Libraries’ patrons deserve better

As a retired professional librarian I am dismayed by the overhaul of the Saskatoon Public Library. Wide empty spaces appear ready to display new cars or something equally inappropriate. The obvious decrease in staffing means searching everywhere for help with the latest version of the automated catalogue.

I struggle to find parking only to discover half empty library shelves and I know space for thousands of books in the stacks is limited. What is going on?

Frances Morrison ran one of the best library systems in North America. There was a high rate of use per capita. We were proud of the work we did together.

The way staff are treated now is unacceptable. They deserve better and so do we as patrons.

The library board seems afraid to address this destructive spiral on the grounds that the changes are “operational,” i.e. management’s responsibility. But these are basic policy shifts. The board should speak up and explain their support of this mess.

The city determines the rate charged to taxpayers for public library services. The library will present its budget to the city in the near future. Hillary Gough is the city’s representative on the library board. I assume she knows what is going on. I hope there will be questions asked.

Anne Smart, Saskatoon