraries unions
collective bargaining labor relations advocates
affected by the legitimately public information that
in the public interest should be provided readily
References
http://www.geocities.com/dsaklad/specialcollectionsbpl.html
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