What do you want in a new library?

The staff at Saskatoon Public Library are hardworking, dedicated and helpful. I’ve worked with many of them over the past 35 years. I am concerned about changes causing loss of job security and a loss of staff ’s expertise. I am also concerned about future plans for SPL.

Librarians and Library Assistants who work with the public must now reapply for library jobs. Some of these staff have worked at the library for 20 or 25 years. When the interviewing is over some staff may find themselves in lower paying jobs or at different libraries. Not surprisingly, employee morale is low.

There is a possibility that Frances Morrison Library staff will work in several locations. Currently they work in one department and gain a knowledge of the books and other resources in that location. Instead of specialists we will now see generalists. What other public library is doing this and why?

You can fill out a survey on the Library’s website (saskatoonlibrary.ca) and provide information about what you would like to see in a new library. Some suggestions are:

1. Continue buying lots of print books for those of us who prefer print over e-books.

2. Continue SILS (Saskatchewan Information Library Services Consortium). Through this resource sharing network we have access to books from out-of-town libraries.

3. Improve relations between management and union. Library staff are the heart and soul of Saskatoon Public Library. Brenda Wilde, Saskatoon