Thinking Outside the Box

Today’s libraries are facing many challenges of either shrinking budgets, trying to keep up with the latest technology, and meeting the demands of the public and government. Imagine living in a small community where you have no local library, or the local library is limited in resources (staffing issues, hours of operation, and purchasing books), and not everyone has access or the means to the latest technology to download books on Kobo, Kindle or any of the other tablets.  For those of who live in large urban centers we automatically assume everyone is on the same playing field as us, but in reality they aren’t.  Currently, there is a small movement based in the United States that has created the “Little Free Library.” The concept of this little library is to “pay it forward.”

Here the community is encouraged to share your books with other people. There are boxes placed in yards, homes, hospitals, or community centers were anyone can take a book, and put another in its place. The boxes are bigger than a mailbox, and are creatively decorated by their owners. The Little Free Library is great for people who may find it difficult shopping in a bookstore due to the variety of choices, or they just don’t like shopping in the mega bookstores. There are people who do not have the funds to purchase books, or the means to travel to a nearby library. Not everyone is technology savvy, nor do they want the latest technology gadget. The little library is a great way to share your books on your topics with other people. Books can range children’s novels, help books, chicken soup for the…, or books on hobbies that you want to share with other people. 

For those who are interested here is the link to the site:

 http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/index.html

Libraries: Investing into the Community

In the fiscal age of restraint many communities are face with cutting services, in a large city of over five million people you would think Toronto would be immune. However, this is not the case. In the municipal election last year Mayor Ford campaign on the promise that he would save the city two billion dollars and stop the gravy train at city hall. Over the past year a consulting firm was hired to help find the waste at the city hall, the report recommend to the city that they could close branches of Toronto Public Library or sell it to a private business.

The public reaction to the report was quite swift. Notable Canadian authors such as Margret Atwood, have launched a campaign called “My Library Matters to Me” contest. The citizens of Toronto are encouraged to submit an essay in which the winner is selected to have lunch with their favorite Canadian author. Initially Atwood spoke about the possible library closures on her twitter account which sparked a reaction the mayor’s own brother, who is also an elected official on council. Councilor  Doug Ford made a comment that he did know who Margret Atwood was even if she passed him at city hall. Councilor Ford also stated that he more Toronto Public Library branches in his district than Tim Horton’s which was later corrected.

Libraries are not a wasted expense, its an investment into the community and the people of Toronto. Every day nearly a hundred thousand people move into Toronto, most of them do not speak English but will get assistance from a library. Kids will learn and pick up a new skills through various programs offered over the summer months. Its also a gathering place for the young and old to exchange ideals and offer support, its place of learning and an investment with future dividends coming from the public. 

http://www.blogto.com/city/2011/07/tim_hortons_vs_toronto_public_libraries_mashup/

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/08/25/ford-bros-not-stupid-says-atwood