Just a quick rant
05.05.04 (5:18 pm) [edit]Okay, I said in my last little blog today that I didn't have time to read or write anything lately, but after the news I just got here at work, I'm making time. :evil:
My branch manager, fresh from his latest meeting with the administration of my library system, just told us that now they (the administration) has decided to remove the last petty perk that we library employees get: we're now going to have to pay overdue fines on [b]all[/b] materials we check out. :evil:
This means in essence that the employees are going to be held to a stricter standard than the general public because not only are we going to be fined for overdue items, we also aren't able to wipe out fines for other staff members for fear of being reprimanded or potentially dismissed. Our log-ins can be tracked and every transaction observed; so, it's okay for a patron to bitch to have a fine removed, but not an employee. :x
When I started here 3 years ago, employees didn't get fined for any overdue items owned by our system - not that it really mattered to me because I was scrupulous in my returning of materials, but it was nice to have the option of keeping something a few days longer. Suburban materials were another matter, as those we did get fined for, but so what . . . we're encouraged not to order them anyway because of the cost to our system for borrowing other city's materials. Then they decided that employees would be fined for overdue media materials like videos, CDs, DVDs. Again, that was fine with me because I understood that these were popular items and in demand and it made sense to have more incentive for employees not to abuse the system by keeping them longer than they were supposed to. I can even see this being applied to new books that have a 7 day loan period, but now it's [b]everything[/b]. :x
I just can't see how it makes a difference to anyone if a book that's just gathering dust on a shelf is returned on time or not by an employee. It's not like there's any demand for it, and if there was then the item would have to be returned.
Every job I've worked at has had it's little perks. It's a fact of life that every job has it's drawbacks and it's little benefits. Now things have gotten to the point where all government employees are being bashed for everything and in response, the higher-ups in the system are making the job even less enjoyable - all in the name of clean government. I don't understand how library employees being able to keep things out overdue without fines is now seemingly being equated with widespread government corruption as has been seen in this city lately, with several aldermen going to federal prison for bribery and extortion.
I hate to say this, but I think the next catch phrase like "going postal" will be "going librarian," at this rate. :evil:
posted by: tangognat (reply)
post date: 05.05.04 (9:36 pm)
Wow, I can't imagine that the 40 cents extra that they'd be collecting from employees would be worth the loss of goodwill that goes along with the policy change.
posted by: goofylibrarian (reply)
post date: 05.06.04 (6:28 am)
It is frustrating to have a small perk like this taken away. I work in the same system as arcade attendant and I don't like this either. However, this is all politically motivated. The city librarian feels that if the local media discovered that library staff members are being treated differently than the taxpayers, there would be a public outcry. The political climate here in the city and the state is all about squeaky clean employees and practices.
The 40 cents doesn't matter, only the idea of special treatment. I don't like this change, but I understand the reasonings behind it.
posted by: Ladyblog (reply)
post date: 05.06.04 (6:57 am)
How petty is that? I've worked in a few libraries- large and small_ and employees never had to pay overdue fines... if you wanted to, fine. But it was not expected. The only other perk was getting first crack at the "new additions", how nice to get that copy of whatever, before it was made available to the public... of course this had it's drawbacks too because popular materials making the employee round might take months to get to the shelves!
She shakes her head wearily, What is this world coming to?
TTFN
posted by: ArcadeAttendant (reply)
post date: 05.10.04 (12:18 pm)
Reply to: tangognat
That's the problem. they always think it will generate more revenue, but in actuality it won't and does further injury to morale.
posted by: ArcadeAttendant (reply)
post date: 05.10.04 (12:22 pm)
Reply to: goofylibrarian
I still don't understand it. I mean there's a real difference between someone like you and I taking out a book and keeping it for a few days extra without fines - provided it's not in demand - and an elected official taking thousands in bribes, or accepting meals, tickets and other gifts from lobbyists. This is something that's been around since the library began and now they're changing it? Why? What's different now between 40 years ago and today. Politicians are still corrupt and the day-to-day government employees have to suffer because of their misdoings.
posted by: ArcadeAttendant (reply)
post date: 05.10.04 (12:23 pm)
Reply to: Ladyblog
It is a perk, but it's still much faster to go out and buy new stuff because it takes so long for the library's purchasing process that even staff has to wait on a list.
posted by: Tiny Librarian (reply)
post date: 05.14.04 (4:44 pm)
That really sucks. Not long after I started here, the administration decided to do that, too. However, nobody pays any attention to it and if you asked the circ staff to let you pay your fine, you'd probably be laughed at. Perhaps some people have gotten into trouble over it, but I haven't yet. But then, I usually just keep extending my due dates. Bad librarian!
But it really sucks when the last tiny perk is taken away. Not good for morale.