Libraries was Why does my address appear as part of my name 2519

No, not at all. I would be very glad to pitch in and lend a hand on one or more advisory boards like I described if they existed.

I do just that, as much as my schedule allows. For example, I try to get to the library once a week on Sunday afternoons for a couple of hours to read magazines, look over the new books, see what they have on any subject which caught my interest over the past week, etc. But I fail to see how that motivates them to do anything per se'.

#1 -- I'm not telling them to do anything. But I think my (our) feedback is useful and more so would be productive if they didn't choose to ignore it. #2 --- The second part of your statement confuses me. Do you mean that all I should do is just take out more books, etc. ? That's silly.

That's great in theory, and in fact I have tried to do just that when I needed a book which they didn't have....but in reality, the library makes it as difficult and inaccessible as possible in order to discourage patrons from using InterLibrary Loan (because it "costs money" and makes them do extra 'work'). I have even had a librarian admit that to me in so many words.

That would be great if they did dump it. But they don't. Anyhow, why should they keep it, tying up shelf space & resources when arguably it is not of any more use. I'm not talking about legitimate items that are considered fundamental, potentially useful, and key to a particular topic. Rather, things like having 27 books on the shelf about Visicalc or Word 95 (which I know aren't being taken out, because they're obsolete and of no use) all the while that the powers-that-be are complaining about how crowded the library is, and how they need a fancy new building.

If there is a book in which I'm interested, and it's of potential value to me, well of course I'll take it out. But as I said above, it's just silly to take out books for the mere sake of doing it and running up some stupid statistics.

You lost me there. Please explain exactly what "work" I'm failing to do. And I'm not asking anyone to accept a conspiracy reason....just posing the question. In many cases, when you're trying to figure out why things are the way they are, all you have to do is follow the money trail. (Yes, I know about Occam's Razor).

That (circulation count) is a virtually worthless measure on its own. At best, it's just one of many data points on the curve. There are many other ways to gauge "customer satisfaction" but they are either too much trouble to implement and-or the powers that be are afraid of what might be revealed.

That's fine for retired folk and those who have lots of time during the week. For those of us who work fulltime jobs (and maybe a parttime one too), these groups' organized activities usually aren't compatible. Plus if you think these kindly folks really have any impact on the library's "ways", you've got to be kidding. Sure, they raise money by selling cookbooks and totebags and similar kitsch....and dodder around planting flowers by the driveway or straightening up the stacks of tax forms.......the money then goes to buy a few books or magazine subscriptions or some puppets for the children's room (all worthy causes, of course). But if you think that the staff & administrators do anything more than humor these lovable oldsters (vast majority of 'em, anyhow) then try again.

Another idea that sounds good in theory....in practice, even if you donate a book, chances are excellent that the library will either simply discard it or sell it at the booksale. How does that help (other than maybe generating 25 or 50 cents apiece for the slush fund) ?

That's great. We need more of that. I have ***never*** seen a suggestion box in the county library system here, or any organized effort to solicit feedback.

You might want to elaborate on this.

To each his own. I prefer to enjoy the library solo.

What would they say ? Probably, if they are honest, they will tell you that they need a livable wage and also to get rid of the idiot political-hack administrators that run the library. Not much you can really do about either of those. And yes, I checked into getting appointed to the library board.....but #1) their meetings are during the workweek daytime, intentionally designed to discourage attendance by the public, and #2) if you are not part of the clique based on religion, age, etc. then the last thing they want is an "outsider" who might rock the boat and think out of the box.