Meeting Thursday at Bookworm

For anyone who would like to attend, we'll be meeting this Thursday (February 2) at 6pm at the Bookworm Cafe inside of the East branch library. We will discuss what our next steps should be. Sunday's paper reported the board still would like to obtain the Sullivan Center. It is concerning because the proposal for the Sullivan Center is labeled a transitional plan as a way to ultimately move to the first plan (going 95% digital). It doesn't mean this will necessarily happen as Mr. Logli continues to say it won't for a years, but the acquisition of the Sullivan Center will likely mean branch closures and possibly further emphasis of the digital library model. Regardless, it may be helpful for everyone to get together and discuss what our next steps will be. So if you're able, we'll meet Thursday at 6pm at the Bookworm Cafe.

A Word on SOL "Membership" and Meeting

One question that has come up repeatedly in interviews with the media is "how many members does SOL have?" To which the same answer is given: "Membership is loosely defined. SOL is not so much an organization as a community based initiative."
Lately people who support the efforts of SOL have also been asking, "How can I join?"
It appears it may be time to shift this initiative into more of an organization and schedule a meeting for supporters to come together and figure out what our next steps will be.
The Rockford Register Star has a lot of coverage and commentary on the library issue in today's paper. Corina Curry has a story that the board still wants to move forward with the Sullivan Center acquisition. It seems like a good time to try to get everyone together to decide what action concerned library patrons and community members should take.
We may have to try several different meeting times and days before finding one or two that will work well for most people, but let's schedule one for this Thursday evening, February 2 at 6pm. Location TBA. Check back on the blog or comment below to suggest a location. It is unclear whether we need to reserve a space or be granted permission prior to declaring a meeting at a local coffee shop. (Or perhaps we can try to serve a room at the Main branch library?) Again, feel free to comment if you have a suggestion, but please check back in the next day or two for a definite location and time. Right now though we can all plan on this Thursday at 6pm. Hopefully there will be another good turnout as there's strength in numbers.

Library Journal Article

Library Journal wrote an article about what's happening in Rockford. Here's the link:

http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/01/ebooks/in-one-community-residents-challenge-library-spending-on-ebooks/

LibraryCity.org

David H. Rothman, Co-founder and Editor-Publisher of  LibraryCity.org contacted SOL to explain that though he runs an e-book related site and supports digitalization of libraries, he is opposed to the plans set before the board. He wrote an article about the Rockford debate that can be found here: http://librarycity.org/?p=3332

There are a lot of interesting articles about the digital divide, the idea of a national digital library system, and more with the opportunity to post and/or share essays.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came out tonight to the board meeting! It was inspiring to see so many people come together in support of our library! Our community feels like a better, stronger place after witnessing how we were able to unite.

Unfortunately only 14 people were able to speak, so if you were not one of the 14 (or got cut off due to time constraints) please feel free to contact board members to have your voice heard. There was a strong presence there tonight and the board seemed to listen.

So again, THANK YOU!!!

Board Meeting Tomorrow (Monday)

Just a reminder that the board meeting is tomorrow (Monday) at 5:30pm at the East Branch library. (Please note that it is not at Main as was reported in the Rockford Register Star today. Someone did call Paul Logli to verify the location. It is at East.)

The board has been backpedaling now that the media is asking them questions about these documents. Read them again if you have doubts about the purpose of them. Novak and Logli have stated the board asked Novak to put them together to generate discussion. However, look at the 5th page of the second proposal and you'll read, "I believe this plan has great merit, otherwise I would not be putting it forward for board review and approval." Something is not adding up... which is why we need to all show up to stand against these plans.

Logli has stated the language in the plans is "inartful" but many would argue it is disrespectful and degrading to our hardworking library staff and the Rockford community. The way the plans are written is troubling as the director of our library should have more respect for RPL. Please consider coming to the meeting to help save our library!

Link to Article

Marilyn Johnson wrote a book called This Book Is Overdue, which is a tribute to librarians and how they are needed now in the age of Google more than ever. (Hear that? Librarians--and we would include librarian assistants here--do much more than give directions to the restroom.) She wrote an article on her blog about cuts to libraries across the country and mentioned that Novak's proposals are the unkindest of them all. It's a great article and worth checking out:

http://www.thisbookisoverdue.com/This_Book_Is_Overdue/Blog/Entries/2012/1/19_The_Unkindest_Cut.html